The highly anticipated SummerSlam showdown between Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins has left fans feeling underwhelmed, and for good reason. This feud, with its rich history and deep-rooted narrative, should have been a blockbuster event, but instead, it feels like a mere afterthought. What's more, the match itself feels unearned, with no build-up or long-term creative plan, leaving fans feeling like they've been short-changed.
One of the key issues is the lack of narrative depth. The story between Rollins and Reigns was once a layered and intricate one, with Rollins having a mental edge over Reigns, and their dynamic going back to their days in The Shield. This element elevated their rivalry beyond others in WWE, providing much-needed depth. However, the current build-up has seen this key piece of their story cast aside in favor of a more straightforward and generic program. Instead of the layered storyline that had been such a key component of the rivalry's success, fans have watched Rollins and Reigns try to exchange insults and work-shoot comments, which doesn't work because that's not the dynamic between them.
The match itself feels wholly unearned. It's been years in the making, yet it was booked out of nowhere, with no build-up. WWE Creative didn't devise a long-term creative plan involving these generation-defining superstars or their rich history. Instead, they rushed the match into production, and instead of benefiting from the genuine interest and excitement that should be surrounding it, they are offering ticket discounts using NFL superstar Justin Jefferson, who the audience in Minneapolis will be far more familiar with than any reason that Reigns and Rollins are fighting this go-round.
In my opinion, this feud has been a massive disappointment because it feels like a missed opportunity. The potential for a transformative main event that would have written the latest chapter between two future Hall of Famers and added to one of the deeper stories in the company was there, but it was squandered. It's a microcosm for WWE in 2026, a company that was at its hottest just as Rollins limped to the ring and convinced Reigns to bash him in the back with a steel chair, but now is a shell of its former self and a reminder of how rapidly the creative process has eroded in some areas.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between the potential for a blockbuster event and the reality of a one-off main event co-starring NBA stars. It raises a deeper question about the creative process in WWE and the importance of building up a feud over time. Personally, I think that the company needs to take a step back and re-evaluate its approach to storytelling, focusing on building up a feud over time rather than rushing it into production. Only then can they truly deliver on the potential of a rivalry like this one.
