Backstage Update On SummerSlam and WrestleMania 34 Main Event Plans Changing

The main event for SummerSlam has been changed, according to a report by Dave Meltzer in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

As seen on Raw on June 19, Roman Reigns challenged the winner of the Samoa Joe vs. Brock Lesnar Universal Championship Match at WWE Great Balls of Fire to a title match at SummerSlam. According to Meltzer, he has it confirmed that the main event of SummerSlam was changed a few weeks ago to Reigns vs. Lesnar.

The original plan for the SummerSlam main event was for Lesnar to defend the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman. Lesnar would retain the Universal Championship and lose it to Reigns at WrestleMania 34.

With Reigns vs. Lesnar scheduled for SummerSlam, it would appear that the WrestleMania 34 main event has been changed as well, although WWE could do another Reigns vs. Lesnar match at the show.

“The idea could be to pull the trigger on the Reigns title win early, so they would have the Universal champion as a regular on Raw television and house shows,” Meltzer said. “Or it could be part of a story they want to tell where Reigns doesn’t win now and builds to a Mania win. But normally, WWE doesn’t put the planned Mania match on pay-per-view before Mania.”

Meltzer also speculated that with John Cena declaring himself a “free agent,” WWE could go with Reigns vs. Cena as the main event of WrestleMania 34.

“The most logical conclusion is that a Reigns win over Lesnar would lead to a Reigns vs. Cena WrestleMania main event, given the Cena “free agent” who can work on both shows gimmick was introduced at the same time the Lesnar vs. Strowman match was changed,” Meltzer said.

“If Lesnar loses the title, that nixes plans for Lesnar title defenses prior to next year’s Mania with both Seth Rollins and Finn Balor, both of which had been teased a few weeks ago. Lesnar vs. Strowman could be saved for Mania or Rumble.”

While the SummerSlam main event has changed, plans can always change again as Meltzer noted that “everyone realizes how strong Samoa Joe has gotten over in the Lesnar feud.”