WWE News: Top Stories Heading Into ‘Roadblock’ – U.S. Title Not On The Line, Tag Team Title Record, Jeri-KO
A lot of fans are already looking forward to the Royal Rumble in January, but there is still one more big pay-per-view (PPV) before 2016 comes to a close. On Sunday night, WWE and Monday Night Raw will present Roadblock: End of the Line which has a lot of grudges to resolve and a number of titles on the line. While there are a lot of big stories heading into Sunday night’s event, one of the biggest is the Champion vs. Champion match pitting Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns.
Yes, it’s going to be a huge event and the first match confirmed for Roadblock was the bout that is likely going to be the main event – Owens vs. Reigns. As confirmed by the official preview from WWE, the match will be for the Universal Championship, but the most confusing thing is that Reigns’ United States Championship is not up for grabs.
No one really knows what is going to happen in the match, but the “fighting champion” that is Roman Reigns is not even putting his belt on the line. Four 3 Four reported that Vince McMahon isn’t thrilled with the outdated look of the U.S. Title and may have it undergo a makeover soon and try to elevate it as a major title.
That could be why Reigns isn’t defending his title at Roadblock on Sunday and it could be why he leaves after a loss as well. Kevin Owens winning the match could have him move on with the Universal Title and have Reigns continue on as the U.S. Champion and make it more of a focus.
Well, if he ends up actually defending it.
It’s not how you hold it. It’s how you defend it. So how about…????You worry about you and I’ll worry about me!???????? #AhhhYessir https://t.co/HbkCqH3sYM
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) November 15, 2016
Just this past week on Monday Night Raw, The New Day officially became record holders as they surpassed Demolition for the longest reigning tag champs of all time. After making it through two grueling Triple Threat Matches, The New Day retained their belts and look to see how much they can add to the record.
As recapped by Cageside Seats, Cesaro and Sheamus defeated The Shining Stars, The Golden Truth, and Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson on Tribute to the Troops on Wednesday. The winner of that match would become the number one contenders for the Raw Tag Team Titles and face The New Day at Roadblock.
With Demolition’s record now broken and The New Day holding the titles for almost a year-and-a-half, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the unique team of Cesaro and Sheamus to become champions. Sunday will officially mark 483 days since The New Day won the titles back in August of 2015, but Cesaro and Sheamus have had their chance and this could finally be their time.
All of the other matches have a lot of big stories heading into them, and that includes Seth Rollins taking on Chris Jericho. One wonders just how strained the relationship of Jeri-KO actually is and if they are willing to help one another win their matches at Roadblock.
Fox Sports made the point that WWE has had some issues selling tickets for this PPV, and it isn’t overly surprising as to why. The card just doesn’t look great on paper and there hasn’t been a whole lot of build-up for it either. Maybe the performers can make it a year-end spectacular and really put on a good show.
Here is the full card for Roadblock: End of the Line:
- Universal Championship: Kevin Owens (c) vs. Roman Reigns
- Iron Man Match For Raw Women’s Championship: Sasha Banks (c) vs. Charlotte
- Raw Tag Team Championship: The New Day (c) vs. Cesaro & Sheamus
- Cruiserweight Championship: Rich Swann (c) vs. The Brian Kendrick vs. TJ Perkins
- Sami Zayn vs. Braun Strowman – Zayn must survive 10 minutes
- Seth Rollins vs. Chris Jericho
- Big Cass vs. Rusev
Roadblock: End of the Line is going to be the way that WWE sort of finishes off 2016 even though there are still episodes of Monday Night Raw and SmackDown LIVE to take place. While the grudges may not totally go away after Sunday night’s PPV, Roadblock will determine who is likely to finish off the year with gold in their possession. As for Kevin Owens or Roman Reigns? One of them could end December with a lot of gold in their hands.
[Featured Image by WWE]
