Backstage Note: Possible Spoiler on WWE's Plans for Roman Reigns at SummerSlam

Barring any stunning twists over the next month, Roman Reigns will enter SummerSlam 2026 as the World Heavyweight Champion.

SummerSlam 2026 will be held on the Aug. 1-2 weekend at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reigns, who wrestles on a part-time schedule, always competes at WWE's second-biggest pay-per-view.

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Ringside News) after Night of Champions, Bryan Alvarez indicated that Reigns will rekindle his rivalry with former Shield ally Seth Rollins at SummerSlam.

Alvarez also opines that King of the Ring winner Oba Femi will dethrone new WWE Champion Sami Zayn at SummerSlam.

"My presumption when the show is over is that Oba Femi is going to kill Sami Zayn at SummerSlam and win that title, and Seth Rollins is going to wrestle Roman Reigns, because I can't think of any other reason that Seth Rollins should have beaten Bron Breakker clean in this cage match," Alvarez said.

Alvarez's colleague, Dave Meltzer, also expects Rollins vs. Reigns for SummerSlam. Meltzer noted that this match has "been planned for a long time" by WWE (via Ringside News):

"Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins had been planned for a long time for that show," Meltzer stated. "So, you know, once they moved Gunther, because originally it was gonna be Roman Reigns and Gunther, yeah, my impression when Seth Rollins won was that he was wrestling Roman Reigns."

Rollins and Reigns last squared off at day one of WrestleMania last year in a triple threat match involving CM Punk. With some help from Paul Heyman, Rollins won the match after pinning Reigns.

Roman Reigns Is in His First World Heavyweight Championship Reign

Reigns, who will reach 70 days as the World Heavyweight Champion on Monday, first claimed the title with a victory over CM Punk in the main event of WrestleMania 42.

Since the title was introduced in 2023, only three superstars have won it at least twice: Rollins, CM Punk and Gunther. If it is Rollins vs. Reigns at SummerSlam, the former will have a chance to become the first three-time champion with the title belt.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 5:24 PM.