Don't Rush Roman Reigns' WWE Return, Swerve's Statement AEW Win, More Quick Takes (2024)

The conclusion to Friday's SmackDown featured one of the greatest angles in WWE's recent history with The Bloodline turning on Paul Heyman.

Now, fans await the epic comeback of Roman Reigns to television to take the storyline to a whole new level.

Saturday's Money in the Bank has been pitched as a potential return date for the former undisputed WWE universal champion, but the company would be wise to hold off on the highly anticipated moment just a little longer.

Meanwhile in All Elite Wrestling, Swerve Strickland is riding high after retaining his AEW World Championship against Will Ospreay in the main event of Forbidden Door. The two delivered a total thriller that culminated in a much-needed, high-profile victory for the champ.

In beating Ospreay in decisive fashion, Strickland puts an end to the notion that he was merely a transitional titleholder for the international sensation heading into the company's biggest event of the year, All In at London's Wembley Stadium.

This installment of Quick Takes will explore the importance of Strickland's win, how Adam Page could soon factor into the main event picture, Dijak's departure from WWE, and more.

AEW has done an exceptional job of handling Swerve Strickland's organic rise to the top of the card over the last year. The only drawback has been how it's coincided with the arrival of Will Ospreay from New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

When Strickland bested "Hangman" Adam Page in a Texas Death match at Full Gear in November 2023, it was the same night Ospreay announced he had signed with the company.

Five months later at Dynasty, despite Strickland winning the AEW World Championship in the main event, he was overshadowed by the Match of the Year contender the Englishman had with Bryan Danielson.

Strickland's title defense against Ospreay at Forbidden Door on Sunday was all about reminding the world why he belongs in the upper echelon of AEW with stars the caliber of The Aerial Assassin.

Not only did he have the performance of a lifetime, but Strickland also managed to put his rival down for the count in clean fashion.

That unquestionably cements Strickland as the face of AEW. Ospreay doesn't fall far behind whatsoever, and after the stellar showing he had, there's no reason to think he won't be back in contention for the championship at some point in the not-too-distant future.

The outcome was exactly what it needed to be: Strickland scoring a statement victory and establishing himself as AEW's top dog.

As of now, no one name from the men's Owen Hart Cup stands out as an obvious choice to go the distance and earn the opportunity to challenge for the AEW World Championship at All In.

Bryan Danielson, who arguably has a better chance than most, would be better suited in a singles match with longtime rival—and current commentator—Nigel McGuinness. That leaves the unknown "wild card" as the favorite to make it to the finals and win the whole thing.

Adam Page's return to TV was revealed to be imminent via a video package that aired on Saturday's edition of Collision. The most logical direction for him to go would be as the Owen Hart Cup wild card and to rekindle his rivalry with Strickland over the AEW world title in time for the London show on August 25.

Page was last mentioned on AEW programming as being "suspended" from The Elite in March, but coming back as a heel would allow him to pick up where he left off.

Rejoining his buddies in the group would give him instant heat and simultaneously give the group its fifth man for Blood and Guts later this month.

Hangman's villain arc will be fascinating for fans to follow.

WWE has made massive strides creatively during Triple H's regime, but the new era hasn't been without its blunders.

Cameron Grimes and Ricochet have perhaps been the biggest examples of wasted potential under The Game, and Dijak's name can now be added to that list.

The extraordinary athlete announced his departure from WWE via X on June 27, claiming the company never negotiated with him prior to his contract's expiration. Despite being moved from NXT to Raw in the recent WWE draft, there were evidently no plans in place for him on the main roster.

The current WWE roster is stacked with stars and therefore not everyone can be showcased or utilized in a meaningful role at all times, but Dijak was never given a fair shot following the colossal failure that was Retribution four years ago.

Thankfully, WWE's loss could soon be AEW's gain. Per Fightful Select, Dijak was backstage at Sunday's Forbidden Door, a significant sign that the 37-year-old could soon be heading there.

His winning combination of size and skill will make Dijak a valuable asset to any promotion fortunate enough to land him.

Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill's loss of the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship at Clash at the Castle came as a surprise to fans expecting them to hold gold for a lot longer than they did.

Their run was cut short at just six weeks, but with it being a Triple Threat tag team match, they were protected in defeat with Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn pinning Shayna Baszler to clinch the titles.

Although them regaining the gold remains the most likely option, that would be a step backward given the lack of depth in the division. At this stage of their storyline, it would make more sense to move forward with the two of them teasing tension.

Cargill has had enough experience in the tag team ranks and will only improve by wrestling more singles matches. Her Queen of the Ring tournament matches—albeit brief—exceeded expectations and proved she's more than capable of holding her own in a one-on-one capacity.

SummerSlam would be too soon for Cargill and Belair to have their highly anticipated singles match, but beginning to plant the seeds for that feud should be where WWE goes with them next.

The Bloodline's brutal beatdown of Paul Heyman during Friday's SmackDown merely put them on borrowed time. Once Roman Reigns resurfaces, he will have revenge on the mind and Solo Sikoa in his sights.

There should be no rush in getting him back on television as quickly as Money in the Bank, though.

Reigns ruled the company as its undisputed WWE universal champion for nearly four years, so an extended break was needed to make him feel fresh again. The longer his hiatus lasts, the greater the comeback will be.

If WWE is adamant about having Sikoa challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, there isn't much The Head of the Table can do until then.

It would make more sense for Sikoa to lose to The American Nightmare and for The Tribal Chief to show up after that.

In the meantime, The Bloodline can continue to generate heat and build excitement for the eventual homecoming of Reigns. Jimmy Uso factoring into the finish of The Bloodline's six-man tag team match at Money in the Bank is a strong possibility.

Either way, Reigns' return will be worth the wait for the raucous reaction alone, which is why it's imperative WWE take its time with the story and nail this next chapter.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.