WWE Hot Take: Solo Sikoa is the Right Man to Dethrone Roman Reigns

It sure feels like the closer WrestleMania 39 gets, the more likely it seems Roman Reigns retains his unified titles over Cody Rhodes in the main event.

Maybe that happens because they are saving Reigns for Solo Sikoa.

Don't scoff at the idea too much. Sikoa, albeit very quietly, has been heavily protected since his call-up to the main roster as an enforcer for Reigns. Unlike The Usos, he's a solo act. Unlike names like Sami Zayn or Rhodes, he's part of the family-based storyline that kicked off this dominant heel era for Reigns.

This is an idea starting to raise eyebrows in prominent circles, too. Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats) "they're saving Solo for Roman, whenever that day comes."

It's a stunning thing to hear, but maybe not so much with context—Sikoa hasn't lost as a singles act on the main roster yet. He's looked dominant at every step and, frankly, WWE would be silly not to capitalize on this momentum. How many superstars get to skip the mid-card and go right into the main-event scene...in believable fashion?

When it comes to this potential greatest-of-all-time title run from Reigns, WWE has to think about the long term. Yes, giving an era-ending win to Rhodes or Zayn or even Jey Uso would be fun. But the youngest in the group is Jey Uso at 37. Sikoa is 29.

Having an under-30 superstar step in and dethrone Reigns in a storyline way that makes sense is just smart. Speculation about Reigns stepping aside and/or taking on a reduced role and effectively becoming a Brock Lesnar-type part-timer has been rampant for a while now, so the company has to think about who the new final-boss-styled heel can be.

And it's Sikoa. If he does end up taking down Reigns, it's one of the biggest rubs ever. He would walk into every arena with that Reigns-esque aura and massive heat from fans, almost effectively extending the current champion's run. Bonus points if it happens to have Paul Heyman by his side while Reigns is gone. Potentially more bonus points if everything includes a Heyman betrayal to hop aboard with Sikoa.

Some will push back hard on this idea for multiple reasons. One is how "green" Sikoa might be for a champion. But while that might be true, his title defenses don't need to be complicated. Fighting a big-man style with high-impact moves and spots against good sellers will keep things simple. Think, him crushing Jey or Zayn. If his possible title run mirrors what Reigns has done, it's not like he would be defending weekly anyway.

Another big pushback point would be Rhodes. He's super-over right now after returning to WWE. The story is great—he left the company, traveled the world, helped start the only legitimate competition to WWE since WCW and wants to win the title his father never did.

But with Rhodes, there is an almost cliche elephant in the room with how predictable and easy it has been. The storyline is good. So are the promos. But the return was easy to see coming, and he entered 30th in the Royal Rumble, winning it. Reigns shocking and retaining over what feels like the company-picked storyline might make for an even bigger moment—and even bigger payoff for the guy who eventually beats him.

Easy solution? Find a way to split the titles or, in time and as speculated, create another title for Rhodes and others to feud over on Raw. The family storyline with an eventual Reigns-Sikoa clash remains the endpoint. Don't forget this path could also mean The Rock could still be on the table for a big event such as SummerSlam, too.

All roads leading to Sikoa could be an extension of what has already been WWE storytelling at its finest. All things Bloodline and even Zayn have been spectacular, so extending that in a way that organically puts Sikoa in a position to take down Reigns makes more sense than a non-family member ending the era.

If done well (and there's no reason to think it won't be based on the tale so far), WWE and fans get a shocking Mania result, with Reigns going over 1,000 days as champion and extending the window for a possible Rock involvement. Then Sikoa can step in and become an instant main-event star for a decade or more.

Viewed through this long-term lens that stays true to the storytelling so far, Solo is the only way to go, and the booking between now and then should reflect that.