Report: WWE Creative Plans May Have Shifted Following Penta-Roman Reigns Match On Raw

A new report indicates that the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match between Roman Reigns and Penta on September 14 was originally viewed as a one-time deal by several of WWE's creative team members. Coming out of the clash, however, that appears to no longer be the case.

According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select, many WWE creative figures are now in support of a rematch between Reigns and Penta, citing it as a logical decision from both a business and creative standpoint.

Penta earned a shot at Reigns' World Heavyweight Championship by winning a tournament filled with top luchadors from WWE and AAA. He then challenged "The OTC" in his hometown of Mexico City on "WWE Raw," at one point seemingly on the verge of victory when he delivered a springboard Mexican Destroyer. Reigns bounced back and eventually speared Penta for the win instead.

Despite his loss to Reigns, Penta may be headed toward a major win in the near future as he's also reportedly been circled as a "heavy favorite" in the upcoming Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match by those inside WWE. WrestleVotes on Fightful Select noted that as of WWE SummerSlam in early August, Penta was not a frontrunner in the respective MITB plans, meaning they've changed somewhere in between then and now.

Penta qualified for the Men's MITB match by pinning Dominik Mysterio on this week's "Raw." So far, Bron Breakker, Trick Williams, and Je'Von Evans have also cemented their spots in the October 10 bout. Another will be determined in a three-way qualifier between CM Punk, GUNTHER, and Finn Balor on Friday's episode of "WWE SmackDown." 

If backstage reports and spoilers didn't exist right now, I'd pledge my support to Penta claiming the coveted Men's Money in the Bank briefcase. After all, it'd be a logical and exciting way to circle back to a Penta-Roman Reigns rematch. The problem, however, is that the result of that potential MITB cash-in for the world title rematch seems obvious.

Recent reports suggest that a bout between World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns and Oba Femi is the current plan for the WrestleMania 43 Sunday main event. As we saw earlier this year, WrestleMania plans can change at any given moment. Given the magnitude and early teases of this one, though, I'm inclined to believe that it will remain intact by the time WrestleMania 43 rolls around. I'm also inclined to believe that Oba Femi would make good on the idea of him being the future of WWE by dethroning "The OTC" on the company's biggest stage.

Operating under that assumption, that would mean that anyone, including Penta, who tried to cash in their MITB briefcase on Reigns before "The Show of Shows" would likely emerge unsuccessful.

I don't want to see Penta lose to Reigns twice. That's why I'd rather someone on the "WWE SmackDown" brand, who is naturally more likely to pursue the hot-potato Undisputed WWE Championship, capture the Men's Money in the Bank briefcase. Trick Williams, the current WWE United States Champion, is an easy candidate to bet on in that case.

Williams is one of WWE's most popular acts. Moreover, we've already seen him within the vicinity of the Undisputed WWE Championship, so winning MITB would simply reinforce the concept of him holding it. Would WWE make him a double champion? I'm not sure. But as we've seen in the past from Seth Rollins and Naomi, one could lose a match (in Williams' case, also possibly his US Title) at a premium live event, then successfully cash in later the same night.