Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns was previously advertised for Money in the Bank 2022 on July 2, but The Tribal Chief didn't end up performing at the show.
Despite his status as the top star in WWE, along with the company's goal in building up Money in the Bank as a premium pay-per-view event, Reigns was removed from Money in the Bank advertising and didn't end up wrestling at the show. Money in the Bank 2022 was previously set to take place at the massive Allegiant Stadium (home of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders) was moved to the much smaller MGM Grand Garden Arena nearby.
During an interview on the "Sports Illustrated Media Podcast" with Jimmy Traina (h/t POST Wrestling), the 37-year-old superstar explained why he was removed from the Money in the Bank event:
"Well, the strategy for the first few months after Mania (38) was to be on Money in the Bank but once the show was changed and it was moved away from the Allegiant Stadium into the (MGM Grand Garden) Arena, we re-strategized and we just kind of stayed on the path of hitting these huge ones going into the winter so, once Money in the Bank was moved, I was pulled from that and we knew we were gonna hit SummerSlam and then also Cardiff being a huge stadium show as well, being a huge international show, it was just I knew I was gonna be a part of that one so, for me, it wasn’t a surprise. Once I knew things were up with Money in the Bank, I figured there’s gonna be an adjustment there."
Though Reigns wasn't featured at Money in the Bank, the other two world championship belts were defended at the event. Bianca Belair successfully retained her Raw Women's Championship against Carmella, and Liv Morgan became the new SmackDown Women's Champion following a successful cash-in on Ronda Rousey. The cash-in came moments after Rousey defended her title against Natalya.
The main event of Money in the Bank saw Theory outlast Drew McIntyre, Riddle, Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins, Sheamus, Omos and Madcap Moss to claim the men's Money in the Bank briefcase. The 25-year-old superstar hasn't cashed in his contract yet.
Reigns Will Wrestle At The Next WWE Pay-Per-View
Reigns will next defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against two-time WWE Champion Drew McIntyre at Clash at the Castle on Sept. 3. The event will take place inside Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, marking the first WWE pay-per-view to run in the United Kingdom since Insurrextion 2003. The Tribal Chief is the longest-reigning Universal Champion in history, and he's just five days away from reaching two full years with this current reign.
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