We haven't seen Roman Reigns since he was taken out by Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker during the RAW after WrestleMania. Now, it seems we're one step closer to the OTC's return, based on a report from @WrestleVotes.
According to the insider, "It seems that time of year again—Roman Reigns' return is on the horizon. Sources indicate his name has popped up internally in recent weeks, typically signalling the wheels are in motion for a return heading into the biggest party of the summer."
It makes sense for Reigns to return for the two-night SummerSlam, and he, CM Punk, and LA Knight will likely team up to do battle with Paul Heyman and Rollins' new faction (which has since added Bronson Reed).
SummerSlam takes place in New York on August 2 and August 3, so it may still be a couple of weeks before we see the former Undisputed WWE Universal Champion back in the ring.
In related news, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Reigns will play the villainous Akuma in Legendary Entertainment's upcoming Street Fighter movie.
He joins a cast which includes Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken, Callina Liang as Chun-Li, 50 Cent as Balrog, Jason Momoa as Blanka, and Orville Peck as Vega. Kitao Sakurai (Bad Trip) is directing from a screenplay by Dalan Musson (Captain America: Brave New World).
Since Street Fighter's launch in 1987, the series has sold over 49 million units worldwide, becoming one of the most well-known and highest-grossing video game franchises of all time.
Along with films based on original IP, Legendary has a successful track record for adaptations, including leading video game franchises. Recent titles include the six Academy Award-winning Dune, not to mention multiple entries in its cinematic Monsterverse, and movies like Detective Pikachu and Enola Holmes.
Hollywood has attempted to adapt Street Fighter in the past, including a 1994 movie that bombed. It starred Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kylie Minogue, Ming-Na Wen, and the late Raul Julia among others, while a 2009 effort - Street Fighter: The Legend Of Chun-Li - featuring Smallville alum Kristin Kreuk also flopped.
A high-profile project like Street Fighter could be a game-changer for Reigns, especially if the movie ends up turning out great. What that means for his WWE future is hard to say, but he'll need another extended absence to shoot this blockbuster.