WWE's Roman Reigns Era is at a Crossroads

WWE wants fans to believe that Money in the Bank represents a serious possible turning point for Roman Reigns' title run as top dog and the prospects of LA Knight's status as a main-eventer.

If WWE lets it stand as such, of course.

Should WWE do what many fans would consider to be the smart thing at this point, LA Knight will walk out as the winner in the main event.

Think about the fallout. Knight winning is yet another nod by WWE that getting over and performing at a high level for a long time will be rewarded. More so than a message to the locker room, it would be a message to the fanbase itself that, indeed, backing favorites will end up being a worthy time investment.

Don't forget the ramifications for Reigns. He'd be an infinitely more interesting character while going back in chase mode, too. He's great as a top guy, but some unexpected adversity before attempting to get the title back in time for WrestleMania (where he'll probably put over Oba Femi, too), would make for some compelling weekly programming.

Much of this has to do with Royce Keys' 946 faction. If they throw interference, the whole thing not only boosts Knight, it stamps a permanent exclamation mark on the hottest new thing in WWE. It doesn't get bigger than being the faction to stomp out the Bloodline and being the faction to suddenly halt another Reigns, well, reign of terror.

This doesn't have to be silly stable booking in an attempt to just set up Survivor Series, either. That event is at the end of November. Call this 946 vs. Bloodline beef a happy bonus. All of the above positive notes paint the justification more than anything else.

And no, the dusty finish via interference doesn't diminish Knight's accomplishment. That's like saying Sami Zayn hasn't had a worthwhile time since winning a title and only holding it for a few moments. He got the deserved career-long moment, cherished it with fans and remains in the mix, title or not.

Speaking of holding a title for just a few minutes, yes, there's always the specter of a cash-in attempt after the main event. Someone like a CM Punk or Penta with a briefcase could come cashing in and steal everything from Knight.

But what's the worst-case scenario? Knight's title win would still be official on his resume. The moment would still be earned and shared with fans. He got over the hump and isn't going anywhere as a main-eventer who can win it at any other point.

Call it a crossroads for Reigns, Knight and WWE, really. There are few better chances for Reigns to drop a title in a way that makes so much sense. There are few better spots for Knight to actually get a win, with WWE having plenty of ways, briefcase or otherwise, to get it back off him in a hurry, if so desired.

And now is the time for you deserve it runs. Guys like Cody Rhodes and Punk have dropped top titles in these efforts. Drew McIntyre and Zayn were the big winners here. Stretch it out a few years, and Damian Priest and Jey Uso, too.

No reason Knight can't join that list, especially now. What better way for WWE to keep sending the message to fans, too, that everything is worth watching?

The alternative to all this is Reigns just winning, probably with some of the faction drama for good measure. And to his credit, Reigns' current run has been fantastic, full-time and filled with elite defenses that didn't feature outside interference. It's perhaps as compelling as he's ever been.

Still, Reigns losing, Knight winning, briefcases and factions…it all becomes a lot more interesting on a weekly basis this way.

It's a crossroads, but really only if WWE has the confidence to veer off the expected path.