Hi folks and welcome to “How We’d Book” – an all new pro wrestling column outlining how we’d book either something coming up in wrestling or something that had already happened with weak results I.e. making someone other than Rikishi the driver in 2000. For this week’s column, I’m going to go all in on fantasy booking with the subject of the United States Championship in 2022.

IN A WORD…

Better. Seriously, the United States – and Intercontinental – Championships have been treated as an afterthought by the ‘E to the point where they weren’t even defended at WrestleMania this year and WrestleMania took place over 2 nights! Before I get into this properly, I’d like to point out that I like who they’ve had hold each title this year so my issue isn’t with the Champions, more so the booking.

Use Roman’s Position to Enhance the Gold

At time of writing, Roman Reigns has holds both the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and WWE Universal Championship and as a result of his new contract, he is going to be working a reduced schedule. So, I think, that the best thing for Raw and the US Championship would be to bump the US title up to main event status while SmackDown’s Roman Reigns holds the main World Championships.

Keep it on Theory

Austin Theory is a great talent with a bright future. He got to feature in a segment with Stone Cold Steve Austin at this year’s Mania and is the current US Champion as well as Vince McMahons chosen one. Therefore, where we find ourselves in situations like the upcoming Hell in a Cell PPV where the WWE/Universal Titles aren’t on the line, then Theory should absolutely be defending that title in the main event. Make it something that Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, The Miz and Cody Rhodes are actively trying to win – a ppv main event victory over any of those names would go a long way in establishing Theory as a top guy.

Dream Scenario

Picture this: The Raw after HiaC opens with Theory and his title in the ring bringing back the US Open Challenge for Raw’s main event. Ezekial walks out first to accept the challenge and the two have a great main event that sees Theory retain due to Owens and Alpha Academy getting involved. The following week, have AJ Styles accept the invitation and then Judgment Day get involved to help keep the title on Theory in the main event. The third week then sees Theory take a break because he’s a heel and has just had two back to back main event title defences – this, however, isn’t going to fly with Ezekial and AJ Styles who both come out to stake their claim as the next challenger but get interrupted by Adam Pearce who informs them that they can’t challenge again due to losing as per the terms of the open challenge, so Finn Balor comes out. Theory points out that he beat Balor for the title so doesn’t need to fave Finn again but will do so anyway on the next week’s show. Theory wins due to interference (again) but after the match we hear something amazing – the theme of John Cena! Cena waltzes out and insists on facing Theory for the title at MITB and the two proceed to put on a fantastic match at the PPV which sees Theory pick up the victory CLEAN. Now, the prestige of the title has been raised and the stock of Theory has also increased as he’s beaten three of Raw’s top faces AND John Cena – one of the greatest WWE United States Champions in history. Then, the following night on Raw Cena should come out and congratulate Theory l, offer him a handshake then lay down the challenge for Summerslam. Having two back to back PPV matches against Cena will elevate the hell out of Theory and the U.S. Title so this makes a heck of a lot of sense. It also gives Cena a decent, memorable return and allows him to build up the next big thing; Austin Theory.