The dust has barely settled after WWE Crown Jewel 2025, and the fallout is already ripping through the locker room. The shocking upset of Bronson Reed over the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, in an Australian Street Fight has left alliances in tatters — and a steel chair remains a brutal reminder of all that went wrong.
A Brutal Blow: Steel Chair From Bron Breakker
Even before the final bell, chaos reigned. Bron Breakker made his presence felt with ruthless precision — launching a vicious steel chair assault on Reigns mid-match. That weapon strike was more than a random hit; it was a statement. Breakker, aligned with The Vision and backed by Heyman, reminded everyone that Roman’s dominance is no longer guaranteed. The chair shot staggered Reigns at a vulnerable moment and opened the door for Reed to land the decisive Tsunami pinfall. The visual of Reigns crumpling under that steel blow echoed through the arena — a symbolic moment marking the possible shift of power in the WWE hierarchy.
The Fall of the Tribal Chief
Roman Reigns, once untouchable, looked unsteady in defeat. The chair attack robbed him of control. In his post-match moments, visibly bruised and furious, Reigns turned on his own allies — chastising The Usos for interfering, demanding he prove himself solo, and telling them bluntly that he didn’t want to see them again until Christmas. This repudiation of his own cousins signaled a man desperate to reclaim authority, yet unsure whom he can trust.
But the backstage drama hasn’t slowed. Reigns is in full reclamation mode — ready and hungry for vengeance. He no longer looks like the invincible “Head of the Table.” Now he looks vulnerable, exposed, and willing to burn bridges to rebuild.
Backstage Fallout: The Heyman Betrayal
Still, nothing cuts deeper than betrayal. Paul Heyman, Roman’s long-time advocate and strategic consigliere, delivered one of the most galling blows after the event. In a backstage segment, Heyman congratulated Reed for the monumental victory — not as a defeated man patting a conquering hero, but as someone repositioning for the future.
What stung most: Heyman didn’t stop there. He publicly teed up Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker as the new pillars of evolving power in WWE, hinting at a future built without the Tribal Chief. He even advised them not to interfere in the coming Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins match — ostensibly neutral ground, yet clearly setting the stage for betrayal. This backstage cold shoulder is a stark turn from the days when Heyman would clear the path for Reigns. Now, it feels more like surrender — or a coup.
Later, tensions boiled over: Breakker confronted Heyman backstage, aiming to settle scores. Video snippets suggest Breakker lunged at Heyman in a heated altercation, underscoring the shifting loyalties behind the scenes. The simmers of animosity are real, and Heyman is no longer merely Roman’s mouthpiece — he’s a chess piece in someone else’s game.
What’s Next?
The consequences of Crown Jewel may rewrite WWE’s pecking order. Roman Reigns is no longer immune; he’s wounded, angry, and possibly abandoned. Breakker just delivered the most definitive blow to Reigns’ aura, while Reed walks away with a career-defining victory. As for Heyman — he’s slipping from trusted ally to opportunistic impresario.
One thing’s certain: alliances will shift, grudges will burn, and every move from here will be loaded with danger. Reigns must decide whether to rebuild from the ashes — or succumb to the encroaching new regime before his own throne is snatched away.
