Professional wrestling is often defined by the matches that didn’t happen—the “what ifs” that linger in the minds of fans and performers long after the curtains close. For Sidney Bateman, known to audiences as Reginald, one of those missed opportunities nearly placed him in the center of one of the most historic moments in the industry’s modern era.
In a recent reflection on his career, the former WWE wrestler Reginald ‘almost main evented WrestleMania’ 37 in a scenario that would have fundamentally altered the trajectory of a landmark event. The proposed plan involved transforming a historic singles match between Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair into an intergender triple threat match, a move that would have shifted the focus of a night dedicated to breaking barriers.
The match between Banks and Belair, which took place on WrestleMania 37 in April 2021, was a watershed moment for the company. It marked the first time two Black women headlined the event, cementing their status as pillars of the women’s division. However, according to Reginald, the creative vision from then-WWE Chairman Vince McMahon was far more unconventional.
The ‘Chemistry’ Conflict in the Boardroom
The proposed storyline was designed to weave Reginald into the existing tension between Banks, and Belair. At the time, Reginald was entangled in a narrative involving Carmella, Banks, and Belair. The plan, as described by Reginald, involved a complex emotional pivot where he would break ties with Carmella and form a romantic bond with Sasha Banks.
The creative pitch included specific, character-driven beats intended to build sympathy and intrigue. Reginald recalled a meeting in McMahon’s office where the Chairman suggested a plotline involving Reginald buying Banks a dog to win her affection, playing a supportive role in the background for weeks before delivering a shocking twist.
The “endgame,” as Reginald described it, was for him to appear and announce that the singles match was no longer a one-on-one contest, but a triple threat. This would have made the match intergender, placing a male competitor in a historic women’s main event.
The reaction from the performers was immediate and negative. Reginald noted that both Banks and Belair were visibly displeased during the meeting. When Banks questioned the logic behind the pairing, specifically asking what “chemistry” McMahon saw between her and Reginald, the Chairman reportedly could not provide a concrete answer, simply insisting that the chemistry existed.
the company pivoted away from the idea. Reginald acknowledged that inserting himself into that specific match would have been a mistake, noting that the resulting “heat” from the audience and the wrestling community would have been immense. By sticking to the original plan, Banks and Belair were able to deliver a performance that remains a significant piece of WWE history.
A Double Blow of Misfortune
Even if the triple threat match had been approved, a biological variable likely would have prevented Reginald from competing. While the creative team eventually “came to their senses” regarding the main event, Reginald had other plans for the weekend in Tampa, Florida. He was scheduled to make his first live WrestleMania appearance accompanying Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler during their defense of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships against Natalya and Tamina.
The opportunity vanished on the day of the event. Despite having remained healthy throughout the majority of the pandemic, Reginald tested positive for COVID-19 immediately upon arriving in Tampa. The timing was devastating, forcing him to drive home alone and miss his first-ever WrestleMania appearance entirely.
This sequence of events highlights the volatility of the wrestling business, where a performer can go from being a potential main-event attraction to being sidelined by a medical test in a matter of hours.
Reginald’s Career Trajectory
Throughout his tenure with WWE from 2020 to 2024, Sidney Bateman performed under several monikers, including Reggie, Reginald, and Scrypts. While he often played a supporting or managerial role, his ability to generate heat and his presence in high-profile storylines made him a versatile asset in the ring and on the microphone.
| Career Phase | Key Role/Character | Notable Association |
|---|---|---|
| WWE (2020-2024) | Reginald / Reggie | Carmella, Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler |
| Current Transition | Soleil | ROH / AEW Tapings |
The Next Chapter: From WWE to AEW/ROH
Having moved on from his time with WWE, Reginald is currently navigating a new chapter in his professional life. He has indicated that he is in the process of finalizing a deal with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor (ROH).
He has already begun integrating himself into the ROH landscape, appearing at tapings under a new persona, Soleil. This transition marks a shift from the highly structured creative environment of WWE to the more performance-centric style of the AEW/ROH ecosystem, allowing him to redefine his character away from the shadow of the “chemistry” disputes of 2021.
The industry now awaits the formal announcement of his contractual status and the full debut of the Soleil character on television. For a man who nearly entered the history books at WrestleMania 37 through a controversial creative whim, the opportunity to rebuild his brand on his own terms may be the most significant win of his career.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on the “what ifs” of wrestling history in the comments below. Be sure to follow our sports section for further updates on the evolving landscape of professional wrestling.
