The feud between the two was put on hold after Strowman legitimately injured his elbow. Reigns competed in a fatal five-way match at Extreme Rules in June against Bray Wyatt, Finn Bálor, Samoa Joe and Seth Rollins, with the winner becoming the number one contender for the Universal Championship. Joe would win the match after forcing Bálor to pass out to a submission hold. On the June 19 episode of "Raw", Reigns was attacked by a returning Strowman, who challenged Reigns to an ambulance match at Great Balls of Fire, which Reigns lost. At SummerSlam on August 20, Reigns was pinned by Brock Lesnar in a Universal Championship match also involving Strowman and Joe. Following this, Reigns would begin a rivalry with John Cena. The two faced off at No Mercy, which Reigns won. The next night on "Raw", Reigns described his victory over Cena as the biggest win in his career. In October, due to mutual issues with The Miz, The Miztourage (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel) and Cesaro and Sheamus, Reigns, Ambrose and Rollins decided to reform The Shield in order to combat the aforementioned alliance. Reigns was due to team with Rollins and Ambrose at on October 22, but he was removed from the match due to an illness concern. He was replaced by Kurt Angle.