Investigation details on Roman Reigns’ backstage incident on SmackDown LIVE

Roman Reigns narrowly avoids backstage calamity: SmackDown LIVE, July 30, 2019

The Big Dog was denied the opportunity to make a SummerSlam challenge when a pile of scaffold and metal suddenly fell down upon him.

In the final moments of this week’s SmackDown LIVE, Roman Reigns was intending to make a SummerSlam challenge from the backstage area, but The Big Dog just barely evaded sheer catastrophe when tons of steel beams came plummeting toward him.

A preliminary investigation has found the incident Tuesday night involving Roman Reigns was caused by a forklift backstage carrying lighting grids that were not properly secured.

Update to story - Friday, August 2, 10:40 a.m. ET
It has now been determined that the incident in question was specifically caused by a forklift driver error.

Update to story - Friday, August 2. 12:10 p.m. ET
At this point, the identity of the forklift driver has not been determined.

Update to story - Monday, August 5, 7:15 p.m. ET
As a part of an ongoing investigation, it has been discovered that WWE’s regular forklift operator had taken the day off from work due to illness.

Update to story - Monday, August 5, 7:45 p.m. ET
Upon further investigation, the forklift operator last Tuesday on SmackDown LIVE was a temp and not a WWE employee.

Check back with WWE.com for more details as they become available.

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