It's been nearly a year since Roman Reigns was dethroned as the Cody Rhodes, The Tribal Chief took a short sabbatical before returning to handle some family business, but has yet to pursue a re-match.
As Reigns battled to reclaim his rightful spot as the Head of the Table for The Bloodline, Rhodes went on to face challenges from several worthy contenders - further cementing his own championship legacy. Meanwhile, Reigns has been working semi-regularly and making appearances for the promotion's bigger events, or to help ease along an angle when needed.
His Bloodline feud is now behind him, and many fans are wondering how long it will be before Roman comes calling for The American Nightmare (or whoever possesses the belt by then) to ascend to the top of WWE again. But in the meantime, he has become entangled in a three-way conflict that has been years in the making and should have the WWE Universe on the edge of their seats.
A Three-Way Battle Is Brewing
Reigns, Rollins, And Punk Will Be A Barn Burner At WrestleMania 41
The worst-kept secret in WWE right now is that Reigns will be colliding with both CM Punk and Seth Rollins in a three-way battle at WrestleMania. While the match has yet to be officially announced, every television segment regarding the three men has them at odds on both the professional and personal levels. All these are well-decorated former champions, and they have been on a collision course that's been (literally) years in the making.
However, it won't be about capturing a title; it's about achieving some closure for each of the three superstars. The built-in angles have not only been exposed on the promotion's programming but also on social media. The intrigue surrounding the storyline should make this showdown a sleeper, but don't be mistaken: this is a must-watch WrestleMania match.
Roman Reigns Is Not Getting His Title Back Soon, but Will He Become WWE's Head of the Table Again in 2025?
For years, Roman Reigns has been on top of the WWE mountain, but will he be frozen out in 2025?
It's doubtful that this will be the last time these men meet in the ring, but there won't be any bigger. This is the grandest stage in professional wrestling, featuring three of the most prominent of the industry. As for Roman Reigns? He has returned to being a contender again, following a historic championship run. In some ways, it's a reset for the Original Tribal Chief, as he is no longer the hunted. He's back to being the hunter.
Roman Reigns Doesn't Need A Title Right Now
The OTC Is Easily WWE's Biggest Draw - Belt Or No Belt
As strange as it might be to see Reigns hot carrying around any gold, it's a symbol of where he is at this point in his career. Much of his time in the decade or so that he's been a main event performer has been about championship matches. His classic battles with Brock Lesnar, Triple H, and Seth Rollins are a part of WrestleMania lore. There's no doubt about that.
However, the OTC has reached such a level of fame and notoriety that he doesn't have to hold the championship to be the top guy in WWE. He's become a draw all on his own - even if he isn't the recognized champion of the promotion. He's the kingpin in of popularity and marketability.
In the past, icons like Andre the Giant and Roddy Piper never held a lot of titles in WWE, because they "didn't need a belt to get over". They were considered attractions on their own, like the Undertaker in later years. Roman Reigns is at that point now, and that makes this point in his journey so exciting. He's literally free to work any angle or match, without having to take a championship into consideration.
That's why you can't just pencil in a victory for him at 'Mania; he can afford to lose this match if it fuels a future angle. And heading into the event, there's a cloud looming overhead that has the WWE Universe thinking that's what may just happen.
Reigns May Be Headed For His Biggest Feud Ever
Are Dark Forces Aligning Against Him Just Ahead Of WrestleMania?
Out of all the factors that make Reigns so intriguing right now, his relationship with Paul Heyman is one of the biggest. It's a major cloud over his character's future. Heyman has been the Wiseman for several years now, and Roman has never had many reasons to question his loyalty or fidelity to The Bloodline. However, Paul's past has come calling recently, and all the cards might end up on the table out in Las Vegas.
Although not fond of one another, Punk agreed to team with the Original Bloodline at Survivor Series. They even casually celebrated their victory together. Heyman had called in a favor to his former protégé, and The Second City Saint was clear to inform his mentor that he expected a favor in return. That slice of the story is what makes the lead-up to this confrontation so special. Will Reigns' cagey cornerman return to his roots and side with the original 'Paul Heyman Guy', CM Punk? After all, he's done it before, when he turned on Brock Lesnar in favor of Reigns in 2020.
Win or lose, with or without Heyman, what becomes of Roman Reigns after this WrestleMania will be must-see television, as well. Will he engage in a long-term feud with Cm Punk? Could there be one more battle with John Cena? Or, will he be leaving our TV screens for a while?
There are a lot more questions regarding Reigns' immediate future than there are answers, and that's a good thing. It's why the build-up to The Show of Shows (and beyond) could end up providing the most rewarding moments of Roman Reigns' fantastic career. Right now? He's at the point of another reinvention, and that all starts on the Road to WrestleMania.
