Roman Reigns is one of the most highly successful wrestlers in the history of WWE’s Royal Rumble event, having won it once in 2015 and finished as the runner-up four times, a record that still stands. Reigns also held the record for the most eliminations in a single Royal Rumble match in 2014 until Brock Lesnar broke it in 2020 with 13 eliminations.
In the upcoming Royal Rumble event of 2024, the Head of the Table will defend his WWE Undisputed Universal Championship title in a fatal four-way match against LA Knight, Randy Orton, and AJ Styles.
Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble over the years
Royal Rumble Match (2014)
Roman Reigns had a remarkable debut at the Royal Rumble 2014 match, which is considered one of the best in the history of WWE. He created history by breaking Kane’s 13-year-old record of eliminating the most number of superstars, as he eliminated 12 superstars.
Reigns’ performance was truly impressive, and he had the fans’ support as they were rooting for him instead of Batista. However, Batista ultimately defeated The Tribal Chief and won his second Royal Rumble match.
Royal Rumble Match (2015)
In the 2015 Royal Rumble match, Roman Reigns appeared as the 19th competitor and proved to be a fierce contender. Although he couldn’t surpass his earlier record of 12 eliminations, he still managed to eliminate six opponents. Eventually, he ousted Rusev, thus winning the Royal Rumble for the first time.
This victory earned him the opportunity to challenge Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 31. During the match, The Rock made a surprise appearance and helped Reigns fend off Big Show and Kane. However, despite The Rock’s presence, Reigns was still met with jeers from the disappointed audience.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Royal Rumble Match (2016)
At the 2016 Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns had to defend his WWE World Heavyweight Championship from the number one position. Although he was injured by the League of Nations, Reigns lasted almost an hour and eliminated five superstars. However, Triple H eliminated Reigns and went on to become the new champion.
Roman Reigns Vs. Kevin Owens (2017)
In the 2017 Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns’ best match was against Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship. It was a no-disqualification match, with Chris Jericho suspended above the ring in a shark cage.
The match was violent and entertaining, with both men using weapons. Owens won with the help of Braun Strowman, and it was his final successful title defense before losing to Goldberg at Fastlane.
Royal Rumble Match (2017)
Roman Reigns had a bad night at the 2017 Royal Rumble match, lasting only five minutes. He redeemed himself by eliminating The Undertaker, but fans were unhappy and booed him. Randy Orton won the match by eliminating Reigns.
Royal Rumble Match (2018)
At the 2018 Royal Rumble, Reigns entered as the 28th entrant to a chorus of boos. He eliminated Titus O’Neil, The Miz, and Randy Orton. However, he also turned on Rollins. Reigns was a threat in the latter stages, but Shinsuke Nakamura won the Royal Rumble, leaving Reigns as the runner-up once again.
Royal Rumble Match (2020)
At the 2020 Royal Rumble, Reigns participated in the first Royal Rumble match of the new decade. He faced King Corbin in a brutal Falls Count Anywhere match, which was the first match of the night. Entering as the 26th participant, Reigns clashed with Edge, who made a comeback after a nine-year absence.
Despite being unpopular with the fans, Reigns managed to reach the final four but only managed to eliminate Dolph Ziggler and Edge, which resulted in heavy boos from the fans. However, Drew McIntyre eventually defeated Reigns to win the Royal Rumble.
Roman Reigns Vs. King Corbin (2020)
At the 2020 Royal Rumble event, Roman Reigns and King Corbin’s feud finally ended. Their matches were dull and lacked in-ring chemistry. However, the Falls Count Anywhere match at the Rumble suited both men. Reigns won the match with a Spear in an unexpectedly good opener at the Rumble.
Roman Reigns renews 7-year-old hostility with AJ Styles
AJ Styles has earned himself a match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the 2024 Royal Rumble. The match will be a Fatal 4-Way involving Roman Reigns, LA Knight, and Randy Orton. On the latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown, there was a Triple Threat match to determine the number one contender for Reign’s Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Orton almost won the match with an RKO, but The Bloodline interrupted the match by attacking all three competitors. As a result of this interference, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis decided that Roman Reigns would defend his championship against the top three superstars.
In 2016, AJ Styles made his WWE debut at the Royal Rumble. Interestingly, his first opponent was none other than Roman Reigns. After all these years, they are set to meet once again inside the ring. The two wrestlers had two back-to-back classic matches in 2016. The first singles match took place at Payback 2016, followed by Extreme Rules on May 22. Although both matches were intense, Roman Reigns emerged victorious on both occasions.
If The Phenomenal One wins the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the 2024 Royal Rumble, it would be a significant achievement for him. He has an advantage going into the match, as he won’t need to pin Roman Reigns to become the champion. However, Reigns is aware that he will be at a disadvantage in the Fatal 4-Way Match at the 2024 Royal Rumble.
What are your thoughts on whether Roman Reigns will lose his Universal Championship title at the 2024 Royal Rumble event? Share your opinions in the comments section below!
