As excitement builds toward WWE’s esteemed Royal Rumble event, it seems the high-stakes matches are starting to take shape, with the combatants for the Undisputed Universal Title now coming into focus. Scheduled for January 27th at Tropicana Field, fans are buzzing with anticipation as to who will step into the ring with the reigning champion, Roman Reigns.
The landscape of SmackDown has been shaken by the return of “The Viper” Randy Orton, who, after an 18-month absence, has returned with a score to settle. His comeback included penning an exclusive deal with the blue brand, positioning him on a collision course with one of the most dominant factions in recent WWE history, the Bloodline. Orton’s vendetta against Reigns and his allies is palpable and it’s clear he’s eyeing the top of the mountain.
During a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer shed light on the matter, pointing out that the Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns matchup is not merely speculation, but is considered by WWE as the strongest option for the Universal Title clash at the upcoming pay-per-view. Other major stars are reportedly entangled in different feuds, leaving “The Apex Predator” as the most viable contender.
Despite there being whispers of alternative scenarios, Meltzer remarked, “I was told that Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns is an option for the Royal Rumble. As of right now, it is WWE’s strongest option… It’s possible that there were other ideas too, so we’ll see how it plays out.” He added, “This is the strongest by far… They got 9 weeks to promote it, so that’s what I expect it being. Nothing else makes sense.”
Speculations of other potential competitors were put forth, such as CM Punk or Kevin Owens, but each has seemingly been paired off with other opponents, leaving Orton as the likely challenger for Reigns’ illustrious title.
As the WWE powers through the tail end of 2023 and into the new year, the question on every WWE fan’s mind is whether Randy Orton can dethrone “The Tribal Chief” and take his place at the summit of WWE supremacy. We’ve seen Orton’s cunning and resilience time and again, but will it be enough against the might of the Universal Champion Reigns?
The Royal Rumble is famous for kicking off the road to WrestleMania and setting the stage for the year’s most captivating storylines. With Reigns vs. Orton on the horizon, the WWE Universe is on the brink of witnessing what could be one of the defining feuds of 2024.
As we count down to the iconic event, stay tuned for more updates and expert analysis. What’s your perspective on this potential showdown? Could Orton be the one to end the era of the Bloodline, or will Roman Reigns’ reign continue unabated? Sound off in the comments section and keep the conversation going.
