Roman Reigns has been labeled “The Guy” since the moment The Shield debuted on the WWE main roster. After many missteps, missteps, and shotty booking, it’s safe to say he’s in the best position possible. Fans are hanging on his every word. He’s coming off a reduced schedule. And he continues to stay at the top of the card even when he’s not appearing on shows. SummerSlam 2024 is just hours away, and the biggest moment of the night hinges on the expectation that Reigns will return and finally face the solo Sicour version of The Bloodline.
Reigns’ run in WWE will be examined in the coming years. Vince McMahon recognized Reigns’ value as a top talent, but worked almost tirelessly to kill his push. The COVID-19 global pandemic changed that as Reigns returned under the guise of Tribal Chief and began a run that set him apart from the rest of the industry. Looking back on his time in WWE, these five matches stand out as some of his best performances to date.
Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns: Bloodline Rules
WrestleMania 40 – April 7, 2024
This is the latest entry on the list and the last time Reigns stepped into a WWE ring. After two years of building, it was time for Cody Rhodes to “Finish his story.” The slogan, which fans have become unreadable and meme-ified, has finally come to fruition. Rhodes beat Reigns in a success story that transcends the ages and involved some of the company’s top stars. Despite appearances by The Rock, The Undertaker, John Cena and more, it was Seth Rollins’ interference that put Reigns in a bind.
But even before the “Avengers End Game” moment, the fight between Rhodes and Reigns was a great display of their skills in the ring. This was arguably one of Rose’s best games since his return, and the emotion of this moment took it to a new level.
Daniel Bryan vs. Roman Reigns: Title vs. Career
WWE SmackDown: April 30, 2021
Whether you call him Daniel Bryan or Bryan Danielson, the fact is that he is the best professional wrestler in the world. With his career coming to an end, this match holds a special place in the list of Roman Reigns’s best matches.
Bryan and Reigns were involved in a feud that pitted them against each other for the better part of their careers. With Reigns firmly established at the top of WWE as a Tribal Chief, Bryan made his final shot at the Champion title. He put his career on the line to take the title from Reigns. As expected, they had a great match from start to finish, with Reigns coming out on top, but what makes this match special is that it was Bryan’s final match in WWE before he would show up in All Elite Wrestling, return under the name Bryan Danielson, and get off to this epic start.
Braun Strowman vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
WWE SummerSlam: August 20, 2017
This match was pure insanity. Braun Strowman, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe battled it out for the WWE Universal Championship. As expected, it was a flash in the pan spectacle as all three men quickly eliminated Lesnar, rendering him powerless. From there, the remaining three executed one power move after another in what became known as a “Meat Fest.” The action didn’t let up one bit when Lesnar returned to the match. Many saw this as a great opportunity for WWE to give the title to Samoa Joe, but this was not the case as it was another way to strengthen the relationship between Lesnar and Reigns.
AJ Styles vs. Roman Reigns: Extreme Rules
WWE Extreme Rules: May 22, 2016
AJ Styles has been the number one contender during his time in the WWE. Despite being a multiple champion, he never quite achieved the top spot that many believe he deserved. This description is used when talking about when Roman Reigns and AJ Styles fought in 2016. It marked another step in a months-long feud between the two, with Reigns coming out on top. But long before he became the performer he is today, this match was entertaining from start to finish.
The Wyatts vs. The Shield: 6-Man Tag
WWE Monday Night Raw: March 3, 2014
This is a special match on the list, not because he was great in the ring, but because he was great, but even more so when you think of the individual fighters we’ve lost since then. This was one of the best matches Bray Wyatt and Brodie Lee have been a part of in their entire careers and should be recognized as such. The Shield taking on The Wyatts was a big moment because it was one of those rare moments when WWE gave the fans what they wanted. Six men split into two factions, both of which were hugely popular with the fans. They just wanted to see these characters come to life in action, and that was delivered. An absolute must-have among the best matches for all involved.