Could Roman Reigns Win WWE Royal Rumble 2019?

Everytime Roman Reigns locked, loaded and then connected with his devastating Superman punch during his seemingly never-ending but ultimately futile three year push, it didn't so much stun fans as stupefy them. The Superman punch was emblematic of the tired 'Superman' persona so many had grown sick of throughout the John Cena doldrums; now they were being forced to toil through the cycle once more.

If the Big Dog completes his latest Superman comeback this Sunday, absolutely nobody will be complaining.

After over a thousand days of trying, Reigns finally conquered his white whale Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam 2018, at last allowing both himself and the fans to escape their very different forms of purgatory. It was a relief as much as it was cathartic.

Just two months later, he announced his leukaemia had returned. Trivial concerns about pro-wrestling particulars evaporated into irrelevance. After years of wishing Roman to disappear, fate had played its cruellest trick. Such desiderations were revoked in an instant. Now, we absolutely did not want to say goodbye.

The hideous irony of the hideous scenario was that, irrelevant as it was at the time, suddenly the story so many were glad had concluded at SummerSlam now had an actual beginning. The tragedy was that it took outrageous misfortune, not overpaid writers, to come up with it.

If - and we pray, when - Roman returns, he'll do so as the biggest hero in the company's history. It is, illness aside, the role he should always have played, had his hard-work, dedication, passion - and yes, talent - not been undermined for years by obstinate management who couldn't see the bigger picture, and a Meltzer-fuelled fan resentment over his supposed anointment.

We haven't heard too much about Roman's battle since he bravely stepped from our screens, but what news has came through has been good. In fact, it's been very good.

Reigns was recently pictured looking healthy and happy in Hawaii. But he wasn't just there on holiday; he was there to work. Just three months after his diagnosis, the former three-time WWE champ was on set filming for Fast & Furious spinoff Hobbs & Shaw alongside cousin The Rock.

He was making his debut acting bow in the midst of fighting a life-changing illness. That's the measure of the man.

Reigns broke his silence after the news emerged, posting an inspirational Instagram post crediting the island with aiding his recovery whilst - crucially - vowing to be "back in the ring as soon as possible."

Just how soon could that be?

Nobody but Reigns and his closest friends and family know the details of his prognosis, but the stories emerging from the Pacific are very positive signs. Could Roman make an incredible return to the ring as early as, say, early April? Again, though the tortuous path of life makes it impossible to say with certainty, it is a possibility.

Early April. WrestleMania, in other words.

Absolutely nobody wants to see Roman rushed back too soon, but if there's one spot on the entire calendar almost tailor-made for a low-exertion high-reward cameo, it's the Royal Rumble's number 30 spot. Everybody is already aware that R-Truth is scheduled to emerge as the last man - but doesn't it just seem like the perfect misdirection to spring the most spectacular of surprises?

Two minutes, clear the ring, no bumps - then four months convalescence ahead of the ultimate final act to this long-running arc: A long-touted WrestleMania victory over Brock Lesnar.

Only this time, it'll be the real ending.

Regular Twitter-stirrers WrestleVotes have already agitated social media ahead of tonight's big show by suggesting "a 'big' surprise" is in the works for the eponymous match. The Roman rumours have naturally began circulating. Fans are desperate to see The Big Dog back in the ring, a complete reversal of the scenario just twelve months ago.

If Roman can do it - and if the rigours of preparing for WrestleMania don't interrupt his recovery - he absolutely will. He's been our hero all along. Tonight, we may finally realise it.