8 Top Challengers For WWE Champion Roman Reigns In 2016

By Matt Davis /

1. Seth Rollins

The reason why Seth Rollins takes the top spot is due to the increased level of unpredictability surrounding the eventual battle between former Shield allies; both in front of the camera and behind it. Quickly, flash back to 1993 & 1994 when Lex Luger, a man that many have compared Roman Reigns to, was Vince McMahon's top choice for the face of the company. Lex never got that spot and instead, McMahon turned towards the crowd's selection, Bret Hart, to wave the WWE flag for the next several years. Unlike in '94, Vince didn't have a backup option in 2015 that fans were so clearly behind like they were the Hitman previously. That might have changed, ironically enough, with an injury sustained by Seth Rollins. It has already been debated whether Rollins' eventual return to the ring will see him positioned as heel or babyface. He has the ability to work both sides tremendously well and many fans previously pegged him as the eventual breakout babyface star after his performances at Extreme Rules and Payback in 2014. Could fans shift their allegiance to Rollins in 2016 and watch history repeat itself as he becomes the Bret Hart to Reigns' Lex Luger? Even if not, the current situation makes the outcome of Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns even less predictable than it was previously. If it doesn't conclude in 2016, the feud is likely to at least continue throughout 2016 and the main event of WrestleMania 33 might be the culmination, both in storyline and reality.