WWE Royal Rumble 2023: Major Change Of Main Event Plans
With Royal Rumble 2023 looming, WWE has had a change of heart for Roman Reigns...
Royal Rumble 2023 is currently the next premium live event on WWE's schedule - and the promotion appears to have had a change of heart regarding what would be its biggest singles match.
WrestlingNews.co reports that after originally planning for Sheamus to challenge Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns on the show, Kevin Owens has now been pencilled in for the title fight. KO won't be winning, though: WrestlingNews.co adds that WWE doesn't plan on having The Bloodline's leader drop his dual championships prior to WrestleMania 39.
Royal Rumble 2023 takes place in San Antonio, Texas on 28 January. Appropriately, Owens' last singles match against Reigns came at the 2021 Rumble, where Kevin was defeated in a Last Man Standing bout.
Beyond the Rumble, WWE's current plans have Reigns defending the straps against Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber 2023 (18 February). Then, Zayn and Owens challenge for The Usos' Undisputed Tag Team Championships at 'Mania (1 and 2 April).
Owens took the fall in the men's WarGames match at Survivor Series 2022 this past weekend. With The Bloodline triumphing over KO, The Brawling Brutes, and Drew McIntyre, much of the bout's drama was centred around Owens' relationship with Zayn, which had brought Sami's loyalties into question.