WWE Scraps Major Roman Reigns Singles Match
WWE ditches huge Roman Reigns one-on-one match - for now...
WWE shelved plans for a Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton singles match at Royal Rumble 2024 as the promotion wants to preserve it for a later date.
Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that this was why WWE opted to book an Undisputed Universal Title four-way for the 27 January premium live event. Rather than facing Orton one on one, Reigns is to defend the Undisputed straps against Randy, AJ Styles, and LA Knight in Tampa, LA.
Per Meltzer, WWE feels "there is money to be made with Randy Orton and Roman Reigns in a program at some point." Officials believe the Rumble was too early for them to face one another.
The four-way exists so that one of Styles or Knight can take the pinfall, according to Meltzer. This would allow WWE to preserve Orton vs. Reigns by avoiding having one pin the other.
Orton and Reigns' last televised bout came on the 4 May 2015 episode of WWE Raw, following a significant feud the previous year. The duo have been heavily involved with one another since Randy returned to WWE at Survivor Series 2023 and set his sights on 'The Head of the Table.'