10 Snap Judgements Following WWE Royal Rumble 2017
7. Figuring Out Roman Reigns
The complexities of Roman Reigns and the Royal Rumble go hand-in-hand, with the January classic playing host to several significant misfires in the strained management of the character's relationship with the WWE fans.
After receiving star treatment in his record-shattering 2014 appearance, the shower of disdain 'The Big Dog' received in both 2015 and 2016 left the former 'Shield' member emotionally battered as he began his unpopular journey to WrestleMania.
However, following his surprising Universal Title defeat to Kevin Owens earlier in the show and a shocking late foray into this year's Royal Rumble match, WWE brass may finally have found a workable direction for Reigns at just the right time.
Falling to Owens thanks to interference from Braun Strowman, Reigns looked to have his WrestleMania opponent signposted, but suddenly found a much bigger fish to fry when he eliminated The Undertaker from the 30-man war.
It will be interesting to see Reigns' responses to the various axes he now has to grind after Sunday's event, as a big-man battle with Strowman or potential super-clash with The Undertaker beckons at 'The Show of Shows'.