Every Roman Reigns WWE Universal Title Defence Ranked In Order Of Greatness
10. Vs Riddle (WWE SmackDown, 17th June 2022)
Perhaps the most underrated title defence in the entire legendary run, Roman Reigns and Riddle were master craftsmen getting anybody to believe 'The Original Bro' stood the slightest chance of ending 'The Tribal Chief's increasingly iconic reign.
Pushed to his physical limits by the notoriously athletic former MMA star, the indestructible veneer Reigns had worked hard to cultivate fell away brick by brick as the happy-go-lucky stoner personality evaporated in front of everybody's eyes.
RK-Bro had lost the Raw Tag Team Titles to The Usos the prior month, and Orton sustained a back injury soon afterwards. Other than being able to score the odd last laugh or two at Roman's expense, Riddle had nothing left to lose and it drove his unflinching desire to win. An RKO nearfall was one of the best of the last three years, and a Floating Bro one seconds later wasn't far behind. Roman's delicate back-step to counter a springboard into a killer spear was a fabulous, deadly and decicisve finish, too.