A taping for next week’s episode of SmackDown has revealed that several stars will get an opportunity to challenge Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble!
Reigns has not defended his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship since retaining the title over LA Knight at WWE Crown Jewel. Reigns made his first appearance on WWE programming since that match on last night’s episode of SmackDown where it appeared Randy Orton was being set up as his next challenger.
Following the broadcast of SmackDown last night, next week’s episode of the blue brand was taped right afterward to allow WWE talent and crew some time off over the holiday period. Spoilers for that taping, courtesy of X user Gotti Devon, have revealed exactly who is in line to get a shot at Reigns’ title.
Midway through the taping, AJ Styles made his way to the ring and proclaimed that he doesn’t care about Randy Orton or LA Knight and wants to face Reigns at the Royal Rumble. Both Orton and Knight interrupted him and the three got into an argument.
Eventually, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis made his way to ringside to attempt to calm the situation. As a compromise, he announced a triple threat match between Styles, Orton, and Knight on the New Year’s Revolution SmackDown special on December 29th with the winner earning the right to challenge Roman Reigns at the Premium Live Event.
AJ Styles promo, LA Knight comes out followed by Randy Orton. Nick Aldis announces AJ Styles vs LA Knight Vs Randy Orton at New years revolution, Winner faces Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble pic.twitter.com/9HR4fIApsC
— GottiDevon (@GottidevonR) December 16, 2023
Roman Reigns Recently Surpassed A Big Title Milestone
With his 31st Universal Championship defense looms at the Royal Rumble next month, Roman Reigns surpassed another big milestone in his already-historic title reign.
As of yesterday, Reigns reached 1,200 days as WWE Universal Champion. He captured the belt three years ago at Payback 2020, defeating then-champion Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman in a triple-threat match.
Roman Reigns marked the occasion on SmackDown by naming his new Tribal Heir.