5 Possible Opponents For Roman Reigns At WWE Royal Rumble 2024

The road to WrestleMania begins at the Royal Rumble. As the iconic event approaches on January 27, 2024, speculation runs rampant around who will challenge Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.

Reigns heads into the new year fresh off a controversial win over LA Knight at November’s Crown Jewel event. Thanks to interference from The Bloodline, Reigns narrowly escaped with his titles intact. Many expected this to set up a rematch between the Champion and Knight. However, according to reports, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H has other plans.

With top stars like Cody Rhodes and The Rock unlikely to return in time for the Rumble, the field opens up for new challengers. Reigns has dominated WWE for over two years now. His next opponent needs to pose a credible threat. Let’s examine five rising talents who could battle the Head of the Table at the Royal Rumble 2024.

The first opponent for Roman Reigns can be Solo Sikoa. Solo Sikoa’s rapid rise in WWE has been nothing short of remarkable. In just a few short months since his main roster debut, The Enforcer of The Bloodline has already proven he can defeat legendary names like John Cena. Clearly, management sees big things in store for the raw Samoan rookie. As the Royal Rumble approaches, some speculate Sikoa could challenge his cousin Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. After all, Sikoa has hinted about wanting to replace Reigns as Bloodline leader. Pitting family members against each other on this big stage would attract major fan interest. However, Bloodline infighting might not occur just yet. Roman Reigns’ current title run relies heavily on his family’s assistance. Turning Sikoa against Reigns this soon could disrupt long-term booking plans. The company seems invested in The Tribal Chief retaining his throne for some time still.

Nonetheless, Sikoa represents an obvious threat. His potential inevitably makes him a future championship contender. He continues gaining key victories while lurking ominously in the background of Reigns’ title matches. It likely comes down to a question of timing. While betraying The Bloodline could wait until after WrestleMania Hollywood, swerving fans at Royal Rumble would be an epic moment. Sikoa sneakily winning the Rumble itself, then showing his true intentions against Reigns would make waves. It may happen sooner than anyone expects. Either way, it seems a matter of when, not if, WWE crowns the intense young brawler. Once Sikoa eventually turns on his family and fights for solo stardom, he should ascend quickly. Everything about his early run indicates huge singles success awaits.

For now, Reigns faces uncertainty with multiple potential foes. But make no mistake: his own flesh and blood in Solo Sikoa could someday become The Head of the Table’s biggest threat yet. It all starts with the 2024 Royal Rumble this January. Whether family bonds fray that night still hangs in the balance.

Of all the speculated returns, perhaps none would generate more excitement than CM Punk. Dubbed “The Best in the World”, Punk has both the resume and real-life heat with Reigns to produce fireworks. His reputation for speaking his mind has long irritated The Tribal Chief and locker room allies. Meanwhile, Punk shares a turbulent past partnership with Reigns’ special counsel, Paul Heyman. Perhaps more than anyone, Heyman aided Punk’s legendary 434-day WWE Title reign from 2011-2013. Their on-screen chemistry and off-screen bond seemed strong back then. Nearly a decade later though, who knows where those standing now? If CM Punk patched things up with WWE and Heyman, targeting Roman Reigns would make for quite the comeback story. Two proud icons collide, surrounded by controversy and personal disdain. The promos and matches would prove epic.

Another top candidate to dethrone Reigns is Kevin Owens. Despite past shortcomings against The Tribal Chief, KO’s everyman appeal connects strongly nowadays. Fans sympathize with his trials chasing the WWE crown these past few years.

If granted another title opportunity this Royal Rumble season, that underdog support may finally will Owens toward glory. KO has all the tools—brawling toughness, high-risk athleticism, and even humor when needed. His recent SmackDown return, chasing old foe Reigns, suggests fate may grant him one more shot at the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship gold.

Between returning fan-favorites like CM Punk and resilient veterans like Kevin Owens, Roman Reigns has plenty of challengers lining up. The Rumble often births fresh championship contenders, but established names could rise up instead this year. We inch closer towards what might finally dethrone one of WWE’s most dominant champions ever.

Few wrestling veterans can match the resume of 14-time World Champion Randy Orton. Returning recently from injury, The Viper has unfinished business with his old Bloodline rivals. Orton brings both star power and personal vendettas into another title shot versus Roman Reigns. Their last rivalry ended prematurely last year when Orton suffered a back injury. At the time, Orton seemed poised to challenge Reigns’ championship dominance. One key RKO could potentially have dethroned The Head of the Table. Things ended unceremoniously instead. Now Orton returns, reputation restored as a dangerous Apex Predator. The timing fits Orton stepping up to fill Cody Rhodes’ void of leading the WWE locker room against The Bloodline. Given his credentials and motivations, Orton deserves another shot at the undisputed crown.

Speaking of motivation, one can’t forget AJ Styles either. Styles found himself sidelined in 2022 by a ruthless attack from rising threat Solo Sikoa. Losing months of momentum, that ambush must still eat away at Styles’ competitive pride. The second Styles returns, fans expect him to seek retaliation on both Sikoa and Roman Reigns. If AJ’s vengeance focuses directly on Reigns’ championship, few would argue. Styles presents arguably Reigns’ biggest full-time threat. From returning legends like Randy Orton to established main eventers like AJ Styles, Royal Rumble always produces fresh contenders. The names may change, but Roman Reigns constantly hears familiar claims from those aiming for his throne. This year likely proves no different.