5 Superstars Who Should Face Roman Reigns After WWE Payback 2023
With SummerSlam 2023 now behind us, WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns finds himself in a unique position. After successfully defending his title, Reigns is reportedly unavailable for WWE Payback, scheduled for September 2nd, 2023. Fans are already speculating who should be the next contender to face “The Tribal Chief” once he returns. Here, we take a look at the five superstars who could be next in line for a championship match against Roman Reigns.
1. Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley, also known as “The All Mighty,” lost his WWE Championship in a rather unfortunate manner at Elimination Chamber 2022. A powerbomb from Seth Rollins led to a shoulder injury, ending Lashley’s reign prematurely. Lashley resurfaced at Elimination Chamber 2023, defeating his old rival Brock Lesnar. Having made only two appearances since Lashley could be gearing up to challenge Roman Reigns. A match between these two powerhouses would certainly be a marquee contest deserving of a Pay-Per-View main event.
2. Jey Uso
Jey Uso has a storied history with his cousin Roman Reigns. “Main Event Jey” has stood by Reigns for the most part, but tensions within the Bloodline could set up another family feud. Jey is rumored to be facing his brother Jimmy at WWE Payback, adding further layers to the drama. Should Jey come out victorious, it would be fitting to see him challenge Reigns for the Universal Championship, reigniting the Bloodline Civil War in a new, thrilling chapter.
3. Sheamus
Four-time World Champion Sheamus has been lurking in the shadows, watching as Reigns has held the Universal Championship for almost three years. Sheamus’s hard-hitting style could make for a compelling matchup against Reigns. With an impressive resume and a skill set to match, Sheamus could be the one to dethrone “The Tribal Chief” and bring the Universal Championship back into his grasp.
4. LA Knight
LA Knight recently hinted in an interview about his championship aspirations, targeting a major title win in the near future. Roman Reigns, having held the Universal Championship for over 1,000 days, has faced a plethora of challengers, from Cody Rhodes to John Cena and Brock Lesnar. Could LA Knight be the one to finally tip the scales and claim the championship? This would be a high-stakes, fresh matchup that could create a new main-event star in WWE.
5. Jimmy Uso
Jimmy Uso, another cog in the Bloodline machine, could be the most intriguing challenger for Reigns. Initially expected to compete at SummerSlam, an injury sidelined him from the event. Given that Jimmy initiated the Bloodline Civil War, a showdown between him and Reigns would offer a captivating story. Would Jimmy be the one to bring down the reign of the Tribal Chief?
Also Read: 5 Superstars Who Deserve A WWE Championship Shot Against Roman Reigns
While Roman Reigns may be absent from WWE Payback 2023, the list of potential challengers upon his return is as exciting as ever. From established veterans like Bobby Lashley and Sheamus to rising stars like LA Knight and ongoing family drama with the Usos, there is no shortage of compelling storylines that could unfold. Fans can only wait in anticipation to see who will step up to challenge “The Tribal Chief” next.
