Latest Backstage News on Roman Reigns’ Return and Future Plans

It has now been more than a month since Roman Reigns has been out action, upon his emergency hernia surgery on Sept. 20, the day prior to the 2014 “Night of Champions” pay-per-view. At the time of his injury, WWE’s medical team noted that the longest timetable for Reigns recovery would be three months. This would mean that Reigns could return around late December, leading into the 2015 “Royal Rumble.”

In the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there is some new information regarding Reigns’ return to in-ring action, in addition to his plans upon it.

Reigns is currently advertised for live events in late December, around the holidays. For the post-Christmas week, which is WWE’s “biggest house show week of the year,” there are two crews: the Roman Reigns crew and the John Cena crew. Reigns’ crew will be part of live events on Dec. 26 and Dec. 28 in Chicago, Illinois and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania respectively. At the events, Reigns is slated to face Kane in singles action. Most notably, Reigns is advertised for the 2015 “Royal Rumble” on the website of the Wells Fargo Center, where the event will be held. The newsletter also noted that Reigns was once advertised for the Nov. 24 “Monday Night Raw” in Indianapolis, Indiana, but has since been removed.

However, the newsletter went on to state that a WWE source who would be in the know regarding Reigns’ status has a longer recovery time for the rising star. The source’s timetable would see Reigns miss the “Royal Rumble,” but still be back in time for WrestleMania 31. Though, Dave Meltzer of the newsletter did note that there may have been a communications error with the source, as that news was relayed prior to Reigns being advertised for the “Royal Rumble” and December live events. Additionally, Meltzer has not been able to get any clarification from his source.

Reigns made a brief appearance on the Oct. 27 “Monday Night Raw,” and singled out Seth Rollins as someone who he has his sights set on. Despite the seeds being planted for a Reigns vs. Rollins feud, Meltzer reported that plans still call for Reigns to face Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 31. On a related note, Meltzer stated that WWE is still planning on Lesnar facing John Cena at “Royal Rumble,” even though there have been rumors on the championship bout being moved up to “TLC.”

Editor’s Note

Interesting that Reigns was slated for a late November “Monday Night Raw,” but was removed. Whenever he does return, I hope he is able to get a loud enough reaction, rivaling that of Dean Ambrose, to justify him getting championship gold at WrestleMania 31.