What's happened
Roman Reigns returned to WWE at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, winning his second Rumble match. He has not competed for a world title in nearly two years and now faces potential matches at WrestleMania 42 against Drew McIntyre or CM Punk. The event featured notable returns and surprises.
What's behind the headline?
Reigns' victory signals a strategic move by WWE to elevate him as a central figure heading into WrestleMania 42. His absence from a world title match for nearly two years underscores his influence and the company's reliance on his star power. The Riyadh location highlights WWE's global expansion efforts, leveraging international markets for major events. The event's surprises and returns, including Jey Uso and Charlotte Flair, aim to boost viewer engagement and maintain WWE's competitive edge. The potential matchups at WrestleMania suggest WWE is positioning Reigns as a versatile champion who can face top-tier opponents, ensuring high-profile storylines for the upcoming event.
What the papers say
The NY Post reports Reigns' return and victory at the Royal Rumble, highlighting his critique of WWE's creative direction and his current title prospects. Business Insider UK provides details on the event's location, streaming options, and participant lineup, emphasizing its significance as the first Rumble outside North America. The articles collectively underscore WWE's strategic use of international venues and star power to sustain global interest, with Reigns' victory serving as a pivotal moment in this year's storyline developments.
How we got here
The Royal Rumble is WWE's annual event, traditionally held in North America, but this year it took place in Riyadh for the first time outside the region. Reigns, a key figure in WWE, had previously criticized the company's creative direction. The event included returning stars like Jey Uso and Charlotte Flair, with anticipation building for WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
Go deeper
- What are Reigns' potential opponents at WrestleMania?
- How does this victory impact WWE's global strategy?
- What surprises occurred during the event?
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Leati Joseph AnoaŹ»i is an American professional wrestler, actor, and former professional gridiron football player. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Roman Reigns, and is the current WWE Universal
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Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes is an American professional wrestler, promoter, and actor. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling, where he performs under his real name and serves as an Executive Vice President as well.
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Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.