Recently returned Randy Orton moves from RAW to SmackDown within WWE. It looks like a Royal Rumble duel with Roman Reigns
The move of a big name has reshuffled the WWE roster – and probably answered the question of Universal Champion Roman Reigns’ next opponent.
On the latest edition of the TV show Friday Night SmackDown at the weekend, the wrestling league staged a transfer of Randy Orton, who has just returned from a long injury break and was previously part of the Monday show RAW.
Orton – along with shooting star LA Knight – immediately got into a brawl with Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso, Reigns’ henchmen in The Bloodline family clan. It looks like Orton is being lined up as Reigns’ opponent for the Royal Rumble on Jan. 27.
WWE SmackDown: Randy Orton now against Roman Reigns?
The scene fits with a recent report that Orton is rumored to be on the short list for the match. Knight and Kevin Owens were named as the other candidates. Knight was immediately followed by the qualification that there were probably other plans for him in the meantime. Owens, Reigns’ opponent at the 2023 Rumble, was positioned on Friday as part of a tournament for the US Title by Logan Paul
A new edition of the feud between old rivals Orton and Reigns – opponents at SummerSlam 2014 – was already planned before Orton’s retirement in spring 2021: Orton was actually rumored to have been slated as Reigns’ SummerSlam opponent instead of Brock Lesnar.
The fact that Orton had to sit out for a long time instead – according to the script due to an attack by the Bloodline – now also offers a suitable stage for the rescheduled match.
Reigns, now the longest reigning WWE Champion since Hulk Hogan with almost three and a half years as title holder, now meets one of the most decorated stars in WWE history: With 14 WWE and World Title wins, Orton, together with his current boss Triple H, is number 2 in the eternal ranking behind John Cena (16) – and Ric Flair, if you count his titles won with former competitors NWA and WCW.
CM Punk likely to feud with Seth Rollins
It looks like WWE is also saving the “Dream Match” between Reigns and the newly returned CM Punk for a later date.
According to Sports Illustrated, WWE is planning that feud, but not just yet: Punk’s first scheduled opponent is said to be World Champion Seth Rollins – who has already planted the seed for it with his staged tantrum upon Punk’s return.
Rollins is part of the RAW roster, Punk is probably part of it for the time being, although not yet officially: Punk has been announced for next week’s SmackDown
