Sat Jan 24 22:50:00 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Roman Reigns Returns to WWE at the 2026 Royal Rumble

The Story:

Roman Reigns, WWE’s “OTC” (presumably “One True Champion”), is set to return to the ring at the 2026 Royal Rumble, which will take place next Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made on “WWE SmackDown” via a video package highlighting Reigns’ career. This will mark his seventh appearance in the Royal Rumble, a match he has only won once, in 2015. The past year saw significant turmoil for Reigns, including family strife with Solo Sikoa, the loss of Paul Heyman to Seth Rollins, a WrestleMania 41 confrontation involving Rollins and CM Punk, and friction with The Usos culminating in a loss at Crown Jewel.

Key Points:

  • Roman Reigns is entering the 2026 Royal Rumble.
  • This is his seventh Royal Rumble appearance, with only one previous win (2015).
  • The 2025 year involved family issues, the departure of Paul Heyman, and confrontations with Seth Rollins and CM Punk.
  • Reigns’ last match was at Survivor Series: WarGames in November 2025.
  • The Royal Rumble winner will compete for a championship at WrestleMania 42 on April 18 or April 19, 2026, in Las Vegas.

Key Takeaways:

  • Roman Reigns’ return is being positioned as a major event on the Road to WrestleMania.
  • His storyline is heavily centered on family drama and his position as “Tribal Chief”.
  • The Royal Rumble match provides a potential pathway for Reigns to reclaim a championship title.
  • The focus is on Reigns’ individual trajectory and his dominance in WWE.
  • The Royal Rumble will be a crucial determinant for the WrestleMania 42 main event picture.

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