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WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns has reigned for over 500 days and there isn't a challenger in sight who seems capable enough to knock him off his perch.
Reigns is on a collision course with former Shield member Seth Rollins at the 2022 Royal Rumble. While the Drip God may know his weaknesses better than anyone, the Tribal Chief is truly unstoppable right now and it feels inevitable that he will come out on top.
But what if WWE really opens the Forbidden Door and allows challengers from beyond their company? Several AEW stars have previously expressed interest in squaring off against the Head of the Table. In this article, we list the five best wrestlers from Tony Khan's promotion who can realistically take the gold from Reigns.
#5. Cody Rhodes
We start off with the most intriguing option. Cody Rhodes' free agent status has led to wild speculation about the future of the TNT champion. While the American Nightmare has a ladder match scheduled with Sammy Guevara at Beach Break this week, he could possibly walk away from the company after the match.
Picture a scenario where Rhodes makes his unlikely return to WWE at the Royal Rumble. Despite his tumultuous past with the company, he has had a solid career there, winning the Intercontinental and Tag Team championships.
Since leaving in 2016, Cody has gone on to become a legitimate star outside Vince McMahon's sphere. He might want to prove he can be a true box office attraction upon his return. What better way to do so than to face Roman Reigns?
#4. Kenny Omega
AEW EVP Kenny Omega is arguably the biggest wrestling star in the world to have never wrestled in the WWE. When it comes to non-WWE dream matches, Omega usually figures high on the list.
He earned his nickname of Best Bout Machine by having 5-star classics in New Japan against the likes of Chris Jericho, Okada and Tanahashi. While he took some time to get going in Tony Khan's promotion, his recent run as the world champion truly established The Cleaner as one of the greats.
Omega revealed in an interview with Tokyo Sports last year that he would like to eventually face Roman Reigns in an interpromotional clash:
"We already have a lot of people coming in, so we don't have a problem with opponents. I don't have a specific opponent in mind, but if I had to say, Roman Reigns [WWE Universal Champion] would be a good opportunity for me to prove what a real champion is like," Omega said.
Omega and Reigns have never shared a ring. But given the star quality of the Tribal Chief and the in-ring excellence of Omega, it would undoubtedly be a titanic clash.
#3. Hangman Page
The current AEW world champion has a lot to prove. 'Hangman' Adam Page beat Omega for the title back at Full Gear in 2019 and has fended off a challenge from Bryan Danielson so far.
While he is very much a beloved babyface that is popular with the fans, he is still young when it comes to main event experience. There is still a question mark on whether he can truly carry the company on his shoulders and become that box office draw.
Roman Reigns has, of course, surpassed expectation as is firmly entrenched in the top tier of wrestling greats of this generation. A match between the two champions will be a significant test for the Cowboy.
#2. Bryan Danielson
AEW star Bryan Danielson has the distinction of challenging for the top championship in WWE and All Elite Wrestling within the same calendar year. He took 'Hangman' Adam Page to the limit in two grueling matches that spanned 90 minutes in total and was featured in the main event of WrestleMania 37 against Roman Reigns and Edge.
The American Dragon might have lost both times, but his stock has never been higher than right now. He seems reinvigorated by his new surroundings and looks more dangerous than ever. This version of Danielson might be more than a match for the Tribal Chief.
Bryan and Reigns are no strangers to each other. They have battled numerous times in WWE and have delivered excellent matches every time. Danielson even had his last WWE match with Reigns before joining Tony Khan's company. Another match between the two megastars will be highly anticipated by all wrestling fans.
#1. CM Punk
CM Punk is open to the idea of squaring off against Universal Champion Roman Reigns. A year ago, The Best in the World held a Q&A session on Twitter, and he did not shy away from the idea of competing against the Universal champion. He even made it clear that he sees Reigns as the best that WWE has right now.
"What can you say bad about what Roman Reigns is doing right now? He’s far and away the best guy they have. When you talk about storylines, in-ring work and all that stuff, right now he’s the total package. For the first time in his career, and I’m not being mean to Roman Reigns, I just feel like he’s finally where they pushed him to be, it just took a minute," Punk said.
Reigns chimed back, saying he would destroy the AEW star if they ever went one-on-one:
"I wouldn’t say no. But I mean, on a personal level, it doesn’t do anything for me. That’s not going to elevate me at all. He’s older now. I haven’t really seen a full match. I’ve seen a clip or two. And to me, a step or two has been lost. Then also he got his whooped in the UFC. I don’t think anybody really believes someone 200 pounds soaking wet with no explosive bone in their body could ever really do anything to me (...) So, I mean, when it comes down to it, I’ll throw him and pretty much the rest of that roster out the club no problem," Roman Reigns said.
Punk and Reigns faced each other multiple times in tag team matches between 2013 and 2014, when Reigns was still a young star in the WWE as part of the Shield. Reigns even managed to beat Punk in one of his last singles matches before leaving the company.
But it's clear that there is some real animosity between the two wrestlers. Punk wasn't in WWE when the Universal championship was established. With the Chicago native re-establishing himself as the best in world once more in AEW, this might be the best time to see the two stars clash.
