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Who can match Roman Reigns right now? The answer is nobody. The Tribal Chief is currently doing some of the best work of his career. In the ring, on the mic, everything is just flawless. WWE hit the jackpot when they created this version of Roman Reigns.
It was recently reported that the Head of the Table has sold near-John Cena levels of merchandise. As is a heel in WWE programming, this makes the feat even more impressive. Maybe it's really time to acknowledge him.
That being said, let's take a look at five things Roman Reigns has achieved since returning in the summer of 2020. Of course, Roman stayed away from WWE for a number of months at the start of the COVID-19 to protect himself and his family.
#5 Roman Reigns secured Paul Heyman's services
Roman Reigns made his return to WWE programming at the SummerSlam pay-per-view on August 23, 2020. He attacked Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman to make it clear he was back following their Universal Championship main event match. A few days later on SmackDown, Reigns shocked the WWE Universe by alinging himself with Paul Heyman.
Paul Heyman became Reigns' legal counsel. It was a coup for the Tribal Chief as Heyman is a serial winner when it comes to main-event superstars. Just ask Brock Lesnar and CM Punk. Paul Heyman led these two superstars to their greatest runs in WWE. It was the start of a special relationship and time for Roman Reigns.
The Messiah of ECW spoke about why he began to manage Roman Reigns:
"To be tasked with going on camera and articulating a position for anybody after what Brock Lesnar and I achieved together, I found to be an impossible task. The one human being that I know of that was willing to take on that impossible impossibility is Roman Reigns, and Roman Reigns is so obsessed, consumed with, desirous of becoming the absolute greatest of all time. Undisputed, uncontroverted in that designation. He yearns for greatness every micro-moment that he’s on camera. He needs it, he lusts for it. To such a degree that it inspires me." (h/t Inside The Ropes)
There's no denying that Roman Reigns aligning with Paul Heyman was just the move he needed. He's driven Reigns to new heights and secured his place Head of the Table on SmackDown.
#4 Roman Reigns won the Universal Championship after his return
After Roman Reigns attacked then-Universal Champion Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman at SummerSlam in 2020, he was immediately inserted into the title picture. A No Holds Barred Triple Threat match was made with the Universal Title on the line at the following Payback pay-per-view. But now, with the cunning Paul Heyman by his side, he had a master plan.
After Mr. McMahon sent Adam Pearce to obtain signatures on the contract from all three men on SmackDown, Reigns was the only one not to sign. On the night, after Strowman and Wyatt had beaten each other senseless, Reigns entered late in the match and signed the contract. He took advantage of the situation and captured his second Universal Championship.
#3 Roman Reigns put together The Bloodline
One thing heels like to do in WWE is create their own stable. Roman Reigns had one already made, or so he thought. Jimmy and Jey Uso, Roman's real-life bloodline, didn't first agree with his ruling as the Head of the Table. Reigns took it upon himself to beat it into them and make them acknowledge him.
Eventually, they came around and have been at Roman's side, helping him wherever and whenever he needed it. They've consistently had his back and are as close-knit as they've ever been.
#2 Roman Reigns remains undefeated in one-on-one matches
No matter who has stepped up to Roman Reigns, he has managed to find a way to defeat them. Whether the Universal Championship has been on the line or not, Roman has delivered the goods. So much so that he has not lost a one-on-one match since his return in August 2020.
The Tribal Chief has defeated stellar names such as Daniel Bryan, Edge, John Cena, and Brock Lesnar. They are big superstars to conquer, and Roman Reigns has done just that.
#1 Roman Reigns is now the second longest-reigning Universal Champion in history
With Paul Heyman by his side and his Bloodline backing him up, Reigns has become the second longest-reigning Universal Champion of all-time. His reign has surpassed 400 days and if his reign continues, he could catch Brock Lesnar's record at a recognized 503 days.
His reign has been nothing but spectacular. He became the leading star on SmackDown and has got the WWE Universe on notice. It will take some doing to end the undefeated streak and reign of the Tribal Chief.
