5 times Roman Reigns had an incredible match in WWE

The Big Dog has had plenty of great matches in WWE
The Big Dog has had plenty of great matches in WWE

Roman Reigns was widely praised for his match with Buddy Murphy on SmackDown Live last week. Even though the face of WWE came out on top, Murphy still came out shining like a star and the match was awarded 4 stars by wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer.

Over the years, Reigns has been panned by fans and critics alike for his perceived limited in-ring moveset and mic work. Some of his matches even included chants of "You can't wrestle!" from fans. Reigns, however, proved his doubters wrong several times and through his career, he has competed in matches that left fans hyped and interested.

Reigns is one of WWE's biggest stars and the face of the billion-dollar company. It's only fitting that he puts on a few classic matches here and there to make fans invested in him and look like a credible Superstar. Reigns has wrestled many big names since he signed with the company and he has defeated many future WWE Hall of Famers. He main evented four consecutive WrestleManias and has held almost every men's championship currently active in WWE right now.

So, right here, right now, we'll take a look at some of the best matches Reigns has had in WWE as a singles competitor.

Honorable mentions: Reigns vs Murphy, Reigns vs Strowman (2017), Reigns vs Owens (Royal Rumble '17), Reigns vs Cena, Reigns vs Rollins vs Lesnar (WM31), Reigns vs Styles (Payback 2016).


#5 Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins - Money in the Bank 2016

Reigns defended his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against the returning Seth Rollins
Reigns defended his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against the returning Seth Rollins

After being forced to relinquish his WWE World Heavyweight Championship due to a knee injury in 2015, The Architect Seth Rollins made an unexpected return at that year's Extreme Rules PPV where he hit Reigns with The Pedigree after the latter's successful title defense against AJ Styles. Rollins believed he never lost the title and he wanted what was rightfully his. The two former Shield members were set to clash for the most prestigious title in WWE at the Money in the Bank PPV in 2016.

The two Superstars put on a clinic and fans were enjoying every bit of it. Rollins tried everything he could to defeat Reigns and reclaim his title. Reigns hit several powerful moves in the match such as the Razor's Edge transitioned into a sit-out powerbomb. Rollins countered several of Reigns' moves and hit a few of his own signature moves. After Reigns was about to hit the Spear, Rollins reversed it and hit his Pedigree finishing move. He delivered another Pedigree to Reigns and three seconds later he became the new WWE World Heavyweight champion. The match was certainly a spectacle.

The celebration didn't last long, however, as Dean Ambrose (now known as Jon Moxley) cashed in his Money in the Bank contract, that he won the very same night, on Rollins and he hit him with a Dirty Deeds to win his first World Title in WWE. All three former Shield members held the WWE Title the very same night.

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#4 Roman Reigns vs Daniel Bryan - Fastlane 2015

A flying Roman Reigns proving that he was SuperMan all along...
A flying Roman Reigns proving that he was SuperMan all along...

Early 2015 was the year of Daniel Bryan in WWE. After the leader of the Yes! Movement was forced to relinquish his WWE title in 2014 due to an injury, fans wanted Bryan to win the 2015 Royal Rumble match and go on to headline WrestleMania 31 with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at stake. Unfortunately for fans, WWE, however, had other plans, as Bryan was eliminated from the Rumble by Bray Wyatt, and the fans weren't pleased.

After Bryan was eliminated, Michael Cole said that Bryan's dream was over and the clock started counting down and Goldust was the next entrant. As soon as Goldust's music hit, the titantron displayed the words "Shattered Dreams" and although Goldust's entrance video always had those words, perhaps WWE used it in a way to troll the fans in regards to Daniel Bryans' elimination. But who knows?

The match was eventually won by--you guessed it--Roman Reigns but the fans still weren't happy - not even when The Rock himself came to the ring to help Roman fend off a post-match attack. WWE wanted Reigns to win the Rumble and go on to face Lesnar at WrestleMania 31, but fans wanted it to be Bryan instead. So, WWE decided to settle it in the only way they know how - in a wrestling ring. Bryan was set to face Reigns at the Fastlane PPV and the winner would go on to WrestleMania 31 to challenge for the WWE Championship.

The match did not disappoint, as Reigns and Bryan put on a good match. In the end, Bryan attempted to hit Reigns with the running knee, but Reigns countered it and hit Bryan with a Spear in the air for the three count. The Big Dog came out on top once more and went on to main event his first of four consecutive WrestleManias. With Reigns involved in a storyline with Rowan and Bryan on SmackDown Live, could we possibly see these two go at it again?

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#3 Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar - WrestleMania 31

Reigns about to educate Lesnar with the fist of excellence
Reigns about to educate Lesnar with the fist of excellence

After Reigns won the 2015 Royal Rumble match, he's next step forward was to take on The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar. Lesnar successfully retained his title at the Royal Rumble PPV where he faced not one, not three, but two other Superstars in a triple threat match involving Seth Rollins and John Cena. Lesnar had all the momentum going into this match as he ended The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania XXX.

At the 31st edition of the Show of Shows, Reigns clashed with Lesnar in a very hard-hitting match. Reigns was manhandled by Lesnar and The Beast delivered an F5 as soon as the match started and took Reigns to Suplex City. Lesnar threw Reigns all over the ring and delivered more F5s but Reigns managed to kick-out of all of them. The two went outside where The Beast tried to drive Reign's face into the ring post, but the latter prevented it and Lesnar hit his head on the ring post instead, causing him to be busted open.

Reigns capitalized on this and delivered a few Superman punches to Lesnar and two Spears for a near-fall. Fans were on their toes the whole time and as soon as Reigns hit the first Superman punch, everyone came to life.

After Reigns tried to go for another Spear, Lesnar caught him and delivered an F5, and both men were glued to the canvas.

Suddenly, Seth Rollins' music hits, and out came Mr. Money in the Bank, who turned the match into a triple threat and pinned Reigns to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Both the singles and the triple threat matches were good and memorable.

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#2 Roman Reigns vs AJ Styles - Extreme Rules 2016

There's only one word to describe this match - Phenomenal
There's only one word to describe this match - Phenomenal

After The Big Dog defeated Triple H at WrestleMania 32 to win the WWE Championship, he needed someone to challenge him for his title. AJ Styles, who made his debut only a few months ago at that time, pinned Chris Jericho on an episode of Raw to earn the right to challenge Reigns for the title.

The two clashed at Payback and Reigns came out on top. A match was set for Extreme Rules and the two competed in an Extreme Rules match. They wrestled all over the arena breaking barricades, announce tables and they even fought each other at the kick-off show panel.

The fans were loud for the match and they showed their support for The Phenomenal One. Reigns put Styles through the announce table once again. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows showed up and attacked Reigns and Styles pinned The Big Dog for a near-fall. The Usos came to Reigns' aid and they hit Styles and the rest of The Club with Superkicks. There were a lot of near falls in this match. Styles destroyed The Big Dog with several chair shots and went for the Phenomenal Forearm before suffering a Spear from Reigns. The Big Dog pinned Styles to retain the title after a phenomenal match.

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#1 Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar vs Bruan Strowman vs Samoa Joe - SummerSlam 2017

This is arguably the best match of the last decade
This is arguably the best match of the last decade

This, in my opinion, is one the greatest matches WWE has ever held, and fans were into it the moment the bell rang. Four big names each fighting for one title.

When you have huge wrestlers like Braun Strowman, Brock Lesnar, Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns in the same ring on the same night, you know it's going to be must-see. Two minutes into the match, we saw a familiar sight as Reigns and Lesnar were the remaining two Superstars left standing in the ring. Reigns was once again taken to Suplex City by The Beast.

Fans instantly popped when Lensar and Strowman stood on opposite sides of the ring. Strowman showcased his strength by tossing The Beast into the turnbuckles and clotheslined the latter out of the ring. Lesnar went through the announce table twice and the match continued in the ring among the remaining Superstars.

Samoa Joe applied Lesnar in the Coquina clutch and The Beast hit him with an F5. Lesnar went for the pin but Reigns saved the match just in time. Reigns hit Lesnar with two Superman punches and was ready to hit the Spear. As Reigns was about to hit Lesnar with a Spear, The Beast caught The Big Dog and hit him with an F5 to win the match. The match was a classic. It's worth watching again. Even though it was a multi-man match, Reigns was still part of it and it was no doubt a 5-star clash.

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Are there any other Roman Reigns matches you particularly enjoy? Share your favorites in the comments section! And, as always, thanks for reading Sportskeeda WWE!