Is Roman Reigns a free agent following massive Paul Heyman announcement on SmackDown? Looking at the likelihood

This week's SmackDown saw Paul Heyman make a shocking announcement regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. The Wiseman informed fans that the former Undisputed WWE Universal Champion had withdrawn from the 2024 Draft.

Roman Reigns' future is up in the air from a brand perspective. He was a member of the blue brand throughout his Universal Championship reign, which ended at WrestleMania XL.

The Head of the Table looks set to become a free agent because he won't be eligible for the draft. Cody Rhodes, the superstar who dethroned him at 'Mania, will be a SmackDown superstar because he's the WWE Champion.

Roman Reigns could be used similarly to how Brock Lesnar and The Rock have been used in recent years. The pair have been special attractions appearing on WWE TV spontaneously, but this raises questions about The Bloodline leader's schedule.

The 38-year-old has taken a leave of absence after his defeat to Cody Rhodes at the Show of Shows in Philadelphia. His potential free agency opens up many possibilities for programs with superstars from either brand. Solo Sikoa could be an option because the Samoan seems to have appointed himself the new Tribal Chief.

WWE may be eager for Reigns to appear on RAW when the move to Netflix occurs in January. Paul Levesque is confident the fanbase will follow the Stamford-based promotion onto the streaming service:

"That's where the world's going. It's easy for our fanbase. We have a long history of changing locations and a massive amount of our people, like 95% of our audience just completely comes with us. I think this will be no different." [H/T Fightful Select]

Roman Reigns is WWE's biggest superstar, and having him available for the red brand will help the transition to Netflix. They may also want to keep the former Shield member away from Cody Rhodes on SmackDown for now, given that their story wrapped up at WrestleMania earlier this month.

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Roman Reigns can continue his feud with Seth Rollins as a free agent after SmackDown revelation

WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman stunned fans when he revealed Roman Reigns had withdrawn from the 2024 Draft. The WrestleMania main event record-holder was set to be drafted as a member of The Bloodline.

However, that wasn't the case, and Bianca Belair was the first draft pick as the EST of WWE headed to SmackDown. RAW got the second pick, and former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins remained on the red brand.

The Architect hasn't been seen since interfering in Roman Reigns' WrestleMania loss to Cody Rhodes. He was a huge distraction for The Tribal Chief and lived up to his claim of being The American Nightmare's shield.

Reigns hit Rollins in the back with a steel chair as long-term storytelling from their Shield days came full circle. They have unfinished business and could continue their long-running rivalry with the Big Dog seemingly a free agent.

That might not be for a while, though, as the RAW Superstar is sidelined with a knee injury. His partner, Becky Lynch, revealed that Rollins underwent surgery on his knee and faces a spell on the medical table.

WWE fans will eagerly await Rollins' return, and it could come when Reigns decides to take his place back at The Head of the Table. His withdrawal from the Draft on SmackDown allows so many stories to come into play.