For the first time since 2020, Roman Reigns will enter the Royal Rumble. On this week’s episode of SmackDown, Paul Heyman, speaking on behalf of Reigns, announced that “The Tribal Chief” has declared for the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble.
Heyman opened the show by addressing Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, proclaiming that Reigns is determined to reclaim the title he lost to Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 40 – Night 2. Reigns aims to achieve this by winning the Royal Rumble and earning a shot at the championship.
This announcement marks a notable shift, as Reigns has entered the last four Royal Rumble events as the WWE Universal or Undisputed WWE Champion, rather than as a Royal Rumble match competitor. Reigns previously won the Royal Rumble in 2015, a victory that was overshadowed by fan backlash when the audience favored Bryan Danielson (then Daniel Bryan) over him. Despite an endorsement from The Rock, the win remains one of the most polarizing moments in Royal Rumble history.
The 2025 Royal Rumble is already shaping up to be a blockbuster event, with other top stars like John Cena and CM Punk also declaring their entries. The event will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
