WWE TLC 2017: 5 Superstars who would be better replacements for Roman Reigns at TLC

WWE recently broke the news that Kurt Angle would be making his in-ring return as part of TLC on Sunday night as he replaces Roman Reigns who is reportedly now suffering from mumps or meningitis.

The former WWE Champion was set to main event the show with Shield teammates Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose as the group was scheduled to team together for the first time as The Shield in more than three years. However, the Shield reunion is now on hold.

The news comes along with a number of other issues for WWE ahead of TLC as many illnesses seem to be spreading around the locker room.

Despite the fact that Kurt Angle is a fantastic replacement to draft in at short notice, Angle should have been given better build up ahead of his return to the ring and there were a number of other stars who could have come in to replace Roman on Sunday night instead.

#5 AJ Styles

AJ could have teamed with Rollins and Ambrose instead

Even though AJ Styles is a SmackDown Live superstar, it seems that WWE has still called upon The Phenomenal One to come in to replace Bray Wyatt on Sunday night in his match against "The Demon" Finn Balor.

AJ Styles is one of the most popular stars in the company right now and shockingly he doesn't seem to be part of a major storyline on SmackDown after losing his United States Championship to Baron Corbin at Hell in a Cell.

AJ could easily come in and join The Shield, he has been a leader of The Bullet Club before and knows exactly what it's like to step into someone's shoes. There is no reason why AJ shouldn't have been given the nod ahead of Kurt Angle.

#4 Aleister Black

Black would have been the perfect replacement

The current NXT superstar would have been free this weekend and easily could have been called in to replace Roman Reigns.

Aleister is a completely different style of wrestler than we're used to, especially when compared to Roman Reigns, but considering there aren't a lot of stars on the Raw roster who could step into Reigns' shoes, why couldn't an NXT star be called upon?

It could be argued that Black is doing well down in NXT and the company want to build him up ready for his debut in his own time, but this could also have been the perfect place for Black to have made an impact.

Black is popular in NXT right now and would definitely have gotten the audience reaction that WWE would have wanted.

#3 John Cena

Could Cena have returned to help The Shield?

John Cena was defeated by Roman Reigns back at No Mercy and later stated that Roman had earned his respect and was proud of how far he had come.

It would have been interesting if Cena had been the one called in to lead The Shield into one of the toughest challenges they have ever faced on Sunday night. Cena would have been the star power that WWE was looking for in this match since TLC was already looking like it could be a lacklustre card.

Cena obviously has a number of other commitments outside of WWE nowadays and perhaps WWE did put in the call and he was unable to make it, which is why The Shield were planned to be part of the show, to begin with.

#2 Brock Lesnar

Lesnar should have been part of the event, to begin with

Brock Lesnar is the current Universal Champion, technically there is no reason why he shouldn't be part of proceedings here, but in actual fact, Brock Lesnar has never been part of a TLC event.

Lesnar was the Champion back in 2014 when the title wasn't defended at the show and once again he has opted out. Lesnar destroyed The Miz and his Miztourage a few months ago and there is no love lost between Braun Strowman and The Beast, which means that he would have been the perfect addition to this match.

The odds are well and truly stacked against The Shield and they really could have done with someone like Brock stepping in at the eleventh hour to even the odds somewhat.

#1 Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe would have been WWE's best option

Samoa Joe was definitely WWE's best option when it came to replacing Roman Reigns. Joe is said to be ready to return now after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a knee injury and is rumoured to be playing a part in the main event match anyway.

The confusing part would be the fact that Joe did walk away as a heel and he would be returning as a face, but considering the fact that Joe perhaps has issues with just about every person in this match, it would be interesting for him to try and gain some allies.

Joe and Braun Strowman are rumoured to be starting up a feud heading into Survivor Series so the seeds could easily have been planted here if WWE thought about the storyline rather than just about how they could surprise the WWE Universe.

Angle hasn't wrestled in WWE for more than a decade and even though he's been wrestling as part of other promotions, it isn't on the same level, so this idea could well backfire quite epically for WWE.