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WWE has created something extraordinary in Roman Reigns. The current Universal Champion has held the gold for 540+ days. He will defend the glow in a historic winner-takes-all match against WWE Champion Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38. However, this might not be the only showdown ahead for the Head of the Table.
Quite a few legends and Hall of Famers have expressed an interest in sharing the squared circle with the Tribal Chief. The company has firmly established Reigns as the top of the food chain. This is why no current star feels like a threat to his title, and the promotion has relied on part-timers like Lesnar and John Cena as opponents for Roman at major events.
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With 2022 just kicking off, there are plenty of dream matches that the promotion can deliver with Roman Reigns. At stadium events in Saudi Arabia and SummerSlam, Reigns will need a worthwhile challenger that inspires fans to buy tickets.
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In this article, let's look at five legends who should return to face Roman Reigns in 2022.
#5 on our list of five legends who should return to face Roman Reigns in 2022 - former eight-time WWE Champion The Rock
For over two years now, fans have wanted to see The Rock return to WWE to confront the self-proclaimed Head of the Table in the Samoan Dynasty in his cousin Roman Reigns. It is arguably the biggest money matchup that the company can offer and has many possibilities.
The Rock could potentially be the competitor to finally dethrone Roman Reigns as Universal Champion. However, Reigns could also pick up the most important victory of his career by defeating his blood in a high-profile showdown. One issue with this contest in 2022 is the current lineup for this year's WrestleMania.
Right now, Brock Lesnar is scheduled to face Reigns in the Winner Takes All main event in Dallas. Unless the promotion decides to put Roman on back-to-back nights, a Mania dream match won't be possible at this year's event. There is no other show worthy of Rock vs. Roman, so fans will have to wait until WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles.
4) Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Booker T
Booker T is a former six-time world champion and often contributes to WWE's Kickoff Show as an analyst. The Hall of Famer recently brought up the Tribal Chief's dominance as Universal Champion. He even alluded to a potential in-ring return to face Reigns.
Booker T is a decorated champion and was a competitor who had his fair share of great bouts. Based on being out of active in-ring competition for a few years now. Roman Reigns may be an ideal opponent for Booker due to his more methodical and story-based style in the ring.
The legendary status of Booker T gives Reigns another viable challenger for his title.
3) WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam
Rob Van Dam is another Hall of Famer who has teased an in-ring return. As recently as Royal Rumble 2022, the idea was tossed around to bring the Whole Dam Show back, according to RVD. Van Dam is coming off a run with IMPACT Wrestling that ended in 2020, so he is not too far off his active days.
RVD is an interesting challenger to face Roman Reigns. His stature isn't the same as the latter's recent rivals in Brock Lesnar, Goldberg, and John Cena. But that is what makes him an intriguing choice.
RVD's versatility and unpredictability make for a unique challenge that can be compelling.
2) WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle has been heavily teasing ongoing talks about his WWE return. He retired from in-ring competition after WrestleMania 35 and has made sporadic appearances since then.
Many fans weren't satisfied with Angle's final match against Baron Corbin, so returning to face the company's top star seems like a fitting way to end the Olympic Gold Medalist's career.
Kurt Angle interacted with Reigns in 2017 as the RAW General Manager. He even replaced him in the Shield at TLC 2017 when Reigns went down with an injury.
Although it's been three years since Angle last competed, the Tribal Chief is the performer that the company should rely on. Kurt could definitely capture some of his old magic against the Head of the Table.
1) WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin
The potential Stone Cold Steve Austin return at WrestleMania 38 seems somewhat inevitable at this point. The promotion desperately requires a shot in the arm on the road to the Show of Shows. The return of the biggest superstars from their most successful period would be exactly that.
It looks like Austin will face Kevin Owens at Mania in Dallas, but this could be the first match of many for the Hall of Famer. There might not be a bigger opponent for Stone Cold than the current Universal Champion. Not only would it be a battle between the two biggest stars of their respective eras, but it is also a battle of Paul Heyman Guys.
Heyman famously managed Austin during his days in WCW, while he currently presides as the special counsel to the Tribal Chief. Add in the fact that the company has built Reigns so dominantly that no one on the active roster seems like a threat. That's why Stone Cold Steve Austin is the biggest legend who should return to face Roman Reigns in 2022.
