Roman Reigns has firmly established himself as a central figure in WWE over the past several years, becoming a key attraction for the company. Karrion Kross, known for his time as NXT Champion, recently expressed regret over not having the opportunity to face Reigns during his dominant reign.
Kross first appeared in WWE as the NXT Champion before being released in 2021. He returned along with Scarlett in 2022 and immediately confronted Roman Reigns on SmackDown, signaling a potential feud that never materialized. Kross left WWE again in 2025 and currently competes independently as the MLW World Heavyweight Champion.
In a recent conversation with Monopoly Events, Kross described Roman Reigns as one of the all-time greats. He recalled meaningful interactions with Reigns and expressed a strong desire to compete against the WWE star during his time as the leader of The Bloodline.
“I think Roman is one of the greatest of all time. Even on a personal level, I have gotten along with him. We have had very meaningful conversations. Not a lot, not a lot at all. But the very few times we did talk, they were meaningful and light-hearted. I like him as a person. I respect him as the person that he is in the ring. And I would have loved to have done that match,” Kross said. (H/T ITR Wrestling)
Roman Reigns Set to Headline WrestleMania After Historic Royal Rumble Win
Roman Reigns made WWE history by capturing the Royal Rumble match for the second time in his career during the 2026 event. This milestone solidified his status as a top contender moving forward.
Following his victory, Reigns delivered a promo on RAW that was abruptly interrupted by CM Punk, leading to an intense exchange between the two. The Undisputed Universal Champion declared he would challenge Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania, dubbed the “Showcase of the Immortals.”
Meanwhile, CM Punk faces a significant challenge from Finn Balor in the upcoming Elimination Chamber event, which could impact the title picture heading into their WrestleMania clash.
Implications for Roman Reigns’ WWE Career and the Broader Landscape
The ongoing developments reinforce Roman Reigns’ pivotal role within WWE’s storytelling and the company’s direction as it heads into 2026’s biggest event. Karrion Kross’s comments highlight the missed opportunities that sometimes occur even with top-tier talent, emphasizing the competitive nature of the roster. Meanwhile, Reigns’ anticipated title defense against CM Punk at WrestleMania promises to attract significant attention, intensifying rivalries and shaping the future trajectory of WWE’s championship scene.
When this segment between Karrion Kross and Roman Reigns happened, I thought he might be the one to dethrone Roman Reigns 😭😭😭pic.twitter.com/pja6FEOon6
— A L L D A Y 🚀 (@AllDAYZ77) August 11, 2025
