WWE fans have caught wind of a likely Roman Reigns return, after an apparent internal mistake saw his comeback details leaked ahead of schedule, fueling speculation during the high-stakes lead-up to WrestleMania season. This development, connected to a TV guide listing mix-up, has sent fans and insiders scrambling for more clues about when the ‘Tribal Chief’ will make his next major appearance.
Roman Reigns’ Absence and WWE’s Secretive Plans
Roman Reigns, who has been central to WWE for almost a decade, has kept a relatively low profile since his intense Survivor Series WarGames match. His last outing saw not only his team lose but also featured a dramatic confrontation with Cody Rhodes, casting doubt on any future alliances between the two. WWE has traditionally relied on Reigns for major storylines and has closely guarded its intentions regarding his involvement. This pattern of secrecy is standard, particularly as WrestleMania season approaches and speculation about key returns reaches a fever pitch.
TV Listings Mistake Hints at an Imminent Return
Recently, a slip-up in WWE’s communication process may have inadvertently revealed that Roman Reigns is set to return soon. Broadcasting insider Dave Meltzer discussed the situation on Wrestling Observer Radio after spotting an anomaly in the TV listings. The error involved internal information about upcoming shows being sent to TV guide professionals.
“On the little scroll, for SmackDown, what I think happened was whoever is in charge in WWE of sending that, sent the RAW one instead of the SmackDown one, because it said how Maxxine Dupri tries to recover from her loss to Becky Lynch, and Roman Reigns returns.So, I don’t know if that’s this Monday’s show or next Monday’s show, but I thought that was pretty interesting. Yeah, it could be the week after that. But that’s the thing WWE sent to the TV guide people, whatever it is, for SmackDown, though, they sent it for SmackDown. So, somebody just screwed up,” Meltzer said.
The confusion centers on a RAW rundown being mistakenly issued as a SmackDown preview. This error prominently mentioned Maxxine Dupri responding to a defeat by Becky Lynch and, more notably, referenced the return of the former Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. The actual date of the planned return has not been made public, and the episode in question may be scheduled for an upcoming Monday or even the following week.
Implications of WWE’s Error and Next Steps
This incident underscores a rare vulnerability in WWE’s otherwise tight-lipped approach to major talent movements. Typically, efforts are made to prevent any information about headline returns like Roman Reigns from becoming public. However, the mistake has seemed to accelerate fan anticipation and diminished the element of surprise that WWE usually values.
With WrestleMania season rapidly approaching, the likelihood that Roman Reigns will soon make his presence felt again is higher than ever. While the precise timing remains unclear, the accidental leak strongly suggests that the ‘Tribal Chief’ is poised to step back into the spotlight. The fan base is now on high alert, waiting to see how WWE manages its storylines and damage control in the aftermath of this high-profile botch.
For now, the wrestling world will be watching upcoming episodes of both RAW and SmackDown to catch the moment Reigns reemerges, ready to reclaim his role as the dominant force in WWE at this critical juncture in the season.
