Roman Reigns’ remarkable WWE title reign, which has lasted over 1,300 days, was originally planned to be significantly shorter. A recent revelation disclosed that WWE intended for Reigns to lose the championship in 2021, which would have cut his record-breaking run in half.
Before 2020, Reigns was already a prominent figure in WWE, having main-evented WrestleMania multiple times and securing a victory over The Undertaker at the event. His return in mid-2020 marked a turning point as he came back from a break during the COVID-19 pandemic with a new villainous persona, accompanied by Paul Heyman as his strategist. Reigns recaptured the company’s top title in August 2020, beginning what would become a historic championship reign lasting nearly four years, cementing his status as a wrestling icon.
John Cena Discloses Plans to End Reigns’ Title Run at SummerSlam 2021
In an interview with the No-Contest Wrestling Show, WWE legend John Cena revealed that the original booking had him defeating Roman Reigns at SummerSlam 2021 to claim his unprecedented 17th world championship. This plan aimed to end Reigns’ reign prematurely and add a significant milestone to Cena’s career.
However, after WWE negotiated a new contract with Brock Lesnar, the creative direction shifted. Instead of Cena winning, Reigns was scripted to secure a clean victory to set up a renewed rivalry with Lesnar. This change altered the course of WWE history by extending Reigns’ championship tenure and delaying Cena’s record title win, which eventually took place at WrestleMania 41.
It happens to everyone. It happens from the top of the card down to the bottom. They will switch,
Cena explained.
They’ll cut your time. They will give you different creative. It happens all the time. So I didn’t flip out.
— John Cena, retired WWE wrestler
The Enduring Impact of Roman Reigns’ Title Reign
Roman Reigns’ ongoing WWE title reign has significantly influenced the company’s landscape and wrestling’s broader narrative. The decision to extend his run showcased WWE’s confidence in his drawing power and character evolution, especially following the nuanced heel turn supported by Paul Heyman.
Had the original booking gone through, both Reigns’ legacy and Cena’s 17th world title record would have reflected a different story. Instead, Reigns’ reign stands as one of the longest in WWE history, shaping how the company promotes its top stars and engages fans through long-term storytelling.
