Roman Reigns is the chosen WWE opponent for Hall of Famer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. Following Triple H’s recovery from a serious heart procedure in September 2021, where he repaired a heart condition, he has since returned to focus on his role as WWE’s Chief Content Officer. Despite ruling out a full comeback, Triple H revealed that if he were to wrestle again, Roman Reigns would be his preferred adversary.
Triple H last performed in the ring at a June 2019 WWE live event in Tokyo, teaming with Shinsuke Nakamura to defeat Robert Roode and Samoa Joe. Before that, his final WrestleMania main event took place in 2016, when he defended the WWE World Championship against Roman Reigns in Dallas. While the match did not receive strong approval from the audience, it played a key role in elevating Reigns as the company’s future star.
During a recent interview on ABC’s Good Morning America, Triple H was asked whom he would face if he returned for one last match. Although he expressed skepticism about making such a comeback, he named Roman Reigns as the ideal opponent due to Reigns’ talent and status both inside and outside the ring.
“If I got back in at this point I’d be wrestling Father Time is what I’d be doing. Nobody, mostly me, wants to see me back in the ring. I think in this moment right now, a current superstar, if I could go back in time and do what I did at my peak, it would be Roman Reigns. He’s a great guy, incredible talent, incredible performer. Out making movies right now, still a WWE Superstar, but branching out into Hollywood. He’s gonna be massive.” — Paul Levesque, WWE Hall of Famer
Cody Rhodes Highlights Roman Reigns as His Biggest Rival
The “Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns also plays a central role in the career reflections of Cody Rhodes, who regards Reigns as his greatest competitor in WWE. This respect stems from their extensive rivalry, including three WrestleMania main event clashes: WrestleMania 39 in 2023 and twice at WrestleMania 40 in 2024. Rhodes credits Reigns for holding WWE’s spotlight during a significant period in his own career.
“In my career for sure is gonna be Roman Reigns. Roman Reigns held the center of all of wrestling for a while when I went out there and did everything and tried to make as much noise, create all kinds of different worlds for myself, he held the center, he was WWE’s guy, and he stayed their guy.” — Cody Rhodes
“Whereas I came in as a disruptor, and I feel like no matter how you look at it, wrestling is as real as it gets, or you just look at it as the show. That competition between us is filled with respect, but that’s the one I have to keep an eye out for, even as WWE Champion. Roman, any day can step in and be the face of the company. We just did a movie together, which is crazy, the fact that we’re in this movie. Roman keeps me on my toes, and I hope he’s around for years to come. I need a Roman Reigns.” — Cody Rhodes
Currently, Roman Reigns is absent from WWE television as he works on filming his role in the upcoming Street Fighter movie.
Upcoming WWE Events and Other Recent Developments
In addition to these personal perspectives on Roman Reigns, WWE fans have noticed potential developments in upcoming events. A new title match may be added to the Wrestlepalooza lineup, though the matchup has not yet been officially announced on television.
Cody Rhodes recently spoke about the lessons he has learned from Roman Reigns throughout his career, highlighting their professional relationship beyond the ring. Beyond these main WWE storylines, other former superstars have shared their views, including one Hall of Famer explaining why retirement came relatively early in their career.
Meanwhile, WWE personalities continue to generate buzz, such as the reaction from Tony Khan regarding Toni Storm, and a former champion criticizing WWE for restricting in-ring opportunities. Shawn Michaels, one of WWE’s most celebrated performers, made news by disavowing a major match from his career, notably his WrestleMania 26 face-off with The Undertaker.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Roman Reigns and WWE Storylines
The designation of Roman Reigns as Triple H’s preferred comeback opponent underscores Reigns’ prominence and influence in WWE’s current landscape. His expanding presence in Hollywood, combined with his ongoing central role in WWE narratives, positions him as a continuing force in the industry.
The intense professional dynamic between Reigns and established stars like Cody Rhodes suggests that future WWE events will maintain focus on these rivalries. As WWE prepares for Wrestlepalooza and other marquee shows, storylines revolving around Reigns will likely remain at the forefront, impacting championship trajectories and fan engagement.
With Roman Reigns temporarily away from television to pursue film projects, his eventual return is highly anticipated. Fans and insiders alike view him as an essential figure who can help shape WWE’s next era, whether through in-ring performances or broader entertainment ventures.
