A major development has emerged in professional wrestling as Thom Latimer, the reigning NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, has openly expressed his desire to compete against Roman Reigns in WWE for the first time in over a decade. This provocative challenge has drawn attention to the prospect of a World champion challenging Roman Reigns after 12 years, reigniting interest in cross-promotional matchups.
Latimer, who has maintained his grip on the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship for well over 275 days, originally won the title in August 2024. This reign has solidified his reputation as one of the top talents outside WWE. However, not all wrestling fans are aware of Latimer’s past ties with WWE. Competing under the name Kenneth Cameron, he was part of the tag team The Ascension alongside Konnor, spending his formative years in the Florida Championship Wrestling developmental territory, which later evolved into NXT. During this period, he trained alongside future icons such as Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose (now Jon Moxley), Big E, and other prominent figures who would later dominate the wrestling world. Latimer’s personal life intersected with WWE as well, as he was once married to Charlotte Flair, a star who also rose through FCW.
NWA Champion’s WWE History and Recent Statement
Latimer’s WWE tenure concluded in November 2012, following a series of legal issues, including charges involving law enforcement and an earlier arrest for drunk driving. Since his departure, he has rebuilt his career in other organizations, culminating in his current championship run in the NWA. When recently asked by Muscle Memory about his interest in facing any current WWE superstar, Latimer was candid about his ambitions.
“Oh well. I have wrestled him a long, long time ago, but of course I would pick Roman Reigns. You’ve got to shoot for the top, you know what I mean?”
—Thom Latimer, NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion
Latimer’s comments, which were highlighted by Sportskeeda, mark the first time in over twelve years that a World champion outside WWE has publicly challenged Roman Reigns, leading to increased speculation about the possibility of such a high-profile showdown.
Changes in the Wrestling Landscape Open New Doors
The wrestling scene has become far more unpredictable in recent years, with cross-promotional matches that once seemed unlikely now becoming reality. A recent example saw WWE Hall of Famer Natalya entering the NWA ring to wrestle Kenzie Paige, proving that alliances between organizations are not out of reach. This evolution in the industry means that bouts between champions from different promotions, like Latimer and Roman Reigns, are now more than just fantasy matchups.
Roman Reigns Responds to Critics About His WWE Commitment
While Roman Reigns has only competed in three matches during the first five months of 2025, he has confronted criticism regarding his WWE schedule with characteristic intensity.
“It’s funny because a lot of people call me a part-timer. A lot of people got a lot of things to say about my schedule. I’m no part-timer. I’m a full-time cash cow. Every second that I’m breathing, I’m working. That’s how this whole thing works. Proof of concept. This business lives off me. Don’t ever get it confused, every second that I’m breathing, I’m working.”
—Roman Reigns, WWE Superstar
Despite his limited appearances, Reigns has made it clear that he considers himself integral to WWE’s ongoing success. Turning 40 this year, Reigns is anticipated to make his return to television soon, though no official date has been set by the company.
Potential Implications of a Blockbuster Match
The prospect of a World champion challenging Roman Reigns after 12 years has the wrestling community debating the potential impact such an encounter could have. Both Latimer and Reigns possess storied histories and command respect within their respective organizations. Should WWE pursue a cross-promotional bout, it would not only draw significant attention from fans, but also underscore the increasing fluidity between wrestling promotions in today’s era.
As more top stars choose to address challenges outside their traditional domains and as organizations experiment with new partnerships, the possibility of a headline clash between Thom Latimer and Roman Reigns may serve as a sign of more daring collaborations in the professional wrestling industry’s future.
