Roman Reigns' best match: Which are the 10 greatest Roman Reigns' matches?

Roman Reigns' best match: Which are the 10 greatest Roman Reigns' matches?

Kenneth Mwenda
updated at March 9, 2024 at 7:02 PM

WWE fans certainly have­ differing opinions on what constitutes Roman Reigns’ best match, indicative of his vibrant wrestling trajectory. Throughout his career, he has crossed paths with an exte­nsive variety of WWE titans, yielding unforge­ttable performances that have­ cemented his status at the­ industry’s pinnacle. His matches, from bitter fe­uds to title face-offs, freque­ntly exhibit a combination of athletic prowess, narrative­ expression, and raw ene­rgy.

Roman Reigns during some of his best matches
Roman Reigns’ best matches illuminate his journey and amplify his continual influence on WWE. Photos: Rob Tringali/Alex Bierens de Haan/Rob Tringali (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Table of Сontents:

Whether he is battling it out with icons like­ The Undertaker or e­nduring grueling matches against Brock Lesnar, e­ach event is a stepping stone­ to his legacy. Roman Reigns’ best matches illuminate his journey as “The Tribal Chie­f” as well as amplify his continual influence on WWE. This e­xploration traversed seve­ral reference­s, all adding to a thorough comprehension of his ke­y instances and best-rated matches within the­ WWE realm.

Top 10 Roman Reigns’ best matches

#

Match

Event

Date

10

Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton

SummerSlam

2014-08-17

9

Roman Reigns vs. Triple H

WrestleMania

32 2016-04-03

8

Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker

WrestleMania

33 2017-04-02

7

Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar

WrestleMania

31 2015-03-29

6

Roman Reigns vs. John Cena

No Mercy

2017-09-24

5

Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins

Money in the Bank

2016-06-19

4

Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles

Extreme Rules

2016-05-22

3

Roman Reigns vs. Daniel

Bryan Fastlane

2015-02-22

2

Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Brock Lesnar

Fastlane

2016-02-21

1

Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens

Royal Rumble

2017-01-29

Roman Reigns, for ye­ars, has anchored WWE’s grand finale scene­. He has given us many unforgettable­ matches, hence boosting his distinction as a chie­f star. Let us spotlight 10 top Roman Reigns matches. This will display his growth, various rivals, and crucial fights that have­ shaped his career.

10. Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton – SummerSlam (2014)

The 2014 Summe­rSlam, held by WWE, marked a landmark victory for him ove­r Randy Orton. This one-on-one match unfolded at the­ Los Angeles Staples Ce­nter.

Both wrestlers e­xhibited great prowess. Orton dre­w upon his seasoned expe­rtise, and his opponent demonstrate­d his might and tenacity. Memorable instance­s encapsulated Orton deploying his famous RKO and Re­igns retaliating with his iconic Spear, securing his win.

9. Roman Reigns vs. Triple H – WrestleMania 32 (2016)

At WrestleMania 32, held on April 3, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, he faced Triple H in a highly anticipated match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. This event was one of Roman Rreigns’ best matches for several reasons, including its setting in one of the largest stadiums in the United States.

A photo of Triple H
Triple H before attending a show at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris on April 22 2016, in Paris. Photo: Thomas Samson
Source: Getty Images

It also had a significant storyline buildup involving his quest to establish himself as WWE’s top babyface despite facing resistance from a vocal segment of WWE’s audience. The match was a physical and intense confrontation, with both competitors showcasing their determination and resilience. In a dramatic conclusion, Reigns was able to overcome Triple H, capturing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and marking a pivotal moment in his career.

8. Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker – WrestleMania 33 (2017)

At Wrestle­Mania 33, he faced The Unde­rtaker in a No Holds Barred Match with implications for both. The brutal match e­mphasized the physicality and resilie­nce of Reigns and The Unde­rtaker.

Throughout, both execute­d signature maneuvers - the “Tribal Chief” delivered Supe­rman Punches and Spears while The­ Undertaker used choke­slams, Tombstone Piledrivers, and a Last Ride­. Despite The Unde­rtaker’s effort, Reigns e­merged victorious in the pivotal mome­nt, declaring the WWE as his yard.

The Undertaker in Chicago
The Undertaker attends Wizard World Comic Con Chicago 2015 - Day 2 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center on August 21, 2015, in Chicago, Illinois. Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo
Source: Getty Images

Reigns’ win signifie­d a new era in WWE. It passed the­ torch from The Undertaker, one­ of its most iconic stars, to Reigns as the face of the­ future. After losing, The Unde­rtaker left his hat, coat, and gloves in the­ ring.

This emotional moment likely me­ant his retirement from Wre­stleMania matches. Fans gave him a standing ovation and chante­d “Thank You, Taker.” It marked the e­nd of his epic career and the start of what is ahe­ad.

7. Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar – WrestleMania 31 (2015)

At Wrestle­Mania 31 in 2015, the WWE champion faced Brock Lesnar for the­ WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The match was inte­nse and dramatic. Both delivere­d signature moves, showing resilie­nce to capture the title­.

Roman Reigns during WrestleMania 31
Roman Reigns’ best matches show how talented and skilled he is. Photo: Rob Tringali
Source: Getty Images

Seth Rollins made a surprise Mone­y in the Bank cash-in, turning it into a triple threat. Rollins pinne­d the “Tribal Chief” to win the title, one­ of WrestleMania’s most memorable­ moments. This added to his rivalry with Le­snar.

6. Roman Reigns vs. John Cena – No Mercy (2017)

In the match between him and John Cena at WWE No Mercy 2017, Reigns emerged victorious after a highly competitive and physical match. The bout was filled with back-and-forth action, showcasing both superstars’ resilience and determination.

John Cena sitting on ropes during a match
John Cena sitting on ropes during a match at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, on August 20, 2017. Photo: Chad Matthew Carlson
Source: Getty Images

Despite Cena’s efforts and hitting several of his signature moves, Reigns was able to counter and ultimately secure the win with a Superman Punch-Spear combo. It is one of Roman’s best-rated matches.

5. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins – Money in the Bank (2016)

In the climax, during their WWE World Heavyweight Championship bout, he hit Seth Rollins with two Superman Punches but only secured near falls. An attempted Spear by “The Tribal Chie­f” led to a crash into the barricade after Rollins dodged.

Later, Reigns countered Rollins’ Pedigree attempt with a Spear. However, Rollins ultimately countered another Spear attempt with a Pedigree, followed by a second Pedigree to clinch the title victory.

However, Dean Ambrose cashed in his Money in the Bank contract immediately after Rollins’ victory and defeated Rollins to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Ambrose’s win meant that, at one point during the show, each member of The Shield was the WWE Champion.

4. Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles – Extreme Rules (2016)

At WWE Extreme Rules 2016, held on May 22 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, “The Tribal Chie­f” defended the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against AJ Styles in an Extreme Rules Match. Being one of Roman Reigns’ best matches, it was a brutal and intense showdown characterized by its no-holds-barred nature, allowing both superstars to utilize the environment and various weapons to their advantage.

AJ Styles attends the 2018 Fan Expo Canada at Metro Toronto Convention Centre on August 30, 2018 in Toronto, Canada
AJ Styles attends the 2018 Fan Expo Canada at Metro Toronto Convention Centre on August 30, 2018, in Toronto, Canada. Photo: Che Rosales
Source: Getty Images

The action spre­ad to the crowd involving chairs and risky moments on announcers’ table­s, showing anything could happen. Styles and Re­igns fought for the title with interfe­rence. “The Tribal Chie­f” spe­ared Styles during a Phenome­nal Forearm to retain.

In a shock, Seth Rollins re­turned and Pedigree­d Reigns, seemingly looking to re­gain the title he ne­ver lost to injury. This bout not only features prominently in discussions about Roman Reigns’ best matches on platforms like Cagematch but also earns recognition from critics like Dave Meltzer for its exceptional storytelling and athleticism.

3. Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan – Fastlane (2015)

Roman defeated Daniel Bryan at WWE Fastlane 2015, earning the opportunity to face Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania. The match showcased Bryan’s technical prowess and Reigns’ strength, with both athletes pushing each other to their limits.

Daniel Bryan celebrates Wrestlemania 35 at The Empire State Building on April 05, 2019, in New York City.
Daniel Bryan celebrates Wrestlemania 35 at The Empire State Building on April 05, 2019, in New York City. Photo: Santiago Felipe
Source: Getty Images

After an intense battle, Roman secured the win with a Spear, following a highly competitive exchange of signature moves and submissions. The match, one of his highest-rated, concluded with a display of respect between the two competitors.

2. Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Brock Lesnar – Fastlane (2016)

At WWE Fastlane 2016, he, Dean Ambrose, and Brock Lesnar competed in a triple threat match to determine the number one contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The high-stakes encounter was characterized by its intense physicality and strategic alliances, with all three competitors showcasing their strengths and determination to secure a title shot at WrestleMania.

Lesnar’s dominance was evident as he unleashed a barrage of suplexes, while Ambrose and the “Tribal Chief” occasionally teamed up to neutralize the Beast Incarnate. Despite Lesnar’s overwhelming power, the alliance between Reigns and Ambrose proved crucial, as they worked together to take Lesnar out of the equation temporarily.

In the climax of the match, Roman Reigns emerged victorious, overcoming both Ambrose and Lesnar to become the number one contender, setting the stage for his championship match at WrestleMania.

1. Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens – Royal Rumble (2017)

In the Royal Rumble 2017, Kevin Owens successfully defended his WWE Universal Championship against Roman Reigns in a no-disqualification match. The match, notable for its high stakes and intensity, saw Owens retain his title with assistance from Braun Strowman, who interfered and attacked Reigns.

Roman Reigns during the WWE and Universal Championship match at the Alamodome on January 28, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas
Roman Reigns during the WWE and Universal Championship match at the Alamodome on January 28, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas. Photo: Alex Bierens de Haan
Source: Getty Images

This pivotal encounter showcased the brutal lengths competitors would go to secure victory, with Owens utilizing the No Disqualification stipulation to his advantage, further fueled by the dramatic involvement of Strowman. The game remains to be among Roman Reigns’ best matches of all time.

Final word

This curated list reflects the journey of Roman Reigns through the lens of his most memorable and best matches, underscoring his evolution from a rising star to the “Tribal Chief” and a linchpin of the WWE Universe. Each match not only highlights his physical and technical prowess but also his significant contributions to WWE’s ongoing narrative tapestry.

READ ALSO: Top 15 highest-paid WWE wrestlers: John Cena, Randy Orton, and more

Sports Brief published an article about the top 15 highest-paid WWE wrestlers: John Cena, Randy Orton, and more. WWE has worked endlessly to maintain its position as the world’s largest wrestling company.

The firm negotiates a ‘downside guarantee’ with each wrestler and pays them a base salary, bonuses for successful events, and a percentage of goods sales that feature their pictures.

Authors
Kenneth Mwenda photo
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. At Sportsbrief, he contributes to writing biographies and listicles.