REVEALED: Why WWE Changed Roman Reigns' Planned Royal Rumble Match To A Fatal 4-Way

Roman Reigns is set to defend the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship for the first time in 2024 and only the third time since WrestleMania 39 at the Royal Rumble on January 27. Reigns will put the belt on the line in a Fatal 4-Way against Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles.

The match came together on the January 5 episode of Friday Night SmackDown as Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles faced each other in a Triple Threat to determine Reigns' opponent at Royal Rumble. The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion and the Bloodline interfered in the match, however, and laid out the three participants. This prompted SmackDown GM Nick Aldis to tell Paul Heyman that his Tribal Chief had earned himself a Fatal 4-Way at Royal Rumble instead.

Dave Meltzer has reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton was the original plan for the Royal Rumble but there were people involved in booking the match who didn't want to have Orton lose so soon after his return at Survivor Series 2023. Instead, WWE feel a singles feud between Reigns and Orton can be pushed back to a later date.

"The actual deal here is the original idea was Roman and Randy Orton for the Rumble. Essentially, there was parties involved who did not want to beat Randy Orton this early and just felt there was money to be made with Randy Orton and Roman in a programme at some point but it's too soon to do it... I think AJ was the guy that they probably would have wanted [for the Royal Rumble] because Roman can beat him. I presume AJ is going to be the one that's going to lose. Maybe not, it could be LA," Meltzer said.

Prior to his return at Survivor Series, Randy Orton was out of action for 18 months due to a serious back injury. He was advised to retire following back fusion surgery but the 14-time world champion decided to return anyway. Orton was offered new entrance music to coincide with his return but turned it down.

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