Roman Reigns Teases Future WWE Run While Handling Title

Roman Reigns has opened up about the next phase of his legendary career, acknowledging he is gradually "phasing out" but leaving the door wide open for another major WWE championship run. The 41-year-old World Heavyweight Champion made the comments in a new interview while also preparing for his Hollywood debut in the Street Fighter movie this October.

Reigns directly addressed his future in a conversation with Complex. He stated that the current generation of WWE Superstars is ready to take the helm as he steps back. But he was quick to add that his story is far from over. "There’s still a couple to a few years of loose ends and gaps in the story that I can patch up and revisit," Reigns said. He then teased a significant return, contingent on his physical condition. "If I stay in shape and I do my end of the job, I could possibly still have a whole 'nother run that we didn’t even think about." His schedule has been reduced in recent years as he expands his work outside wrestling, including his role as Akuma in the upcoming Street Fighter film, which hits theaters on October 16.

Momentum is building for a second showdown between Reigns and Penta. Their first encounter was a World Heavyweight Championship match on the September 14 episode of WWE RAW in Mexico City, which Reigns won. Initially viewed by some in creative as a one-off, the match's strong reception has changed minds. Reports indicate several people within WWE now believe a rematch makes sense from both a business and creative perspective. Penta strengthened his case by winning a triple-threat match to qualify for the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match, potentially earning another title shot. For now, Reigns is set to defend against LA Knight at October's Money in the Bank Premium Live Event.

Despite holding a world title for part of the evaluation period, Roman Reigns did not appear on the 2026 PWI 500 ranking. The list, released on September 24, evaluates performers from August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026. The top spot was taken by MJF, with Cody Rhodes and CM Punk following. Reigns's absence is a notable omission given his sustained prominence at the top of WWE's card throughout the year.

The debate about Reigns's star power beyond wrestling continues. On his podcast, AEW star MVP questioned whether Reigns has the same mainstream crossover potential as icons like John Cena or The Rock. "I don't necessarily see Roman Reigns... Having the same level of popularity outside of wrestling," MVP stated. He argued that while those legends are known to the general public, he doubts ten random people would recognize Reigns. However, MVP was emphatic in crediting Reigns's drawing power within the industry, calling claims he is an "industry plant" ridiculous. "The numbers say different!" he admitted about Reigns being WWE's top box-office attraction.

Reigns's work in the ring continues to draw respect from peers. Former WWE star and current TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth specifically highlighted Reigns's selling ability during a discussion on the art of making an opponent's offense look devastating. Nemeth praised the champion's performance in the match against Penta, where Reigns sold an injured arm throughout the bout. He placed Reigns in a category with exceptional sellers like Brock Lesnar, calling the attention to detail a "beautiful thing to see."

• KEY TAKEAWAYS: Roman Reigns has hinted at a future WWE return while currently reigning as World Heavyweight Champion. A rematch with Penta is gaining support backstage following their praised bout on September 14. Reigns was omitted from the 2026 PWI 500 list despite his championship tenure. His mainstream crossover appeal is debated, but his in-ring prowess is praised by contemporaries.