‘- Fan can still remember that very sad Monday Night RAW promo on October 22nd of last year, where Roman Reigns relinquished his Universal Title due to leukemia. The WWE Universe continues to pray for his recovery and return, and seems like it could be happening sooner rather than later.
Thank you to everyone who’s reached out…I can’t put into words what it means to me.
Your energy and positivity motivate me to get better quickly to get back in the ring, but for now I’m going to spend time with my family and focus on health.
Thank you – Joe/Roman
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) October 23, 2018
Wrestling Observer Radio’s Bryan Alvarez chimed in on this idea recently, noting that The Big Dog’s name was dropped a couple times on RAW this week; he therefore questioned as to whether or not Reigns possibly could be at this Sunday’s Royal Rumble. When asked about this possibility, Dave Meltzer responded with something interesting, relaying he didn’t rule the idea out, as Reigns is training right now and did so during a recent vacation to Hawaii. While Meltzer did state he hasn’t heard anything about Roman being at the Rumble, it is possible. Meltzer noted that Reigns isn’t confined to a hospital bed and the last he heard, The Big Dog was in Hawaii and training.
There was no set date for a Roman Reigns comeback, but we all know that if The Big Dog did return (and participate) in the Royal Rumble, he’d blow the roof off Arizona’s Chase Field once his music hits. Surprise returns from injury are nothing new when it comes to the Royal Rumble, and Reigns returning to the event as a surprise entrant would be a huge and memorable moment, that’s for sure.
– WWE fans haven’t seen much of Dolph Ziggler lately. The last time he was on RAW, former BFF Drew McIntyre laid a beatdown on him in a steel cage match. Having said that, Ziggler is still apparently doing live events on tour, so he may be taking a break from storylines right now.
“Happy birthday @MaryseMizanin
Hey, remember when @ZackRyder ruined your wedding pic…”
(my gift to you is the good lighting) pic.twitter.com/q9Q2D3HH9v— Nic Nemeth (@HEELZiggler) January 21, 2019
Still, one can’t help but raise an eyebrow, especially with all the speculation around talent requesting releases. Barnerburner’s Joe Peisich mentioned during his No Holds Barred podcast that Dolphie has not re-signed a deal with the WWE as of yet. Apparently, his contract is up to expire just before Wrestlemania, and The Show Off has turned down offers from the company. According to Joe, it looks as if he may not end up signing another deal with he WWE.
#Phoenix ?BRAND NEW? shipment of NEW & CLASSIC merch just in time for DZ & FRIENDS JANUARY 27 @standuplive IMMEDIATELY after #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/aJ195uSPe9
— Nic Nemeth (@HEELZiggler) January 21, 2019
Having said that, rumors around Ziggler leaving the WWE always seem to pop up now and again, so it could be possible that this is what is circulating to create a “surprise” appearance by him at the Royal Rumble to help create some hype.
