Roman Reigns is back on top of the WWE Universe after becoming World Heavyweight at WrestleMania 42.
Not only did Reigns defeat CM Punk in a grueling, five-star main event match at Allegiant Stadium, but he also accomplished a feat previously only done by WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan.
Reigns’ championship bout against CM Punk on Sunday marked the seventh WrestleMania main event match of his storied career. His seven WrestleMania main event matches tie Hulk Hogan for the most in WWE history.
The late Hulk Hogan, who has an upcoming Netflix documentary, became synonymous with the magic of WrestleMania. He headlined the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985, where he and Mr. T competed against Roddy Piper and Mr. Wonderful in a star-studded tag team match. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was the special guest referee of that match.
Nearly a decade later, at WrestleMania IX, Hulk Hogan headlined WrestleMania for the final time. At WrestleMania IX, Hogan defeated Yokozuna to win the WWF Championship.
For Reigns, his bloody bout against CM Punk in Las Vegas marks the second straight year the two have clashed in the main event at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 41, the WWE superstars competed in a triple threat match, including Seth Rollins, to conclude Night 1.
Roman Reigns to Return to WWE Full-Time
GettyRoman Reigns defeated CM Punk at WrestleMania 42
For the better part of the last two years, Reigns has been a part-time WWE performer as he focused on developing his Hollywood acting career. The Original Tribal Chief will appear in Street Fighter as the iconic villain Akuma.
Following his triumphant main event win over CM Punk on Sunday, Reigns addressed his upcoming schedule on the WrestleMania 42 post-show, noting that he’ll once again be a regular on WWE programming now that he’s champion.
“All this part-time crap, we’re gonna fix that,” Reigns said. “Ya’ll better make some room, because ya’ll gonna see my ass all summer.”
Since WrestleMania 40, Reigns has competed in only 12 matches. The victory against Punk was just his fourth singles match during that span.
Now that filming has wrapped up for Street Fighter and the World Championship is back around his waist, Reigns will return to RAW on Netflix weekly.
Oba Femi Calls Out Roman Reigns
GettyOba Femi challenges Roman Reigns to match
Reigns’ full-time return and championship win did not go unnoticed, and it didn’t take long for WWE superstars to challenge him for the throne.
Following his dominant win over Brock Lesnar on Sunday, WWE star Oba Femi stated that he has his sights set on Roman Reigns next.
During the WrestleMania 42 post-show, Femi didn’t mince words about his feelings towards the champion.
“I think tomorrow is a celebration,” Femi said. “I think in the coming weeks is the establishment of a new main event player. And I think at the end of the year, the OTC can get some.”
Femi shockingly defeated the Beast Incarnate in just five minutes flat, asserting his presence as a rising star in WWE.
Now, the former NXT Champion is hunting championship gold once more.
Roman Reigns Ties 33-Year Hulk Hogan WrestleMania Record