Ranking the 6 WWE Superstars Most Likely to Dethrone Roman Reigns

Dethroning Roman Reigns will be one of the defining moments of the modern pro wrestling era.

Reigns' historic run as WWE Undisputed Universal Champion is one of the all-time great runs and—depending on when it ends—it could surpass Hulk Hogan's 1,400-plus days as champion.

As such, the person to finally dethrone Reigns is going to be a major deal. Some names, such as Brock Lesnar, have arrived and faded as candidates. Others remain possibilities, either for past brush-ups with Reigns or simple booking sense when thinking about the long-term.

Any examination of who must also consider the when aspect, considering there's zero guarantee Reigns actually loses at WrestleMania 40 next year, either. So let's take a look at guys who could do it there, but also attempt to keep in mind longer-term candidates if he retains and stretches this out to the following 'Mania, too.

Honorable Mentions

These guys are prominent names who could always make a massive push on short notice to get back in position but aren't worth considering as favorites right now.

LA Knight

Knight is red-hot, but one could make the argument he doesn't need a title to stay that way. Being an Attitude Era throwback in the "Stone Cold" vein has its drawbacks, too, and he already had a shot at Reigns.

Logan Paul

Paul has proven to be one of the best in the world in the ring and has an uncanny feel for the psychology that makes pro wrestling great, hence his banger of a match with Reigns already. He's got a shot long-term if he fully commits to wrestling only.

Brock Lesnar

Lesnar's missing in action, but let's not pretend WWE won't break the emergency glass and have him do the deed if necessary for some reason. He's never really out of it.

The Rock

At least right now, it doesn't really feel like the 51-year-old Rock is going to close out a 'Mania, and especially not with a win.

NXT Superstars

Bron Breakker and others seem like good candidates, but it might be a little too much, too fast for any of those guys, even by 2025. There's boosting up a deserving Superstar, then there's risking throwing a relative unknown (at least to main-roster-only fans) out there to beat Reigns.

6. Jey Uso

It feels like the proverbial ship has sailed a bit on Jey Uso's candidacy.

Which, frankly, few should complain about. He actually got a pin over Reigns already and has blossomed into a beloved solo Superstar on his own, to the point going back and playing second fiddle to Reigns in a story might derail that momentum.

Frankly, WWE might want to see if Jey has long-term legs as a main-eventer, too, because his outlook as a top champion after beating Reigns doesn't feel as solid as any of the others about to get a mention here.

Maybe Jey is more of a candidate for WrestleMania 41 in 2025 if Reigns keeps winning, sure. But right now, it's more likely he puts on a classic of a feud with his brother, Jimmy, before contending for Raw's top title and sticking in the main-event scene over there once that concludes.

5. Solo Sikoa

It's Solo Sikoa, not Jey, who feels more likely to wrap up the family-based saga forever as the one to dethrone Reigns.

Simply put, Sikoa needs it more than Jey.

Sikoa is just 30 years old and could be one of the next big things in pro wrestling if handled properly. Build the feud with Reigns right and have him win it and WWE suddenly has a monster heel to effectively take Reigns' place at the head of the table.

The storyline possibilities seem endless, too. Perhaps the most notable idea is Paul Heyman sensing the changing tides and betraying Reigns, becoming the advocate for Sikoa, instead, which might just be enough to make Reigns a babyface again as a part-timer.

Just one idea among many for Sikoa, who feels like a pretty good bet for the 2025 'Mania.

4. Gunther

Gunther is one of the best things going in pro wrestling right now and an obvious top face or heel of WWE for a long, long time.

But the man already has a historic title reign of his own going and his sudden involvement around the Bloodline and Reigns might feel just as out of place as last year's inclusion of Cody Rhodes.

Granted, anything can work with the right story. But one has to wonder about the how, considering Gunther would need to drop his Intercontinental title before even getting at Reigns and telling a story of warring factions. Maybe there's an angle to consider there for Royal Rumble, but it would risk feeling just as rushed as last year's story, which could do Gunther more harm than good.

This time next year, provided Reigns still sits on his throne, Gunther might just top the list. But right now, he's just on the outside of the top three.

3. CM Punk

Talk about a mixup to the usual.

CM Punk's return rearranged the hierarchy within WWE, which nobody can reasonably object to given the crowd reactions, ratings and merch numbers. But even then, it's hard to imagine WWE shoots him right into the main event at 'Mania—and if it happens for some reason, it would surely be to take a loss.

Still, there are few who should come before him on such a list. That would be the case on sheer crowd reactions and fan attachment to Punk and his story alone. But it sure doesn't hurt that he and Reigns have a complicated history, to the point Reigns was a subject of Punk's infamous podcast appearance after he left WWE all those years ago.

There's also the Paul Heyman factor, which WWE could lean into right now or even on the build-up to something closer to the 2025 'Mania.

As it stands now, though, it's pretty hard to deny it feels like Punk will head for a collision with Seth Rollins on Night 1 of this year's 'Mania.

2. Seth Rollins

Were CM Punk not back in WWE, Seth Rollins would sit in the No. 1 spot.

Because let's be honest—Rollins is the only one who consistently gets under Reigns' skin and forces him to lose his composure. Before Jey's deserved win, he's the only one to really beat this current version of the Tribal Chief, too.

Every single time Rollins and Reigns interact, even if it's just passing each other on the entrance ramp, the undisputed champ looks bothered. Plus, who can forget Rollins entering with The Shield gear and music at Royal Rumble in 2022, then goading Reigns into giving him a win via disqualification?

Point is, Rollins taking down Reigns might just be the pinnacle of pro wrestling storytelling, putting a bow on two Hall of Fame careers.

And yet, that might have to wait until 2025, given the seemingly obvious clash with Punk Rollins is about to have. But that happening this year before a Shield-based feud with Reigns on the run-up to 'Mania 41 might just be exactly what Rollins needs.

1. Cody Rhodes

WWE has a chance to tell the story the right way this time.

Last year, Rhodes didn't feel all that natural as the guy to take down Reigns. Fans were asked to veer off the intimate, family-based story that took many months to include an outsider like Sami Zayn on a whim for Rhodes, who entered the Royal Rumble very late and just so happened to win.

As the months since have shown, WWE made the right call with Rhodes losing. Reigns has remained a must-see attraction while making modern history and Rhodes immediately went into an awkward feud with Brock Lesnar, then has proceeded to sit in a weird purgatory involved with sporadic tag title appearances and otherwise.

Still, with Punk involved with Rollins, this year's 'Mania feels like the best shot Rhodes will ever get. Maybe it's as simple as Jey taking out Jimmy and Solo Sikoa on Night 1 to clear the way for him to finish the story.

Or maybe it's something else. At this point, Rhodes might be falling into that good-but-bad pit of not needing a title to remain huge. Even so, he remains top dog on a list like this for the time being and that's the key component—WWE currently has the time necessary to get the story right this time.