Roman Reigns sets record as WWE Universal Champion

The former Shield member has maintained his position for over 500 days to set a new-record.

Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman. (Image credits: twitter/wwe)
By Samrat Chakraborty | Jan 17, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Roman Reigns has set a new record as WWE Universal Champion by maintaining his position for 504 days. Reigns has, thus, become the longest reigning Universal Champion surpassing Brock Lesnar’s previous record of 503 days from 2017-2018 which came to an end at the hands of none other than The Head of The Table himself. Reigns made a comeback at the SummerSlam last year with Paul Heyman to claim the Universal title for the second time after overcoming WWE legends Edge, John Cena and The Beast in a No Holds Barred Triple Threat Match. 

“WWE Universe, acknowledge your longest-reigning Universal Champion of all time, Roman Reigns,” the company said in a statement. 

Reigns’ growth and future clashes at the WWE 

Following the fallout, Reigns continued to team-up with Ambrose. But, he started embarking as a singles contender and challenged for the world title. Reigns and Rollins were earlier supposed to clash in 2014. But the former developed a hernia which had to be addressed and he was unable to compete at the event. He was also awarded the Slammy Award for the Superstar of the Year in 2014. 

Reigns has seen significant growth at the company since then. He also completed 500 days as WWE Universal Champion after defeating Braun Strowman and The Fiend at WWE Payback in 2020.

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“For me, I just had to make a choice for my family. The company (WWE) has done everything that they can to make it the safest work environment possible. It is not the workplace that I was necessarily concerned about. The decision was taken mainly because each performer travels so much, and we are all such a diverse group and from all over the place. I’m not convinced, and I can’t trust the fact that everybody is taking it as seriously and locking themselves down at home like I am. I trust my life with my co-workers every time I step foot in the ring, but I just can’t put the same trust when it has my children, my wife, and my family involved,” he had told Hindustan Times.

“The WWE Universe should be spending today ACKNOWLEDGING the fact that WWE Roman Reigns is only the second being in history (other than Brock Lesnar) to hold the WWE Championship for 500 consecutive days,” Paul Heyman congratulated him in a tweet. 

He will be looking to defend his title at the Royal Rumble against Rollins.