Roman Reigns: Challengers for WWE star at SummerSlam following Randy Orton injury

WWE have reportedly been dealt yet another fresh inury blow, with the news that Randy Orton could be side-lined with his back injury until 2023.

It’s bad news for WWE as the working plan was for Orton was to challenge current Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns in a marquee main event at SummerSlam. 

With that match now looking unlikely, GiveMeSport looks at five possible contenders to main event SummerSlam against the all-conquering Head of the Table. 

Bobby Lashley 

With Cody Rhodes, Edge and now Randy Orton on the shelf, Lashley has become the number one male baby face on Raw and it could mean a quick ascension back into the world title picture for The Almighty. 

Lashley did signal his title intentions during his celebrations after his win over Omos and MVP at Hell in a Cell but has since been put in a programme with Theory over the United States strap. If WWE can get that feud out of their systems by Money in the Bank, Bobby could then turn his attention back to the world title and Roman Reigns. The pair have never had an extended rivalry against each other and have only faced each on one previous pay-per-view, Extreme Rules in 2018. With Lashley over with the crowds and with the clout of being a former two-time WWE Champion, he’d made an ideal challenger at this point in his career to Reigns’ crown. 

AJ Styles 

Now that Edge has been ruled off TV and after his loss to Seth Rollins in the Money in the Bank qualifier, AJ looks a bit lost on Raw going forward. Sure, we could see him go back to the well with The Judgement Day and question Finn Balor’s turn to the dark side, but it’s been a while since he’s fought for world championship gold. 

Seeing Styles back in the world title mix also means crossing horns