Roman Reigns pulled from WWE Day 1 due to COVID protocols
Roman Reigns has been pulled from his match against Brock Lesnar at WWE Day 1.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reported the news Saturday evening. Reigns was originally scheduled to face Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship; however, he is no longer on the card due to COVID-19 protocols.
Roman Reigns will not be on tonight's WWE Day 1 show, due to COVID protocol. Brock Lesnar will be added to the Fatal 4 Way WWE Title match
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 1, 2022
Lesnar is now added to the WWE Championship match, making that bout a fatal five-way contest. Big E comes into the match and will now compete against Lesnar along with Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, and Bobby Lashley.
BREAKING: @BrockLesnar to challenge for WWE Championship tonight in Fatal 5-Way Match at #WWEDay1 following @WWERomanReigns testing positive for COVID-19. https://t.co/wXmr4kzcz5 pic.twitter.com/WrRFmDSRjR
— WWE (@WWE) January 1, 2022
Reigns and Lesnar were embroiled in a hotly contested feud not only for the Universal Championship but around the services of Paul Heyman as well.
I yearn to perform tonight at #WWEDay1 to defend my Universal Championship. However, unfortunately, earlier today I tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the proper protocols I am unable to compete as originally scheduled. I look forward to returning to action as soon as possible.
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) January 1, 2022
COVID-19 protocols recently forced a number of WWE performers off live events, causing concern around what would occur heading into WWE’s first PPV of 2022. Big E and Rollins were among a list of performers that were not involved with the latest edition of WWE Monday Night Raw, the go-home show before the PPV. WWE SmackDown was a best of show which kept the talent off television.
WWE Day 1 goes down tonight at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The show is available via the Peacock Streaming app and the WWE Network where available.