The definitive timeline for the end of Roman Reigns’ in-ring career has been established, as the former champion himself confirmed he will step away from active competition within the next few years. While not leaving WWE immediately, Reigns has made it clear that his days as a full-time performer are numbered.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Reigns laid out his professional future and the specifics of his current agreement.
“After I finish the contract that I’m in, we probably got another year or two max. Then it’s time to take on a less physical form of entertainment,” Reigns stated.
His current WWE contract runs through WrestleMania 42 in April 2026. This confirmation, combined with his statement, places his retirement from the ring sometime between 2027 and 2028. Leading into WrestleMania 41, Reigns acknowledged he was “closer to the end than the beginning,” a sentiment now backed by a concrete schedule.
Reigns has been absent from WWE programming since his appearance on the April 8, 2025, episode of WWE RAW. The company wrote him off television following an attack by Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker, capping a year where he has competed in only three matches. This reduced activity officially positions him as a “special attraction” performer, a status he adopted after a 2022 contract renegotiation to prioritize time with his family.
Initial reports pointed to a potential return at Money in the Bank on June 7, but that did not happen. Current speculation now suggests that SummerSlam 2025 is the more likely target for his comeback.
Amid his hiatus, reports from former WWE commentator Hugo Savinovich claimed TKO Group Holdings wanted Reigns to accept a pay cut to his reported $15 million contract. However, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer refuted these claims.
“Apart from The Rock, Roman Reigns is the top earner. The stories from Jonathan Coachman about TKO asking Reigns for a pay cut or contract restructuring are false,” Meltzer reported.
With the end of his wrestling career in sight, Reigns has already begun planning his transition to Hollywood. He intends to be selective about acting roles, comparing his desired approach to that of filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.
His next film appearance is in the comedy “Good Fortune,” set for release on October 17, 2025, which also stars Keanu Reeves. Furthermore, a May 21 report from Deadline indicated Reigns was in discussions for the role of Akuma in a new live-action “Street Fighter” movie, representing a significant potential project for his post-WWE career.
When he does return to WWE television, creative plans reportedly involve a major storyline pitting a reunited original Bloodline, with Reigns and The Usos, against the faction led by Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman. This narrative would build from Heyman’s betrayal at WrestleMania 41 and could culminate in a major match between Reigns and Rollins down the line. Analysts also suggest that keeping Reigns out of the immediate championship picture throughout 2025 will help refresh his character and make his final chase for a title more compelling for fans.
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