For years, WWE fans have witnessed the dominance of two extraordinary championsâRoman Reigns and Rhea Ripley. Both reigned supreme in their respective divisions, crushing their opponents and establishing themselves as the faces of their eras. However, just as swiftly as they rose, their dominance crumbled. In 2024, Roman Reigns fell from his throne, marking the end of an unprecedented reign. One year later, history seemed to repeat itself when Rhea Ripley, the seemingly invincible Mami of WWE, lost everything. What led to the downfall of these unstoppable forces? Was it destiny, bad luck, or simply the harsh reality of wrestlingâs ever-changing landscape?
### Roman Reigns: The End of the Tribal Chiefâs Era
For over three years, Roman Reigns was WWEâs biggest attraction. Holding the Universal Championship since August 2020, he built an empire with The Bloodline, making himself an almost mythical figure in WWE history. His championship reign was more than just about wins and losses; it was about dominance, control, and absolute power.
Reigns wasnât just a championâhe was the standard. With Paul Heyman as his Wiseman and his cousins, The Usos and Solo Sikoa, by his side, Roman dictated the landscape of WWE. Opponents came and wentâBrock Lesnar, Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Drew McIntyre, and countless others. But no one could break his grip on the title. Until 2024.
### The Beginning of Romanâs Downfall
At WrestleMania 40, Roman Reigns faced his biggest threat: Cody Rhodes. One year earlier, Cody had come close to defeating him, but outside interference cost him the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. This time, The American Nightmare was more determined than ever.
Romanâs downfall wasnât instant, but the signs were clear. The Bloodline was no longer the impenetrable unit it once was. The cracks began showing when Jey Uso left. Jimmy Uso, despite being loyal to The Bloodline, was unpredictable. Solo Sikoa started acting on his own, and even Paul Heyman seemed to question Romanâs decisions.
At WrestleMania 40, after an epic battle, Cody Rhodes finally did what many thought was impossibleâhe finished his story. The unthinkable happened: Roman Reigns was pinned clean. The Tribal Chiefâs empire came crumbling down, and for the first time in years, the WWE landscape was without the reign of Roman.
### Life After the Loss
Losing the title wasnât just about losing gold; it was about losing identity. Roman Reigns took a hiatus from WWE, leaving fans wondering if he would ever return. His absence left a power vacuum, and WWE moved forward without him. Was Romanâs downfall inevitable? Did his arrogance and reliance on The Bloodline cause his demise? Or was Cody Rhodes simply the better man that night?
### Rhea Ripley: Mamiâs Devastating Collapse
While Roman Reigns ruled the menâs division, Rhea Ripley was equally dominant in the womenâs division. As the Womenâs World Champion, Rhea was untouchable. She defeated the best WWE had to offerâCharlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, and Raquel Rodriguez. Rhea wasnât just a champion; she was a force.
Her presence in The Judgment Day solidified her position as one of the most powerful figures in WWE. With Dominik Mysterio at her side, and the faction standing strong, it seemed like nothing could stop her. But just like Roman Reigns, her reign came crashing down in the most unexpected way.
### The Unraveling of The Judgment Day
Much like The Bloodline, The Judgment Day started showing signs of weakness. Tensions between Damian Priest and Finn BĂĄlor, uncertainty about JD McDonaghâs role, and Dominik Mysterioâs distractions all contributed to cracks in the faction. While Rhea was the backbone holding them together, internal conflicts made it harder for her to stay focused.
At WrestleMania 41, Rhea Ripley faced one of the toughest challenges of her career. After holding the Womenâs World Championship for over a year, she walked into the event confident, but something was different. Without a united Judgment Day behind her, her aura of invincibility was fading.
### Rhea Ripley Loses Everything
One loss can change everything. For Rhea, WrestleMania 41 marked not just the loss of her title but the loss of her entire empire. She suffered a crushing defeat, and just like Roman Reigns a year earlier, she was left staring into the abyss, wondering what went wrong.
To make matters worse, The Judgment Day continued to fall apart. Damian Priestâs Money in the Bank contract, Finn BĂĄlorâs frustrations, and Dominikâs distractions left Rhea isolated. The once-dominant Mami found herself with no title, no stability, and no clear future.
### The Same Fate?
The similarities between Roman Reigns and Rhea Ripleyâs downfalls are striking. Both were dominant champions, both led powerful factions, and both suffered crushing defeats at WrestleMania. More importantly, both lost not just their titles but their identity.
For Roman, the end of The Bloodlineâs dominance meant he had to rediscover himself. Will he return stronger, or was his time truly over? For Rhea, The Judgment Dayâs struggles left her without the same support system. Will she rise again, or has Mamiâs era come to an end?
### The Harsh Reality of WWE
History has shown that no champion is untouchable. Even the greatest must fall. Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker, and John Cenaâevery legend has faced their downfall at some point. The key question is: can they rise again?
Roman Reigns and Rhea Ripley now stand at a crossroads. Will they reclaim their former glory, or will their stories take a different turn? WWE fans are left with more questions than answers, eagerly waiting to see if these once-dominant forces can rewrite their own destiny.
One thing is certainâdominance never lasts forever. The real test is what happens after the fall.