The new year 2022 is almost here and so is the first and newest pay-per-view of the upcoming year, WWE Day 1. Set to take place on January 1, 2022, from Atlanta, Georgia, fans are in for a great show as per the match card announced.
A total of eight matches have been announced for the show, seven on the main card and one on the pre-show. Five titles will be on the line, and any of them changing hands could have major implications on the Road to WrestleMania 38.
To get you up to speed with all that's going around, here are the top rumors for WWE Day 1 that you need to know.
#3 Status of Seth Rollins and other top stars for WWE Day 1 after recent COVID-19 outbreak
Merry Covid Christmas to me!!!! I LOVE FOOTBALL!!!
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) December 27, 2021
The recent COVID-19 outbreak on WWE's roster has raised a massive concern over the status of several stars for Day 1.
Several top stars, including Universal Champion Roman Reigns and WWE Champion Big E, were pulled from recent shows. To add to that, Seth Rollins revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19.
According to an update from Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, not everyone who missed the recent live events tested positive. Many of them were taken off as merely a precautionary measure.
Who ya got THIS SATURDAY at #WWEDay1 when @WWEBigE puts the #WWEChampionship on the line? pic.twitter.com/Eyf7qzQ5oG
— WWE (@WWE) December 28, 2021
There are still concerns about Seth Rollins' status for WWE Day 1. He's scheduled to compete in the WWE Championship fatal four-way match against Big E, Kevin Owens and Bobby Lashley.
Meltzer has stated that, as of now, the advertised matches are set to happen and the assumption is that all the stars will appear. The same was observed on this past week's episode of Monday Night RAW as Rollins appeared to virtually promote his match for WWE Day 1.
#2 Potential spoiler on Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar at WWE Day 1
It's official!!
— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) December 4, 2021
Roman Reigns will defend his #WWE Universal Championship against Brock Lesnar at Day 1. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/TXUGQUTTLd
Arguably the most anticipated match heading into WWE Day 1 is the clash between Universal Champion Roman Reigns and his arch-rival, Brock Lesnar.
Roman Reigns is in the middle of what is considered by many to be the greatest world title run in recent memory. He's held the title for nearly 450 days now and is looking good to continue his run further.
But if there's someone who can realistically dethrone him, it is Brock Lesnar. The two previously faced off at WWE Crown Jewel earlier this year where Reigns managed to steal a victory, thanks to The Usos.
The question now is, can he do the same at WWE Day 1?
I am the one. #NeedleMover https://t.co/PRpCgnuOeC
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) December 20, 2021
WrestlingNews.co has reported a potential spoiler for the Universal title match at WWE Day 1. As per them, Drew McIntyre is listed to face Roman Reigns in January, indicating that the Tribal Chief will be retaining at the event.
''McIntyre vs. the Universal Champion is scheduled for several shows in January and while the card can always change, this would indicate that the plan is for Roman Reigns to retain the title this Saturday at Day 1 and defend it against McIntyre at the Royal Rumble PPV.''
However, WWE Day 1 might not be the last of what we will see of Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar. More on this in the next slide.
#1 WrestleMania angle to possibly begin at WWE Day 1
__________ vs. ____________ should main event Night 2 of #WrestleMania 38!
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) November 12, 2021
➡️ https://t.co/3QTz0IsPoh pic.twitter.com/rPkmJeUv17
Roman Reigns is the favorite to retain his title at WWE Day 1 against Brock Lesnar. However, the match might not have a clean finish, as the two are rumored to continue their feud leading to a match at WrestleMania 38.
Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that there are big plans for this match at the event. With Reigns missing recent live events, there were concerns over this match as well.
Meltzer has claimed that it's important for the company's WrestleMania plans that Reigns, Lesnar and Paul Heyman not miss WWE Day 1.
“Obviously, he’s gonna have something to do with the storyline on Saturday because I was essentially told that it was very very important for WrestleMania that Roman Reigns does not miss this show, that Lesnar does not miss this show, and that Heyman does not miss this show. His name was mentioned to me in that context so obviously, there’s something big going on there,” said Dave Meltzer.
"I'm not protecting @BrockLesnar from you, I'm protecting you from Brock Lesnar." 😮#SmackDown @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/7LXxhd4jr5
— WWE (@WWE) December 18, 2021
As things stand, Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar could be the main event of WrestleMania 38.
As for Paul Heyman, it'll be interesting to see what role he plays in this angle, especially after getting fired by Reigns a couple of weeks ago.