Triple H returned at the 2016 Royal Rumble match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, as the unannounced 30th entrant. After eliminating the defending champion, Roman Reigns, he then eliminated Dean Ambrose to secure his second Royal Rumble win and 14th world championship overall. After breaking Reigns' nose in storyline in which he received a massive ovation, Triple H was then challenged by Ambrose, whom he defeated at Roadblock to retain the title, before dropping it back to Reigns – who had become the #1 contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Dean Ambrose and Brock Lesnar in a triple threat match at Fastlane – at WrestleMania 32, ending his reign at 70 days.