Skip to main content

Roman Reigns

Is it possible we're all misunderstanding what WWE is doing with Roman Reigns?
Remember how they got Randy Orton over as a heel? he was pushed as a babyface,
then got injured. All the while he was injured they built him up in such a way
that when he returned he was super over...as a heel. Having Reigns be awarded
the 'Superstar of the Year' by a supposed fan vote, the constant updates on
him, all the crap about how everyone considers him The Next Best
Thing....could Roman Reigns be the next Corporate WWE World Heavyweight
Champion? Because if this is actually supposed to get him over as a main event
face, they're going about it all wrong.


Apparently the fan voting was legit.  That being said, he's not Batista and there is no Daniel Bryan in the Rumble this year for fans to organically rise up for.  I'm sure he'll be fine with that certain segment of the audience that cheers for Cena and doesn't mind getting pandered to with crap like "WWE Universe" and their Twitter updates during matches, but the backlash against him online is just kind of a bad sign.  

Comments

  1. "That being said, ... there is no Daniel Bryan in the Rumble this year ..."

    Well, technically, there wasn't a Daniel Bryan last year...

    ReplyDelete
  2. He NEEDS that breakout moment. So far he's not even had a great singles match, and if he still hasn't going into mania then it's a hell of a gamble to see if he has that sort of match in him.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Damn Scott, just mowing these e-mails down this morning.

    I don't think this is WWE trying to position Reigns as a heel. I think they are legitimately trying to push him as a main event face. I worry that some of the stuff they're doing is misguided though. With today's fans the worst thing you can be when pushing someone is transparent. If fans sense WWE is forcing a guy on them they are more prone to turn on that guy. You've seen it online with Reigns and while that hasn't totally translated into live crowds you still do hear a smattering of boos directed his way--and sometimes a little bit more than a smattering.

    I feel like they need to have a little finesse when pushing Roman and giving him Suoerstar of the Year when he's been injured for the past 3 months and only a solo guy for a few months is dangerous.

    Scott said the fans don't have a guy like Daniel Bryan to revolt over and while that's true, they are into Ziggler and could gravitate to him as a possible alternative. Maybe not as strong as they did Bryan but enough to detract from Roman. If they're going Roman as their guy I think they should at least give Ziggler a strong Mania program and some good booking so fans are satisfied with him and don't feel he's being held down.

    My I'm wordy when I don't sleep.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think a few months ago Ambrose could have been that guy, his responses against Rollins were strong.

    The cynic in me thinks the past few months may have been a cooling off for him to avoid any clash with the Reigns push.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I agree that he's yet to(in my mind) have that breakout moment. I liked his SummerSlam match with Orton quite a bit more than most but the problem is that what I remember from that match most are Orton's two awesome counters.

    They've gotta give Reigns better material to work with. Better scripts. Better booking. Also I think Roman needs to improvise a bit more and get his own personality over. In their debut match at TLC 2012 Roman yells at the Spanish Announce team to move because their table is(and I quote) "THIS IS MY TABLE NOW BOY!" And it was AWESOME. He needs to do more of that. He has a natural cool factor about him.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's something that has been bandied about around here. That they've cooled Dean to quell a potential backlash against Roman.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The problem with Reigns isn't Reigns. He has the charisma and enough spots for main event style. The problem, as always, is the writing staff.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like your way with facts, smart ass!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The pandering babyface thing just doesn't work for me where Reigns is concerned. One of the few times I've actually enjoyed the guy was when he threatened Piper. I don't remember the exact line, but it was convincing.

    I know most of you like the punch and the spear; I dislike both moves.

    ReplyDelete
  10. If Reigns is getting the Rumble push, he certainly doesn't seem like it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Inside your opus was a good point - keep him away from Ziggler. This happens to Sheamus every year and the crowd just shits on him. In the end you know it will be three big guys. It's Vince's booking and it always happens - some mix of Reigns, Cena, Ryback or Sheamus.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've had a similar theory about John Cena for too long; he's been an undercover heel working with Vince all this time (wishful thinking I know) which explains the constant title matches/favouritism/him being given the power to bring back the Authority etc. Would explain so much that makes no sense storyline-wise.


    I think they're even trying their best to get smark fans to like Reigns, like having him talk about how much he was looking forward to Zayn/Neville at NXT. He's just like us guys!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I don't like either moves. The spear has been done to death, and the last time a punch should have been a finisher was when George Hackenschmidt clubbed Karl Gotch.

    ReplyDelete
  14. "If this match gives you shit stains, blame Roman Reigns!"


    Nailed it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Like Linus in the pumpkin patch, i hold out hope that Bryan becomes the surprise Rumble winner. there is no evidence he's healthy enough but i will hold out blind optimism for my dream scenario. Reigns vs Cena in a babyface match would do more to make Reigns anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Agreed, though according to some on here his match with Orton at Summerslam was **** - guess it's all subjective eh

    ReplyDelete
  17. Same here, though I'm also bracing myself for another Rey Mysterio #30 moment

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sexy Flexy Biff KensingtonDecember 19, 2014 at 6:48 AM

    It's not inherently an uber-smark conspiracy theory; it's well within the realm of possibility, considering they cool people off all the time as general operating procedure these days (Daniel Bryan, lest we forget, had the mother of all losing streaks before cashing in Money in the Bank a few years back to start his run). Whether or not Ambrose was intentionally cooled off is anyone's guess, but I wouldn't rule it out.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sexy Flexy Biff KensingtonDecember 19, 2014 at 6:50 AM

    Roman Reigns, the wrestler is cool. Roman Reigns, the WWE character is not. The dude has natural charisma out the wazoo and a good look. While I'm not impressed with his ring work, I've seen people far worse evolve and become good wrestlers, so that'll come with experience and seasoning. The one thing that's killing him right now is the booking. He spouts lame catchphrases, gives wooden interviews, and takes five minutes to beat Fandango. Honest to God, sometimes it feels like they've forgotten how to actually build someone up strongly.

    ReplyDelete
  20. At this point, I'm willing to give this guy a chance. But he definitely could use a mouth piece. He would be a tremendous as Heyman's Next Guy. But of course that would require him to turn heel.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Dude was dead in the water the second he spiked that coffee.

    ReplyDelete
  22. The spear is really hit-and-miss move, but he hits it better than Edge at least. Superman punch is a cool signature move, I like it. I agree though he needs a few more arrows in his quiver moves-wise and definitely microphone wise

    ReplyDelete
  23. Only so much you can blame the writing staff for bad promos.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Power Bomb should be his finish.

    ReplyDelete
  25. His spear is like a 0.8 Goldberg and a 99.0 Christian on the spear scale.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I get the feeling he's naturally not very good at talking. Did the booking team write his comeback promo at TLC? Because he had pretty much the whole year to prepare for that and still couldn't string a sentence together

    ReplyDelete
  27. Reigns looks like a member of Kronik, not a main event guy. He has Bossmans old ring gear and the move set of some muscled up 80s goof. Maybe they should just let guys try to get themselves over with interesting promos or solid in ring work instead of forcing some new douche bag on the fans every few months. THIS GUY IS THE NEXT BIG THING. They said the same thing about Barrett, Sheamus, Swagger and that guy Drew. I keep hoping the crowds get so bad they cant air anything live.

    ReplyDelete
  28. They never said that about Swagger. Even the WWE couldn't say that with a straight face.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Yeah that's the other thing - Reigns hasn't evolved whatsoever, he's still the 'Shield' guy whereas Rollins and Ambrose have moved on. When you hear Reigns' music you just wish it was the Shield coming out together again instead of just him

    ReplyDelete
  30. Depends on if you're a terrible person.


    Conclusion: I lol'd.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Any idea that online fans are just kneejerk
    against whomever WWE pulls the trigger on doesn’t bare out. They didn’t turn on
    Punk in 2011, they didn’t turn on Ziggler when he got the belt in 2013, and
    they didn’t turn on Bryan when his push accelerated in 2013/14. They’re turning
    on Reigns because he really kinda sucks.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I feel it's more a size bias than a push bias.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Can't blame the writing staff for the guy fumbling through his promos and almost forgetting his lines.

    ReplyDelete
  34. He's only 6'2" though - not huge

    ReplyDelete
  35. I didn't really care for it when Goldberg did it, but at least it wasn't his finisher. As for Edge, I think he really wore it out for me. I wasn't watching when he had most of his champ runs, but watching on the network or via DVD rentals, it was like he just pulled it out of nowhere for wins ALL THE DAMN TIME. Really got on my nerves.

    ReplyDelete
  36. He was definitely pegged as a top guy when he came up.

    ReplyDelete
  37. :: drops mic ::

    Wait...it's a bit early for me to walk off. Umm...

    :: HossDance ::

    ReplyDelete
  38. He's a power style guy though. We tend to gravitate towards speed guys or technique guys, i.e Punk, Bryan, Dolph. We need both types of wrestlers.

    ReplyDelete
  39. This whole "Reigns is a big guy" thing is really hilarious. He's like 6'2, 245. And if his muscle definition in FCW is any indication, there's a REASON he's still wearing the jacket and Dino and Seth aren't.


    My point is, they are making sure that you don't realize that he isn't that big and muscular.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Everyone loves Brock. We just want to see power guys who can go.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I'm pretty sure his first act on Raw was surrendering.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I like to compare Reigns ascent to his similarly chosen cousin Rocky's. Reigns right now is about where Rock was going into Survivor Series 98 and the corporate champ heel turn did wonders for Rock. The crowds were a lot less divided on Rock than they are Reigns now as well and the Rumbles in Philly where the crowd is just going to shit on anything short of CM Punk and Bryan co-winning.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I liked Goldberg's version, mainly as it wasn't a played out move yet and he hit it pretty explosively. Edge seemed like he just ran up to you, grabbed you by the hips and then you'd just take a bump on your back. Looked weak imo

    ReplyDelete
  44. Well, he’s not your average guy. Dolph’s a guy who works hard, Bryan’s a
    supremely talented guy who has to overcome disadvantages, and Punk’s the rebel
    who does his own thing. Reigns is a male model pushed due to being so handsome,
    who’s noticeably less talented than many beneath him and isn’t a dynamic promo.
    No deep analysis needed, there’s not a single reason to like the guy. His
    character doesn’t even have any real motivation. Ambrose was fucking PISSED
    that Rollins broke the Shield up, the poor clown will NEVER get over it. NEVER.
    Reigns is just like yeah whatever cool beans. If you don’t care buddy, I don’t
    care.

    ReplyDelete
  45. The catchphrases he has been given will never get over though. They need to tailor to his strengths and stop making him out like everyone else. They are too inept to write for him.

    ReplyDelete
  46. That'll do, Hoss.


    That'll do.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Right. I think Reigns will likely turn into one of those guys.

    Brock's a weird case though because he's a technique guy like Angle. He's just way bigger.

    The last all power guy we all liked was Batista I think.

    ReplyDelete
  48. THIS CLOSE to a LLOL in the call center. had to put my hands over my mouth.

    ReplyDelete
  49. They're the ones writing such shitty, lame as fuck material for him to say in promos. So they deserve plenty of the blame.

    And supposedly, Roman is really good when he's speaking on the fly instead of reciting scripted promos.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Yeah that's true, although there's no bias against other power guys like Cesaro or Rusev, so I think it's fair to say most people's problem with Reigns is that he's genuinely not very good

    ReplyDelete
  51. Yeah, it was just kind of like a tackle. Get up, dust yourself off, and get ready for the next play.

    ReplyDelete
  52. He does have an aura and charisma. I'm not saying he's great, I think he tops out at motivated Nash. But his lack of motivation has more to do with injury and writing than with him. He was going after Rollins when he got hurt.

    ReplyDelete
  53. He was pushed hard. It was ECW but he still had a long undefeated streak and was given the title after 3 or 4 months.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Other wrestlers that are really good on speaking on the fly just go ahead and do it (Ambrose, Wyatt etc). So why doesn't Reigns? There's no excuse for the way he flubbed his comeback promo. Rollins on the other hand has improved massively on the mic

    ReplyDelete
  55. We accept Cesaro because he's not pushed. We accept Rusev because he's a likely candidate to get fed to Cena. Reigns isn't great, I see why they push him. His next heel turn will be great.

    ReplyDelete
  56. That's like saying Big E was the future because of NXT. WWECW basically was NXT at that point.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Nah dude we accept Cesaro because he's awesome! I doubt any of us would turn on him if he suddenly got pushed (quite the opposite)

    ReplyDelete
  58. But...but...aw, shucks.

    :: kicks can ::

    ReplyDelete
  59. I'm the wrong guy to ask, because I find Cesaro so generic personality wise that I can't get behind him. Different strokes for different fellas though.

    ReplyDelete
  60. I like this Cesaro : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CblP1cx7lD4

    ReplyDelete
  61. Good point. I guess I was referring to his style and moveset.

    ReplyDelete
  62. What makes you think Wyatt and Ambrose say whatever they want? Wyatt supposedly helps with the scripting of his promos. But I've never heard anything like that about Ambrose. And from the Raw scripts that have leaked online, almost everything is identical to what is said on TV.

    Dean's basically the Gallagher or Carrot Top of WWE at this point, with his lame props. And Bray gets more boring with his droning, nonsensical promos by the weak. So they're not exactly high points for creative either.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I think we're at Royal Rumble 97 with Reigns. He's being pushed like a motherfucker, there are seeds of rebellion, but the WWE is probably going to be right long term.

    ReplyDelete
  64. I don' t love Brock. Do love seeing him beat on Cena. But, I'd mark for that damn little bull if he beat on Cena.

    Well, no. No, I woudn't. Would mark for Hornswaggle doing it though.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Thats just not true. They were stll using OVW at the time and FCW was running. ECW was the first stop for younger guys but they had a ton of established guys working those ECW shows.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Good point, he hasn't gotten to the Die Roman Die phase of Backlash yet. Ideally he shouldn't have to though. Turning into smiling, pandering babyface champ # 3276 won't help.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Whatever happened to this young ECW whippersnapper? I saw great things for this guy: http://www.wrestlecrap.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/HJ-01.jpg

    ReplyDelete
  68. Ambrose mentioned on Jericho's podcast that he doesn't enjoy the writing staff's promos so just does his own thing and gets the point across. I agree there's not much substance to what Wyatt says but that is because he's being limited by crappy storylines where nothing is actually happening (not his fault), but what he is actually saying is good and certainly from his own brain (search 'real life bray wyatt' on YouTube)

    ReplyDelete
  69. WWE is going to have to make it clear that Bryan isn't going to be competing in the Rumble. Otherwise people are going to be hoping that he'll be a surprise injury return like Cena in 2008 or Edge in 2010.

    ReplyDelete
  70. If they go out of their way to make it clear Daniel Bryan won't be in the Rumble, that would make people expect him to be there. Due to pro wrestling logic.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Good point. They're fucked. Maybe they can stick him in a suit on the pre-show.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Stick him in a suit. In front of the Eiffel Tower.

    ReplyDelete
  73. "This is Daniel Bryan, reporting from Paris! Which is far away from Philadelphia! About as far as you could get! Not even the Concorde could me to the Royal Rumble in time, even if I wasn't still injured!"

    Fans at Rumble: "DAN-IEL BRY-AN! DAN-IEL BRY-AN! DAN-IEL BRY-AN"
    (Entry #30 is Zack Ryder)
    Fans at Rumble: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

    ReplyDelete
  74. They would still expect him. Maybe they should fake his death by having him go in an exploding limo while Paul london smiles.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Expain sheamus to me!

    ReplyDelete
  76. I was actually shocked when fandango got a lot of offence in him on smackdown. Maybe fandango is new and improved.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Um. He's Irish, related to Beaker, and says "fella!" a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  78. YankeesHoganTripleHFanDecember 19, 2014 at 7:40 AM

    I think Philly would shit on anything short of The Sandman winning.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment