I'm not sure I can respect someone who didn't just say "fuck no, I ain't saying this." Didn't the Shield march into Vince's office once and say "We ain't breaking up yet". What happened to those balls?
Don't think a lot of the wrestlers have the same mindset of wrestlers from the past. I don't want to say they don't care about the direction of their character, but it seems like they're more content with just accepting the company's direction. Maybe it's because guys don't live the gimmick as much anymore.
Why even bother with promos? Just have him show up, kick ass and leave. At most, he says one sentence every now and again to state his intentions. It isn't rocket science.
I was listening to the Stone Cold podcast with Dave Meltzer on it last night. They talked about how bad Reigns sounds delivering scripted promos. That was taped the night after TLC&S. At this point Vince has become Quint burning out the motor on the Orca chasing after Jaws.
"Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies..." as smoke pours out the engine compartment.
He should not be anywhere near a microphone between now and Mania. Sadly I think even that might be too late now. If you'd just tuned in after not watching for a while your first thought would be 'this guy is heading back to developmental he's nowhere near ready yet' not 'man this guy should headline Wrestlemania.'
They need to play to his strengths, these awful promos are killing him.
Imagine how much bigger if Austin could have been if he used Looney Tunes catchphrases in his rise. Him saying "Ain't I a stinker?" after every stunner could have made Vince a trillionaire.
The content was awful, but Roman didn't write it. And his delivery was pretty good. Also, he got to the point within two minutes, then beat people up. So what exactly is the problem?
I said it last night and I'll say it again about this promo. Its soooo Cena-esque, but worse, that it feels like this was a throwaway Cena promo that Vince handed Reigns.
Like how American Dad and the Cleveland Show get the unused jokes that didn't cut it for Family Guy, that's Romans fate
Actually the delivery wasn't even that good. His facial mannerisms, his body language... he looked like he was delivering lines in a movie, but for a scene that didn't match what he was saying.
Watch the video without sound and tell me his expression and body language matches what he's supposed to be saying. Because it doesn't. His whole delivery screams "look--I'm acting!" but he's not reactive to what he's saying it being said to him. He's like a student just starting acting school who doesn't know what to do with his body yet. They're so worried about his delivery being smooth that they're missing the bigger flaw, and then you give him such terrible lines to memorize and it all comes crashing down.
I just watched it. Content aside, my takeaways were: 1) Reigns is speaking at a volume where he can be heard 2) He's getting more comfortable on the mic 3) The crowd popped huge for his entrance
I also agree with Dusty4Prez, when you couple the wink with him saying "I know! That wasn't easy to say." it's obvious he knows whoever's scripting the promos is awful at his job.
That's what I noticed, too. His body language is all off and sometimes he pauses to pantomime something before continuing. And really, this isn't a knock on the guy. He just started acting classes, he shouldn't be on national TV acting in front of a live crowd yet.
It's clear they want him to be a trash-talker like the Rock. Rock said goofy shit all the time. But they forget the Rock (not "Rocky Maivia") started out as a heel. And his delivery was a thousand times better, so the goofy shit made fans laugh and got him over. You can't have Reigns go out there and say stuff that even the Rock would say "I'm not sure I could make that work."
He takes pauses--to get the lines straight in his head I'm sure--but his body & face convey that he's delivering a monologue, not having a heated confrontation with an actual person.
The Rock also had a lot of time in front of live crowds to work out the kinks. Reigns is basically being given 3 - 6 months with the expectation he be on par with the Rock every time out.
Absolutely. *pause* shrug *pause* It's like he uses the body movements to remember his next line. *pause* smirk *pause* And his emotion doesn't match the words he's saying.
Yeah but he didn't say much--certainly not the focus of attention. They want him to be the Rock leading the Nation of Domination, when his heel experience has been as Crush standing off to the side looking tough.
Reigns shows signs of being "the guy" but he is nowhere near ready.
PATIENCE, WWE. PATIENCE. Either he makes a lot of money for you down the line or you kill him now. You need to make the fans DESPERATE to see him get a title shot. THAT is what gets the next big thing over.
He's turning into our worst fear that we all said last year -- bad joke, smiling Cena. Everyone here said it last year, that this company cannot create a babyface anymore without these traits. Here it is
lol. The only way Reigns is not winning the Rumble and winning the title at Mania is if last year happens again. wwe doesn't have patience or self control anymore.
It's things like this that make me wonder just how idiotic WWE can be. They MUST know that these promos suck, because no intelligent person can think that this stuff is making Reigns looks good.
The thing that sucks the most is that people here and other places in the future are going to say Roman sucked and tanked when he was given the top the spot.
The only way to salvage this bullshit is for Reigns to turn heel and embrace the whole "backed by WWE" thing. Give him another dominant Royal Rumble, telegraph him winning the whole thing, only to make one mistake and get eliminated. Daniel Bryan wins the Rumble. Reigns throws a Bret Hart tantrum, busting up monitors and flipping tables to get the crowd to shit on him further. Next night, Reigns joins Rollins in beating up Bryan out of spite. The Authority wants him to be The Guy and Reigns embraces it now. Do a slow-burn toward Rollins becoming a tweener (paranoid about being supplanted by Reigns as the "future"). Ambrose re-enters the Rollins/Authority crap and stirs the pot between Reigns & Rollins. Do the often-discussed triple threat, with Ambrose as rebellious babyface, Reigns as corporate heel, and Rollins as tweener. Lesnar vs. Bryan for the title. Cena vs. Rusev, etc. etc.
Meh. I see your point, but it's never "100%" not a guy's fault. He is being spoon-fed garbage, but if he was that great he could get over in spite of it. I don't think he sucks, but he is definitely not the guy to polish the turd he is being given to work with
Yeah. Rollins is a hell of a talent and has been doing well enough with the role, but I think it makes so much more sense for them to just acknowledge on-screen that Reigns is the "future". HHH & Steph helping him draw heat would help
I'm on the fence with him. I've only seen his two promos by watching them on YouTube and haven't seen him in a match since the Shield v Evolution. I don't see why he can't be the next big thing, but he needs time to learn how to act first.
He is so uninspired on the mic it's unreal. Sooner he goes full-on Rock-style heel the better, hopefully we get to see some of the "natural charisma" everyone keeps banging on about
Even if they go all the way with it, with babyface Roman beating Lesar at Mania for the title. If the crowd shits on him, especially in his Big Moment, I think you turn him the next night and make him the new Heyman Guy. Paul shit-cans Lesnar and declares Reigns the future. Presumably, the Sting match puts HHH/Steph out of commission (temporarily, I'm sure). So Heyman is top heel by default, with Lesnar gone after Mania. Heyman talking for new dominant champion Roman Reigns, with guys like Ambrose, Cena, and ultimately Daniel Bryan pursuing the title he never lost, could be a decent post-WM story arc. Reigns is just gonna be dead in the water after Mania if he stays babyface. Who is there to beat, once he has conquered Lesnar?
kind of like Goldberg back in the day. I watched all that, he would just come out, kill bitches, then head back out. And Reigns today is 100% ahead of where Goldberg was in 1998 when it comes to in-ring skill.
This is my personal favourite Roman Reigns promo. Bear in mind he's had 5 (or whatever) months of injury to prepare for this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvCo2PAVuXE
My solution, even they'd fuck this up to but just pretend they're competent, is double turn Rollins and Reigns either at 31 or the next night on Raw and run with that as the big summer angle.
They really should have just kept the Shield guys affiliated with each other. Even if they pursued their own singles feuds to develop their own identities, ala the Horsemen in their prime.
Yep, his look is perfect for it. He has that sneering heel look in his eye that would make him the perfect comic book supervillain. Instead, he's a smiling, joking babyface
He gets the credibility of beating Lesnar and sending him packing from WWE at Wrestlemania. Then turns heel, shits on the fans, and Heyman has no choice but to endorse him as the next big thing. Hell, get HHH & Steph off TV following a WM defeat by Sting's hand, then go all-in with Heyman forming a new Dangerous Alliance around Reigns. Get a bunch of guys in the spotlight with Heyman and create a bunch of new post-WM programs.
What if after Wrestlemania The Shield reunites under Heyman? Bryan wins the belt at Rumble and the next night Rollins cashes in but is about to blow it so they overbook with tons of interference until Reigns and Ambrose come out and turn on Bryan for the Triple Powerbomb. Rollins gets the pin, Hunter's smug about his victory until Heyman emerges from the back and sics The Shield on Hunter, and instead of a new Dangerous Alliance we have Heyman leading The Shield over WWE as strict singles competitors. Rollins hold the WWE Title as the scumbag coward, Reigns wins the I-C Title and dominates, and Dean can pick up the U.S. Title again from Cena after Cena beats Rusev for it. Maybe even throw the tag titles at Reigns and Ambrose to really put the group over as dominant.
I'm in. Anything different from the "authority figure" stuff. Get back to Heyman as a manager and a more Dangerous Alliance/Horsemen feel to the Shield guys. There is no reason they can't have individual feuds and develop their own personalities as part of a stable. Tully, Flair, and company managed to have some of the hottest singles programs ever despite being part of a stable
They still could be. Hunter would just have to be a temporary face that places his faith in Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, and John Cena -- the guys he absolutely hates. That's called character development.
Hell, if they are going to do a partial brand split or whatever, do like 2002 and give Heyman one of them. Let the HHH/Steph party continue on Raw, while Heyman's stable and some NWA-style booking rules Smackdown
Super Face Sami is a career babyface. No one's going to buy the smiling ginger as a tough guy. That's exactly why he's over as a face. He's just some dude you can't help but enjoy watch.
Rollins was always a better heel. Look at his ROH run. He finally developed a personality when he turned heel. Zayn will get over as a face. If we absolutely have to add someone to The Shield to go with the Horsemen Rule of Fours, then Neville or Finn Balor would be the best two choices.
I've seen some interviews with Reigns and I think the key to him is to let him do his own promos. He's a smart guy; most guys in WWE now are smart guys. Let them figure it out and the people will buy in.
Yeah, a lengthy run as a double champion holding the I-C and Tag Titles would help make him look like a bigger deal. It would also give him time to mentor under Heyman which isn't necessarily a bad thing for him.
Why did they even try? He just should have said something like this: "We were like brothers! But you betrayed us! You don't deserve the title shot and not the MITB case. The only thing you deserve, is getting your ass kicked!" BAM
So like last year where Vince was POSITIVE that Batista vs Randy Orton would be the biggest main event of all time that the entire WWE Universe is just dying to see...
... how close to WM will they get before pulling the plug on Roman Reigns and entering panic mode?
He bitches about it because it wouldn't have been a real feud. It would've been Jericho talking shit on Goldberg which culminates in Goldberg squashing Jericho.
I would love to see these guys cut their own promos without the aid of the creative and writing teams. I understand why they have to follow a script, but it definitely takes away what these guys are all about.
Exactly. Flair/Reigns as World champ. Rollins/Barry as U.S. champ, Ambrose/Anderson as T.V. champ. And, whenever someone is deemed a threat to any one of them, the entire gang comes together to beat them down. Reverse Reigns and Rollins if you wish.
Yeah, dude's a terrible actor. About the only thing you can say for it was that he did nail the "I'm gonna kick your ass" part, and the crowd popped for it, but trying to have him deliver scripted insults was just stupid. Should have had Rollins take like a minute to insult Reigns, then just have Roman say something like "Sorry Seth, I didn't come down here to catch up, I came out here to kick your ass." Done and done.
I don't watch SmackDown... but from watching RAW Live for a couple decades, it's really obvious where things are edited. Jarring. I imagine that was MUCH worse for the live crowd.
I watched Rumble 2007 and the match between Cena and Umaga was fuckin intense. Cena came out looking like a bad MF by choking out the savage. They shoulda always booked him like a killer instead of a goofy boy scout.
We've all heard that Vince is very fickle, and the rumors that Reign's promos are holding him back. Knowing this, I have to wonder if they'll swerve everyone and either have Reigns not win the Rumble, or have him turn heel. Maybe the final two in the Rumble will be Bryan and Reigns and the Authority comes out and screws Bryan to help Reigns win. Or maybe they'll try and Bryan will win somehow. I like the second scenario better because if Cena loses to Brock that sets up heel Reigns vs. Cena and Bryan vs. Lesnar for the title at WM.
I never understood why WWE presents Cena as this underdog who struggles against overwhelming odds.Dude is built like fucking Hercules,how can I take him seriously as an underdog?
I see you working, and it's not a bad idea. The problem is Sami is one of the best face workers ever. He totally gets babyface psychology. I think using him as a heel doesn't play to his strengths.
This promo seemed like a mentally challenged person trying to imitate a Rock promo.
ReplyDeleteWhat'll he bust out next? You doesn't have to call me Johnson? Where's the beef? Don't have a cow, man? Fonzie's "Heeeeey!"?
ReplyDeleteNo one is immune to having goofy comedy written into their character. Would the target audience even know where that came from in the first place?
ReplyDeleteI can't play the video where I am, but that's the second time I've read that phrasing here. Did Roman Reigns actually say Sufferin' Succotash?
ReplyDeleteI hope this company goes under.
ReplyDeleteHow does Vince think this is watchable in any way?
ReplyDeleteIt's not even the worst part of the promo. The worst part is when he turns to the camera and winks. I almost fucking died.
ReplyDeleteThat was for Kevin Dunn.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I can respect someone who didn't just say "fuck no, I ain't saying this." Didn't the Shield march into Vince's office once and say "We ain't breaking up yet". What happened to those balls?
ReplyDeleteThat sexy, sexy wink.
ReplyDeleteDon't think a lot of the wrestlers have the same mindset of wrestlers from the past. I don't want to say they don't care about the direction of their character, but it seems like they're more content with just accepting the company's direction. Maybe it's because guys don't live the gimmick as much anymore.
ReplyDeleteI liked the wink. It made the line not so horrible. Like "look we both this shit I'm saying is stupid"
ReplyDeleteWhy even bother with promos? Just have him show up, kick ass and leave. At most, he says one sentence every now and again to state his intentions. It isn't rocket science.
ReplyDeleteWas just like watching Rock and Austin in their prime.
ReplyDeleteI was listening to the Stone Cold podcast with Dave Meltzer on it last night. They talked about how bad Reigns sounds delivering scripted promos. That was taped the night after TLC&S. At this point Vince has become Quint burning out the motor on the Orca chasing after Jaws.
ReplyDelete"Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies..." as smoke pours out the engine compartment.
He should not be anywhere near a microphone between now and Mania. Sadly I think even that might be too late now. If you'd just tuned in after not watching for a while your first thought would be 'this guy is heading back to developmental he's nowhere near ready yet' not 'man this guy should headline Wrestlemania.'
ReplyDeleteThey need to play to his strengths, these awful promos are killing him.
That will never work. Remember how much the Goldberg character tanked because he shut his mouth and just kicked ass instead?
ReplyDeleteVince McMahon's brain, everyone.
ReplyDeleteFor what he was told to say he didn't do a bad job. The problem was what he was told to say.
ReplyDeleteImagine how much bigger if Austin could have been if he used Looney Tunes catchphrases in his rise. Him saying "Ain't I a stinker?" after every stunner could have made Vince a trillionaire.
ReplyDeleteNo, which means you shouldn't say it.
ReplyDeleteRemember when Bruno stuttered like Porky Pig in his promos against Larry Zbysko?
ReplyDeleteEvery member of audience that cheered that promo should be slapped. At least we moved past poop jokes.
ReplyDeleteThe content was awful, but Roman didn't write it. And his delivery was pretty good. Also, he got to the point within two minutes, then beat people up. So what exactly is the problem?
ReplyDeleteMaffew needs to get in on this.
ReplyDelete"The content was awful"
ReplyDeleteI just imagine Vince getting all worked up going over the promo and yelling sufferin succotash all loud and shit.
ReplyDeleteI set myself up there.
ReplyDeleteI tried watching it. I really did. But once Roman said sniveling, I was out.
ReplyDeleteI said it last night and I'll say it again about this promo. Its soooo Cena-esque, but worse, that it feels like this was a throwaway Cena promo that Vince handed Reigns.
ReplyDeleteLike how American Dad and the Cleveland Show get the unused jokes that didn't cut it for Family Guy, that's Romans fate
I loved the way that when Reigns comes out, you hear a massive pop, but the camera shows the fans all sitting looking bored with their mouths closed.
ReplyDeleteOnce he stepped into the light and gave the official "babyface smirk". It was already over
ReplyDelete"They call me Mr. Tibbs."
ReplyDeleteHis Smackdown pops are always huge compared to his Raw pops cause of post-production.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Vince will finally hear "Insane in the Membrane" and have Roman say "Who you tryin' to get crazy with ese? Don't you know I'm loco?" on Raw.
ReplyDeleteToo hip?
They'd be a step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteActually the delivery wasn't even that good. His facial mannerisms, his body language... he looked like he was delivering lines in a movie, but for a scene that didn't match what he was saying.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that Clint Eastwood cut 2/3s of the lines for "A Fistful of Dollars" making his character much more appealing.
ReplyDeleteRoman Reigns needs to take his promos to Ambrose and let Ambrose cut it down to
"Sorry for interrupting" and "I'm going to kick your ass".
Meryl Streep couldn't make that tripe work.
ReplyDeleteBut this is the WWE we are talking about, so it IS like rocket science
ReplyDeleteSo the old 'you can type this shit, but you can't say it' school of writing?
ReplyDeleteI can see Vince in the editing room "Louder! Louder! More women and children screaming! LOUDER DAMMIT!!"
ReplyDeleteI hope sufferin' succotash becomes a meme or something now. Maybe it'll catch on like Daniel Bryan's "Yes!".
ReplyDeleteI don't get why he's this goofy babyface but still goes through the stands lol
ReplyDeleteCause he's still "Edge-y"
ReplyDeleteOr the Rock getting lost backstage because he took a wrong turn at Albuquerque.
ReplyDeleteReigns is his new Alicia Foxx?
ReplyDeleteWatch the video without sound and tell me his expression and body language matches what he's supposed to be saying. Because it doesn't. His whole delivery screams "look--I'm acting!" but he's not reactive to what he's saying it being said to him. He's like a student just starting acting school who doesn't know what to do with his body yet. They're so worried about his delivery being smooth that they're missing the bigger flaw, and then you give him such terrible lines to memorize and it all comes crashing down.
ReplyDeleteI hope Stone Cold gets sent a link to this video
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of syllables to chant.
ReplyDeleteCheap pop.
ReplyDelete"SUFF-RIN SUCC-O-TASH!"
ReplyDelete*clap-clap-clapclapclap*
Haha. I think the delivery was decent, but it needs some work.
ReplyDeleteHe was DOA the second he spiked that coffee.
ReplyDeleteI have 1 smart mark friend left IRL from the attitude era. His suggestion was that Reigns should be a heel and have a valet.
ReplyDeleteI just watched it. Content aside, my takeaways were:
ReplyDelete1) Reigns is speaking at a volume where he can be heard
2) He's getting more comfortable on the mic
3) The crowd popped huge for his entrance
I also agree with Dusty4Prez, when you couple the wink with him saying "I know! That wasn't easy to say." it's obvious he knows whoever's scripting the promos is awful at his job.
He will ask Rollins if he has any Grey Poupon leading to Ambrose blindsiding him with a shot of mustard to the eyes.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I noticed, too. His body language is all off and sometimes he pauses to pantomime something before continuing. And really, this isn't a knock on the guy. He just started acting classes, he shouldn't be on national TV acting in front of a live crowd yet.
ReplyDeleteIt's clear they want him to be a trash-talker like the Rock. Rock said goofy shit all the time. But they forget the Rock (not "Rocky Maivia") started out as a heel. And his delivery was a thousand times better, so the goofy shit made fans laugh and got him over. You can't have Reigns go out there and say stuff that even the Rock would say "I'm not sure I could make that work."
ReplyDeleteThat's when it got good! And by good, I mean when it really got awesome.
ReplyDeleteLess is more, for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe Rock could have made that work.
ReplyDeleteReplace Cypress Hill with Tone Loc and I can totally see that.
ReplyDeleteAnd, it hurts inside?
ReplyDeleteHallo Cleveland!
ReplyDeleteHe takes pauses--to get the lines straight in his head I'm sure--but his body & face convey that he's delivering a monologue, not having a heated confrontation with an actual person.
ReplyDeleteReigns also started out as a heel. The Shield were that way for ages.
ReplyDeleteThe Rock also had a lot of time in front of live crowds to work out the kinks. Reigns is basically being given 3 - 6 months with the expectation he be on par with the Rock every time out.
ReplyDeleteI did almost add that.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. *pause* shrug *pause* It's like he uses the body movements to remember his next line. *pause* smirk *pause* And his emotion doesn't match the words he's saying.
ReplyDeleteYeah but he didn't say much--certainly not the focus of attention. They want him to be the Rock leading the Nation of Domination, when his heel experience has been as Crush standing off to the side looking tough.
ReplyDeleteCrush is a great analogy, definitely.
ReplyDeleteI hear Vince wants him to grab the mic after he pins his opponents and say "bidee bidee bidee THATS ALL, FOLKS!"
ReplyDeleteNo shit. I mean for entirely different reasons, granted.
ReplyDeleteI stopped it at the sufferin succotash line. Couldn't believe he actually said that.
ReplyDeleteSame thing with Batista with Evolution.
ReplyDeleteBecause he's goofy to the point of retardation?
ReplyDeleteAfter watching that, I needed to watch Rock and Austin kill a 15 minute segment by themselves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Lf9Ar861Ws
ReplyDeleteMarshawn Lynch's one-line explanations to the media shtick was funny the first time, now it's just fucking annoying.
ReplyDeleteForget Philadelphia-if he'll continue to deliver promos like these,Reigns will be booed out of Tulsa.
ReplyDeleteBetween this and the Superman promo, I have never seen someone saddled with such garbage en route to a major win like the Rumble
ReplyDeleteVince hired Salt n Pepper so let's go with them
ReplyDeleteReigns shows signs of being "the guy" but he is nowhere near ready.
ReplyDeletePATIENCE, WWE. PATIENCE. Either he makes a lot of money for you down the line or you kill him now. You need to make the fans DESPERATE to see him get a title shot. THAT is what gets the next big thing over.
He's turning into our worst fear that we all said last year -- bad joke, smiling Cena. Everyone here said it last year, that this company cannot create a babyface anymore without these traits. Here it is
ReplyDeleteAmerican Das had different writers/creator and was way funnier than the other two!
ReplyDeletelol. The only way Reigns is not winning the Rumble and winning the title at Mania is if last year happens again. wwe doesn't have patience or self control anymore.
ReplyDelete"He's like a student just starting acting school"
ReplyDeleteThere's a very good reason for that...
Vince pushed for Matt Morgan's stuttering gimmick the moment he was called up. That was TEN years ago and he's still throwing out shit ideas
ReplyDeleteI mean, could anyone else have made, "The Rock thinks you should fire him," comedic gold?
ReplyDeleteFunny midcard shit. Not ticket selling main event though
ReplyDeleteThey should bring back Al Snow, team him up with Roman.
ReplyDeleteReigns & Snow. BOOM! You're welcome, WWE Creative.
No, it doesn't work that way. He must conform to their 15 year old tv template
ReplyDeleteRoman Reign's is having fun Maggle
ReplyDelete"9/10 out of ten, it was a hung jury, if you smell what the Rock is cookin''
ReplyDeleteThat interview with Gennifer Flowers won me over.
Perfect example
ReplyDeleteThe part of the promo where Roman winks at the camera, is the opposite of Money.
ReplyDeleteYou missed the dung for brains part of that promo, didn't you?
ReplyDeleteIt's things like this that make me wonder just how idiotic WWE can be. They MUST know that these promos suck, because no intelligent person can think that this stuff is making Reigns looks good.
ReplyDeleteThis is Vince's legacy. Fucking up the next megastar beyond repair. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteAfterwards, Kane comes out and says to Roman, "You have one expression"
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly that's not the complete sentence, but still. I love shoot comments that aren't supposed to be, etc.
I'm a fan of Roman Reigns. I think, given time to learn, he could be a big-time player in a year or so.
ReplyDeleteBut sadly, I think this might be his "JBL is Poopy" moment.
The thing that sucks the most is that people here and other places in the future are going to say Roman sucked and tanked when he was given the top the spot.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is that it will be 100% not his fault.
The only way to salvage this bullshit is for Reigns to turn heel and embrace the whole "backed by WWE" thing. Give him another dominant Royal Rumble, telegraph him winning the whole thing, only to make one mistake and get eliminated. Daniel Bryan wins the Rumble. Reigns throws a Bret Hart tantrum, busting up monitors and flipping tables to get the crowd to shit on him further. Next night, Reigns joins Rollins in beating up Bryan out of spite. The Authority wants him to be The Guy and Reigns embraces it now. Do a slow-burn toward Rollins becoming a tweener (paranoid about being supplanted by Reigns as the "future"). Ambrose re-enters the Rollins/Authority crap and stirs the pot between Reigns & Rollins. Do the often-discussed triple threat, with Ambrose as rebellious babyface, Reigns as corporate heel, and Rollins as tweener. Lesnar vs. Bryan for the title. Cena vs. Rusev, etc. etc.
ReplyDeleteLike when the MSG crowd rejected being force fed Smilin' Cryin' Shawn, and popped huge for people's champion SID.
ReplyDeleteI think he'd pull it off better than Rollins has
ReplyDeleteDouble-turn with Lesnar and have Heyman talk for him.
ReplyDeleteMeh. I see your point, but it's never "100%" not a guy's fault. He is being spoon-fed garbage, but if he was that great he could get over in spite of it. I don't think he sucks, but he is definitely not the guy to polish the turd he is being given to work with
ReplyDeleteThey put a wig on Goldust in his FIRST appearance. They've been lucky to make any money
ReplyDeleteDamn just caught it.
ReplyDeleteNot even the Rock could get suffering succotash over.
ReplyDeleteCreative would never alter a character if that happened today
ReplyDeleteRoman as a heel is MONEY.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Rollins is a hell of a talent and has been doing well enough with the role, but I think it makes so much more sense for them to just acknowledge on-screen that Reigns is the "future". HHH & Steph helping him draw heat would help
ReplyDeleteI'm on the fence with him. I've only seen his two promos by watching them on YouTube and haven't seen him in a match since the Shield v Evolution. I don't see why he can't be the next big thing, but he needs time to learn how to act first.
ReplyDeleteHe is so uninspired on the mic it's unreal. Sooner he goes full-on Rock-style heel the better, hopefully we get to see some of the "natural charisma" everyone keeps banging on about
ReplyDeleteThat...would work, actually.
ReplyDeleteEven if they go all the way with it, with babyface Roman beating Lesar at Mania for the title. If the crowd shits on him, especially in his Big Moment, I think you turn him the next night and make him the new Heyman Guy. Paul shit-cans Lesnar and declares Reigns the future. Presumably, the Sting match puts HHH/Steph out of commission (temporarily, I'm sure). So Heyman is top heel by default, with Lesnar gone after Mania. Heyman talking for new dominant champion Roman Reigns, with guys like Ambrose, Cena, and ultimately Daniel Bryan pursuing the title he never lost, could be a decent post-WM story arc. Reigns is just gonna be dead in the water after Mania if he stays babyface. Who is there to beat, once he has conquered Lesnar?
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for all the docs, stories, and books about late stage Vince McMahon. Going to be fascinating.
ReplyDeletekind of like Goldberg back in the day. I watched all that, he would just come out, kill bitches, then head back out. And Reigns today is 100% ahead of where Goldberg was in 1998 when it comes to in-ring skill.
ReplyDeleteI think you guys missed the "donkey dung" part.
ReplyDeletea double-turn would be great.
ReplyDeleteYou're probably right about that
ReplyDeletehis match with Orton at Summerslam I thought was excellent.
ReplyDeleteThey need to show him some Dangerous Alliance-era Rick Rude. The dickhead, self-absorbed elitist who can back it up in dominant fashion in the ring.
ReplyDeleteI think Roman could give a sick heel promo. He seems like such a natural heel.
ReplyDeleteTHIS. Which is why he never should've had a real feud with Goldberg in 1998, despite how much Y2J STILL bitches about it.
ReplyDeleteThis is my personal favourite Roman Reigns promo. Bear in mind he's had 5 (or whatever) months of injury to prepare for this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvCo2PAVuXE
ReplyDeleteMy solution, even they'd fuck this up to but just pretend they're competent, is double turn Rollins and Reigns either at 31 or the next night on Raw and run with that as the big summer angle.
ReplyDeleteThey really should have just kept the Shield guys affiliated with each other. Even if they pursued their own singles feuds to develop their own identities, ala the Horsemen in their prime.
ReplyDeleteYou shut your mouth. Everything Goldust did in 1995 EXCEPT for the wrestling was gold, pun intended.
ReplyDelete"The self destruction of Vince McMahon"
ReplyDeleteWith commentary by CM Punk, hopefully.
Yep, his look is perfect for it. He has that sneering heel look in his eye that would make him the perfect comic book supervillain. Instead, he's a smiling, joking babyface
ReplyDeleteI think monster heel Mark Henry's promos would help, too.
ReplyDeleteBret: Are you trying to intimidate me?
Mark (glaring): I don't need to intimidate you, Bret!
The way WWE works these days, it's more like 5 minutes.
ReplyDeleteAnd written on a napkin. With half the words smeared out by chocolate.
ReplyDeleteIt took Mizark about 12 years to find his niche, so maybe in 2026 we'll start marking out for Roman.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how Roman feels about all this. I mean, he MUST know he looks like a doof out there now.
ReplyDeleteHe gets the credibility of beating Lesnar and sending him packing from WWE at Wrestlemania. Then turns heel, shits on the fans, and Heyman has no choice but to endorse him as the next big thing. Hell, get HHH & Steph off TV following a WM defeat by Sting's hand, then go all-in with Heyman forming a new Dangerous Alliance around Reigns. Get a bunch of guys in the spotlight with Heyman and create a bunch of new post-WM programs.
ReplyDeleteI can wait. Time flies when you're having fun, Maggle!
ReplyDeleteThe headline on Scott's BOD in May 2026: Rome Wasn't Built In A Day, How Roman Reigns Finally Got "It"
ReplyDeleteBy Caliber Winfield
What if after Wrestlemania The Shield reunites under Heyman? Bryan wins the belt at Rumble and the next night Rollins cashes in but is about to blow it so they overbook with tons of interference until Reigns and Ambrose come out and turn on Bryan for the Triple Powerbomb. Rollins gets the pin, Hunter's smug about his victory until Heyman emerges from the back and sics The Shield on Hunter, and instead of a new Dangerous Alliance we have Heyman leading The Shield over WWE as strict singles competitors. Rollins hold the WWE Title as the scumbag coward, Reigns wins the I-C Title and dominates, and Dean can pick up the U.S. Title again from Cena after Cena beats Rusev for it. Maybe even throw the tag titles at Reigns and Ambrose to really put the group over as dominant.
ReplyDeleteI lol'd
ReplyDeleteAlso, that 2016 Roman Reigns shoot interview is going to be AMAZING.
ReplyDeleteLike Caliber will live that long. He's pretty much got crisco in his veins!
ReplyDeleteWow bro do u even lift? Calbs is ripped.
ReplyDeleteI'm in. Anything different from the "authority figure" stuff. Get back to Heyman as a manager and a more Dangerous Alliance/Horsemen feel to the Shield guys. There is no reason they can't have individual feuds and develop their own personalities as part of a stable. Tully, Flair, and company managed to have some of the hottest singles programs ever despite being part of a stable
ReplyDeleteI think I've got him mixed up with Meekin. I joined up as a regular here after Caliber's big meltdown.
ReplyDeleteAccompanied by Sunny.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but Meekin does DDP Yoga, so he's lean and mean now.
ReplyDeleteNever. The show MUST have HHH and Big Steph as lead characters at all times!
ReplyDeleteLol@Big Steph
ReplyDeleteAdd in Sami Zayn as a new Shield member!
ReplyDeleteThey still could be. Hunter would just have to be a temporary face that places his faith in Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, and John Cena -- the guys he absolutely hates. That's called character development.
ReplyDeleteHell, if they are going to do a partial brand split or whatever, do like 2002 and give Heyman one of them. Let the HHH/Steph party continue on Raw, while Heyman's stable and some NWA-style booking rules Smackdown
ReplyDeleteSorry. Auto correct changed Goldberg to Dust. Edited
ReplyDeleteIt would be a better intro to Zayn on the show than anything ridiculous Vince will do.
ReplyDeleteDamnit, I really thought about who the Sun could be too. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSuper Face Sami is a career babyface. No one's going to buy the smiling ginger as a tough guy. That's exactly why he's over as a face. He's just some dude you can't help but enjoy watch.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Book them more as the Horsemen this go-around than as the collective they were the first time around.
ReplyDeleteHis natural charisma was shown when he was a part of tag matches and didn't talk.
ReplyDeleteYeah, like that tough guy Seth Rollins was causing everyone to shit their pants.
ReplyDeleteYou can start Sami as a new Shield member as an intro to the guy and have the Shield turn on him as he gets over with the crowd.
Or they can make him Danger Dog to Adrian Neville's Mighty Mouse. Either way.
Boo to anything that doesn't have Sami's theme.
ReplyDeleteNaw Sami is the most babiest of all babyfaces since mid 80's Hogan
ReplyDeleteLiterally five minutes ago, I thought about how to save Reigns and I had the same idea.
ReplyDeleteRollins was always a better heel. Look at his ROH run. He finally developed a personality when he turned heel. Zayn will get over as a face. If we absolutely have to add someone to The Shield to go with the Horsemen Rule of Fours, then Neville or Finn Balor would be the best two choices.
ReplyDeleteI've seen some interviews with Reigns and I think the key to him is to let him do his own promos. He's a smart guy; most guys in WWE now are smart guys. Let them figure it out and the people will buy in.
ReplyDeleteYeah, a lengthy run as a double champion holding the I-C and Tag Titles would help make him look like a bigger deal. It would also give him time to mentor under Heyman which isn't necessarily a bad thing for him.
ReplyDeleteWhy did they even try? He just should have said something like this: "We were like brothers! But you betrayed us! You don't deserve the title shot and not the MITB case. The only thing you deserve, is getting your ass kicked!" BAM
ReplyDeleteWatch your tone jabrone
ReplyDeleteNo, what he should have said was:
ReplyDeleteReigns: "..."
*punches Rollins in mouth*
So like last year where Vince was POSITIVE that Batista vs Randy Orton would be the biggest main event of all time that the entire WWE Universe is just dying to see...
ReplyDelete... how close to WM will they get before pulling the plug on Roman Reigns and entering panic mode?
It's cool, duderino. There are no monies or tables to be discussed at the moment.
ReplyDeleteRoman has to win the Rumble first.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I was just on SI.com and they had a trailer for The Scorpion King 4 in the margin. They billed Roy Nelson as Big County instead of Big Country.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he's slimmed down and that's his new nickname.
He bitches about it because it wouldn't have been a real feud. It would've been Jericho talking shit on Goldberg which culminates in Goldberg squashing Jericho.
ReplyDeleteNot me, but I blamed Orton for part of that...he was being a selfish prick that entire match.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see these guys cut their own promos without the aid of the creative and writing teams. I understand why they have to follow a script, but it definitely takes away what these guys are all about.
ReplyDeleteIf Roman Reigns is going to play the role of Sylvester, then the next logical progression is that Rollins assumes the role of Tweety Bird.
ReplyDeleteI wish they would have built a midcard heel up for him to beat at WM for the IC title instead.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Flair/Reigns as World champ. Rollins/Barry as U.S. champ, Ambrose/Anderson as T.V. champ. And, whenever someone is deemed a threat to any one of them, the entire gang comes together to beat them down. Reverse Reigns and Rollins if you wish.
ReplyDeleteYeah but he got such a HUGE Roman Reigns chant after he said it!!!! On Smackdown!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, dude's a terrible actor. About the only thing you can say for it was that he did nail the "I'm gonna kick your ass" part, and the crowd popped for it, but trying to have him deliver scripted insults was just stupid. Should have had Rollins take like a minute to insult Reigns, then just have Roman say something like "Sorry Seth, I didn't come down here to catch up, I came out here to kick your ass." Done and done.
ReplyDeleteIf there's a new brand split (as rumored), he is definitely going to smackdown
ReplyDeletewho plays Grandma
ReplyDeleteI don't watch SmackDown... but from watching RAW Live for a couple decades, it's really obvious where things are edited. Jarring. I imagine that was MUCH worse for the live crowd.
ReplyDeleteYeah Regins best chance at popping a live crowd is to get it in the studio for post production.
ReplyDeleteHeyman is not going to help anyone in 2015 get to the next level. His track record of 'Heyman guys' in the WWE is terrible.
ReplyDeleteI watched Rumble 2007 and the match between Cena and Umaga was fuckin intense. Cena came out looking like a bad MF by choking out the savage. They shoulda always booked him like a killer instead of a goofy boy scout.
ReplyDeleteWe've all heard that Vince is very fickle, and the rumors that Reign's promos are holding him back. Knowing this, I have to wonder if they'll swerve everyone and either have Reigns not win the Rumble, or have him turn heel. Maybe the final two in the Rumble will be Bryan and Reigns and the Authority comes out and screws Bryan to help Reigns win. Or maybe they'll try and Bryan will win somehow. I like the second scenario better because if Cena loses to Brock that sets up heel Reigns vs. Cena and Bryan vs. Lesnar for the title at WM.
ReplyDeleteI never understood why WWE presents Cena as this underdog who struggles against overwhelming odds.Dude is built like fucking Hercules,how can I take him seriously as an underdog?
ReplyDeleteTJ: It seems like they edited Lord Alfred completely out of Rumble 93. Sucks.
ReplyDeleteI see you working, and it's not a bad idea. The problem is Sami is one of the best face workers ever. He totally gets babyface psychology. I think using him as a heel doesn't play to his strengths.
ReplyDelete