POOR ROMAN REIGNS HAS SEEN HIS SHARE OF GRIEF FROM WWE FANS IN THE last twelve months, but only good things can be said about the current World Champion as of late. The perception of Roman Reigns a year apart is almost polar opposite. A year ago, he was booed out of Philidelphia after winning the Royal Rumble match.Despite a gripping battle with then-Champion BROCK LESNAR at WrestleMania, Reigns still received negative reactions from the WWE Universe, often entering the ring to a tirade of heat.
But it seems, WWE have finally managed to get Reigns over as a fan favourite. It took putting the gold on SHEAMUS to make fans desperate for Reigns to succeed.And that he did, in the very arena that his backlash began - in Philly. Coincidence? Maybe. Or it could simply have been bookedfor that city as a symbol of Roman Reigns coming full circle. Either way, a lot has changed since last year’s Royal Rumble. Let it Reign. I will be the first to admit, I was not in favour of Roman Reigns being the WWE World Champion a year ago. It was not because “he isn’t DANIEL BRYAN,” or because I disliked him.
I saw potential in Roman back in his SHIELD days, it was the more popular concensus that he “wasn’t ready.” WWE rushed Reigns to the main event scene by making him unstoppable and unbeatable - a factor that has turned many of us away from JOHN CENA in the last decade. But perhaps it is a good thing that Reigns received such backlash as it forced WWE to change plans, and instead, had to build Reigns slower. He had some great matches in the mid-card with the likes of BRAY WYATT and even BIG SHOW.
But in doing so, he has gained respect from the fans organically. Although he has still received criticism for goofy lines and cheesy smiles, WWE have showed more competence in Roman’s booking in the last couple of weeks. The finale of TLC saw a monster unleashed as Reigns took apart TRIPLE H before winning the World Title the following night in dramatic fashion, involving MR. McMAHON. The badass approach is working, and WWE would be foolish to divert from it. Reigns does not need lame comedy to be the new face of WWE.
Comments