Remaking Roman Reigns

[justinept]

Not sure if the "Reigns Suspended" post is for general discussion or if we're free to make tangent posts on the matter. If not, feel free to drop this in the right place.

With the announcement of Reigns suspension, my first thought veered toward the subject of how the WWE could take advantage of the situation and come out better in the long run as a result. I don't think it's such a crazy thought, as I believe the writers should ALWAYS be trying to figure a way to better their product. The problem sometimes is that writers get too close to their material and don't give themselves the opportunity to really take in how their work is being received by the audience. Reigns being taken off the road for 30 days due to this suspension actually gives them that opportunity, though. It gives them a chance to really look at what has worked for Reigns, what hasn't worked for him, and what could be tweaked so that he's received better by the fans after his return than he was prior to the suspension.

To do this, you need to see what has worked for the guy.

Early in the guy's career, he was a bad ass. He had the best look of any guy in The Shield, brought the most intensity to Shield matches and run-ins, and he was able to use that intensity to get the crowd hot in short bursts. When The Shield split, and Roman was all but anointed as the next face of the company, the writers got away from this. They tried to make him more three dimensional and failed at every turn. His flaws were exposed. He couldn't convey a character on the mic. He couldn't sell a match with words. He couldn't seem to bring that same intensity for the full length of a main event match. Essentially, everything about Reigns felt like you were watching the top dog from the old pack... but now that he didn't have the pack with him, he didn't seem to have the same bite.

I'll admit that the WWE was doing a fine job in trying to remedy these issues. His matches with Styles were fantastic. Putting him with a smaller workhorse like Styles allowed Reigns to show his intensity in short bursts throughout the matches. And between those bursts, Styles was able to keep the crowd hot with some amazing spots of his own. Credit where credit is due. Reigns was fantastic during that program. Adding even more intrigue to the program was The Usos and The Club involvement. By giving the top dog a new pack, the bite just seemed to be back. He regained that intensity, and even showed the mean streak that made him such a favorite during The Shield run. Maybe that's something to think about - Reigns is at his best when he's serving as the top guy in a group and is willing to go to any lengths to protect that group.

Despite the uptick in intensity and the minor attitude adjustment, the fans still weren't having Reigns. He was getting booed out of buildings. Even worse, reports said that house show attendance was down considerably during his run. Clearly, something remains off with the guy because the fans just don't seem to want to accept him as a top guy.

IMO, the biggest issue with Reigns in most fans eyes is that people don't think he's paid his dues. He laced up his first pair of wrestling boots in 2010. Within two years, he debuted on the main roster in a prominent role. About a year and a half later, word started leaking that the guy was being viewed by VKM as the heir to John Cena. And within six years of making his wrestling debut, the guy headlined his second WrestleMania and walked out with the WWE Championship. There's no struggle to that story. Fair or not, fans look at his story and they don't respect it... and in turn, they don't respect him.

The matter gets heightened when you look at what's been going on with the WWE for the past 5-6 years. Guys like CM Punk and Daniel Bryan were on the indy circuit for the better part of a decade before getting a chance in the WWE. And even after getting their chance on the big stage, they still had to fight and claw for everything. Fans respected that. Similarly, they respect guys like Owens, Cesaro, Zayn, Ambrose, Rollins, Styles, and a handful of other guys who seemingly had to work harder for their spots because they don't possess the VKM look. This issue really goes back further, though, as most of these fans grew up cheering for guys like Jericho, Guerrero, and Benoit - three guys who had similar wrestling back stories. Hell, even Austin had to fight and claw his way to the top of the mountain. But Reigns? Nope. It was just kind of handed to him.

That's what Reigns is fighting against here. He never struggled in his short journey to the top. This suspension gives the WWE a chance to show him struggle. They need to use it.

The truth of the situation is that the WWE is going to have some second thoughts about building the company around Reigns right now. Can they trust that he won't fail another test? If he fails another test, he's one more away from termination... And if that happens, then all the money they've invested in him will be for nothing. Now, I don't believe for one second that this will derail their overall plans for him, but I do think that's the part of this story that needs to be heightened for the audience.

When Reigns returns, I wouldn't book him in matches. I'd let him come out and talk. I'd even let someone challenge him. But then either Stephanie, Shane or Triple H needs to nix the challenge. After all, how can any of them "trust to build a wrestling card around Reigns when they can't even trust Reigns won't get himself suspended again?"

Let this simmer for a few months, continually keeping Reigns off pay-per-view cards while featuring him on either Raw or Smackdown. Have him wrestle jobbers. Put him in a program against the Social Outcasts. Put him in a match against Fandango. Let him rip through the bottom tier of the card, showing that intensity in short bursts. Eventually, place him on a pre-show match. And book him to lose...

Honestly, use this situation to hit the reset button, and book Reigns in a way that he's paying the dues that most fans don't believe he's paid. If they do that, and they really put in an honest effort to make it seem like Reigns is being punished, then he might actually get over with the fans. And once that happens, the guy will be worth a lot more money to the company than he was during this past championship reign.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

One, Roman needs to be louder, angrier, and have access to a time machine. Two, whenever Roman's not on screen, all the other characters should be asking "Where's Roman"? Three--

Roman is actually fine. He's a perfectly fine upper-midcard act. He just happens to be in the middle of 10 year push as the face of the company. Leave the belt off him, keep him out of the main event for a year or two and keep putting him in the ring with workers better than him. Done.

 

[Deoxyribonucleic A.C.I.D.]

a) Don't give him another WM main event in the next 2 years.

b) Keep him away from World title reigns for at least a year. Also, everytime he fights for the world championship in that time, have him lose, but keep him as a threat when he's not competing for the title. Make him something like king of the upper-mid card scene.

c) Test him further with an US or IC title run. I hate it when people are pushed straight to the main event scene without having been tested with those championships yet. Those championships should be the gateway to the main event scene. Cena, Austin, Rock, Triple H, HBK, Hart. All of these guys showed what they were made off, showed that they deserve to be main eventers, during their IC/US title runs.

d) He's the future of the WWE right? Then make long-term plans for him and give him a deeper writing. Give him a character. Let him be someone that can look different than the others. He definately has the look to be a champ. He can still be featured in main event programms. Just keep the belt away from him, until it's the right time.

 

[OYDK]

While the fact that he hasn't necessarily struggled as much as others may contribute to the reaction he gets, personally, I just don't think Reigns is entertaining enough to be the guy the WWE wants him to be. As uh, Mantaur Rodeo Clown (nice sig btw) mentioned above, Reigns is a great upper-card act, he works in the main event if you put him there sparingly, but he's not the guy who makes you tune in to see him. I really don't care about seeing Roman Reigns when I watch Raw every week, that's the problem with trying to make him the face of the company.

I don't want to be the guy that harps on about the Attitude Era, but take Austin for instance. The main reason I tuned into WWF back then was to see Stone Cold do his thing. When the glass shattered, the arena exploded and I was instantly glued to my TV screen. Today, that guy for me is Brock Lesnar. I'm usually on my computer or screwing around with my phone during the majority of Raw but when Brock's music hits, my head swivels and I'm watching the whole segment no matter what. Same goes for John Cena, and even though I didn't grow up during the Golden Era, I get that feeling when I watch back and see Hogan as well.

Reigns is somebody who's just sort of there, kind of like an AE Kane. Put him in an intriguing program and he becomes more interesting, but far from must see. WWE can't really do much at this point for Reigns, as the man in the company he has to be able to draw people in on his own merit, and he doesn't seem to be able to do that.

 

[justinept]

I don't want to be the guy that harps on about the Attitude Era, but take Austin for instance. The main reason I tuned into WWF back then was to see Stone Cold do his thing. When the glass shattered, the arena exploded and I was instantly glued to my TV screen. Today, that guy for me is Brock Lesnar. I'm usually on my computer or screwing around with my phone during the majority of Raw but when Brock's music hits, my head swivels and I'm watching the whole segment no matter what. Same goes for John Cena, and even though I didn't grow up during the Golden Era, I get that feeling when I watch back and see Hogan as well.

Steve Austin signed with the WWE in November 1995. He spent nearly 18 months working as a bit player with a terrible gimmick that did nothing to showcase his personality or ability on the mic. He was a great worker, but who really took notice of him when he was walking around with the million dollar belt and had Ted Dibiase serving as his mouth piece? The answer is no one... 'cause they were all watching more interesting stuff happen over on Monday Nitro.

A few tweaks later, and you were glued to the television set every time the glass shattered...

The same can be said of The Rock. The guy was booed out of the building. But then they found out the guy had an ability with the mic like few before him, they let him go with it, and he became the biggest star the company has ever created. Hogan? He was a heel working under Vince Sr. It wasn't until Vince Jr brought him back and turned him face that his character exploded.

Hindsight is great for pro wrestling fans. But they really seem to forget the actual history of what happened, remembering only the highlights and none of the struggle that it took to get tem over. The truth is that most of the top names in the history of the industry needed some tweaks before their character exploded.

You think Roman is an upper mid-card guy? I'd say that his character is an upper mid-card character. But the guy is a legitimate main event talent. The size, athleticism, and look alone puts the guy miles ahead of most people trying to get into the industry. Give the character some tweaks, highlight his strengths, and showcase some real aspects of his personality, and he'll be a legitimate top-tier star for years to come.

Reigns is somebody who's just sort of there, kind of like an AE Kane. Put him in an intriguing program and he becomes more interesting, but far from must see. WWE can't really do much at this point for Reigns, as the man in the company he has to be able to draw people in on his own merit, and he doesn't seem to be able to do that.

Once again, you're confusing the booking with the wrestler... You're not interested in Reigns because his character needs to be tweaked. Similarly, you weren't interested in AE Kane because everything interesting that happened with his character was done to effect The Undertaker. You cared more about The Undertaker during that time period and were more focused on his reaction to Kane than you were in anything Kane actually did. When Kane wasn't working with The Undertaker, he was mostly just another monster that was being kept strong in case he needed to work with The Undertaker again in the future.

 

[OYDK]

Steve Austin signed with the WWE in November 1995. He spent nearly 18 months working as a bit player with a terrible gimmick that did nothing to showcase his personality or ability on the mic. He was a great worker, but who really took notice of him when he was walking around with the million dollar belt and had Ted Dibiase serving as his mouth piece? The answer is no one... 'cause they were all watching more interesting stuff happen over on Monday Nitro.

Well, first of all, the answer is not no one. Austin was being touted as one of the top young talents even before he came to the WWE. As Stunning Steve Austin and as one half of the Hollywood Blondes, the guy was entertaining as hell and was always able to get over. You're comparing Roman Reigns' current gimmick to the Ringmaster when you should be comparing it to Stone Cold... because that's the position he's in right now.

Stone Cold was also a guy who had talent coming out the bunghole, both in the ring and on the mic early on in his career, he just wasn't utilized correctly in WCW or WWF until they got rid of the crappy Ringmaster gimmick. However, if you go back and watch his time in ECW, it's clear that Austin was somebody with spades of charisma and mic ability, Roman Reigns has never shown to be that guy. Austin was put in his position because he had the ability to run as the face of the company, Roman was put in his position because he has a pretty face.

A few tweaks later, and you were glued to the television set every time the glass shattered...

"A few tweaks"... more like they scrapped the whole thing and said go do you. I'm not really getting what you're saying here. You act as if Roman only needs a creative tweak to become some sort of superstar while ignoring the fact that the guy is pretty awful on the mic and charisma department, even to this day. It's got nothing to do with Creative, it has everything to do with the skill level of Roman Reigns. Tweaking his character is not going to magically give Reigns the essentials he needs to be the top guy. Austin always had those skills but was saddled with REALLY crappy gimmicks. Are you saying Reigns' character is as bad as The Ringmaster?

The same can be said of The Rock. The guy was booed out of the building. But then they found out the guy had an ability with the mic like few before him, they let him go with it, and he became the biggest star the company has ever created. Hogan? He was a heel working under Vince Sr. It wasn't until Vince Jr brought him back and turned him face that his character exploded.

Yes, but I'm still failing to see your point. Roman has been given the mic, he's been able to showcase his abilities as a main event guy and champion over the past 2 years. The guys you're describing like The Ringmaster, Rocky Maivia, and heel Hogan were never given those chances. Once they were, THAN they were able to showcase their incredible talent. Romans already had all of those opportunities and has failed to live up to the hype.

Hindsight is great for pro wrestling fans. But they really seem to forget the actual history of what happened, remembering only the highlights and none of the struggle that it took to get tem over. The truth is that most of the top names in the history of the industry needed some tweaks before their character exploded.

Again, those guys had the ability all along. I have yet to see it from Roman. I haven't forgotten the history of what happened, I'm saying your comparing apples to oranges. Roman is a guy with a great gimmick and a lack of talent. Austin, Rock, Cena, were guys with immense talent and crappy gimmicks. Tweaking Roman Reigns' character will not grant him the abilities to be a top guy. It might make him more interesting, but would ultimately fall flat because he doesn't have the depth of somebody like Stone Cold, Hulk Hogan, or John Cena.

You think Roman is an upper mid-card guy? I'd say that his character is an upper mid-card character. But the guy is a legitimate main event talent. The size, athleticism, and look alone puts the guy miles ahead of most people trying to get into the industry. Give the character some tweaks, highlight his strengths, and showcase some real aspects of his personality, and he'll be a legitimate top-tier star for years to come.

Size, athleticism, look, that's all I hear about with Reigns. It's not enough to be the top guy. It just isn't. I said a while back that I foresaw an Undertaker-like career for Reigns if he could continue to improve, but other than his ring work, he hasn't improved very much at all.

Once again, you're confusing the booking with the wrestler... You're not interested in Reigns because his character needs to be tweaked. Similarly, you weren't interested in AE Kane because everything interesting that happened with his character was done to effect The Undertaker. You cared more about The Undertaker during that time period and were more focused on his reaction to Kane than you were in anything Kane actually did. When Kane wasn't working with The Undertaker, he was mostly just another monster that was being kept strong in case he needed to work with The Undertaker again in the future.

Noooo, I was very interested in AE Kane, but his skills were that of an upper-midcard guy who could also be utilized in the main event. Keep him in the main event his entire career though, and the fans would have gotten very sick of him, very fast. That's the point I was making. Kane actually entertained me a hell of a lot more than solo Reigns ever has.

Man, it's been a while since somebodies actually tested me on this site. I love the back and forth so keep'er comin.

 

[Navi]

With regards to Roman Reigns a lot of what the OP said is true. He worked great with the Shield, but away from it even though he kept the gear, music and entrance, fans weren't buying into it.

Other than one or two other posters, I'm probably the biggest Shield mark on this forum. I was beginning to want to take one of my many extended breaks from wrestling when they burst on the scene. I've watched every week every since.

When they split no one was more disappointed than I was, it was too soon, and it hurt Reigns. He wasn't ready for the singles push he's been receiving. Rollins and Ambrose managed with their experience to begin over in a way, Reigns doesn't have that experience and I feel that he been stuck in a rut. That's either Vince or it's Reigns himself I have no idea.

Also the way he comes off in interviews is somewhat dickish sometimes. I remember he said that fans who boo him are just people who hate their own lives. Really. He also said recently that basically wrestling is for kids and he goes out to entertain them, not the adult males who don't like him. Again really. It's almost like if you don't like him as a wrestler then there is something wrong with you as a person, not him.

As for him getting everything handed to him, well that is true in a sense, he has gotten better in both the ring and on the mic. But Roman Reigns biggest problem isn't that he was Vince's favourite, it's the fact that he is boring in the ring.

He lacks the charisma gene that so many of his Samoan relatives have and I don't know if he can find the switch to turn it on. He hasn't managed to so far. And I just think if he's boring as a face, he'll be boring as a heel. Yes he has the looks that a champion should have, but there is not a lot behind the veil. What everyone should be more concerned about is can he bring it in the ring, can he do what he's supposed to do, entertain us. Up will now only with the Shield did he do that for me. Since the split not so much.

Keep the title off him, give him a shot at a lesser title and try and build up the fan base organically. What they've been doing isn't and hasn't worked so far, and I don't know what else they can do. One thing for sure this suspension will not have helped his cause.

 

[ShinChan]

My only problem with Reigns is that he hasn't given me any reason to support him. No emotional connection whatsoever.

The guy can surely wrestle. Those saying, "You Can't Wrestle" to Reigns are totally wrong. Of course he is no Cesaro or Owens at in-ring work. Mic work is par.

I can easily afford his weak mic work as I prefer emotional connection & in-ring work over mic work. Cesaro isn't too good on mic either but he is great in ring and that's why he is my favorite wrestler.

I always favoured a Reigns' midcard title reign before he went to the main event.

I would want him to have a changed personality away from his Shield look. Keep him away from the big title until next year's Summerslam. Let him connect organically with the crowd.

Don't give Cena treatment as he is nowhere near him. Give him 2 painful finishers in which one can be a submission one. Make him a badass face.

Or just turn him into a silent badass heel.

 

[Spencesc11]

He needs to turn heel period. He has the look and it could even be a Samoan stable with himself, Samoa Joe, and The Uso's. Keep him and this group on Raw. Keep the Bullet Club on Raw. Keep Ambrose & Rollins on Raw as a DX like face tandem that takes on all comers. They drop their feud and become a mutually respectful comedy duo that pranks everyone and stays atop the card. Cena can headline Smackdown and you can take the Wyatt Family, Cesaro, and New Day to give that product some big names to headline until the other stars rise up.

 

[Navi]

He needs to turn heel period. He has the look and it could even be a Samoan stable with himself, Samoa Joe, and The Uso's. Keep him and this group on Raw. Keep the Bullet Club on Raw. Keep Ambrose & Rollins on Raw as a DX like face tandem that takes on all comers. They drop their feud and become a mutually respectful comedy duo that pranks everyone and stays atop the card. Cena can headline Smackdown and you can take the Wyatt Family, Cesaro, and New Day to give that product some big names to headline until the other stars rise up.

But that has been the issue the whole time. Reigns was fantastic as part of the Shield, all three members made up the sum of it's parts. Reigns has to prove that he can get over by himself, that is something that he has been trying to do for the last two years, and it still isn't working.

The members of New Day would be fine on their own, Wyatt's not so much. We saw what happened to them when they were split, they are much better as a group. I can't see any of them with the exception of Bray and Harper holding titles.

If they want this to work with Reigns he has to stay away from being part of a group. A group hides his flaws as we've seen, in order to fix those and make him a singles wrestlers he needs the experience going it alone. If he can't then he shouldn't be champion. Call it trial by fire if you want, but can you see Cena as part of a group or Orton or even Owens. These guys are singles wrestlers who work better by themselves, that what Reigns has to develop into in order for him to get over with the fans.

Once fans see that he doesn't need to be propped up then he might gain their respect. As it is now he doesn't have it. Some humility on his part would hurt his cause either.

 

[AegonTargaryen]

Steve Austin signed with the WWE in November 1995. He spent nearly 18 months working as a bit player with a terrible gimmick that did nothing to showcase his personality or ability on the mic. He was a great worker, but who really took notice of him when he was walking around with the million dollar belt and had Ted Dibiase serving as his mouth piece? The answer is no one... 'cause they were all watching more interesting stuff happen over on Monday Nitro.

A few tweaks later, and you were glued to the television set every time the glass shattered...

The same can be said of The Rock. The guy was booed out of the building. But then they found out the guy had an ability with the mic like few before him, they let him go with it, and he became the biggest star the company has ever created. Hogan? He was a heel working under Vince Sr. It wasn't until Vince Jr brought him back and turned him face that his character exploded.

Hindsight is great for pro wrestling fans. But they really seem to forget the actual history of what happened, remembering only the highlights and none of the struggle that it took to get tem over. The truth is that most of the top names in the history of the industry needed some tweaks before their character exploded.

You think Roman is an upper mid-card guy? I'd say that his character is an upper mid-card character. But the guy is a legitimate main event talent. The size, athleticism, and look alone puts the guy miles ahead of most people trying to get into the industry. Give the character some tweaks, highlight his strengths, and showcase some real aspects of his personality, and he'll be a legitimate top-tier star for years to come.

Once again, you're confusing the booking with the wrestler... You're not interested in Reigns because his character needs to be tweaked. Similarly, you weren't interested in AE Kane because everything interesting that happened with his character was done to effect The Undertaker. You cared more about The Undertaker during that time period and were more focused on his reaction to Kane than you were in anything Kane actually did. When Kane wasn't working with The Undertaker, he was mostly just another monster that was being kept strong in case he needed to work with The Undertaker again in the future.

I'm in complete agreement with this post, the OP, and basically the entire essence of your views and beliefs concerning one Roman Reigns.

Usually, OYDK or Jack-Hammer are supremely rational, objective, etc. but I believe when it comes to Roman Reigns, they just wont see where you're coming from- or find agreement in your above post. It would always come down to Reductionism like "Roman Reigns has a great look but that's the best thing going for him" and no one would claim like you do, or I do, that Roman Reigns is a legitimate main event talent and it's only a matter of time- his character needs a few tweaks- a full-fledged heel turn- and that he's the best OVERALL guy/complete packaged on the roster right now besides Seth Rollins. I can honestly say that because even if Roman Reigns isn't The Rock on the mic, he has the best look on the roster, a supreme physique and in the ring is exactly like if you'd combined the in-ring talents of The Undertakerand Batista, with his own signature moves like The Superman Punch. That's A LOT of talent. Not two Dean Ambrose's could equal it. And IMO, Only Seth Rollins has the complete package once-in-a-lifetime-superstar-feel to him in the WWE, along with Roman. And the next guy who touches on it, IMO, is Kevin Owens(only he's not muscular or chiseled or whatever. But I'm fine with that).

And it's okay if people keep saying they don't buy Roman Reigns as a mainevent talent or that he's boring, etc. etc. For me, Dean Ambrose sucks on multiple levels- as a wrestler and character- and yet for most of the IWC- Dean Ambrose is > Roman Reigns.

And I have realized that with Roman Reigns, it's going to be like that probably always. Unless and until the WWE act fast, and do what they did with Austin and The Rock (who were far from established, before 1997) by allowing them to be whatever they're comfortable with being- or whatever that is authentic to them- as wrestlers and human beings.

Until they do that, many would continually detract Roman Reigns and refuse to accept the fact that he's a legitimate main event talent- regardless of how limited/boring his current character might be or regardless of the fact that he isn't as articulate or entertaining with a microphone as The Rock or CM Punk.

I have come to accept it, nonchalantly. Some people, like you or I, would see him like we do, and others would never cease to find faults or refuse to accept him as a maineventer.

 

[OYDK]

I'm in complete agreement with this post, the OP, and basically the entire essence of your views and beliefs concerning one Roman Reigns.

Usually, OYDK or Jack-Hammer are supremely rational, objective, etc. but I believe when it comes to Roman Reigns, they just wont see where you're coming from- or find agreement in your above post. It would always come down to Reductionism like "Roman Reigns has a great look but that's the best thing going for him" and no one would claim like you do, or I do, that Roman Reigns is a legitimate main event talent and it's only a matter of time- his character needs a few tweaks- a full-fledged heel turn- and that he's the best OVERALL guy/complete packaged on the roster right now besides Seth Rollins. I can honestly say that because even if Roman Reigns isn't The Rock on the mic, he has the best look on the roster, a supreme physique and in the ring is exactly like if you'd combined the in-ring talents of The Undertakerand Batista, with his own signature moves like The Superman Punch. That's A LOT of talent. Not two Dean Ambrose's could equal it. And IMO, Only Seth Rollins has the complete package once-in-a-lifetime-superstar-feel to him in the WWE, along with Roman. And the next guy who touches on it, IMO, is Kevin Owens(only he's not muscular or chiseled or whatever. But I'm fine with that).

And it's okay if people keep saying they don't buy Roman Reigns as a mainevent talent or that he's boring, etc. etc. For me, Dean Ambrose sucks on multiple levels- as a wrestler and character- and yet for most of the IWC- Dean Ambrose is > Roman Reigns.

And I have realized that with Roman Reigns, it's going to be like that probably always. Unless and until the WWE act fast, and do what they did with Austin and The Rock (who were far from established, before 1997) by allowing them to be whatever they're comfortable with being- or whatever that is authentic to them- as wrestlers and human beings.

Until they do that, many would continually detract Roman Reigns and refuse to accept the fact that he's a legitimate main event talent- regardless of how limited/boring his current character might be or regardless of the fact that he isn't as articulate or entertaining with a microphone as The Rock or CM Punk.

I have come to accept it, nonchalantly. Some people, like you or I, would see him like we do, and others would never cease to find faults or refuse to accept him as a maineventer.

Basically all I have to say to this is, I'm going to be hard as fuck on Roman Reigns until either:

A) He shows me that he has the skill, talent, and ability to stand in the position that he's been put in. That being the entire face, the man, the guy, the whatever, of the company.

OR

B) They turn him heel/stop grooming him for the top face spot and let him run as an upper-card/relative main eventer which is more suited to his current skill level.

At this point, I'm holding the guy up to Austin, Rock, Cena, Hogan standards because that's the position he's supposed to be taking over. My expectations for Roman Reigns are much higher than they are for say Dean Ambrose or Kevin Owens or even Seth Rollins. Thus, I'm going to be harder on him as are other (sometimes) longtime wrestling fans. Is that fair to Roman Reigns? Maybe not, but if you want to be at the absolute top, you better show up because people are going to expect more from you.

I don't hate the guy, far from it. He's got a great look, can go in the ring, and always generates a reaction be it good or not so good. Plus, I never said he's a mid-carder, I said uppercard guy who sporadically appears in the main event. The point that I was making with my whole shpeel was, he's likely never going to take that top position and no amount of creative tweaks will put him there. That's my opinion.

Just as you have your opinion on Dean Ambrose which I don't agree with, I have mine on Roman Reigns. And it has nothing to do with reductionism. I agree with everybody that Roman has a great look and can go in the ring, but as I mentioned in my earlier post, it's not enough to be the man. He needs a hell of a lot more charisma if he ever wants to make people really feel something deeper than just bored hatred or if he wants to draw in new fans. Some people really don't seem to understand that aspect of being the #1 person in the company. If ratings are dropping by 17% during your title reign, you're probably not the most suited to be headlining Wrestlemania's.

 

[BestSportsEntertainer]

1 - Roman Reigns needs to turn heel - Crowds were already against him, and after his suspension, they are going to murder him alive. He just isn't over.

2 - No more scripted promos - His promos have been awkward at best, and although he's gotten better on the mic, he still seems uncomfortable. So either they can turn him into some silent badass who just runs through everyone or let him diss the crowd and tell them off. There's a video of him in NXT, where he is heel, and gives a promo, which is VERY good. Here's a link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pbS7iCMxn0. Seriously what happened to THAT Roman Reigns? I think it's because they're trying to turn him into the good guy who never does anything wrong and it's just not working. They need to stop.

3 - He needs to change - Same ring attire. Same entrance music. Same look. Same character. Nothing has changed since the Shield days. Rollins and Ambrose evolved; Reigns stayed the same. This has been Cena's problem for YEARS; he's the exact same guy and extremely stale. This will happen to Reigns if they're not careful.

Basically Reigns needs to turn heel and get new ring attire and entrance music. Non-scripted promos would help as well. With that said, I seriously doubt WWE is really going to change anything. They might not push him as hard, but I have my doubts. Hopefully they won't, for Reigns sake. We'll see.

 

[ShinChan]

For me, Dean Ambrose sucks on multiple levels- as a wrestler and character- and yet for most of the IWC- Dean Ambrose is > Roman Reigns.

For me, Dean Ambrose is surely better than Roman Reigns. He HAS a gimmick unlike Roman Reigns. He has conquered the mid card title region by winning both the titles. Reigns was skyrocketed straight to main event but Ambrose had to pay his dues to get to the ultimate title. Ambrose was the sidekick of Reigns still Ambrose is much entertaining than Reigns.
Ambrose is genuinely better than Reigns. Rollins is surely better than both of these two. But Reigns is the least interesting out of The Shield.

 

[Naniwa91]

I'd say that before any sort of heel turn were to begin, he needs to work on his comfort level behind the mic. If he still is visibly uncomfortable--and I'm not saying that some of the other talent are never uncomfortable--behind the mic, then a heel turn will be a very thinly veiled attempt to protect him. Turn the hostile crowd energy into energy to fuel your words, while not managing to offend everyone. He's been getting better, but there is still room for improvement.

Another thing that I think needs to happen, is that he needs to look somewhat interested in the heap of crap that they've given him. It's something that many veterans of the industry have done (Kane). We all know that WWE Creative can't seem to do much good these days. But creative can only shelve so much of the blame when you look like you dread what you say, and the crowd knows it; hence the predictable reactions he gets. Sell the story, like your career bloody depends on it.

I think after that, he could potentially avoid resorting to a heel turn. I say potentially, because right now, he really isn't much of anything at the moment. And not being much of heel or face is better than a crappy run either direction.

 

[Shannibal]

He needs to be repackaged with new finishers. His spear, outside of the one he did to Steph, looks weak compared to most others who have used it in the past, and the superman punch is lame... Maybe use the "Hoooooooo Ahhhhhhh" into the spear to lead into a new finisher.