It's time to recognize Roman Reigns.
Some may say it's too early to discuss his accomplishments among the greatest and most memorable superstars in WWE history, but it's likely that the Tribal Chief will headline his eighth WrestleMania in 2024. Now is the time to consider whether second-generation stars are trending as they prepare to serve as WWE's most unforgettable superstars.
For some who grew up watching WWE in the 1980s, it would be sacrilege to discuss anyone other than Hulk Hogan or “Macho Man” Randy Savage. Other Attitude-era productions would scoff at the idea of anyone other than “Stone Cold” Steve Austin or The Rock claiming the throne.
Still, some build a case for The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, or John Cena. But rose-colored glasses known as nostalgia aside, there is at least a claim to be made for “Head of the Table.”
All ships go up at high tide
There's no denying that the Bloodline storyline constructed by Reigns and on-screen special prosecutor Paul Heyman was a phenomenal success. This storyline not only elevated Reigns to a level above everyone else in the company, both narratively and in terms of star power, but it also served to strengthen or improve those around him. Ta.
Before becoming Tribal Chief, Reigns was a babyface at the top of the company, often rejected by fans who wanted something different from the tired, one-dimensional heroes. His return and assuming that heel persona allowed Reigns to take off the cuffs that were monotonous and creative and immerse himself in something different, instantly improving his work.
He grew up quickly and so did those around him.
We got the first hint of 'Main Event's' Jey Uso's babyface potential before returning to the dark side, realigning with his brother Jimmy and joining his cousin on 'Bloodline' . This trio dominated SmackDown together, and in the process, The Usos became bigger stars than ever before.
Fast forward to Clash at the Castle in September 2022, and we saw the arrival of Solo Chicor, who jumped from NXT and immediately saw a star rise as the group's new enforcer.
But members of the Samoan dynasty weren't the only superstars to benefit from the epic story told by Reigns and Heyman. The Tribal Chief told Ariel Helwani before WrestleMania 39, “High tide raises all boats,” and he was right.
Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Drew McIntyre, and LA Knight have all benefited exponentially from their involvement in the Bloodline story.
It took the aforementioned match against Reigns at WrestleMania, and the resulting loss, to make Rose the sympathetic and beloved babyface he is today.
Joining 'The Bloodlines' as an honorary ace strengthened Zayn's character, and fans saw the eternal underdog defeat Reigns, who dethroned him for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Elimination Chamber in Montreal last February. He has been elevated to a position on the card that people want to see.
Owens faced Reigns several times for the championship and reunited with Zayn to defeat The Usos in the main event of night one of last year's Showcase of the Immortals.
And then there's Drew McIntyre. He's as creative as ever, and everything about the heel persona we see today goes back to that fight with Reigns in Cardiff, Wales. The title was taken away by Chicoa in his debut match. . The bitterness from his loss drove him to become a trolling villain.
And then there's Jey, who split from Reigns and moved into singles on Raw, becoming the first Superstar to lock Gunther on the main roster and saving his spot as ring general for the Intercontinental Championship. It's a creative choice made possible by his connection to the mob and the moral dilemma that led him to break free from the clutches of his gaslighting cousin.
Raines' character is one of those superstar athletes whose lack of confidence and insecurity turns him into a gaslighting, manipulative, and selfish monster. It's more likely that Heyman, the chess master, brought it out in him, but there's no denying that this is an incredibly talented character who has far-reaching effects on everyone who comes close to him.
positive effect.
Rose, Zayn, Owens, McIntyre, Jey… They weren't just opponents of the month built for the company's biggest stars to conquer, like the creative styles of decades ago . They built up and nearly knocked Reigns off, managing to get hotter and more involved with the opposing fans thanks to both their own and Reigns' effectiveness.
The current creative state of WWE and its top stars can be traced back to Reigns, and it's still accepted that Reigns was a main event attraction in every sense of the word and the era-defining star he was expected to be. There's no denying how directly responsible he is for some of the most fascinating characters and their success, which may be an inconvenient truth for some.
Promoted to god mode
None of that suggests that Reigns will always be that kind of guy. To suggest that is not only wrong, it is irresponsible. The second-generation star, a son of Wild Samoan Shika, struggled to establish himself as the face of the company.
He rose to fame as one-third of The Shield, but when that group disbanded and he, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose went their separate ways, it was the self-styled band that struggled to evolve. It was “Big Dog.”
He entered the arena wearing the same equipment and with the same music, but faced rejection from fans who wanted more than to be spoon-fed as John Cena's successor. He worked hard and had great performances against monster heels like Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar, but something was missing.
He felt too one-dimensional and forced. What we were seeing each week was not a reflection of the man behind the tactical equipment.
It wasn't until the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic that he realized his potential, including his heel turn, his on- and off-screen partnership with Heyman, and the creation of The Bloodline. It took some time to overturn it.
His mic work has improved dramatically and is more natural than before, his facial expressions telling the story without him having to say a word. His body language signaled a dominant presence within his family and the squared circle, but could change quickly if his position at the top of the table was threatened.
The layers of the characters are now clearer. Here was a man who fought for what was right but was rejected by the fans and had his confidence shattered until Heyman invaded his life. He listened to the voice of the snake, regained his confidence and accepted his role as the top star of the company and the head of his family's table.
But those anxieties still shine through today. When The Rock returned on the February 2nd episode of SmackDown, we saw it on his face. We've seen it every time an opposing superstar confronts him with the truth.
This is a complex character that captures the audience's attention and forces them to see what happens next.
Add to that a grand entrance with epic theme music and an aura like no other, and it takes Reigns from jaded and mediocre to his status among the elite and iconic WWE Superstars. You can get a presentation that will push you up all at once.
WWE's most unforgettable superstar?
Considering the impact Reigns had on WWE during its hottest and most lucrative period, and his ability to hold the World Championship for nearly four years and still have fans invested in his story, this begs the question. Reigns' spot on pro wrestling's Mount Rushmore is becoming increasingly difficult.
Not to mention his claim as the company's most unforgettable superstar.
We've watched him grow and evolve since day one. He wasn't a product of another company that benefited from the mass marketing machine that is WWE and evolved into the icon that he is.
Reigns almost succeeded. in spite of A machine that initially endured mediocre creative and lack of vision for its characters beyond “generic good guy,” but this believable character with the ability to build and elevate other characters to main event status It became a character with so much depth.
This isn't Hogan defeating the villain of the month, or Austin and Rock working with the same few superstars. Reigns has worked with everyone from Bray Wyatt to Cesaro to Owens to Zayn to Knight.
Few of these superstars have fared badly for collaborating with him and being involved in overarching stories, which is a true sign of a capable superstar.
Those who are disenfranchised from his current reign as champion because he is less present or doesn't defend his title consistently will one day look back on what he accomplished and helped create. You'll realize that it was all more meaningful, more unique, and more unique. What was special about this era of wrestling was that it was never overexposed, and every appearance meant so much more.
Is Raines a goat?
That's a discussion for another day, but as he approaches the main event of the next WrestleMania, the story is ready to get even hotter and more dramatic with the participation of The Rock and his friend-turned-tormentor Seth Rollins. As he matures, the Tribe Chief has become one of the most unforgettable superstars in WWE history, and we shouldn't take for granted what he's built and continues to build. .
