Ascendency of American professional wrestler Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns in March 2018
Professional wrestler Roman Reigns (Joe Anoaʻi) debuted on the WWE main roster in November 2012 (having performed in its developmental system since 2010) as part of a faction called "The Shield" and was well-received by critics. Support began to dwindle upon Reigns's transition to a heroic main event singles act in 2014, largely due to his perceived forced push. This would manifest itself in Reigns main eventing four consecutive editions of WWE's premier annual pay-per-view event, WrestleMania, while being booed in all four appearances.[1]
Wrestling journalists have offered both praise and criticism for Reigns, noting both his talent and WWE's apparent attempts to conceal fan hostility towards him. David Shoemaker of Grantland wrote in 2016 that Reigns was the company's "most despised wrestler" in over 25 years.[2] Fans have taken issue with Reigns over various reasons: his perceived special treatment, real-life demeanor, wrestling moveset, speaking skills and character presentation.[3] After Reigns was suspended for drug use, Yahoo! Sports pondered whether he is "the biggest failure in professional wrestling history".[4] In 2016, Reigns was voted the Most Overrated by Wrestling Observer Newsletter readers[5] as well as the Most Hated Wrestler of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers, a first for a heroic character since the award was devised in 1972.[6][7] Into 2017, WWE continued trying to establish Reigns as a megastar despite audience rejection.[8]Pro Wrestling Torch critics, including editor Wade Keller, have said that company chairman Vince McMahon is engaged in a "war on fans".[9]
Anoaʻi himself has suggested that there is jealousy from fans over his "major success",[10] mocked those who question if he deserves his fictional role,[11] discounted critiques from non-wrestlers,[12] and declared that he will not change to appease his critics.[13] Retired wrestler and Anoaʻi's childhood idol Bret Hart stated that he believes WWE themselves have "ruined" the Reigns character by utilizing bad storytelling and poor writing, and blames the company's leaders primarily for Anoaʻi failing to reach his potential.[14][15][16]
Anoa'i saw an improved reception from critics and fans from summer 2020 when he turned heel and took on the "Tribal Chief" persona, leading the Bloodline faction. By 2023, wrestling media sentiment turned positive toward Reigns again, with his work with The Bloodline and Sami Zayn receiving general acclaim, despite the length and finish of his matches being drawn out.[17][18][19]
^Newby, Jake. "WWE needs to finally do something different with Pensacola's Roman Reigns". Pensacola News Journal. Archived from the original on April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
^Cite error: The named reference shoemaker was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Keller, Wade (March 2018). "Coach telling fans they're sheep if they boo Reigns is not doing Reigns any favors". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
^Zheng, Sihan (July 15, 2016). "WWE: Roman Reigns - the biggest failure in professional wrestling history?". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
^Meltzer, Dave. "March 6, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2016 Awards issue, talent departing TNA, more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 11. ISSN 1083-9593. Archived from the original on March 15, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
^Bhutia, Jigmey (January 15, 2017). "PWI's 2016 WWE wrestler of the year and most hated wrestler announced". International Business Times. Archived from the original on January 19, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
^"PWI Achievement Award Winners". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
^Ahlig, Enrico (January 30, 2017). "Fans sauer nach Wrestling-Schlacht". Bild (in German). Archived from the original on January 30, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
^"WWE Raw post-game show hosted by Wade Keller". Pro Wrestling Torch Livecast. January 30, 2017. c. 54 (commercials vary between locations) minutes in. BlogTalkRadio. As Todd Martin, [Pro Wrestling] Torch VIP audio analyst says, it's a 'war on fans'. And Vince McMahon has a war on fans right now: he's not going with the flow – he's fighting it.
^Cite error: The named reference jealousy was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference deserves was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference CraveHaters was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference change was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"WWE's Roman Reigns' real story is better than his fake one". Yahoo! Sports. March 25, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
^"Bret Hart Says Roman Reigns is a Victim of Bad Booking". 411MANIA. April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
^"Bret Hart blames WWE booking for Roman Reigns fan backlash". Ibtimes.co.uk. April 28, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
^Roling, Chris. "Sami Zayn Betraying Roman Reigns, Bloodline Is WWE's Greatest Storyline Ever". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^Bond, Nick (December 6, 2022). "The Bloodline Blueprint: The Building Blocks of WWE's Most Dominant Faction".
^"The Bloodline story is the best told in recent wrestling history". Daily DDT. February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
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