Let’s talk about the two wrestlers that are going to main event Wrestlemania 32. Roman Reigns has seen a meteoric rise in the WWE as a babyface in spite of the common knowledge that most wrestling fans despise him and believe that he lacks the charisma or the character to carry the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Being the number one contender for the championship is no joke.
The bottom line, though, is that Reigns is clearly not the best contender to be the face of the company. However, there is a section of the WWE Universe that adores him. The company too has faith in him. This looks awfully and rather painfully familiar.
As a wrestling fan, I don’t want Reigns to turn into Super Reigns or something of that sort. There are many wrestlers that deserve the push that Reigns’ is getting, but that is a story for another time.
The current roster is definitely not the best one the WWE has had thus far and is riddled with injuries with wrestlers like Seth Rollins, Tyson Kidd and Cesaro, among others out of the picture. Let’s face it; Roman Reigns is not the best in ring performer and this match may not be as good as the WWE Championship at Roadblock between HHH and Dean Ambrose.
Plus, word was that HHH was going to face Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania. That match had to be ruled out a long time ago when Seth Rollins got injured. But this match does seem exciting as the two haven’t met in a one-on-one encounter before.
The Brock Lesnar v Roman Reigns match exceeded expectations, but of course, that may be due to the fact that it had the Beast Incarnate. Roman Reigns emerging as Champion at the end of the match may not be as HHH likes to say, “best for business.”
But let’s be honest here, Seth Rollins is a much better performer and entertainer than Roman Reigns.
The importance of HHH in the WWE
There are fans who’ve said that they’ll stop tuning into WWE if Roman Reigns wins. HHH now has a very different role, than say, a few years back. But who could have predicted that he would be the WWE Champion going into Wrestlemania 32? He is a seasoned heel and is portraying that with effortless ease.
HHH will fondly be remembered not just by Attitude Era fans, but even the current fans as NXT is his brainchild. And what a creation it has turned out be, churning out future champions and putting out solid wrestling and feuds on a weekly basis.
NXT has ensured a bright future for the WWE by attracting known figures from the independent wrestling circuit and churning out brilliant young wrestlers. The difference between the two brands is as clear as can be.
So before we start criticising COO HHH, let’s also take into consideration that a WWE title push would be too early for quite a few wrestlers and there are others who currently should get one – given their storylines – like King Barret.
The Authority and Vince McMahon clearly have a plan in mind. It would also be very intriguing to see HHH back in action against current high-level carders and that too as a heel – something for which he is reputed for.
Then there are those criticising HHH for refusing to let go of the spotlight and continuing to hold on to the title. He can still wrestle at his age and his match against Sting was much better than most matches involving younger stars today, and yet, his is seen as the one looking to bury wrestlers.
The fans don’t see Reigns or HHH worthy of carrying the title, and instead, hold Dean Ambrose or even better, Kevin Owens as a much better guy to carry the strap in their eyes.
And one can’t disagree with them. Owens is a brilliant in-ring performer, is very charismatic and he has been a fantastic heel throughout his time in the WWE. He deserves every bit of his title reign. It is only our hope that WWE begins to see him as we do – as a much better choice – compared to The Rock’s cousin, the Big Dog, Roman Reigns as Champion.
Speaking of the People’s Champion, the jabroni beating, pie eating, highflying, electrifying, elbow dropping, spine popping, eyebrow-raising people’s champ may make an entrance at Wrestlemania and may even be involved in the match against HHH, although not physically as there are insurance issues with Baywatch. But will they be able to bring 100,000 people to their feet?