Top SmackDown Rumors: 4-time WWE Champion to be inserted into Reigns/Jey Uso storyline; Liv Morgan drops hint on her future; Goldberg's return match plans (6th November) 

#1 Reason why SmackDown Superstar Roman Reigns wasn't turned heel last year

Fans had been clamoring for SmackDown Superstar Roman Reigns to turn heel for years, and their wish was finally granted this year. Roman Reigns has surpassed all expectations fans had of him as a heel character and has proven that he is indeed The Big Dog in WWE.

Roman Reigns' 'special counsel' Paul Heyman recently spoke to Sports Illustrated about Reigns' current push. SmackDown's Paul Heyman revealed why Roman Reigns was not ready to get a heel turn and big push last year and how he has evolved as a performer.

"Roman Reigns could not pull off this portrayal of the top star in the industry, even a year ago. He wasn't weather or seasoned or experienced enough. He still worked too young. Now, you look at his face and see some seasoning and weathering. He was beating the crap out of his cousin inside Hell in a Cell and he says, 'I did this to you when we were kids and here we are 35 years old doing this.' He looks 35. He looks like a badass 35, but he looks 35. Before, he looked late 20s, early 30s and he was still too young. He wasn't grizzled and didn't have any scars. Now, you see the wars on his face. You see the pressure and obligation and responsibility and accountability and the sheer burden." (H/T Fightful)

Roman Reigns has embraced his new role on SmackDown and is firing on all cylinders.