Roman Reigns walks into Wrestlemania knowing, we assume, pretty well that he’ll be booed off. No matter how much he’s improved, no matter how much WWE is being careful with his mic skills, the hardcore fans can be immensely stubborn.And since Brock Lesnar has signed a new, long-term contract with the WWE, it darn well means that Lesnar will be favored to win at the main event of Wrestlemania. But reports still suggest that Reigns is still in the good books of the higher ups and believe it or not- him walking out of Wrestlemania as the Champ is a major indication towards the company taking a new direction.Here are five ways WWE can make fans cheer for Reigns.
#1 Bring some reality
What’s the Reality Era without many non-fictional details makingit into the fictional realm of the WWE? Sure, they’ve included his rich,illustrious family history and the story they’ve followed has been all about how he can’t really hold a candle to his family, how he’ll be the biggest disappointment his accomplished family has ever witnessed.
On the other hand, he ‘s a young man, a young father who is working hard to provide for his family. He’s just another employee who has been given a life-changing opportunity and who woudn’t take that, despite being ready or not.
The picture above is from his Wrestlemania diary and it speaks a thousand words. It’s poignant for the fact that Reigns will walk to more boos than cheers in that stadium which won’t remain empty for long. The presence of his daughter makes this even more evocative.
#2 Work on the story not the superstar
For the longest time, it seems, Vince McMahon is trying to make us believe in a superstar that he believes in.making them look strong, beating the odds and what not.But it doesn’t work that simple way anymore.
The story has to look really strong for the superstar to look really strong. The storyline has to be good for the superstar to look good. That’s something a character like Ryback has always lacked. That’s what they can’t get right with Cesaro and that is exactly what they didn’t get right with Reigns.
Lesnar’s contract status made tthe match unpredictable, sort of.But now that everything’s made official, the storyline has dampened a bit.
#3 Change that gear,maybe
While Ambrose and Rollins have moved on to new gears after the end of The Shield, Reigns gear seems to indicate a major hangover. The management needs to move on and give him something new to wear so as to give him room for some more character development.
Be it being a muscle man or a silent badass, giving Reigns a modified Shield gear and letting him keep the edited Shield theme song isn’t the best way to represent the advent of a superstar’s new singles’ journey.
#4 Let him beat Cena
If Reigns faces Cena three things can happen- either Reigns gets cheered or Cena finally, unbelievably gets support from his detractors or they’re treated like Lesnar and Goldberg at Wrestlemania 20.
But if Reigns becomes champion he should get to beat established name but get beaten by a new challenger. That’ll give rise to new competition, a new feud and more symbols of movement towards the future.
Having Rollins cash in on him and win is good but Ambrose and Reigns facing each other may be a great story if executed well. Also, let Reigns beat Cena but not become unbeaten like Cena.
#5 Repackage him
Becoming a heel has been long claimed to be a revival for any warning character. With Roman Reigns,there is a bit of family history attached. The Rock used to be infamous, unbearable babyface Rocky Maivia before he became The Brahma Bull.
If Reigns is repackaged as a heel, it’ll be great for his character. History may finally repeat itself and Reigns may just sway the support of the crowd. The needs patience and a charismatic presence. Both of which Reigns can work with.