As a long-time wrestling enthusiast and someone who has witnessed the evolution of Roman Reigns‘ career, I must say, it’s been quite the journey! From being met with boos to becoming the beloved Tribal Chief, his transformation is nothing short of remarkable.
At long last, I’ve witnessed the return of the Tribal Chief to the WWE arena! After an agonizing nearly four-month hiatus that seemed like forever in wrestling time, Roman Reigns graced us with his presence again at SummerSlam 2024. The moment he stepped back into the ring, it was clear that the “Original Tribal Chief” had reclaimed his position.
As a lifelong fan of professional wrestling, I can understand why some viewers might feel skeptical about Roman Reigns returning to the role of a “face” character in WWE. After all, the previous attempts to make him the main good guy of the company didn’t exactly go as planned. But let me tell you, based on my years of watching and analyzing wrestling, I truly believe that this time around things will be different for Reigns. In fact, I think we’re about to witness one of the most genuine and well-earned babyface runs in recent memory.
Roman Reigns’ SummerSlam Return Was The Pop Of The Night, And Possibly Year
During SummerSlam 2024, there was an abundance of thrilling moments across the entire event, which consistently elicited enthusiastic reactions from the audience at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Nevertheless, the most electrifying moment undeniably belonged to Roman Reigns’ unexpected comeback. The crowd’s reaction when his music played was nothing short of incredible – it was palpable excitement that sent shivers down your spine as fans leaped to their feet. Simply put, the energy was electric.
To put it simply, among all reactions this year, none has been as massive as the one during the WrestleMania 40 main event, apart from CM Punk’s return in Chicago at Survivor Series: War Games in November 2023. This reaction only grew louder and more passionate, reaching a peak just before Regins used a spear to take down Sikoa. It was as if the entire stadium was uniting with Regins in that moment.
As Reigns towered over Sikoa, much like Michael Cole put it, it seemed we were witnessing a “resurgence reminiscent of the Roman Empire.” Given the Tribal Chief’s past relationship with fans, particularly his time as a fan favorite, this spectacle was nothing short of astonishing and exhilarating.
It’s No Secret That WWE’s First Attempt To Get Reigns Over With Fans Failed Miserably
Prior to Seth Rollins’ betrayal of Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose in June 2014, The Shield was a major sensation in wrestling. The WWE attempted to leverage this popularity by rapidly promoting Reigns as if he were the second coming of Christ following the group’s disbandment. Unfortunately, this strategy fell flat, with fans showing strong resistance. This dissatisfaction was apparent during the 2015 Royal Rumble, the WrestleMania 31 main event, and even Rollins’ Money in the Bank cash-in. It peaked when Reigns defeated Triple H in the WrestleMania 32 main event, as fans were clearly not on board with this development.
From the summer of 2020 onwards, when Reigns changed sides and initiated the Bloodline narrative, audiences consistently jeered him due to a persistent refusal by Vince McMahon and those in power to heed feedback. Despite his intense WrestleMania battles with Brock Lesnar, which frequently culminated in both combatants sporting masks of blood, fans remained indifferent and eventually rebelled against the continued promotion of Reigns over all other competitors.
Turned out to be quite fortunate, as it transformed Reigns into a loathed villain (heel) by many fans within the company, setting the stage for the multiple WWE Champion to truly embody his wicked persona.
The Bloodline Storyline Helped Everyone Involved, Especially The Tribal Chief
In summary, over the last three years, the Bloodline has proven to be one of WWE’s greatest stables ever, transforming mid-card performers like Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Jimmy and Jey Uso into main event talent. Additionally, it helped launch the careers of Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu. Notably, even The Rock has been associated with this group. However, it is Roman Reigns who has reaped the most benefits from being part of the Bloodline.
Approaching the one-year mark of his nearly four-year reign as champion, the Tribal Chief underwent a transformation from a villainous main event competitor to the most prominent figure within the company. His bouts, while occasionally concluding with some underhanded tactics by his allies, possessed an intense, championship fight atmosphere. Each title defense felt monumental and significant. For the first time in his career, Reigns was able to demonstrate his physical prowess, authority, and, crucially, his unique personality.
Now that he’s no longer a part of the Bloodline, the redemption tour has begun…
A Decade After Being Booed Whenever In The Ring, Reigns Was Getting Massive Reactions Despite Not Being On TV For Four Months
After Reigns’ defeat at WrestleMania 40 against Cody Rhodes, there was a significant transformation in The Bloodline and WWE as a whole over the subsequent weeks and months, with changes happening almost immediately. For the first time in years, the Tribal Chief was noticeably absent from SmackDown, although his influence remained palpable.
Every time Sikoa, who seized power through a violent uprising along with his associates and often threatened or assaulted Paul Heyman, there would be cries for Roman. Whenever Sikoa would declare his claim to the throne, once more, the crowd roared for Reigns. For the last four months, fans have been eagerly anticipating the comeback of this now-adored superstar, a clear example of being extremely popular in the wrestling world.
The ‘Original Tribal Chief’ Has Spent The Past Four Years Building Himself And Winning Over The Crowd, And It’s Paying Off
In this recent phase, Reigns didn’t just receive the coveted role in WWE without due effort; instead, he has diligently worked for years, delivering exceptional matches and a remarkable storyline that ranks among the best in contemporary wrestling. The thunderous applause at SummerSlam 2024 was not a mere gift but a recognition of his tireless efforts over the past four years, where he consistently won over audiences week after week. It’s become evident that his dedication is finally paying off.
As a lifelong WWE fan, I have to say it’s been quite frustrating at times when it seems like the company doesn’t listen to its audience. We, as fans, invest our time and emotions into these characters and storylines, and it can be disheartening when they don’t seem to resonate with the powers that be.
I’m eagerly anticipating uncovering what lies ahead for Roman Reigns, and I can hardly contain my excitement for his return to the ring during an upcoming WWE show. To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve felt this level of enthusiasm about him.
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2024-08-11 23:07