The Curious Case Of Roman Reigns And The Royal Rumble
Another piece done by freelance writer, Jon Fisher.
“This is the thing. You’re just sitting there talking. You’re just sitting there yapping. Yap. Yap. Yap.”
“I thought Irishmen had potatoes. It looks like you’re just smuggling some tater tots.”
Roman Reigns is the WWE World Heavyweight champion and will put his belt on the line at the Royal Rumble in the Rumble match. It’s the first time in WWE history that the title was defended in that match. Despite what some may think, the title was vacant in 1992. Ric Flair won the match and the championship.
At first glance, the way WWE officials came up with the match deserves recognition. Then again, even if they didn’t have Reigns defend the championship in the match, the outcome would still be the same. Triple H is still winning the Royal Rumble match.
Triple H hasn’t been on WWE programming in several weeks. He’s selling the injuries he sustained at the hands of Reigns on WWE Raw. A couple of episodes later, Stephanie McMahon told Reigns he’d get what is coming to him soon enough. How long will they wait to let HHH get revenge? This Sunday will be that day.
Everyone’s expecting Triple H to come out at no. 30 and eliminate an exhausted WWE champion to win the Rumble and the belt, which will set up a main event match at WrestleMania 32. Here’s what is wrong with that scenario: not many people want either man to win the match.
As agreeable as it may be when WWE fans want someone new on top, Reigns’ main roster career isn’t that long. He’s only 30-years-old and can bring in a younger audience, which is who they are targeting. There’s already a Twitter account called, “Reject Roman Reigns” and it has over 1700 followers.
With the WWE’s current booking strongly in mind, who else is able to win the Royal Rumble match? Triple H and Brock Lesnar are two viable options, but it appears Lesnar may head towards a WrestleMania match with Bray Wyatt.
Wyatt isn’t a logical choice because he didn’t do enough to warrant a WWE championship opportunity. Sure, the Wyatt Family defeated the Dudleyz a few times, but when was Wyatt’s last big victory? He had a losing streak at PPV’s close to the double-digits.
Unless they turn Dean Ambrose heel, while aligning with the Authority, and he captures the WWE championship, the WWE doesn’t have many options.
Keep in mind that WWE’s booking is in the conversation right now.
They don’t have many major stars. Seth Rollins, John Cena and Cesaro are all out with an injury. When they lost these men, new stars weren’t created. Which is odd, because Sasha Banks and Paige got hurt and WWE officials built Becky Lynch to be the next-big female babyface.
Either way, this situation with Reigns is one that can’t be fixed overnight. Actually, they almost did it at the TLC pay-per-view, but he went back to his old-self the week after. Would that be something fans can stay in to for a long-period of time?
Reigns as an absolute destroyer seems like that’s best for business. However, to be the top man in the company, mic skills are apparent and necessary. Imagine Cena doing appearances and entering feuds with all that he has without cutting a promo past one minute. Lesnar can get away with it because of Paul Heyman.
Heading into the Royal Rumble pay-per-view this Sunday, the WWE has two options.
- Roman Reigns retains his WWE championship and Triple H wants a match at WrestleMania 32 in the main event.
- Triple H wins the title and Roman Reigns is granted a match at WWE Fast Lane. If he is victorious there, he faces HHH for the belt.
As a fan base, the question should most-definitely be asked, what now?
The WWE supporters who loathe Reigns, then don’t root for him. For those that think they could book a better show than the WWE, by all means go ahead. Vince won’t see it.
Wrestling isn’t always going to be good. Even in the prestigious Attitude Era lied horrible storylines and mediocre wrestling. In fact, the wrestling today is eons better than it was 20 years ago on a consistent basis.
At the Royal Rumble this Sunday, the WWE may do something that could make anyone curious. AJ Styles is supposed to appear in the match.
Stephanie did say on WWE Raw that someone could win it that the WWE Universe has never seen before.
Kind of makes you curious, doesn’t it?
