John Cena has discussed the disconnect that WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns has with the fans of the company.

Cena was recently interviewed by Jimmy Traina on the SI Media Podcast where he talked about his feud with Reigns and how Reigns has it tough right now with the WWE fans. Reigns and Cena had a big program in 2017 wherein the build-up they would cut various worked shoot promos on each other. Part of the storyline was about what they perceive the other to be and why the crowds react the way they do. This would lead a match at the No Mercy PPV event where Reigns would go over.

“Roman has it tough. I kind of ruined this for everybody…the content, the format change did,” Cena stated. The former WWE Champion would continue by stating that the Attitude Era drew male 18 to 35 viewers and while the show still does have those fans, they are a PG product. Thus, WWE has to give them essentially Shrek or Cars or the Lego Movie due to the nature of their product. As a result, there are older fans who don’t want to watch that style of product and want an edger product. He stated that you have to try to push but also consider the younger fans.

Cena brought up the point that WWE’s fanbase is so mixed to the point that there’s never going to be a good guy that appeals to everyone and even when fans get behind someone then they will say that the company is getting behind them and that’s the reason for his push not because the fans want it.

The former WWE Champion stated that when Reigns was in the Shield, people loved him and even though he didn’t change much since that time, there is a giant uprising from fans. He thinks that it ’s tough waters to navigate as a company and it’s tough to build stars.

Cena added that when you look at the fans and numbers, people like Reigns. Thus, the reason WWE backs him.