5 Times WWE Tried To Pass The Torch To Roman Reigns

5. The Rock At Royal Rumble 2015

While Roman Reigns’ coming-out party as a solo act arguably came at the 2014 Royal Rumble – where he eliminated a record 12 men – it was his turn in the 2015 Rumble that started his elevation to the top of the card.

It also marked the first major backlash against Roman and sparked this ongoing see-sawing of his career.

That Rumble was supposed to be Reigns’ coronation, with the conquering hero entering at #19 and eliminating six men en route to earning a WrestleMania title shot against the invincible Brock Lesnar. But there were two problems with this plan: Daniel Bryan was in the match, and the Rumble took place in Philadelphia.

Bryan entered at #10 and fans went crazy. But when he was eliminated just before Roman entered the match, they went ballistic, turning on the entire Rumble and booing everything Roman did.

Even The Rock coming down to ringside to stop an Authority beatdown on his cousin couldn’t stop the boos, as the Philly crowd mercilessly jeered Roman, even as Rock raised his hand in celebration, anointing him as the man with a date with destiny.

When The Rock can’t overcome a crowd’s animosity, you know something is awry.