50 Ups & 50 Downs For WWE's Decade: The 2010s
24. The 2015 Royal Rumble
One year on, and Daniel Bryan was still the man fans insisted remained at the top of the card. However, 12 months was long enough for the audience to find a new hate figure in the departing Batista's place. Enter Roman Reigns. 'The Big Dog' become the new muscular golden child and now faced even greater vitriol than 'The Animal' had a year earlier.
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WWE attempted to get around the problem by having Bryan eliminated early, but it only fuelled hatred that lasted even longer. By the time Roman despatched Rusev to win the bout, the hostility had peaked, and even a transparent rub from The Rock couldn't curb the ill will.
As an out-and-out babyface beloved by 100% of the audience, Reigns never truly recovered.
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