10 Best WWE Segments Of 2017 (So Far)
4. Roman Reigns: Silent Assassin
The camera panned around the arena for a good five minutes on the post-WrestleMania edition of RAW, soaking in uniform chants of "Thank you, 'Taker". The sentiment in the arena turned sour the longer WWE maintained the charade. The appearance of Roman Reigns, the man who retired him, was imminent.
When his theme rang out, the atmosphere turned toxic. This was not the split reaction WWE insists on television that Reigns receives. He was booed out of the building by everybody in it. Why WWE thought to give their top babyface the biggest heel rub imaginable is still beyond comprehension.
Reigns' mic work in that promo - or, more accurately, the complete lack of it - was sublime heel stuff. Not for the first time on this list, WWE created something awesome that nevertheless betrayed their intention behind the character.
Reigns slowly lifted the microphone to his mouth. The crescendo of jeers rose in parallel. He lowered it. He lifted the microphone to his mouth. The noise grew. He lowered it again. He lifted the microphone to his mouth. This time, a very slight smirk materialised. This just incensed the crowd further. "It's my yard now," he said, eventually. Gauging by the reaction, the man had a point.
"You can't wrestle!" goes the chant. That's a subjective opinion outweighed by considerable, mounting evidence. What's indisputable is that he d*mn sure knows how to work.