Nearly one year later, the idea of Roman Reigns laying waste to an entire Survivor Series team is not a foreign one. Obviously WWE's choice to lead the company into the future, Reigns is a made man. He is the guy that will stand atop the WWE mountain when the John Cenas and Randy Ortons of the world are long gone and booking him to tear through a team of five would be smart booking, especially since he is portrayed as a juggernaut of sorts. But in 2013, Dean Ambrose was still very much looked at as the guy that would emerge from The Shield as a top draw and the future of the industry. He was the guy given a singles push and the most mic time of the three Hounds of Justice. So when Ambrose was eliminated two minutes into the traditional Survivor Series tag bout that kicked off that year's show, fans were shocked. Some were even outraged. By the end of the contest, though, all they would be talking about was the sheer dominance of Reigns and the potential he had to be the company's next breakout star. Spear! Jimmy Uso was gone. Spear! Cody Rhodes followed. Spear! Down went Goldust. Spear! Rey Mysterio was eliminated. In fact, the only member of the opposing team Reigns did not dispatch of was Jey Uso, who Seth Rollins knocked off earlier in the contest. That Reigns was able to wipe out the other team in the manner he did, with no partners to lean on by the conclusion of the contest, was even more impressive. The reaction to each elimination grew louder and louder and by the end of the contest, the somewhat enigmatic Reigns had earned the respect of the audience. In the weeks and months to follow, he would continue to utilize an explosive, high-impact offense that popped crowds and grabbed the attention of management, who finally realized just how special the second-generation star was. Hernia surgery sidelined Reigns in September but he figures to be back better than ever as WWE embarks on the long road to WrestleMania 31 in San Francisco.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
