10 Most Over Wrestlers In WWE Today

2. Roman Reigns

roman reigns
WWE.com

Roman Reigns isn't the star WWE envisaged he would become in the aftermath of The Shield. He isn't the company's top babyface. He isn't the next John Cena. One thing he is, undoubtedly, is nuclear heat generator.

As if to damn the current WWE model, Reigns is over more so by accident than design. He's meant to generate sympathy by getting beaten down and to inspire hope by eventually getting back up. That old, cynical, well-trodden path reached a dead end with John Cena, who has had to pull off an impression of the a la mode independent style to slowly sway the rising tide of venomous critical opinion.

Reigns is hated because he is perceived as the manufactured Vince McMahon project he doubtlessly is - but all is not lost. He isn't Vladimir Kozlov. Underneath the contrived surface layer is a performer with the magnetism and ability to provoke a reaction. There are clear signs that a Roman Reigns character not micromanaged within an inch of its life could be something as special as WWE portrays. He can flat out go, wrestling several classic matches in his brief WWE singles career thus far. On the post-WrestleMania RAW, he orchestrated a deafening reaction by simply holding a microphone in front of his face.

As is stands, he is persona non grata among WWE fans. He's massively over - just not as an underdog.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!