10 Reasons Why Roman Reigns' WWE Heel Turn Has Been So Successful
4. Intimidation Factor
The Roman Reigns that currently runs SmackDown is a very different man to the one before the pandemic.
Returning at SummerSlam 2020 with a bulkier physique, full beard and a mouthful of immaculate teeth, Reigns physically looks like a different beast entirely. He cuts an intimidating presence when he is stood in the ring, but it's not just his frame that adds an air of menace wherever he goes.
We've already spoken about the little details that Reigns pays attention to, and these feed into the intimidation factor. Whether it's a purposeful stare or a gentle rub of a cheek, everything Reigns does oozes danger.
It helps that the performances of Paul Heyman and Jey Uso especially, have really elevated the power that Reigns currently wields. Whether it was Jey asking 'why can't it be me?' or Heyman, in tears, begging for forgiveness, it all circles around their fear of Roman.
Speaking softly, Reigns conveys the danger to whoever he is speaking to, and a brilliant example of this attribute came on the most recent episode of Smackdown!
As Paul Heyman proclaimed desperately that he wasn't in cahoots with Lesnar, Reigns just opened his palm, demanding the mic as Paul was mid-sentence. The message was clear - shut up and give me the microphone.
And you wouldn't dare do anything else, would you?