10 Reasons Why Roman Reigns' WWE Heel Turn Has Been So Successful
3. 'Acknowledge Me'
"Acknowledge me."
What a fantastic catchphrase.
We haven't spoken too much about the actual 'Tribal Chief' gimmick, which leans into Reigns' Samoan heritage and also the legacy of his family within wrestling. It is a brilliant title and the mafioso gimmick that Reigns has built around it has been superb.
As the 'Head of the Table' he implies that because of him, the rest of his family and the wider WWE roster are able to provide for their families; because without him, there would be no show. No company. It's an incredibly egotistical thought process but not exactly one without merit.
Therefore, Reigns wants people to acknowledge that fact. Those two simple words have become an absolute heat magnet, and when Reigns demands that whatever town they are in acknowledges him, the response is electric. (It's almost turning into cheers.)
Not only is it a brilliant way to draw a reaction from the fans, but it's an excellent heat builder with a rival. During the somewhat sketchy build to WrestleMania 37, having Reigns demand that a Hall of Famer such as Edge acknowledge him was brilliant.
It shows just how far Reigns' ego has spiralled out of control, which feeds into all the other excellent components of this brilliant heel run.