10 Wrestling Repeats That Just Didn't Work
2. WWE Try To Make Roman Reigns Fit John Cena Mould
There was a time when John Cena would rap his way through promos, delivering visceral lines and causing audiences to 'ooh' and 'aah'. With the advent of the 'PG Era', his character changed to one much more child-friendly.
The change prompted Cena's promo style to shift, and he was now more likely to deliver cheesy dialogue that made it difficult for adults to relate to him.
It's one thing to place such a character on John Cena, he's a naturally charismatic guy who can work around most things. It's another to try and replicate the exact same formula with Roman Reigns, and expect people to buy into it.
That's exactly what WWE did in 2015, they turned Reigns into John Cena-lite. Suddenly, his bad !*$% aura of before gave way to an altogether more hokey personality.
Lines like, 'suffering succotash, son' did not fit in with the look and feel Roman had previously presented.
There was an immediate backlash. Crowds fiercely began booing Reigns, a trend that has continued to this day. What a baffling, not to mention ill-advised, call from those in charge.