10 WWE Elimination Chamber 2018 Impulse Reactions

2. The Roman Reigns Conundrum

roman Reigns
WWE.com

Roman Reigns' victory is a quandary for WWE.

His character is inconsistent and his push obnoxious, but he's an objectively great wrestler, and his last match with Brock Lesnar was tremendous. Workrate is not Roman's problem. His catalogue of excellent pay-per-view bouts justifies his WrestleMania 34 spot, but 'The Guy' vs. 'The Beast' is a troublesome booking regardless.

Reigns' popularity problem won't go away until the company turn him heel. Thus, when WWE attempt to coronate him in New Orleans, the producers best have their mute buttons at the ready. New Orleans will drown 'The Big Dog' in hatred and bile when he wins: a backlash of WWE's creation, not his own.

Then there are the ongoing steroid allegations, which could still hijack the 'Mania main event. As per Dave Meltzer on this weekend's Wrestling Observer Radio, the allegations are now "a lot more convincing then a couple weeks ago," and Reigns could yet feel the sting. It's all hearsay at the moment, of course, but if he's guilty, WWE have a major problem on their hands.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that, but the risk is real.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.