10 WWE Superstars Who Turned Heat Into Magic

The WWE crowd do not like being told what to do. After The Shield’s bubble burst, the industry was blessed with three sterling singles competitors. But the WWE played their hand too heavily, insisting that Roman Reigns was the standout star. He was rejected en masse, booed out of the building, but still he was pushed.

Wrestlemania 31, it seemed, was where this would all come to a head. Reigns would overcome Brock Lesnar and walk out with the World Heavyweight Championship, his journey complete. Through no real fault of his own, he was drawing incredible heat by the virtue of having been forced down viewers’ throats. So when Seth Rollins came sprinting down the ramp of the Levi’s Stadium, Money In The Bank briefcase in hand, the sense of shock was equal to the feeling of relief. This was one of the biggest swerves the WWE has pulled in many a year, and made for a heart racing ending to one of the best ‘manias on record.

It’s worth remembering that Reigns and Lesnar put on a high quality, heavy hitting one on one before Rollins made his entrance, but it’s the finish that makes this a truly great moment. Reigns here is ultimately collateral damage - built up to be the next great contender, then sacrificed before the masses.