12 Ups & 13 Downs For WWE In 2019 (So Far)

3. Catharsis

Roman Reigns
WWE.com

You can't manufacture moments like Roman Reigns' February return. Even the best fiction writers the world has ever seen couldn't craft a moment as cathartic as the night Joe Anoa'i announced he'd beaten his leukaemia into remission, and while WWE have since made a meal of 'The Big Dog's' run, 25 Feb was a special, special night.

An emotional embrace with Seth Rollins followed. Their release was real, and a full-on reunion with Dean Ambrose was inevitable. WWE smartly held off on gratification, though, with 'The Lunatic Fringe' not truly joining forces with his old buddies until the following week, when their Fastlane team was effectively set.

What was supposed to be The Shield's final match saw them pitted against an unspectacular heel unit in Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley, and Drew McIntyre. A stunning match followed. Culminating with Rollins' very raw, very real "one last motherf*cking time!" before the decisive Triple Powerbomb, it saw Roman fight like a warrior throughout, buoyed by his new lease of life.

Had it been followed up on the right way, this should've been the making of Reigns as an indomitable top guy.

Advertisement
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.