5 Biggest Winners & Losers From WWE Raw (Oct 24)

5. Loser: Roman Reigns

Last night’s final build towards HIAC’s United States Championship match saw Rusev and Roman Reigns engage in a set of pre-taped promos. Neither man appeared live on the show, and while the format sent one of Raw’s most heated feuds into the PPV on a cold note, the interviews themselves were fine, and the environment effectively masks Reigns’ weaknesses in particular.

Unfortunately, Reigns suffered not for his own performance last night, but Rusev’s. Roman’s own spiel was middling and inoffensive, but Rusev cut what essentially amounted to a sympathetic babyface promo ahead of what should be the most brutal match of his career. As strong as his performance was, Rusev painted himself as the good guy by highlighting Reigns disrespecting his family and ruining his wedding, leaving the face/heel divide blurrier than ever.

Reigns was paired with Rusev on the belief that Rusev is so detestable, the fans would have no choice but to get behind Roman. It hasn’t worked, and in painting Rusev as a guy worth rooting for, WWE have only dealt further damage to their doomed attempt at getting Roman over as a babyface. The project isn’t working, and WWE shot themselves in the foot again last night.