4. His Push Has Nothing To Do With His Family Tree
One accusation Reigns constantly has to face is that his push only comes about due to nepotism, because his family tree happens to include the likes of Yokozuna, Rikishi, Umaga and The Rock. While those family connections undoubtedly played a role in him being hired in the first place, it would be unfair to pin his whole push based on that. If that was the case, would the same not apply to every second or third generation star? Was Bret Hart pushed because his father was Stu Hart? Hardly. Perhaps Terry Funk only became NWA Champion because his father was the great Dory Funk? Nonsense. Did Curt Hennig have the Hall of Fame career he had because his dad was Larry The Axe Hennig? No way. Getting noticed because of family connections is one thing, it is a foot in the door, sure, but thats where the favours stop. Vince McMahon does not run his business based on keeping relics from the past happy, even if one of them is Dwayne Johnson. Is it feasible to consider that McMahon is building the entire future of his company around Roman Reigns purely to keep The Rock sweet so he will turn up to cut a promo at WrestleMania every year? Of course not. Its absurd to even think that. If being second or third generation meant anything then the likes of Curtis Axel, Manu (another relation of Reigns who was also related to The Rock), Ted DiBiase Jr, Cody Rhodes, Primo, Bo Dallas and Jesse (Ray Gordy) would have all had been treated far better over the years.
The author of the highly acclaimed 'Titan' book series, James Dixon has been involved in the wrestling business for 25 years as a fan, wrestler, promoter, agent, and writer. James spent several years wrestling on the British independent circuit, but now prefers to write about the bumps and bruises rather than take any of them. His past in-ring experience does however give a uniquely more "insider" perspective on things, though he readily admits to still being a "mark" at heart.
James is the Chief Editor and writer at historyofwrestling.co.uk and is responsible for the best-selling titles Titan Sinking, Titan Shattered, and Titan Screwed, as well as the Complete WWF Video Guide series, and the Raw Files series.