If Roman Reigns was a horrible wrestler then a lot of the criticism levelled at him might be justified, but he isn't. Reigns is often viewed as a bad wrestler because fans see him as the modern-day equivalent of immobile lunks from a different era, which really is not the case. Reigns is a neo-monster, a new breed of tall, muscular wrestler who can move around the ring at speed and has the endurance to wrestle a near 30-minute match. He has an explosive, exciting move set and is capable of changing things around and varying his work when needs be. Its not like he is Sycho Sid or The Great Khali, guys pushed entirely based on their look who couldnt back it up in the ring. Reigns has proven countless times that he is capable of putting in a memorable shift between the ropes. Right from his first WWE match alongside Shield brethren Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins against Team Hell No and Ryback at TLC 12, Reigns has been involved in quality matches. His various bouts as part of the Shield against the Wyatts were sensational, as were his solo efforts with Daniel Bryan (Fast Lane 15), Brock Lesnar (WrestleMania 31) and Bray Wyatt (Hell in a Cell 15). They were all excellent outings, featuring the kind of quality fans expect from their main events. It could be argued he was in there with superior workers, but then the same could be said for any number of top talent over the years who have been made to look better than they are by their opponents. The perception of Reigns as a bad wrestler comes from the booking. Countless outings against his worst opponent The Big Show significantly hurt him, as did matches against similarly-useless sloths like Braun Strowman and Kane, not to mention the snooze-inducing and stale Randy Orton. Reigns needs to be booked with opponents that accentuate his strengths, the old Paul Heyman/ECW method of getting someone over, not forced to wrestle stale acts and immovable giants because that is what Vince McMahon thinks gets a babyface over. This is not the Hulk Hogan era anymore.
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.
