7 Reasons Why The Shield Must Not Reunite At WWE TLC 2017

2. Roman's Popularity Problems

The Shield Triple H
WWE.com

WWE had done a decent job of re-configuring Roman Reigns' character prior to No Mercy. It felt like the company finally realised that he was never going to get over as the all-conquering babyface they dearly want him to be, and it was reflected in their booking. Gone was the "one versus all" underdog nonsense, replaced with a brash, tweener-esque personality that played more to the performer's strengths, but it was all washed away at No Mercy.

Reigns survived a dumbfounding four Attitude Adjustments before putting John Cena away at the PPV. His Superman push is back, and if his post-match crowd reaction is anything to go by, 'The Guy' is more hated now than ever before.

At a time when Seth and Dean are drawing some of the loudest cheers of their career, it makes zero sense to lumber them with a jeer-magnet like Reigns, whose affiliation will only detract from his former partners' reactions. This risks destroying the reunion as a whole, as fans won't know whether to cheer Rollins and Ambrose or boo Reigns, thus taking the gloss off what should be a special moment.

In this post: 
The Shield
 
Posted On: 
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.