How Good Was Babyface Roman Reigns Actually?

If this all comes across a little harsh, then cast your minds back to Roman’s first Royal Rumble victory in 2015. The Rock is a man who is very aware of his public popularity, and he looked like he’d rather be anywhere else as choruses of boos showered the ring and he raised his cousin’s hand in victory. This was a sentiment felt throughout the world too, as Roman was arguably the worst-received Rumble winner of all time.

Some of that was down to Daniel Bryan being the fans’ favourite, but Reigns was also becoming public enemy numero uno due to how fast he was being pushed. This win came just 7 months after the break-up of The Shield, and Reigns had been a huge fan favourite just 12 months earlier when he eliminated 8 men and finished the match as runner-up to an enormous, positive fan reaction.

It would get worse.

Not only did Reigns have to suffer being a grown man calling himself the 'Big Dog', but this was used against him literally when Dolph Ziggler, Bobby Roode and Baron Corbin handcuffed him to a ring post and poured dog food all over him. Vince McMahon’s fingerprints are all over this hot garbage, but it’s Roman Reigns who has to suffer this image being out in the public for the rest of his life.

On a more positive note, Reigns became only the 2nd man to beat The Undertaker at WrestleMania 33 in a match that he did exceptionally well to carry considering how far 'Taker was past his best in 2017. This was eclipsed by Roman opening Raw the following night and being greeted by over 7 minutes of building-shaking boos and chants of “go away” and “you suck”.

His one line, “This is my yard now” is the first time he channeled the future cool of the 'Chief', but it really is a testament to how fans felt about Roman during these years that the hate directed his way was so unforgettably toxic.

4/10