It's Official: WWE STILL Can't Finish Roman Reigns' Story

Eddie Kingston Jon Moxley
AEW

Beyond the less than ideal notion that your support as a fan means very little, it is far more interesting, narratively, for a wrestling promotion to go with a babyface, and then a heel, and then back again. WWE reversed a decline in ratings late last year and felt big-time again in early 2023 under the very simple ideas that the good guy might win after all, and being happy as a fan is a good thing. There's obviously somewhere to go: up, for f*ck's sake!

It's also very cool and gratifying and less oppressive to watch an awesome babyface wrestler smash through or make mugs of the competition. Hiroshi Tanahashi led the NJPW resurgence of the 2010s with his stunning, recording-breaking, fifth reign with IWGP Heavyweight title. He played heel situationally at times, in accordance with the crowd psychology of puroresu and the audience's love of of spirited underdog, but the core of the character was a deeply intelligent and dependable fighting champion. Fans were drawn to his matches and his arc because they back and believe in winners. He was the Ace in name and stature.

Using another modern example - WWE, realistically, cannot emulate the Hogan push when the episodic TV model is vastly more important than house show business - AEW booked Jon Moxley as World champion for 277 days across 2020. It wasn't just well-received critically and a TV success (Moxley's quarter hours in 2020 were excellent). The idea of Mox as the clever badass whose word was law allowed him to become the heart and soul of the promotion.

The idea that the story ends when the babyface wins is stupid WWE brain-washing, and the time to end Roman's run was on Sunday. That atmosphere was almost unparalleled in all of pro wrestling history.

The Roman Reigns title run has peaked. It is at this point woefully contrived, which the finish to the Cody match brought into focus. The sheer level of work and emotion - which will be very difficult to recapture - elevated the match layout on Sunday, which was the customary Roman fare. It is getting ridiculous. Fake. How many times can a ref get bumped?

CONT'D...(3 of 5)

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!