WWE's Long-Term Plans For Roman Reigns Revealed

Looking beyond Rey Mysterio & John Cena to forecast Roman Reigns' WWE future.

Roman Reigns
WWE.com

WWE's long-term plan for Roman Reigns is to have the Universal Champion turn babyface as a company-leading star, reports the Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer spoke on Reigns, comparing his current character arc to that of Kenny Omega in AEW. Both have similar endgames to their current heel runs that will eventually lead to them turning into mega babyfaces, though the situations differ in how the two companies are booking them.

Omega is accomplishing this by at least attempting to have big, competitive, exciting matches, while Reigns is doing it by complete dominance.

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WrestlingNews.co's Paul Davis has sourced the following quote on the matter, with an internal WWE source describing the situation as "Protect Roman at all costs":-

“Vince doesn’t want to portray Roman as a cowardly heel who gets his ass kicked 50 percent of the time. He’s the guy who will carry the company for the next few years and Vince sees him as his top priority. Protect Roman at all costs.”

Reigns is expected to defend his Universal Championship against Rey Mysterio at Hell In A Cell 2021 this Sunday. In addition, Reigns has been linked to a title fight with John Cena at SummerSlam 2021 on 21 August. His current heel run kicked off at last year's SummerSlam, and is currently the most acclaimed, well-received storyline in WWE.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.