March 30, 2017
Welcome to another edition of “Book It” I’m your favorite columnist Mr. Kyle Robinson and this week I’m brining you a very special opinion piece only 84 hours away from the biggest event of the entire Wrestling calendar, WRESTLEMANIA. This post has sat in the idea bin for a while and I wasn’t sure when, or how to write this post but I figured it would make the most sense to publish it right before what could be the biggest match Roman Reigns ever has in his career, a Wrestlemania bout with the Deadman himself, the Undertaker. Now when they first had this match as a rumor back in January at the Royal Rumble, all the way through to now, I’ve NEVER gotten excited for this match. Not because of the Undertaker, but because of Roman Reigns. Now, some of you reading this might ask yourself: “But Kyle, Roman Reigns is being groomed as the next John Cena, how do you not like him?”
Lack of Charisma
So there will be a few comparisons to John Cena in this article due to the fact that most people think that Roman is aiming to replace Cena. That said one of my biggest issues with Roman is he has no Charisma. If you’re going to go out there and captivate an audience, you have to believe it, and it’s obvious that Roman doesn’t. If you look at Cena on his debut, he came in and you knew he was going to be a star from the word go and now look at him. While Roman has good skills in the ring, he doesn’t have the ability on a microphone to get him over as the top level babyface they want him to be.
Lack of Character
People have said this about Cena but the fact was when he debuted he was the Dr. Thuganomics. He was a white rapper with an edge and he was a heel. That’s how people saw him when he debuted so when he switched to the Hustle Loyalty and Respect Cena, it was a jump that made sense, but added depth to the character. Roman hasn’t had that moment, he’s always come out and just beat up people for personal gain, there wasn’t more the that. Now that he’s on his own, it’s still very much I’m going to beat you up for one reason or another, and it’s never usually a good reason. What I think would help Roman, as it helped Rock would be a good Heel run. Make Roman the muscle for a faction or a team, and I think he ends up getting way more over than the route they are trying to run with him right now.
Over-Exposure
WWE is so hard pressed to get Roman over as a face that they cramming him down the throats of the viewer, and unless you’re a woman whose tits almost pop out on air, than it’s likely you’re hating it. Because there are wrestlers you feel should be getting that push because they’ve worked harder for that spot than Roman. Not saying he’s not worked hard, but at the same time he’s not worked for nearly as long and doesn’t deserve it as much as some of these other guys. That’s just my overall opinion.
Roman is a LONG way from a bad talent. Really, Roman has the ability to be a fantastic wrestler for the company, in the main event picture for a long time to come. But if they keep running into the brick wall with the booking and shoving him the way they have, he’s never going to be the top guy that they want him to be.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Roman is a top guy, or do you think he’s an over-rewarded worker who they see too much in? Share your thoughts in the comments section. Next week, we’re going to be breaking down Wrestlemania week in a special Wednesday post. Until then, I’m Kyle Robinson picking up the pen and closing the book on this subject.