Roman Reigns has turned a corner. I don’t know if that’s what’s required to return WWE’s TV ratings to past levels. But it’s a monument to patience in booking and sticking with your guy, things I didn’t think WWE was still capable of.
Reigns has won over the fans, and the biggest tangible benefit is to Reigns and his character. He has conviction. It shows in his face and you can hear it in his promos. That’s very important. If you don’t believe, why should we believe in you?
Why did this happen now, after the first try failed to such a decisive degree?
Not sure. There’s no perceived slight to Daniel Bryan this time. Brock Lesnar mostly hasn’t been there, and I’m curious to see how the marks react when he and Reigns intersect again. Sheamus isn’t a nailed-on main-eventer, but he did a solid job putting a shine on Reigns. Battling a gang has helped a babyface virtually every time.
But the biggest thing is the McMahons selling for Reigns.
People don’t want to see The Authority anymore. If the marks aren’t tired of the evil GM/owner gimmick, they should be.
But, as trite as all that is, the McMahons have value, particularly Vince. Triple H, too, when his involvement is more physical than verbal. (Overrated talker. Not funny.) Both sold for Reigns, big-time, and things came together.
That’s not coincidence.
