Drew Galloway predicts that Roman Reigns will be one of the biggest stars ever in wrestling, but he’ll need some time. In an interview with Sports Illustrated to promote tonight’s Slammiversary pay-per-view, the TNA World Heavyweight Champion praised WWE’s World Heavyweight Champ, saying that Roman is “such a talented guy.”
“People can see that he’s been protected a lot, which is understandable. If I was in a position of power, I’d put him in the exact same spot,” Galloway said of how Reigns is being written on WWE TV. “But it takes years to truly get over and get the fans fully behind you.”
Galloway says the fans have to go on a journey with a wrestler’s character of time in order for the character to truly “get over.”
“I won the [WWE] IC title, they saw 3MB, and it really does take a long time for people to get to know you. Truly getting over is a lot different than just getting a reaction, and time is what it takes,” Galloway said. “I understand that now. A couple years from now, or after he comes back from an injury, Reigns is going to be one of the biggest stars ever.”
Galloway also talked about another big star in wrestling, one who he calls his “hero,” Bret Hart. Galloway says Hulk Hogan may have been the “larger than life character,” but Bret was his favorite because he “wasn’t phony.” Galloway says Hart told compelling stories inside of the ring, and that’s “the most genuine thing in this business.” He also listed William Regal and Fit Finlay as other talent he really respects.