6 Times WWE Has Tried To Get The Fans Behind Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns will once again be headlining WrestleMania as he battles Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship on Sunday night. Reigns has been subjected to backlash from wrestling fans for years while WWE has tried over and over again to present him as the face of the company. Fans of Roman Reigns believe that he deserves to be “The Guy” in WWE, while others have grown tired of WWE placing him in the main event.

Here is a look back at some of the times WWE has tried to get the fans behind Reigns and the backlash it created from fans:

The Evil Boss Makes His Return (2015-2016)

Sheamus defended the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Reigns at WWE TLC 2015. Roman scaled the ladder and was inches away from retrieving the title, but Alberto Del Rio and Rusev came down to the ring and interfered. Reigns fought them off with a couple of Superman Punches, but turned around into a Brogue Kick from Sheamus. The interference allowed Sheamus to retain his title. After the match, Reigns lost his mind and beatdown Sheamus, Del Rio and Rusev.

Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and WWE officials came down to the ring to stop Reigns. Roman turned his attention towards Triple H and delivered an epic beatdown to the WWE COO. The following night on RAW, Vince McMahon made his first appearance on WWE RAW in over a year. McMahon was fired up and wanted to fight Reigns. Sheamus interrupted and stated that he wanted the pleasure of beating an apology out of Roman Reigns himself. Sheamus asked for a match that night and added that he wanted to put the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line. The crowd chanted “yes” and Vince McMahon said that there was no chance in hell of that happening. Reigns insulted Vince’s manhood and McMahon made the match official.

Vince added a stipulation to the match, if Reigns didn’t win he would be fired. Vince then extended his hand for a handshake, but delivered a low-blow instead. Roman went on to win the match to become to the WWE World Heavyweight Champion later that night.

Reigns was then forced to put the title on the line in the 2016 Royal Rumble. The League of Nations got their revenge for what down at TLC 2015 and attacked Reigns during the match. Roman made his triumphant return to the match a half hour later, but ultimately lost the belt to Triple H. Reigns went on to recapture the title at WrestleMania 32, but the fans had already turned their backs on him once again.

Daniel Bryan Shakes Roman Reigns’ Hand At WWE Fastlane 2015

Roman Reigns won the 2015 Royal Rumble in Philadelphia to become the #1 contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 31. The Philadelphia crowd booed Reigns out of the building, as most of them wanted to see Daniel Bryan win the match and headline a second straight WrestleMania.

Despite winning the Royal Rumble match, Reigns went on to battle Daniel Bryan at WWE Fastlane 2015 to determine who will face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 31. Reigns and Bryan put on a very solid match. Bryan went for the running knee but Reigns countered into a Spear for the pinfall victory. Following the match, Daniel Bryan shook Roman Reigns’ hand and told him to kick Brock Lesnar’s ass at WrestleMania. The crowd was fully behind Daniel Bryan, but WWE hoped that Bryan showing Reigns respect would get them on Roman’s side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhYKPqZsvBM

Unfortunately for WWE, their plan didn’t work out. The crowd at Levi’s Stadium for WrestleMania 31 were more behind Brock Lesnar than Roman Reigns. Seth Rollins wound up cashing in his MITB briefcase and pinned Roman Reigns to become the new champion. Even though Rollins was a heel at the time, the crowd rejoiced as the fireworks went off around him on the entrance ramp.

The Rock Saves Roman Reigns At WWE Royal Rumble 2015

The month before WWE Fastlane 2015, Reigns won the Royal Rumble match. The crowd turned on the match immediately after Daniel Bryan was eliminated. It was a foregone conclusion that Reigns was going to win and the crowd wasn’t having it all. The final three Superstars in the match were Reigns, Kane and Big Show. Reigns eliminated them both and seemed to have won the match. However, Rusev was hiding outside the ring and had not been eliminated. The Philadelphia crowd at Wells Fargo Center grabbed onto that last bit of hope tjat Reigns wouldn’t win as Rusev snuck into the ring to try to and eliminate Roman. However, Reigns eliminated Rusev shortly after and won the match anyway.

After the match, Kane and Big Show attacked Roman Reigns from behind. The Rock came down to the ring and helped out Roman Reigns. The Rock then raised Reigns’ hand and the crowd booed them out of the building. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon came down to the entrance ramp pissed off because Reigns won and The Rock was in the ring celebrating with him. The hashtag #CancelWWENetwork was the number one trend on Twitter following the show. Amazingly, even The Rock couldn’t get the fans to cheer Reigns at WWE Royal Rumble 2015.

https://www.instagram.com/p/yT6y3qIh_e/

Roman Reigns “Retires” The Undertaker At WrestleMania 33

Last year at WrestleMania 33, Roman Reigns faced The Undertaker. The entire build to this match was both Superstars wanted to prove that WWE was their yard. Reigns defeated The Undertaker by connecting with a massive Spear. After the match, The Undertaker left his hat and jacket in the ring to symbolize that he was retired.

The following night on RAW, Reigns came down to the ring to an unbelievably negative reaction from the crowd. Roman stood tall in the ring and took it. Whenever he tried to talk, the crowd would get angrier and chant louder. After several minutes of hearing nothing but negativity, Reigns simply stated “this is my yard now” and left the ring to a chorus of boos.

The negativity towards Reigns has never been as loud as it was on the RAW after WrestleMania 33. The victory over The Undertaker did not cause the majority of fans to find a new level of respect for Roman Reigns, it just made them even more sick of him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsoq1MteXSU

John Cena Raises Roman Reigns’ Hand At WWE No Mercy 2017

WWE just recently had John Cena pass the torch to Roman Reigns at WWE No Mercy 2017. The build up to this match featured several promos in which Cena and Reigns traded insults. During one promo, Reigns forgot his lines and Cena told him that he is going to have to learn how to do promos if he wants to be “The Guy”. Reigns blasted John Cena for being a part-timer and Cena responded by stating that he could do this part-time better than Reigns could ever do full-time.

John Cena lost to Roman Reigns at No Mercy and raised his hand after the match. John Cena claimed that Reigns was not capable of being “The Guy”, but after the loss he showed Reigns a ton of respect. Cena then appeared on RAW Talk following the PPV and stated that he didn’t pass the torch to Reigns, Roman took it. Cena added that WWE’s future is in good hands with Roman Reigns.

John Cena emotional saying future in good hands. Says he didn't pass the torch. Roman Reigns took it. Put him over huge on #RawTalk. #WWE

— Scott Fishman (@smFISHMAN) September 25, 2017

Brock Lesnar Is “Vince’s Boy”

Roman Reigns called Brock Lesnar “Vince’s boy” on March 12. Lesnar had been no-showing episodes of WWE RAW and Reigns was pissed off about it. Reigns took it as a sign of disrespect to him, the Superstars in the back and the WWE Universe. Reigns marched backstage and confronted Vince McMahon. The two then argued in Vince’s office and Reigns was indefinitely suspended. Vince admitted to Renee Young that Lesnar does have special privileges, but claimed that he has earned them.

On this past Monday’s episode of RAW, Kurt Angle instructed WWE Superstars to line up on the entrance ramp to prevent Reigns from getting into the ring with Lesnar. Reigns asked the Superstars if they really wanted to protect a part-timer who didn’t respect them. The Superstars cleared a path for Reigns to get into the ring. Lesnar rolled out and grabbed a chair before getting back in the ring with Reigns. Roman connected with 5 Superman Punches, but somehow Lesnar shook them off and planted Reigns with an F5.

Brock Lesnar will defend his Universal Championship against Roman Reigns this Sunday at WrestleMania 34. The build for this match has placed Reigns in the position of fighting not only for the title, but for the Superstars in the back and all of the fans that enjoy WWE. UFC President Dana White has conveniently announced that Brock Lesnar will be returning to UFC at some point. WWE is hoping that enough fans in New Orleans will cheer for Reigns during the match this Sunday.

The storyline for this match has had Lesnar attack Reigns while he is in handcuffs and mercilessly beat him down. Lesnar’s advocate, Paul Heyman, has admitted on the microphone that Lesnar only cares about the money and doesn’t give a damn what the fans think. Vince McMahon even suspended Roman Reigns for questioning him and accusing him of catering to Lesnar. All of these elements are supposed to get you on Roman Reigns’ side at WrestleMania 34. Just like every previous attempt to get the majority of fans on Reigns’ side, it will likely backfire on Sunday night.