For years, WWE fans knew Roman Reigns as “The Big Dog,” a powerhouse babyface who headlined WrestleMania multiple times and dominated the ring with his signature Superman Punch and Spear. But in a recent interview with IGN to promote the release of WWE 2K25, Reigns made it clear: that version of him is gone for good.

“There is no Big Dog. He’s dead now… It didn’t happen.”

The remark came during a lighthearted segment where Reigns and his on-screen advisor, Paul Heyman, reviewed internet memes about himself. When presented with a meme contrasting his “Big Dog” era with his current “Tribal Chief” persona, Reigns dismissed it entirely, emphasizing that only one version of him matters now.

It’s a telling statement, considering Reigns’ massive transformation since returning to WWE in 2020. Under the guidance of Heyman, he rebranded himself as “The Tribal Chief,” a ruthless and calculating champion who has held the WWE Universal Championship for over 1,200 days. His reinvention turned him from a divisive figure into one of WWE’s most compelling characters.

This wasn’t the only time Reigns made headlines during his IGN appearance. While reviewing another meme about the NFL, he didn’t hesitate to take a shot at two major wrestling cities:

“Cleveland sucks. Pittsburgh sucks. Niner Gang.”

Given WWE’s deep ties to those cities—Pittsburgh is home to Kurt Angle, while Cleveland produced The Miz—his comment is sure to spark debate among wrestling and football fans alike.

Reigns also reacted to AI-generated memes, acknowledging the rise of artificial intelligence in online culture. Looking at an altered image of himself, he quipped:

“The advancements in AI… we were talking about that last night. This ain’t real. This is a five. An AI five.”

From erasing his past to dismissing entire cities, Reigns continues to embrace his role as WWE’s most dominant figure. One thing is clear—The Big Dog is gone, and The Tribal Chief isn’t letting anyone forget it.

Fans in England and Italy will have their chance to see Roman Reigns live as part of the European road to WrestleMania 41. On February 27, WWE confirmed that the OTC will be live at SmackDown from Bologna, Italy on Friday, March 21. Reigns will also be live at the following week’s edition of SmackDown from London, England.

WWE’s Road to WrestleMania 41 will travel through Europe with several tapings planned across the continent. The full tour is as follows:

Reigns’ role at WrestleMania 41 remains unclear, though there have been rumors of a triple-threat showdown with CM Punk and Seth Rollins. However, with Punk and Rollins both being Monday Night Raw talents, it remains to be seen how Reigns’ SmackDown fits into plans.

Whatever the case, fans in Europe will have their chance to acknowledge Reigns live and in person in March 2025.

The Bloodline may be one of the most dominant factions in WWE history, but behind the scenes, there’s no shortage of laughs. According to Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso is the funniest member of the group – by far.

In a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri ahead of the release of WWE 2K25, the “Tribal Chief” opened up about The Bloodline’s real-life chemistry – and why Jimmy stands out as the natural entertainer.

“I would say, and I think we all agree, Big Jim is by far the funniest of all of us,” Reigns said.

He explained that his brother always had a magnetic personality and shined in social situations.

“Way back in the day, we’d be in a bar or something—me and Jey keeping to ourselves—and then like, ‘Where’s your brother at?’ Look around and you see Jim over there making best friends.”

Reigns praised Jimmy for his charisma, positive energy, and ability to make connections with ease.

“Nobody makes best friends like Jim, but that’s because he’s funny, he’s personable, he’s got great energy, he’s super positive, and he’s always having a good time,” he explained. “Jimmy is by far our best greatest entertainer and funny guy.”

The acknowledgment from Reigns only solidifies what many WWE fans already knew—Jimmy Uso’s infectious energy isn’t just an on-screen persona, but a core part of who he is.

With WWE 2K25 on the horizon, fans will soon get to experience The Bloodline’s dominance (and maybe some of Jimmy’s humor) in the virtual ring.

Kayla Becker didn’t hold back when discussing Roman Reigns during her appearance on After We Wrap, a podcast hosted by actress Gabriella Ortiz. When the topic of Reigns came up, Becker had a playful but pointed response.

“Oh, we’ll deal with him, girlfriend, because he just blows you off anytime you ask him an intelligent question—just like a man,” she joked.

As a backstage interviewer for WWE, Becker frequently interacted with Reigns, especially during the years-long Bloodline storyline.

She also shared her appreciation for Reigns’ on-screen advisor, Paul Heyman, adding with a laugh,

“His little sidekick Paul Heyman can get it too.”

Becker’s comments offer a lighthearted glimpse into the dynamics behind WWE’s biggest stars and those who work with them. While Reigns remains one of WWE’s most dominant figures, it seems he may not always be the most cooperative interview subject.

Though she has left WWE, Becker remains closely connected to the industry, often reflecting on her experiences and friendships built along the way. Whether or not she’ll cross paths with Reigns again remains to be seen, but for now, she’s enjoying life outside the wrestling bubble.

Roman Reigns has firmly established himself as one of the biggest names in WWE history, but being at the very top has proven isolating for the Tribal Chief. During an appearance on the No Contest Wrestling podcast, Reigns was asked if there was anything he missed from his early days in WWE.

“I mostly miss being in the locker room. I miss the camaraderie, that bond with the boys. But I had to grow up, you know? It was time to choose—either be a superstar or be one of the boys, and I picked business.”

Reigns’ decision to pick ‘business’ has seen him become one pof the biggest names in wrestling, and prioritizing his career has gone well for the OTC and his family. While Reigns is content with his current position and work process, he acknowledged that if he could, he would like to spend more time in the locker room to help guide others, not just his family but the entire roster.

“I’m not mad where I’m at now; I like my system, I like my process. But if I could just be in that locker room a little bit more, I probably would.”

Reigns’ is currently off WWE programming after the post-elimination assault he suffered at the hands of Seth Rollins during the 2025 Royal Rumble event. It’s unclear when Reigns will be back, but expect huge plans for the former Universal Champion, even if he wishes he could still be just ‘One of the Boys.’

WWE 2K25 will hit shelves this March and fans are eager to see how the latest instalment in the franchise plays. Given the special ‘Bloodline Edition’ of the game, the Anoa’i family will be a huge part of WWE 2K25, including in the Showcase Mode.

The mode will follow several members of the Anoa’i family, including ones outside of the popular Bloodline storyline. Matches confirmed for the mode include:

• Roman Reigns (c) Vs. Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins – WWE Royal Rumble 2022
• Nia Jax Vs. Lyra Valkyria – WWE King And Queen of the Ring 2024
• The Wild Samoans (with Captain Lou Albano) Vs. The Dudley Boyz

These three matches highlight various members of the Anoa’i family, even if the tag-team match never actually happened. For the entire Showcase Mode, Paul Heyman is on hand to introduce the matches, helping to build the atmosphere and set the tone before each bout.

WWE 2K25’s Showcase Mode will mark a major change from previous Showcases in WWE video games. These changes include:

• Entrances: For the first time since WWE 2K17, entrances are back in a Showcase Mode. Introductions are back as well.
• Commentary: This year’s Showcase will feature specific commentary for wrestlers during their entrances. Commentary during matches is also back.
• Cutscenes: Cutscenes leading from one sequence in the gameplay to the next are back, and are skippable. Previous games included the ‘Slingshot’ approach in which gameplay was spliced with real-life footage from WWE’s past events.
• What If Scenarios: Players will be able to take history in a different direction, such as having Roman Reigns beat Seth Rollins at the 2022 Royal Rumble.

WWE 2K25 is shaping up to be another exciting instalment in the franchise, one that will see plenty from the Anoa’i family. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE 2K25 ahead of the game’s release on March 14.

Roman Reigns’ immediate future in WWE is uncertain following an attack by Seth Rollins after the Royal Rumble. The length of Reigns’ absence remains unknown.

On Monday’s Raw, Michael Cole provided an update on Reigns’ condition. However, instead of a detailed injury report, he relayed a statement from WWE’s medical staff confirming that Reigns would be out of action for the foreseeable future.

The situation stems from the Royal Rumble, where CM Punk eliminated both Reigns and Rollins. Afterward, Rollins launched a vicious assault on Reigns, culminating in a Stomp on the steel steps. Later in the match, Logan Paul eliminated Punk. Rollins took credit for injuring Reigns later in the show.

Reigns’ absence adds another chapter to a rocky several months in his career. In 2024,  Solo Sikoa had challenged Reigns’ leadership, which ultimately led to a split in the faction following Reigns’ hiatus after his WrestleMania XL loss to Cody Rhodes. Reigns made a shocking return at SummerSlam, attacking Solo Sikoa and seemingly turning babyface for the first time since 2020.

Reigns later participated in a WarGames match, where he helped his team secure victory over The New Bloodline this past November. With his status now uncertain, questions remain about when and how The Tribal Chief will return.

WWE 2K25 will feature a special Bloodline Edition, celebrating Roman Reigns’ faction and the wider Anoa’i family. Recently, the OTC was asked for what he thinks Afa and Sika, both of whom passed in 2024, would make to the Bloodline storyline.

“I think they’re looking down on us and they’re proud. I think they’re looking at what they started and they’re seeing what we’re developing.”

Reigns and his family have played a pivotal role on WWE for years now, a period of time that has seen wider changes to the company at large. When asked if this was the ‘Bloodline Era’ Reigns left it to others to define this period of time, but felt the name was apt.

“I don’t think you can go wrong by saying it’s the Bloodline era, the Tribal Chief era. We are the center of the storm. We make everything happen. All roads run through us. Even Cody Rhodes.”

The Bloodline saga has continued to develop, with eyes now on new arrivals including Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga. As for Roman Reigns, it remains to be seen what’s next for him after a different family member stood tall at the 2025 Royal Rumble PLE.

Roman Reigns has responded to WWE fans questioning if the Bloodline storyline is winding down. The Tribal Chief makes it cyrstal clear: there’s still plenty left to explore.

The latest chapter in the Bloodline saga unfolded during WWE’s Raw debut on Netflix (January 6), where Reigns defeated Solo Sikoa in Tribal Combat to reclaim the Ula Fala and reaffirm his status as the Tribal Chief. With the storyline dominating WWE television since his return in August 2020, fans have speculated about when it might come to an end.

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Reigns dismissed the idea that the story is nearing its conclusion, emphasizing its continued potential:

“I think there is so much meat left on the bone and so many different ways to go. I’ve only given X amount. There are so many more layers for me to showcase. There are so many more layers for Jey, Jimmy [Uso], Solo [Sikoa], Jacob, or Tama [Tonga].

We have so many great characters. For the Wiseman. There are so many more layers to showcase. We’re all in our prime. I’m in the best shape of my life. Wiseman is getting into the best shape.”

Reigns further reinforced his confidence in the storyline’s longevity. For someone who has done it all and been the company’s top box office attraction for a few years, he’s not looking to hang it up any time soon.

“It’s one of those things where, I think we can do this forever. I really do. A lot of people were like, ‘3rd inning.’ That was game one. It’s a seven-game series. I’m not trying to bring up these analogies to pinpoint timelines. That’s me saying confidently I can run this thing for two more years, no problem.”

As WWE’s top attraction, Reigns’ belief in the Bloodline story’s continued success suggests that fans can expect more twists and turns in the coming years. He’ll compete in his first Royal Rumble match in five years in just a matter of hours.

Roman Reigns Drops Supremely Confident Message Before the Royal Rumble

Roman Reigns is making his long-awaited return to the WWE Royal Rumble match tonight, marking his first appearance in the iconic battle since 2020. In anticipation of his historic return, Reigns took to Twitter, posting a message that strike fear into the other 29 participants. Make not mistake about it: Roman Reigns is locked in.

“In due time… It will all be mine. My way. Again. Believe That.”

Since his return to WWE in 2020 as the ‘Tribal Chief,’ Reigns has dominated as champion, holding the Universal Championship for a historic 1,316 days. His lengthy reign kept him out of Rumble matches for the past four years, with his last appearance in 2020 ending as the runner-up to Drew McIntyre.

Now, for the first time under his current persona, Reigns is set to enter the high-stakes match with the potential to reclaim his dominance. With WWE legends like John Cena, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Drew McIntyre also competing, the 2025 Royal Rumble promises to be an electrifying event filled with surprises.

Will the ‘Tribal Chief’ make a statement in his first Rumble match in five years? Fans won’t have to wait long to find out.

WWE 2K25 is officially set for release on March 14, with pre-orders launching today, January 28. Now, 2K.com have revealed some of the features fans can look forward to.

• 2K Showcase: The Bloodline’s Dynasty: Explore the Anoa’i family legacy with Roman Reigns, The Rock, Yokozuna, and more. Play historic matches or fantasy dream bouts.
• The Island (PS5/Xbox Series X|S Exclusive): An interactive WWE-themed free-roam world where players complete quests, earn unlockables, and vie for a WWE contract.
• Expanded Roster: Over 300 playable characters, including current stars, legends of the past and WWE Hall of Famers.
• New Match Types: Intergender wrestling debuts, alongside Chain Wrestling, Bloodline Rules Match, and Underground Match.
• MyGM Online Multiplayer: Compete with up to 4 players worldwide to build the best WWE brand.
• MyFACTION: New card packs, modes, and a World Tour feature add replayability to the collectible card mode.
• MyRISE: A multi-gender storyline featuring NXT takeovers and player-driven decisions.
• Universe Mode: Revamped with branching promos, new cutscenes, and expanded creative options.
• Creation Suite: Design custom Superstars, arenas, movesets, and more with robust customization tools.

WWE 2K25 will be available in three different editions. tHESE ARE:

• Standard Edition ($69.99): Includes Dual-Gen entitlement and pre-order bonuses like the Wyatt Sicks Pack and WWE 2K24 base game (digital).
• Deadman Edition ($99.99): Includes Standard Edition content, exclusive Undertaker items, Season Pass, and early access starting March 7, 2025.
• The Bloodline Edition ($129.99): Includes Deadman Edition content plus exclusive Bloodline-themed items, WrestleMania 41 content, and additional perks.

During WWE Raw, Roman Reigns was revealed as the cover star for the standard edition of WWE 2K25. The OTC told 2K that he was excited for his family to take a leading role in the upcoming game.

“I am personally and professionally excited that the Original and Only Tribal Chief and the extended Anoa’i family are the focus of WWE 2K25. We’ve been building toward this moment for generations and I challenge players everywhere to show me and my Wiseman, Paul Heyman, what they’ve got, and prove they’re worthy of the attention of their Tribal Chief.”

WWE 2K25’s Standard Edition will hit shelves on March 14, 2025, while both the Deadman Edition and the Bloodline Edition will be available one week earlier. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE 2K25.

The January 27, edition of WWE Monday Night Raw saw Roman Reigns revealed as the cover star of WWE 2K25, the next instalment in the popular franchise. Shortly after the reveal, WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded the game’s first official trailer, giving fans an exciting preview of WWE 2K25.

Much of the game’s railer focuses on this year’s Showcase Mode, which will focus on Roman Reigns and The Bloodline. Matches featued in the trailer include:

• Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns – WrestleMania 40
• The Usos vs. The New Day – Hell in a Cell 2017
• Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso – Hell in a Cell 2020

The trailer featured an impressive lineup of playable Superstars, including Cody Rhodes, The Undertaker, CM Punk, and more. It was also confirmed that The Wyatt Sicks will be pre-order bonus characters, in the debut video game for many of the faction’s characters.

Fans won’t have to wait long to get their hands on the game, as WWE 2K25 is officially set for release on March 14. Fans who pick up either the Deadman Edition or the Bloodline Edition will have access to the game a whole week earlier on March 7. The game will be released on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X and PC.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE 2K25, including roster and stipulation reveals as well as more exciting news from the upcoming video game.

Roman Reigns has another accolade to his name, as the OTC has been revealed as the cover star of WWE 2K25. On the January 27, edition of WWE Monday Night Raw, Paul Heyman appeared in the ring and reveale the cover on the upcoming video game.

This is the second time Reigns will be featured on the game’s base cover, and the first time as the only wrestler. Both he and Becky Lynch were on the cover of WWE 2K20 back in 2019. This year also marks the first cover for Paul Heyman. On X, it was revealed that not only will Reigns adorn the standard cover, but he will be part of a Bloodline Edition of WWE 2K25.

WWE 2K25’s Bloodline Edition is the second special edition announced for the game. Earlier this week, WWE anounced a Deadman Edition of the upcoming game featuring WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker. Though details about either copy of the game have yet to be confirmed, fans are excited to see what’s to come in the massively popular pro-wrestling video game franchise.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE 2K25, including roster and match-type reveals as well as other exciting news from the new video game.

Roman Reigns has officially declared his entry into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match, with his sights set on a potential showdown with Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41.

During the January 10 episode of WWE SmackDown, Paul Heyman addressed the fallout from Roman Reigns’ victory over Solo Sikoa in a Tribal Combat Match on the premiere of WWE RAW on Netflix. In the match, Reigns reclaimed the Ula Fala, signaling the conclusion of his feud with Sikoa and his readiness to move forward.

Heyman opened the show by “acknowledging” Cody Rhodes, the reigning, defending, Undisputed WWE Champion. According to Heyman, Rhodes had earned Reigns’ respect, but Reigns was determined to regain his championship. Declaring for the Royal Rumble, Reigns made it clear that his ultimate goal was to challenge Rhodes for the title at WrestleMania 41 if victorious.

Reigns joins a growing list of high-profile entrants in the Royal Rumble match, including CM Punk and John Cena.

A former Royal Rumble winner in 2015, Reigns last competed in the event in 2020. In the years since, he dominated as Universal Champion, defending his title throughout an historic reign.

Now, he looks to reclaim his place at the top of WWE by winning the Royal Rumble and earning another chance at championship gold.

WWE Royal Rumble 2025 Odds: Current early favorites

For the first time since 2020, Roman Reigns will enter the Royal Rumble. On this week’s episode of SmackDown, Paul Heyman, speaking on behalf of Reigns, announced that “The Tribal Chief” has declared for the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble.

Heyman opened the show by addressing Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, proclaiming that Reigns is determined to reclaim the title he lost to Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 40 – Night 2. Reigns aims to achieve this by winning the Royal Rumble and earning a shot at the championship.

This announcement marks a notable shift, as Reigns has entered the last four Royal Rumble events as the WWE Universal or Undisputed WWE Champion, rather than as a Royal Rumble match competitor. Reigns previously won the Royal Rumble in 2015, a victory that was overshadowed by fan backlash when the audience favored Bryan Danielson (then Daniel Bryan) over him. Despite an endorsement from The Rock, the win remains one of the most polarizing moments in Royal Rumble history.

The 2025 Royal Rumble is already shaping up to be a blockbuster event, with other top stars like John Cena and CM Punk also declaring their entries. The event will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Roman Reigns is not saying no to a Rock match.

The Netflix premiere episode of WWE Raw saw The Tribal Chief finally reclaiming the Ula Fala after defeating Solo Sikoa. The Great One even showed up after the bout to acknowledge his cousin and the two shared a hug at the show.

Despite all the pleasantries, the question of a potential match was asked to Roman in the post-Raw press conference. Reigns was asked if he would like to tease the bout and The Head of The Table said that he would just let people speculate about it:

“I don’t have to tease anything, you guys do it for us. We’re just going to let the Internet do its thing. [Saying yes or no], that would defeat the whole purpose of this. The Internet won’t do its thing if I said yes or no. So, we’ll see.”

• Roman Reigns Set For Jan. 27 Raw, WWE 2K25 News Teased

Apart from this, Roman Reigns was also asked about John Cena calling him the greatest of all time. The former WWE Champion claimed that he’s too busy to be thinking about such things. Reigns noted how the whole thing is really subjective but also discussed how John Cena is a very smart man and reminded everyone that his metrics prove Roman to be the goat.

The future of Solo Sikoa is another big question coming out of the show. After the New Bloodline leader failed to prove his dominance over the Original Tribal Chief, it’d be interesting to see how his faction members react to his loss.

Fans can expect to learn much more about WWE 2K25 in a matter of weeks, if a tease on this week’s WWE Monday Night Raw is to be believed.

During the show, Roman Reigns confirmed his role as the OTC by defeating Solo Sikoa in Tribal Combat. In a backstage segment, Paul Heyman asked his Tribal Chief about his next appearance, which Reigns confirmed will be on January 27. As the pair entered a locker room, the WWE 2K25 logo was featured on the door, teasing that updates about the much-anticipated game will be shared on the January 27, Raw.

Reigns won’t be the only notable name at the January 27, edition of WWE Raw. That same show will also see Bill Goldberg appear inside Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. The WWE Hall of Famer will compete in his final match this year, with many predicting a showdown with World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER to be in the works.

Find Out More About Goldberg’s Imminent WWE Return

WWE 2K25

WWE 2K25 will be the 25th installment in the series, and the eleventh game under the WWE 2K banner. The game is expected to release in early 2025, the same time window as recent installments in the WWE 2K franchise.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Roman Reigns, as the one, true Tribal Chief continues to be a force to be reckoned with on TV, and in the WWE 2K series.

WWE has delivered a remarkable series of matches in 2024, showcasing the evolution of professional wrestling and the company’s commitment to in-ring excellence. From historic WrestleMania moments to breakthrough performances at premium live events, these matches have defined the year in wrestling. Here’s a comprehensive look at WWE’s finest matches of 2024, ranked by their technical quality, storytelling, and overall impact.

5. LA Knight vs. Logan Paul – SummerSlam

This compelling matchup at SummerSlam demonstrated the versatility of both competitors, with LA Knight’s traditional wrestling prowess meshing perfectly with Logan Paul’s athletic innovation. Their contrasting styles and natural charisma created an unexpectedly dynamic contest that had fans on their feet throughout.

4. Bron Breakker vs. Sami Zayn – SummerSlam

The Intercontinental Championship match between Bron Breakker and Sami Zayn represented a pivotal moment in WWE’s future. Breakker’s victory signaled the arrival of WWE’s next generation, while Zayn’s veteran performance elevated the entire encounter to must-see status. Their contrasting styles created a compelling narrative that resonated with fans worldwide.

3. GUNTHER vs. Sami Zayn – WrestleMania 40

The Intercontinental Championship clash between GUNTHER and Sami Zayn embodied professional wrestling’s finest elements. This physical confrontation showcased GUNTHER’s unprecedented championship reign against Zayn’s unwavering determination, culminating in one of WrestleMania’s most memorable undercard matches.

Their contrasting styles – GUNTHER’s technical precision versus Zayn’s never-say-die attitude – created a masterclass in ring psychology that kept audiences invested throughout every moment.

2. Cody Rhodes vs. AJ Styles – WWE Backlash

Rhodes’ championship defense against Styles in France exemplified professional wrestling at its finest. The match garnered universal acclaim, earning WWE’s first five-star rating of the year from wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer. The passionate French audience provided an electric atmosphere that enhanced this technical masterpiece, as both competitors demonstrated why they’re considered among the industry’s elite performers.

1. Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns – WrestleMania 40

The WrestleMania 40 main event marked a historic moment in WWE history as Rhodes challenged Reigns’ historic championship reign. This match represented the culmination of multiple storylines: Rhodes’ three-year quest to capture the title his father never won, and Reigns’ dominant run as champion. The bout delivered an emotional narrative filled with dramatic near-falls, strategic wrestling, and meaningful character moments that will be remembered for years to come.

While this year’s Survivor Series War Games match was, on its surface, a battle between two different versions of The Bloodline, the last minute addition of CM Punk to the team captained by Roman Reigns reframed the narrative. The story largely came down to Punk and Reigns as uneasy partners, bound by being two of the most successful Paul Heyman Guys.

The unlikely duo did wind up successfully coexisting, but it nonetheless returned a spotlight to the concept of Paul Heyman Guys and who among the celebrated cast of elite stars The Wise Man has helped along the way really is the best. We’ll never have a definitive answer, but it is interesting to compare the top contenders.

Bully Ray

Bully Ray is probably the most surprising act to appear on a list of the most successful Paul Heyman Guys, but when one stops to think about it, it’s both pretty remarkable what the former Bubba Ray Dudley has accomplished and how unlikely his story was had Heyman not put him in a position to succeed.

Though Bully Ray never had a main event singles run in ECW, he was nonetheless one of the promotion’s top stars, a heatseeking missile who drew nuclear reactions from the live crowds. Moreover, the opportunities afforded to him in ECW laid the foundation for his legendary run with D-Von Dudley as one of the greatest tag teams of all time, across ECW, WWE, TNA, and elsewhere.

It was in TNA where Bully Ray realized his full potential, booked as the leader of the Aces and Eights faction, world champion, and the definitive top heel in the promotion for the better part of the year. While he never broke out in WWE, this run proved what he had inside of him as a talker, worker, and wrestling mind, making good on everything Heyman had seen in him from back in their days in Philly together.

CM Punk

CM Punk was an indie darling but ran into a brick wall after signing with WWE. Upper management didn’t see a lot in him, but Paul Heyman did.

Heyman’s role running developmental at that point set him up to work closely with an eager Punk who sat under Heyman’s learning tree while further honing his craft. Against the odds, The Straight Edge Superstar did rise to prominence on the main roster in time. He did some of his best work as a long-reigning WWE Champion, with Heyman serving as his Advocate. Though Punk never needed a mouthpiece, Heyman certainly added to his presentation.

Punk’s resume since first collaborating with Heyman speaks for itself. He is, to date, a two-time WWE Champion, three-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, WWE ECW Champion, rare two-time WWE Money in the Bank winner, and two-time AEW Champion. It’s a record that places him among wrestling’s most accomplished stars of his generation.

Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns was Vince McMahon’s final hand-picked face of WWE, but it wasn’t until Reigns dropped the white meat babyface persona The Chairman had saddled him with and turned heel alongside Paul Heyman that he broached God Mode.

His positioning as the top babyface placed Reigns as a regular rival to Brock Lesnar, which gave him his first opportunities to collaborate with Heyman. Things went to an entirely new level when Heyman and Reigns formalized their partnership though, with the duo collaborating closely behind the scenes just as Heyman played The Wise Man on screen for Reigns and his Bloodline faction.

Since partnering with Heyman, Reigns enjoyed a historic three and half year reign as WWE Champion that cemented his place as the face of the company and probably the tip-top star of his generation. That’s not to mention that Reigns just won his second Survivor Series War Games main event and the smart money has more world title glory, WrestleMania main events, and other elite accolades in front of him.

Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar was an exceptional amateur wrestler and one of the few talents to succeed at the highest levels of pro wrestling and MMA alike. While The Beast’s real life combat credentials have little to do with Paul Heyman, his WWE journey was largely molded by his relationship with his advocate.

The generally accepted story is that most of the people advising Lesnar early in his career encouraged him to work like a standard big man who worked a slow pace, hit power moves, and never left his feet. Heyman saw bigger things in taking advantage of Lesnar’s natural speed and agility to lead to The Next Big Thing he’d become. Add in Heyman as a necessary mouthpiece and Lesnar became one of the biggest stars WWE has ever seen.

Stone Cold Steve Austin

The year was 1995 and nobody believed in Steve Austin. Austin had been let go from WCW out of a combination of his attitude issues and injuries, combined with a new focus on established imports from WWE. As for WWE, while they would end up signing Austin, it was for the explicit purpose of being a mechanic who could put over stars they were actually invested in in good technical matches.

It was Heyman who put a live mic in Austin’s hands and, in so doing, paved the way the way for the Texas Rattlesnake fans would come to know and love as Stone Cold Steve Austin. Like he did for many others, Heyman gave Stone Cold an opportunity to experiment and spotlight his strengths. Yes, Heyman would also manage Austin in WCW for a spell, and back him up as part of The Alliance in 2001, but it was Austin’s ECW run that permanently branded him as a Paul Heyman guy, and he went on to some of the most explosively successful years in pro wrestling history.

Triple H has explained why being an unconventional face of WWE works for Roman Reigns.

WWE tried to follow the blueprint of conventional babyfaces with Reigns after the breakup of Shield but for many years fans rejected him as the face of the company. It wasn’t until The Big Dog turned heel and became the Tribal Chief that he was able to truly cement his status as a larger-than-life superstar in league with names such as Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

During a recent appearance on the Roommate show, Triple H discussed how the same things do not work for different stars. He mentioned that people like John Cena or Cody Rhodes are guys that are the perfect representative of the company at all times:

“Every star sort of has the things that work for them. Cena is like the, if you were to say ‘Give me the perfect sort of I’ll do anything for the company guy,’ it’s Cena. He knows what he should do for him, he knows what he should do for the company. He’s the first guy there, last guy to leave. He’ll do all the media.

He’s a perfect representative of the company at all times. Cody Rhodes is very much like that as well. [He] sort of models himself [after that] because he was a young up-and-coming guy when Cena was on top. So he was seeing that and that’s how he sees himself as that’s how you become the top guy.”

• Triple H: WWE Is Bigger Right Now Than The Attitude Era

Roman Is Totally Different: Triple H

Roman Reigns on the other hand is completely different. Triple H discussed how Reigns unlike other past faces of the company does not care much for appearances outside of WWE programming. This approach however, works for him:

“Roman is totally different. Not in a bad way like to do the ultimate PR thing or do the ultimate appearance thing. He’s like ‘I don’t feel like that’s worth my time.’

But that works for him because if we took that character and we put that character in all these other things, we kind of hurt the character. Because it’s not what the character is. So it’s not that he doesn’t want to do it. It’s that he doesn’t feel like the character should do that stuff.”

Apart from this, Triple H revealed that a lot of celebrities want to be a part of WrestleMania 41 and claimed that he was the one who pitched Montreal Screwjob to Vince McMahon.

• Triple H Reportedly a “Very Big Fan” of NXT Superstar

The highly anticipated clash between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa is the direction for the debut episode of WWE Raw on Netflix. The match, billed as Tribal Chief vs. Tribal Chief in Tribal Combat, will take place on January 6th at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles if Solo accepts.

During this week’s episode of SmackDown, Reigns delivered an emotional promo reflecting on his recent setbacks. Reigns lamented losing everything that once defined his dominance—his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, his Wiseman Paul Heyman, the Bloodline faction, and, most importantly, his Ula Fala (symbolizing respect and leadership). The WWE Universe is buzzing as Reigns vows to reclaim his legacy in this monumental showdown with Sikoa.

Reigns and Sikoa’s Heated Rivalry

This feud between Reigns and Sikoa has been simmering since SummerSlam, when Reigns made his shocking return and cost Sikoa a chance to dethrone Cody Rhodes as the Undisputed WWE Champion. The animosity has only escalated, with the two most recently facing off at Bad Blood, where Rhodes and Reigns defeated The Bloodline in a tag match. However, the tables turned at Crown Jewel, where Sikoa and the New Bloodline scored a victory over Reigns and The Usos.

Their paths crossed again at Survivor Series: WarGames, with CM Punk and the reformed OG Bloodline emerging victorious over Bronson Reed and the remnants of the Bloodline faction. This has set the stage for what promises to be a grueling Tribal Combat match, symbolizing the fight for leadership within the Bloodline’s storied legacy.

Star-Studded Premiere Episode

The January 6th premiere of WWE Raw on Netflix is shaping up to be a must-see event. In addition to the Reigns-Sikoa headliner, WWE has advertised appearances from top names like Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, and John Cena. Reports indicate that Seth Rollins and Punk are expected to face off in another marquee matchup, with WWE stacking the card to make this debut episode an unforgettable experience.

Roman Reigns and CM Punk have once again cemented their place as top draws in WWE with impressive social media numbers on various platforms. At Survivor Series: WarGames, the pair forged an uneasy alliance as the OG Bloodline with Punk defeated Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline with Bronson Reed in the main event.

Across WWE’s social media platforms, clips involving Punk and Reigns amassed a reported 204 million views in the 24 hours after the show. One Instagram Reel, which sees Reigns block Punk’s entry into the match has hit 91 million views, a reported record-breaking figure for any IG Reel from the promotion within the time window.

Other highlights of this social media dominance include:

• Reigns blocks Punk’s entry – 13.6 Million views on TikTok
• Roman Reigns scales the WarGames cage – 10.8 Million views on TikTok
• Punk enters when Reigns intended – 7.4 Million views on TikTok
• The OG Bloodline Win WarGames – 7.4 Million views on TikTok
• Punk saves Reigns from Bronson Reed’s Tsunami – 18 Million views on Instagram. 3.1 Million views on TikTok

The pair are also dominating on Instagram and YouTube, with clips featuring Reigns and Punk being the most viewed from Survivor Series: WarGames. The event came one year after Punk’s shocking return to WWE, which also broke records in terms of viewership.

These numbers highlight the immense star power both Roman Reigns and CM Punk bring to WWE’s table and bodes well for the promotion’s long-term plans. In the build to Survivor Series: WarGames, Punk was promised a favor from Paul Heyman, with fans speculating that this favor could see Punk share the ring with Reigns again, this time as adversaries. Heyman and Punk embraced after the WarGames main event, though the WWE Hall of Famer did not embrace Roman Reigns.

Reigns has confirmed his role in WWE Raw’s debut on Netflix, a show that Punk is also expected to be a part of. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on CM Punk and Roman Reigns as the pair continue to be bonafide draws on WWE programming.

Roman Reigns and CM Punk may have been on the winning side at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, but the pair of WWE icons struggled to stay on the same page. In the main event of the Vancouver PLE, Reigns, and Punk, alongside Sami Zayn and The Usos, emerged victorious inside WarGames, besting Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline and ‘Big’ Bronson Reed.

Tensions In the Cage

As seen on SmackDown, there was plenty of animosity between the two former World Champions going into the match which played out in Canada. When Punk tried to enter the match, Reigns was quick to establish dominance by blocking him and sending Sami Zayn into WarGames instead. Later on, Punk got payback, as when Reigns decided it was time to join the match, Punk barged in front of the OTC, visibly irritating his ally.

When Reigns eventually entered the match (after CM Punk,) Sikoa’s Bloodline did what it could to block the arrival of the Head of the Table. Sikoa locked the cage to keep Reigns out but Roman would scale the cage and arrive via a dive from the top, setting the tone for the dominance he would dish out in his second-ever WarGames match.

Moments of Cooperation

Tensions between Punk and Reigns continued to boil in the ring, with Paul Heyman pleading to his Tribal Chief and the Best in the World to co-exist for the night. Sure enough, the pair proved to be able to work together, as seen when Punk saved Reigns from Bronson Reed’s attempted Tsunami off the cage.

While Reigns and Punk tried to get along and co-exist inside WarGames, the chaos of the match saw Reigns accidentally spear Punk when attempting to level a member of Sikoa’s team. The move only served to show the lack of coordination in Reigns’ group, in stark contrast to the well-oiled machine Sikoa has honed since taking over the Bloodline back in April.

After the Match

The finish of the match saw Solo Sikoa eat the finishes of the OG Bloodline and Punk and Reigns shared a handshake once their team emerged victorious. Not only did the pair shake hands, but the two posed with their allies after the match, both in the ring and at the entrance stage.

CM Punk left a lasting impression in his first WarGames match, and reminded Paul Heyman of the favor he now owes the Chicago-Made star. The nature of this favor remains a mystery at this time, but with Heyman’s involvement, Survivor Series: WarGames may not be the last we see of CM Punk and Roman Reigns sharing the same ring.

Roman Reigns has plans to fix everything ahead of tonight’s WWE Survivor Series: WarGames Premium Live Event. On this week’s WWE SmackDown, Reigns and CM Punk shared a tense face-to-face that made clear neither man likes the other. Punk shared that he is helping the Bloodline as it means Paul Heyman owes him a favor.

Reigns asked Heyman what this favor is, though the Wise Man said it’s important first to get Survivor Series: WarGames out of the way. On Instagram, Reigns shared his own plans for the future, saying that he’ll “fix” all the issues very soon.

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A post shared by Joe Anoai aka “Roman Reigns” (@romanreigns)

Reigns and Punk will be joined by The Usos and Sami Zayn inside WarGames to face The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa) and ‘Big’ Bronson Reed. Reigns has been at odds with Sikoa and his faction since SummerSlam, where the OTC returned and cost Solo his WWE Championship match with Cody Rhodes.

The match will be Reigns’ second time competing inside WarGames, though it remains to be seen how much trust he can put in CM Punk. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, including breaking news and live results from tonight’s Premium Live Event.

The latest episode of SmackDown featured a pivotal sit-down segment involving Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Paul Heyman, setting the stage for a potential game-changing alliance ahead of Survivor Series 2024: WarGames. Tensions ran high as Reigns, visibly impatient, threatened to leave the meeting before Punk’s delayed arrival.

Paul Heyman, acting as a mediator, found himself in a precarious position between the two wrestling icons. The conversation took an intriguing turn when it was revealed that Punk owed Heyman a significant favor from their shared history, adding a layer of intrigue to an already volatile situation.

Despite their evident suspicion of one another, Reigns and Punk reached an agreement: a temporary alliance to take on Solo Sikoa and the New Bloodline at WarGames. Described as a “one-time, one-favor” deal, the partnership seemed shaky from the outset. Heyman, ever the strategist, issued a warning to Punk—if the New Bloodline emerged victorious, Punk could find himself their next target.

While the segment aimed to recreate the electrifying intensity of past confrontations, it emphasized the fragile dynamic between Reigns and Punk. The uncertainty surrounding Heyman’s true allegiances only deepened the drama, leaving fans to wonder how this alliance will play out at Survivor Series: WarGames.