Backstage View of Roman Reigns’ Promos

The latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter mentions what the backstage view of Roman Reigns’ promos looks like among certain circles. Reigns’ skills on the microphone have somewhat hindered his progression as an up-and-coming mega-star in the eyes of a lot of Internet wrestling fans, and it seems as if some within WWE itself feel the same way.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter claims that some backstage have said that Reigns’ promos are killing him. They believe that it’s not just his “green” delivery on the mic, but also the words that WWE writers are penning for him.

Those talking about the situation backstage have stated that it feels like the scripts being written for Reigns have put him in proverbial “quicksand,” and that they may make him sink faster into his own trap if he continues to read such mediocre material. With Reigns being positioned to look strong in the ring, in video packages, and elsewhere, people feel as if the disconnect with him as a performer happens as soon as he opens his mouth.

While the question therein is, “how can WWE writers fix this before it’s too late?”, some WWE officials are already losing faith in Reigns’ potential as the next “John Cena.” While Triple H and Vince McMahon immediately thought Reigns could be the next top guy due to his amazing look and marketability, the WWE Universe is obviously wanting a bit more than just a pretty face and a built body these days.

Initially, it was believed that Reigns was destined to win the 2015 Royal Rumble Match and head to WrestleMania 31 as the No. 1 Contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Not only that, he was believed to be getting groomed behind-the-scenes to win the title and take his “rightful place” atop the main roster on March 29 in a match with current champion Brock Lesnar. Belief was that if Reigns conquers the conquerer of The Undertaker’s streak, he’d instantly be a made man.

However, fans have not received Reigns as well as the company would have hoped, mostly due to his lack of mic skills combined with the feeling that his “push” is being forced down their throats. The company has reportedly now been questioning their original WrestleMania plans, and may not even allow Lesnar to carry the title into WrestleMania 31.

Seth Rollins has been added to the John Cena vs. Lesnar championship bout at “Royal Rumble” on Jan. 25, and as Rollins has been positioned as top heel for months, he could leave the event as the new champion in line for a match with Reigns. However, reports claim that Triple H told the WWE locker room just before the Jan. 5 edition of “Monday Night Raw” that officials have yet to select who they want to win the 28th annual Royal Rumble Match, and that right now, it’s anybody’s spot to take.

Needless to say, Reigns is still likely to defeat 29 other men and head to ‘Mania as the next big thing, but his ability to get over with the fans is floundering, and due to his promos, he may get removed from his assumed position of “Rumble Winner” before the event goes live on Jan. 25.

Editor’s Note:
This situation is a sticky one. They want Reigns to be “the guy” so bad that they’re forcing him down our throats, and we don’t like that. Not only that, but they’ve announced Daniel Bryan is in the Rumble. Reigns can NOT be the guy that eliminates Bryan, or his current standing with the WWE Universe will go from bad to worse in the two seconds that it takes for Bryan’s body to go over the top rope and hit the floor. We’ll have Bootista Version 2.0 on our hands (as if we aren’t already heading in that direction with the shatty TV we saw on Jan. 5).