Roman Reigns’ Fight for Respect Continues at WrestleMania 34

However that narrative is not working for Reigns and it never worked for Cena. The company insists on booking Reigns in this manner and WrestleMania 34 is yet another chance for fans to finally come around and realize they’ve been wrong about him. This is how the creative forces inside WWE actually think. If not, then why keep presenting Reigns as the infallible hero?

The problem here is that nothing has really changed heading into WrestleMania. Reigns is still the same polarizing presence and Lesnar is still the same absentee athlete. Fans know how the game works. Each man is bringing what he does best to the table. Each man is who he is and no amount of hype can change any of it. It appears that Reigns versus Lesnar is the same old song dance. But what if it works this time?

What if the crowd boos when Lesnar’s music hits? Fans usually always pop for him but that was before Reigns went on his crusade to convince the crowd of Lesnar’s selfish status. Fans were well aware that Brock was never around. Reigns did not reveal some big secret when he verbally admonished Lesnar. However even though the fans knew it, they did seem to listen.

Roman Reigns is tired of Brock Lesnar's disrespect: Raw, April 2, 2018

They even agreed with Reigns. The tactics that Cena employed during his feud with The Rock are the same ones being used by Roman and they’re working. The WWE faithful can hate Reigns all they want but at least he’s there. At least he cares. But when it comes to Brock Lesnar? Not so much.

No one can say that WWE is not putting forth the effort. The company appears adamant that Reigns remain a babyface. So WWE is using every ploy at its disposal in its effort to get Roman over, hoping that eventually, something will stick. Maybe this time it will.

Roman Reigns will look good at WrestleMania 34. He will fight his heart out and he will leave it all in the ring. Everyone knows that. Brock Lesnar will do Brock Lesnar things and suplex Reigns until fans are sick of counting them. Everyone knows that as well.

But whether or not all of this will work in Roman’s favor is unknown. WWE would love nothing more than a standing ovation for Reigns when the match is over. Finally, The Big Dog is triumphant and basks in the love from his adoring fans. Of course that may not happen and this match will end with fans hating Reigns even more than before. At least WWE is trying. Sort of.

 

Tom Clark can regularly be seen on Wrestling Rumors. His podcast, Tom Clark’s Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, iHeart Radio, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online at boinkstudios.com