Bray Wyatt makes Roman Reigns the star WWE needs
Forget about the Brothers in Arms reunion between Roman Reigns and his former Shield brother, Dean Ambrose. The man WWE wants to become the face (or lead heel) of the company can finally stand on his own.
After what can be described as his best performance in the ring on his own against Bray Wyatt on Monday night, Reigns – the last of the holy trinity of superstars to finally get it straightened out, can now move forward with whatever plan WWE has for him in the coming months and next year.
All indications are this will lead to not only a heel turn, but a WWE World Title reign and a confrontation with John Cena and Cena’s 16th world title run, tying Ric Flair’s once untouchable mark. Now that I have summed up the future of the company and how things will go once 2016 rolls around, you can turn back to your regularly scheduled reading.
Reigns and Wyatt have been brewing most of the summer months, leading to the head-to-head clash on Monday night, which frankly I was tired of seeing. I also thought it would lead to interference by Ambrose, which would lead to the beginnings of Reigns’ transformation into the hulking figure Vince McMahon has wanted all along.
That wasn’t the case, but how Reigns and Wyatt pushed each other is reminiscent of other matches between superstars which helped them define each other. Edge and John Cena come to mind. Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels as well. Throw in Tully Blanchard and Magnum TA while you are at it.
Reigns finally showed he could give as well as take and got over with the fans who repeatedly chanted, “This is Awesome” once the bell rung after the match, disqualifying both superstars.
WWE and the fans both needed a match like this. It was smart, it was aggressive and it took our minds off how awful the programming has been of late. We anticipate the bad before the good right now in WWE programming. Maybe this was a step toward changing that kind of thinking.
At least until next week, of course.
I know I talk often of defining moments in this business and the fact there haven’t been many to get excited about lately. I also discuss the need for superstars to be pushed by other stars to leave a mark on this industry. Reigns has been pushed by Wyatt more than any other wrestler so far in the promotion. Wyatt has a knack for making that happen. And in doing so, I have learned how great a performer he is in the ring and with his promos.
Wyatt is this generation’s oddball, psycho rant, anything you want to call him. But if not for Wyatt and his brilliance, there would not be a topic like this today. There would be no praise for Reigns and we certainly would be talking about how Wyatt is being wasted in a sea that appears to have him drown at every current.
Last night, the demons of Raven, Kevin Sullivan, and every other cult-like wrestler came out – live on the television screen and they brought with them a charge that made Reigns look like a million bucks. There was nothing cryptic in what Wyatt did or what the game plan was in this match. Maybe that is the reason it worked so well. Now, WWE must capitalize on the new opportunity for Reigns and find Wyatt a new victim, err opponent.
As a personal note, after he is done toying with Ryback, maybe Kevin Owens and Reigns should have a few words and put the Intercontinental Title on the line. It’s just a thought, but Owens is another one of those wrestlers who could help elevate Reigns’ game. If I were part of the creative team, I would also see if Randy Orton has a few skeletons in his closet Wyatt could pick at.
Fresh feuds equal fresh meat equals more interest.
What happens now with Reigns and Wyatt for that matter will help define them for 2015. Wyatt is quickly becoming a “go to” performer for the company. Reigns is about to embark on that. At least we now know WWE can count on something positive coming out of a feud that was long overdue for a change, but the final chapter was written so both wrestlers could move on to better sequels.