According to many fans and critics (including myself), WWE is at its peak right now after a very long time. Some have even compared this era with the legendary Attitude Era (a period in WWE during the late 1990s to early 2000s known for its edgier content). If you ask me to pinpoint the exact moment when the changes started, I will point to Summerslam 2020, where Roman Reigns returned with his heel persona – the ‘Tribal Chief’. After that, he led the company to this boom period which many fans are calling the ‘Renaissance Era’. Since capturing the Universal Championship at Payback 2020, Reigns has cemented his legacy in WWE history with a 1316-day-long title reign that is unprecedented in this modern day and age. Reigns has transformed his character and the entire landscape of WWE. His dominance, storyline depth, and the overall impact of his reign have made it one of the most significant periods in professional wrestling. Let’s look at what exactly made Roman Reigns’ title reign so exceptional.
5. Big Dog to the Tribal Chief
Roman Reigns’ transformation from the ‘Big Dog’ to the ‘Tribal Chief’ is one of the most significant character evolutions in WWE history. This transformation not only brought Reigns’ career back to life, but also revolutionized the storytelling approach used by WWE, ushering in a new age of complex character development. When Roman Reigns first emerged as a solo star after the breakup of the legendary faction ‘The Shield’, he was positioned as WWE’s next top babyface. Despite his impressive physique and in-ring abilities, Reigns struggled to connect with the audience in the way WWE had hoped. Because the management wanted to make him the ‘John Cena’ of this era. Combined with scripted promos and a lack of character depth, the push felt forced and created a lot of fan backlash. I am sure no one can forget the ocean of ‘Boos!’ he received after he won the 2015 Royal Rumble. Even his cousin The Rock was visibly confused by this crowd reaction.
In August 2020, Reigns made a magnificent return to the wrestling ring at SummerSlam, marking the beginning of his heel turn. Aligning himself with Paul Heyman, one of the greatest managers in wrestling history, was cherry on the top. The ‘Tribal Chief’ character is deeply rooted in Reigns’ Samoan heritage. He perfectly portrayed the character of the always paranoid, approval-seeking, manipulative, head of the Anoa’i family. His character was driven by family, tradition, legacy, and the responsibility of being a champion. This evolution allowed Reigns to tap into his real-life background, bringing an authenticity that resonated with fans. He was no longer the scripted, one-dimensional character of the past; he was now a complex, multi-layered figure whose motivations and actions were both understandable and compelling.
4. In-Ring Style and Promo Delivery
Roman Reigns’ character evolution also involved a change in his in-ring style and promo delivery. He adopted a more methodical, psychological approach to his matches. Unlike traditional heels who often rely on cowardly tactics, Reigns exuded confidence and controlled his matches with a sense of inevitability. His trash-talking during the match properly fleshed out his character. His matches were critically acclaimed, not just for their in-ring action but for the emotional storytelling that elevated them.
Reigns’ promo delivery has been a cornerstone of his character development. His promos became more natural and menacing, often breaking the fourth wall, which added a layer of realism. Reigns’ ability to evoke genuine emotions through his words is a testament to his improved skills as a storyteller. Reigns’ partnership with Paul Heyman has further elevated his promo delivery. Heyman, a legendary manager, complemented Reigns’ in-ring dominance with eloquent and provocative speeches. Their on-screen chemistry enhanced the storytelling of Reigns’ character, adding layers of intrigue and complexity to his actions.
3. Revitalizing the Universal Championship
In this modern era of WWE, where frequent title changes have become the norm to maintain fan interest and adapt to evolving storylines, Reigns’ lengthy reign stands out. The title reign, which began at Payback 2020 and ended at Wrestlemania 40 in the biggest way possible, has become a historic milestone in WWE, particularly notable for its duration. Holding the Universal Championship for 1316 days, Reigns has surpassed several modern records, making his reign the longest in the company’s recent history.
Historically, the wrestling business saw champions like Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund, and Hulk Hogan hold their titles for extended periods, symbolizing stability and dominance. Reigns’ long tenure as champion is a deliberate throwback to those earlier days, emphasizing the significance and prestige of the title. This reign has brought a sense of legitimacy and prestige to the Universal Championship, which had been missing since the introduction of this title.
2. Impact beyond the Ring
Roman Reigns’ title reign as the “Tribal Chief” has had a profound cultural and business impact on WWE, reshaping the company’s landscape and extending its reach far beyond the wrestling ring. Reigns’ cultural acknowledgment of his Samoan roots has raised Polynesian culture’s visibility and earned it greater respect inside the WWE. Reigns is a member of one of the most illustrious and well-respected wrestling lineages, the Anoa’i family. Reigns has honored this heritage by emphasizing his ancestry and ties to his family, elevating cultural pride to the fore of his persona. In his portrayal as the Tribal Chief, Reigns preaches values that are fundamental to many cultures across the world, including respect, leadership, and family loyalty. Reigns has crossed cultural boundaries by developing an engaging and appealing persona and integrating these components throughout his storyline.
Reigns’ title reign has been a centerpiece of WWE’s strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic and the return of live audiences. His compelling storylines and dominant presence have maintained fan interest and contributed to ticket sales, live event revenue, viewership, increased merchandise sales, and global footprint. His matches and segments were the highest-rated on both SmackDown and PLEs. His Tribal Chief persona and The Bloodline faction have generated a wide array of merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, and memorabilia, which have become best-sellers. Reigns’ appeal extends beyond the United States, with involvement in tours and events in key markets like Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and India. His crossover appeal into mainstream media has amplified WWE’s visibility, with appearances on popular television shows, interviews with major media outlets, and roles in films.
1. Elevating Others
And the biggest reason why this title reign will be remembered as one of the greats is Roman’s ability to elevate other superstars. By working with various opponents and creating compelling storylines, Reigns has played a pivotal role in enhancing the profiles and careers of many wrestlers. His dominant yet generous approach in the ring has ensured that even in defeat, his opponents come out looking stronger, and more credible.
The elevation of Jey Uso is one of the most significant achievements of Reigns’ reign. Before their feud, Jey was primarily known as a tag team wrestler alongside his brother Jimmy Uso. The deeply personal and emotional feud with Reigns, centered around family loyalty and respect, pushed Jey into the singles spotlight. Their matches at Clash of Champions and Hell in a Cell were critically acclaimed and showcased Jey’s resilience and heart. Despite losing to Reigns, Jey emerged as a formidable singles competitor, earning fans’ respect. This feud also set the stage for The Bloodline storyline, making Jey a key figure in one of WWE’s top factions.
The storyline peaked when Sami Zayn joined the faction. Before this, he wasn’t doing that much and was a shadow of his past. Sami’s year-long program with the Bloodline is considered the best storyline of this era. He became the top babyface of the company. And when he finally faced Reigns for the title in his hometown at Elimination Chamber 2023, fans were ready to see him dethroning Reigns. Although he didn’t succeed, it was just the beginning of his revitalized career as he won the Tag titles and the Intercontinental title in back-to-back Wrestlemania.
The dethroning of Reigns was always meant to be a monumental moment in WWE history, providing a massive opportunity to elevate the next star who can carry the company forward. And that star was Cody Rhodes. His finishing the story, fulfilling the American Dream is now regarded as one of the greatest moments in history. But if Reigns wasn’t the champion, this moment wouldn’t had the impact that it had. Along with them, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, and LA Knight are some of the other names who have benefited from this storyline.
As the Bloodline story progresses each week, it’s just a matter of time when and where Reigns will return. The anticipation of that moment ensures that his aura will continue to captivate audiences, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats as the saga of Roman Reigns unfolds.