QUESTION - Does anyone else see Roman Reigns/Bray Wyatt being the next Rock/HHH?

[Heyman]

QUESTION - Does anyone else see Roman Reigns/Bray Wyatt being the next Rock/HHH?

Just to be clear - I'm not saying or implying that ANY of these guys (Roman or Bray) will be as big as The Rock. They won't.

What I'm getting at is this:

Do you think this current The Shield/Wyatt Family feud will eventually elevate Roman Reigns/Bray Wyatt in the same manner that Nation of Domination/Degeneration X feud elevated both The Rock and Triple H?

I definitely see a parallel from my side of things:

Back in 1998, The Rock and Triple H were the two biggest rising stars in the company. They were the two biggest 'blue chip' talents outside of the Main-event guys. After their respective factions had a brilliant stable feud, both leaders moved up to the main-events a little while later (Rocky a few months later, Triple H about a year later).

In 2014 - Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns are the two biggest rising stars in the company (excluding Daniel Bryan........whom I'm listing as a 'main-event' guy(). After The Wyatt Family and Shield feud, could we see a massive elevation of Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt in the not-so-distant future?

Could Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt be a Wrestlemania main-event sooner than we think? (i.e. 2016........or even as early as 2015?).

[Heyman]

John Cena and Dave Batista in 2004..................similar to Roman Reigns/Bray Wyatt of 2014?

Using a more recent example than Rocky/Hunter from 1998, I'm wondering if Reigns and Wyatt are in a similar position to what Cena and Batista were around 2004 (i.e. extremely promising upper mid-cards that were on a significant rise).

I think if the WWE plays it right, both Bray and Roman could be the next legit main-eventers of the company.

I will even go as far as saying that Bray Wyatt has the potential to be the best heel in WWE history (assuming that the WWE doesn't 'sell out' and try and turn Bray face due to some very large face pops that will most likely come his way).

[Damian Rey]

Maybe. I don't think there's any chance at a Cena/Batista parallel since there seems to be no plan to re split the two titles again.

Think Bray is a bit too weird to garner consistent face pops. Hard for me to imagine his current character working as a face, even if it were modified.

Reigns, however, could be huge if he can become even better than decent on the mic. Clearly has the look and has flashed the ability.

[NormanSmiley]

anyone else curious about the possiblility that when reigns splits and has to have a new look/attire and theme that it may be terrible?

[Heyman]

anyone else curious about the possiblility that when reigns splits and has to have a new look/attire and theme that it may be terrible?

I have the exact same fear to be honest.

[CSL]

Reigns reminds me a lot of a late 80's Lex Luger, only a bit more fluid. Could go either way, he could explode or taper off, we won't know until he's given the ball. Wyatt has that "magical connection" with his gimmick that only few guys ever have. It's the same vein as Taker, another guy would do the same stuff and it would come off as ridiculously hokey. But Bray could seriously do this stuff and evolved versions of it for the next 20 years. Whether or not he'll be a legit "top star" given his shape and "presentability", I dunno. We'll see.

[Damian Rey]

Yeah, Wyatt's build makes me wonder whether or not he'd actually get a run at the top given the current climate. Def. feel he has the mic work, and showed the ring with DB that he can absolutely be a top guy.

Reigns should just maintain the cargo pants/vest look. It's a great look for him, and I think he'd look utterly ridiculous in tights. Kind of like Cena in tights. At this point, it would look very odd.

[Damian Rey]

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130706165816/prowrestling/images/c/c6/Roman_reigns_3.png

http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Roman-Reigns.jpg

Doesn't look bad, I guess. But I love his current gear. Reminds me of Bane.

[Theo Dious]

If Bray is going to be the next anything it's the next Mick Foley, as the unconventional, superficially creepy guy who gets time at the time to break from the usual flow.

[DrCrawford]

Reigns needs to stay in the bossman attire. Bossman rocked it well, reigns does also. Don't be generic tights guy #242

[BigCrippyZ]

Bray and Ambrose are the two best on the mic they have coming up right now.

Reigns and Cesaro are the two best athletes and performers in the ring coming up right now.

[#1-norm-fan]

They SHOULD be. I'm keeping my expectations low though.

Also, Fandango.

[XL]

I remember when Ken Kennedy and MVP were the next [insert here]. Things can go south very quickly.

Also, can't see how Reigns breaks away from The Shield yet keeps the attire associated with the group.

[Bobholly138]

I see Reigns doing great. He has the look that the WWE and most of their fans like. Wyatt I am not sure about. I haven't seen much of his work. I think that Ambrose has a chance of being the modern day Jake the Snake.

[Tom Guycott]

I remember when Ken Kennedy and MVP were the next [insert here]. Things can go south very quickly.

Also, can't see how Reigns breaks away from The Shield yet keeps the attire associated with the group.

If they break up amicably. That's a swerve WWE hasn't done for awhile. I think the last time was when the Dudley Boyz were "drafted" apart. Also, they are slightly varried in appearance anyhow. Ambrose has already ditched the flak jacket/bulletproof vest thingy he used to wear for a good while and gone to hoodies and underarmor. They might throw in some color besides the Cerberus logo on the chest.

Both Bray and Roman can be big, but as I've said before, WWE can't get to triggerhappy with pushing them to the stratosphere straightaway and let them become more credible over time. With angles. And character development. And history. And actual feuds. They're already subtly doing it right with RR with the "indirect" pushing they're doing- announcers putting his movements, his expressions, and his actions over more than the other two, the camera showing him more often than the other two, etc. As long as they don't try to shove his ass into the main event picture in six weeks looking for quick returns. Same with Bray. He's magic, and really doesn't even need a title to get over. Just some compelling storytelling and a mic to let loose on.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I have some reservations about whether or not I think Roman Reigns will be as big as some people seem to think he will be. He has been great in his role as the biggest member of The Shield, and that has helped him grow. It has also helped hide his weaknesses though. A lot of top stars have weaknesses, don't get me wrong -- but when he turns face he is going to have to change roles. He won't be the badass enforcer anymore.

Aesthetically, I would not be opposed to Reigns busting out his "horsey Rock tights" down the track, but that doesn't fit his current character. I'd keep him dressed in a very similar fashion to how he is now. Have him maybe lose the vest or just wrestle in the pants. I'm sure they can think of a way to make him look stylish and imposing.

With his theme music, I'd stay away from giving him your generic rap or rock theme. I'd possibly give him a horse making some aggressive noises at the start before a heavy instrumental drops, letting us know that someone is about to get Speared.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I could see Reigns' resignation from The Shield featuring him removing his Hounds of Justice vest. That could become his new look. Reigns' new sinister theme would hit and he'd come out in similar attire to what he wears now, but would throw the vest down on the stage before heading to the ring for his match.

[Heyman]

I have some reservations about whether or not I think Roman Reigns will be as big as some people seem to think he will be. He has been great in his role as the biggest member of The Shield, and that has helped him grow. It has also helped hide his weaknesses though. A lot of top stars have weaknesses, don't get me wrong -- but when he turns face he is going to have to change roles. He won't be the badass enforcer anymore.

Aesthetically, I would not be opposed to Reigns busting out his "horsey Rock tights" down the track, but that doesn't fit his current character. I'd keep him dressed in a very similar fashion to how he is now. Have him maybe lose the vest or just wrestle in the pants. I'm sure they can think of a way to make him look stylish and imposing.

With his theme music, I'd stay away from giving him your generic rap or rock theme. I'd possibly give him a horse making some aggressive noises at the start before a heavy instrumental drops, letting us know that someone is about to get Speared.

I completely agree with this.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Why a horse? Am I missing something?

Also to Guycott's point, they used to show Ambrose as the foreground for Shield promo pics. It's always Reigns now. I'd actually like to see Ambrose bring that up in a promo.

[Bobo]

I can see Wyatt getting a push but never as anything other than a heel. His look and persona is too villainous and would never suit that of a face. My fear is he has already been typecast but he plays this role so well I doubt it will be a huge problem.

Roman Reigns we need to see him in more of a solo push hence disbanding the shield needs to be on the cards soon ish.

[whiteyford]

Why do they need to disband the Shield for him to get a singles push though? I don't get why that has to happen at all.

[Bobo]

Why do they need to disband the Shield for him to get a singles push though? I don't get why that has to happen at all.

Because at the moment his character is being held back but all signs are pointing to the shield being disbanded soon.

[whiteyford]

How is he being held back? He is being pushed as the stand out guy in a stand out group.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Why a horse? Am I missing something?

Also to Guycott's point, they used to show Ambrose as the foreground for Shield promo pics. It's always Reigns now. I'd actually like to see Ambrose bring that up in a promo.

His gimmick in NXT was "The Thoroughbred" and he used a horse as a logo in a similar way to how The Rock used the bull and how Daniel Bryan has taken the goat. There is no guarantee that he would use the same stuff when he breaks off on his own, but it's there.

[Heyman]

Why do they need to disband the Shield for him to get a singles push though? I don't get why that has to happen at all.

I agree with this.

Even if Reigns does break away from The Shield, or The Shield disbands, I would be an advocate of Reigns keeping the exact same gimmick, personna, look, music, etc.

If the wheel ain't broke, why fix it?

[BigCrippyZ]

I can see Wyatt getting a push but never as anything other than a heel. His look and persona is too villainous and would never suit that of a face. My fear is he has already been typecast but he plays this role so well I doubt it will be a huge problem.

I don't think that Wyatt would have a problem getting over as a face in the long run with his current gimmick. Basically though, they need to have him change very little. Just cut the same style of promos and segments but do it against heels. It worked for Undertaker whether he was face or heel and I think the same would apply to Wyatt, AS LONG AS they DON'T change his gimmick/persona/style when he is a face.

[BigCrippyZ]

That and he'd have to stay relatively mysterious and sell the gimmick like Taker. You couldn't have him running around doing media like a lot of the faces do.

[Heyman]

That and he'd have to stay relatively mysterious and sell the gimmick like Taker. You couldn't have him running around doing media like a lot of the faces do.

Pretty much this:

If it was up to me, I'd keep Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt almost the exact same.........in the manner that the WWE has done with Taker all these years. Very similar personna's whether heel or face.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I have to be honest -- the mystique of having Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns clash was kind of broken as soon as they started wrestling on RAW. While I enjoy both guys' personas, they kind of need to be surrounded by great performers in the ring to live up to the ideas people have for them. If RAW were a test, I'd actually have to say that both men failed. Wyatt's segment with Cena was great, and the interactions between Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt was great, but as soon as they got in the ring it really needed Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Luke Harper and even Erick Rowan to lighten it up.

If The Shield breaks up, I could actually see a very quick revolt against Roman Reigns. Especially if he becomes your stereotypical WWE babyface character. A Triple Threat at WrestleMania could very easily feature Dean Ambrose as the guy being cheered. A Spear by Reigns and the pin for the title could lead to an initial "YAY!" from women and children, only for the crowd to very quickly remember "Hang on, this isn't what we want," and the heat to start coming in. Sort of like the Sheamus World Title victory over Daniel Bryan. Even worse would be a quiet crowd.

Part of me is thinking that the best thing going forward might be for The Shield to remain together. Or at least wait until WrestleMania to turn Ambrose (The Shield would be de facto faces against The Wyatt Family if Cena is hurt).