What If - Roman Reigns push as the next top star fails miserably

[Emperor Smeat]

Who would likely be next in line to get the mega push and why?

Who would you prefer instead if its different than what the WWE would likely pick and why?

[The Condor]

Plenty of obvious preferences like Barrett, Cesaro and Ziggler. If it fails it won't be for the same reason that recent Batista + CM Punk pushes failed(creative ineptitude and terrible use of the character by management) but more in line with the failures of Sheamus, Ryder and Del Rio--- the fans just don't want what they're selling even though management is breaking their balls to get the guy over.

[road doggy dogg]

My money's on Cesaro

[OverTaker]

Then i think Ambrose would take it. he's got just about as much fight as Reigns.

[Sepholio]

Hopefully Ziggler. The man is incredible in the ring lately. And he gets some pretty big pops already.

[DAMN iNATOR]

I'll just answer the title of this thread, rather than the original post:

Can't happen. WON'T happen. #BetOnIt

[Wishbone]

Plenty of obvious preferences like Barrett, Cesaro and Ziggler. If it fails it won't be for the same reason that recent Batista + CM Punk pushes failed(creative ineptitude and terrible use of the character by management) but more in line with the failures of Sheamus, Ryder and Del Rio--- the fans just don't want what they're selling even though management is breaking their balls to get the guy over.

I don't think that's fair on Sheamus. Had they kept him the badass Irishman who'd take on bullies like he was when he first started his face turn against Mark Henry I think he'd have gotten over extremely well. The reason he floundered is because WWE is trying to turn him into Irish Cena with their stupid "cousin in Ireland" and "potato eating" jokes.

On topic, I'd say the mega push would probably go to Ambrose at this point if Reigns failed. The dude is being shown off a lot now, and he's by far the most interesting of the 3 former Shield members. I almost said Bray Wyatt, but he's just far better suited to being a top heel for the company.

[Bad News Gertner]

Ryback. Not even close.

[NoJabbaNoBogRoll]

but more in line with the failures of Sheamus, Ryder and Del Rio--- the fans just don't want what they're selling even though management is breaking their balls to get the guy over.
Living up to your name.

[Maluco]

Ryback. Not even close.

I know this might be only half serious, but I would love to see him given another chance...he didn't do much wrong and was a victim of circumstances the first time around...

Ziggler is a personal favourite of mine, so I would love to see him as a top guy. Reminds me of HBK, but have heard WWE is wary of his concussion history and might not be pushing hm because of that. Barrett is another one that might never reach the top because he is injury prone.

It's not often cited as a reason for certain guys, but generally, WWE will take a guy who doesn't take time off. Cena's willingness to work with injuries and not take long periods out means they can rely on him to main event near enough every PPV

[The Condor]

Living up to your name.

To be fair, have the fans shown a modicum of interest in the guy over the past year and a half? No chants, no grass roots support, he just kind of got hot for a time and faded away.

[Lock Jaw]

Honestly can't see Roman Reigns as a top star. Certainly he isn't that great on the mic, but neither was Batista. Difference was that Batista had a monster heel to go against and pretty much "make" him for the rest of his career.

For Roman Reigns to get truly over as a top star, he needs a monster heel to go up against.

[#1-norm-fan]

Plenty of obvious preferences like Barrett, Cesaro and Ziggler. If it fails it won't be for the same reason that recent Batista + CM Punk pushes failed(creative ineptitude and terrible use of the character by management) but more in line with the failures of Sheamus, Ryder and Del Rio--- the fans just don't want what they're selling even though management is breaking their balls to get the guy over.

Sheamus and Del Rio were definitely victims of mundane booking (Though I still maintain Del Rio's feud with Big Show and how he was handled during it was fucking great). And I'm not sure why Ryder was mentioned with them. The fans definitely "wanted what they were selling" with him. Management just didn't push him too hard because he was a guy who was a really over mid-carder and nothing more. They knew that.

[#1-norm-fan]

Ryback. Not even close.

I would say this but at this point, I don't know if he's even redeemable. He would have been perfect when he was the monster face everyone wanted to see give the heels their comeuppance. At this point it would be tough to bring him back to that level. And I don't think he works as an "overcoming the odds" face. They fucked up SO bad.

That being said, I guess I would give it a shot at least. See if you can regain SOME of that mystique he had.

My #1 pick right now actually would be someone WWE hasn't been grooming as the next big thing. Fandango. Obviously you'd have to tweak the character so it's less gimmicky or lose it altogether but I've said since NXT that Johnny Curtis is the guy WWE should have been grooming as the next big thing from day one. He's got the look, the size, the in-ring skills, the charisma, he's got an insanely likeable personality and he's naturally funny in a way that Cena has tried to force at times over the years that has made people cringe. Johnny Curtis getting pushed to the top and making the rounds on the talk show circuit representing the company with the title over his shoulder is like a license to print money.

[Emperor Smeat]

Honestly can't see Roman Reigns as a top star. Certainly he isn't that great on the mic, but neither was Batista. Difference was that Batista had a monster heel to go against and pretty much "make" him for the rest of his career.

For Roman Reigns to get truly over as a top star, he needs a monster heel to go up against.

Lesnar would fit perfectly assuming the dirtsheets are correct about next year's Mania.

[NoJabbaNoBogRoll]

To be fair, have the fans shown a modicum of interest in the guy over the past year and a half? No chants, no grass roots support, he just kind of got hot for a time and faded away.
He was red hot, until management decided to book him. What they decided to do was to have him get beaten up mercilessly, with only his big brother John Cena able to rescue him.

[Lock Jaw]

Nah, beating Lesnar means nothing. He's not regular enough of a guy. It will for sure be a huge moment, but it won't be like Batista defeating Triple H's extended reign of terror.

[Savio]

I just wonder how long it will takes fans to turn on him as they did Cena. I think they will turn about 3 months after he gets the title.

[poopfromweiner dude]

re: Ryback

Fans really just like chanting stuff and feeling involved. The simpler the better though

Fandangoing < "Feed me more" < "Yes!"

[#1-norm-fan]

He was getting pops outside of just people chanting his catchphrase when he was being booked as a force.

[poopfromweiner dude]

You already know everything about wrestling anyway so w/e

Forget it

[#1-norm-fan]

No. I have ears.

[#1-norm-fan]

But also, I know everything about wrestling.

[el bobbo]

Ambrose seems like he has purely organic face pops. Reigns seems like he has some organic pops, but some stuff that they're shoving down our throats.

[road doggy dogg]

Reigns honestly bores the hell outta me

[el bobbo]

He was red hot, until management decided to book him. What they decided to do was to have him get beaten up mercilessly, with only his big brother John Cena able to rescue him.

He shouldn't have gotten above the midcard. He could have at least become the next Santino if they would have booked him properly, but every story Cena is in just fucks over someone in the long run... most of the time.

[#1-norm-fan]

I think the whole thing with Eve could have been booked better. They could have had him strike something up with another diva while Eve hooked up with a guy like The Miz and had a good WrestleMania mid-card match with an actual decent build instead of just throwing them in a 12-man tag match. That would have been Ryder's peak though. He didn't have the staying power of a Santino. Being able to participate in a storyline with Cena at all was a good thing for the guy.

[NoJabbaNoBogRoll]

I think his popularity would've lasted a lot longer without Cena's involvement. Positioning somebody who is getting over as John Cena's little buddy makes large sections of the audience hesitant to support him, or even care about him.

[MIZantine Empire]

If we are talking character tweaking, one man I see in nxt that could potentially do it is Aiden english. I know he is annoying now and his gimmick is awful.. but when he talks he reminds me of hbk. Obviously he needs more polishing in the ring, but to me he has the potential to be there biggest dark horse

[Nicky Fives]

I see Seth Rollins being a bigger star than Ambrose, unless the model Ambrose "crazy" gimmick in an anti-authority "Stone Cold-esque" gimmick.....

[RiX1024]

Between Ambrose or Cesaro.

[DAMN iNATOR]

I see Seth Rollins being a bigger star than Ambrose, unless the model Ambrose "crazy" gimmick in an anti-authority "Stone Cold-esque" gimmick.....

Same here, although Ambrose does seem to get some pretty intense pops in situations where he's been getting involved in matches involving Rollins or attempting to save someone from a beatdown at the hands of Rollins. Whether or not that can be sustained outside of his current feud with Rollins remains to be seen before he'd be considered as a constant main-eventer.

[hb2k]

Dean Ambrose is the obvious answer to give, but I feel if I give any other answer it'd be silly - he's the guy that feels like he's getting legitimately hot and has some real momentum.

They could thrust Cesaro into "top guy" position if they wanted, but to be effective I think he needs to add a bit more to his act. Heyman is awesome, in the ring Cesaro is fantastic, but that is absolutely not the be-all end-all, and that extra component, that star quality, isn't there with him yet.

I think for Rollins to be the top guy, he needs that kind of consistent strong booking for a while (think HHH in early 2000) to get people to believe that seeing him lose is a rarity you are dying to see.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

If we are talking character tweaking, one man I see in nxt that could potentially do it is Aiden english. I know he is annoying now and his gimmick is awful.. but when he talks he reminds me of hbk. Obviously he needs more polishing in the ring, but to me he has the potential to be there biggest dark horse

Gimmick is awful? We have somebody who doesn't like the Vaudevillians? :rant:

Put up your dukes good sir.

[hb2k]

As an addendum, I am a little concerned after reading in the Observer that they may fast track Reigns due to Bryan being out of all plans. Brock beats Cena at Summerslam, Reigns beats Brock in September?

Hate if they rush into that match.

[Shadrick]

You already know everything about wrestling anyway so w/e

Forget it

You could literally say this after every #1-wwf-fan post and it would summarize the post perfectly lol.

[MIZantine Empire]

Gimmick is awful? We have somebody who doesn't like the Vaudevillians? :rant:

Put up your dukes good sir.

Ahhh I forgot about that.. I actually do like that

[Tom Guycott]

Plenty of obvious preferences like Barrett, Cesaro and Ziggler. If it fails it won't be for the same reason that recent Batista + CM Punk pushes failed(creative ineptitude and terrible use of the character by management) but more in line with the failures of Sheamus, Ryder and Del Rio--- the fans just don't want what they're selling even though management is breaking their balls to get the guy over.

To be fair to Ryder in your example, he was getting over IN SPITE OF not being pushed. At all. He built up a following over the internet at the tail end of the company still equating "internet" with "a grand total of 4 unwashed smark virgins" instead of every kid with a smartphone. And WWE didn't look to capitalize on that in the least. He got a US Title win, but then he was STILL barely on TV. He had no real feud. He was in no angle. In essence, he was being treated almost as poorly as MCMG in TNA (nobody realizes exactly how over they were because LOLTNA). Instead of rewarding the guy and building on the foundation he laid for himself, they ran crazy with the social media end of it and found a way to bury him again by overshadowing him down the path he trailblazed*.

But "not buying what the company is selling" has always been a huge point of contention. Even now. Do I have to bring up Rusev? Do I have to mention their whole idea for Batista's return was poo-poo'd because they severely underestimated how popular Daniel Bryan was?

Which brings us to the topic at hand: Roman, and if his push fails. Firstly, it shouldn't fail, because they shouldn't be trying to ratchet him up straight to champion status right away. The same people saying "strike while the iron's hot because he's over" are the same ones who discouraged the thought of someone like Punk or Danielson winning the title in the same ammount of time Reigns has been on the main roster. I wonder why that is? Secondly, and more importantly, they should KEEP TREATING HIM like a stoic badass who doesn't back down from a fight. They hopefully won't try to switch gears with him or change his character. Stick with what's working, and don't fucking rush it.

But, if it does fail (or more likely, WWE screws it up), they'll continue to bypass someone like Ziggler because of "concussion fears", and likely go with Cesaro. Not a bad thing, and I like Cesaro, but it's more because of him having "that look WWE likes" than anything else. I actually would have said that they'd try to build Thwagger back to prominence by having him leapfrog Rusev, BUT after hurting another guy, they may not bank on that.

*Credit where credit is due to Matt Hardy. Say what you want about he and his brothers' crazy ass antics, but in this instance, he was wayyy ahead of his time. Ryder came along at a point in history where it was ready to work.

[#1-norm-fan]

You could literally say this after every #1-wwf-fan post and it would summarize the post perfectly lol.

Is Mr. "You're dumb if you think Triple H is going to lose to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam" calling someone else a wrestling know-it-all?

[MIZantine Empire]

Is Mr. "You're dumb if you think Triple H is going to lose to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam" calling someone else a wrestling know-it-all?

I love ya! I got ure back on the interwebz

[DAMN iNATOR]

As an addendum, I am a little concerned after reading in the Observer that they may fast track Reigns due to Bryan being out of all plans. Brock beats Cena at Summerslam, Reigns beats Brock in September?

Hate if they rush into that match.

Nothins screams credibility like "news" from a dirtsheet.

[Bad News Gertner]

I would say this but at this point, I don't know if he's even redeemable. He would have been perfect when he was the monster face everyone wanted to see give the heels their comeuppance. At this point it would be tough to bring him back to that level. And I don't think he works as an "overcoming the odds" face. They fucked up SO bad.

That being said, I guess I would give it a shot at least. See if you can regain SOME of that mystique he had.

My #1 pick right now actually would be someone WWE hasn't been grooming as the next big thing. Fandango. Obviously you'd have to tweak the character so it's less gimmicky or lose it altogether but I've said since NXT that Johnny Curtis is the guy WWE should have been grooming as the next big thing from day one. He's got the look, the size, the in-ring skills, the charisma, he's got an insanely likeable personality and he's naturally funny in a way that Cena has tried to force at times over the years that has made people cringe. Johnny Curtis getting pushed to the top and making the rounds on the talk show circuit representing the company with the title over his shoulder is like a license to print money.


I'll say this, wasnt happy when Ryback turned heel, but he's a fantastic loud mouth troll the fans heel. He's hilarious. I saw him at a house show and he spebt half the time shit talking the crowd and it was hilarious. The fans were all over him

[Anybody Thrilla]

As much as I like Heyman, the Cesaro pairing was just really oddly-timed. He seemed to be shit hot coming out of Wrestlemania, and they took pretty much all of the focus off of him within his own act. Also, his theme music is terrible. I loved his US title run theme, and the Real Americans theme fit him well too. It may not SEEM important, but I think a big part of someone catching on is a bad ass theme.

He can still be salvaged, though. He's way too good in the ring to be denied, and when he finally DOES make that face turn, it might be the push to sustain him at the top.

[Vastardikai]

If Roman Reigns doesn't make it as the next big star, The entire creative team needs to be fired.

It would take the kind of screw up that makes the Ryback screw-up look tame for him not to be. And if those in charge do it THAT wrong, they have no business being in creative.

[ron the dial]

if anything, his mic work can potentially to kill him. he was awful on smackdown. very generic. but his look and ability should allow him to overcome that as long as they keep booking him to look as strong as they have. the crowds clearly want to get behind him.

[Tom Guycott]

"Awful on Smackdown" was worlds better than his NXT "I'm the man" promo. He's improved greatly, and part of that is due to being in The Shield and having them hide his piss poor speaking by making him a reserved, stoic badass.

Not setting the world on fire by speaking, no, but it at least doesn't lack conviction and believability anymore.

[Hanso Amore]

As much as I like Heyman, the Cesaro pairing was just really oddly-timed. He seemed to be shit hot coming out of Wrestlemania, and they took pretty much all of the focus off of him within his own act. Also, his theme music is terrible. I loved his US title run theme, and the Real Americans theme fit him well too. It may not SEEM important, but I think a big part of someone catching on is a bad ass theme.

He can still be salvaged, though. He's way too good in the ring to be denied, and when he finally DOES make that face turn, it might be the push to sustain him at the top.

Yes. COming out of WM he could have gone to the top. HE was white hot.

Then the Heyman guy reveal was MEGA HEAT

Since then its been absolute garbage.

[Hanso Amore]

If Roman Reigns doesn't make it as the next big star, The entire creative team needs to be fired.

It would take the kind of screw up that makes the Ryback screw-up look tame for him not to be. And if those in charge do it THAT wrong, they have no business being in creative.

Reigns has way more charisma, and is way more over than Ryback ever was.

Stop using him as a bench mark.

[Shadrick]

Is Mr. "You're dumb if you think Triple H is going to lose to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam" calling someone else a wrestling know-it-all?

just saying that pretty often your posts come across like you know everything, and you have a tendency to be condescending to people who disagree. It's the internet man, you don't have to be so quick to get into it with people.

[Vastardikai]

Reigns has way more charisma, and is way more over than Ryback ever was.

Stop using him as a bench mark.

Actually, using Ryback as a bench mark in this situation is perfectly applicable. I'm saying that Reigns is even more of a sure thing than Ryback was. And, at one point, Ryback did in fact seem like a sure thing. So for WWE Creative to fuck up a Reigns push, it would take them revealing themselves as completely and utterly incompetent.

[Bad News Gertner]

Reigns is not more over than Ryback was during his peak. Pretty much neck and neck.

I don't know why it's so hard for people to admit how over Ryback was.

[Shisen Kopf]

I have always been a fan of THE RYBACK. WWE seriously dropped the ball with him

[DAMN iNATOR]

I have always been a fan of THE RYBACK. WWE seriously dropped the ball with him

They did, big time. Even if he didn't win the title he still could've been a solid middle-upper carder with the occasional main event title match.

Now he's saddled with Axel in tag-team purgatory, which is even worse than mid-card hell, from what I've heard.

[Bad News Gertner]

Axel and Ryback are a very entertaining team.

[Lock Jaw]

They are entertaining, but they are definitely going nowhere and used almost exclusively as tag team jobbers.

[ron the dial]

rybaxel is what finally sold me on ryback.

[Maluco]

Ryback has the look, has the big intimidating power moves and I am hoping that his team with Axel now shows management his personality. He could still be a top star, he has all the tools and brings something different to the table.

Would love to see him leading a stable of guys that are being overlooked. (Say Axel, Ryder, Slater) Basically bullying them into doing his bidding. Would add to his character, give a few lesser guys something to do, and it would probably be really good TV. It could also be a way for one of those lesser guys to get over when he finally stands up to the bully

[#1-norm-fan]

just saying that pretty often your posts come across like you know everything, and you have a tendency to be condescending to people who disagree. It's the internet man, you don't have to be so quick to get into it with people.

And I'm just pointing out you being a massive douche when people disagree with you on a subject that you end up being demonstrably wrong about. So... this isn't really something you should try to accuse others of.

[#1-norm-fan]

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I can't quite put my finger on exactly what it is but there's little nuances Ryback showed off in this promo that were hilariously prickish to me. He plays the big dumb cocky jock character perfectly. It's not gonna make him a star or anything but he's awesome in the role. He should get more mic time to show it off on TV.

[Fox]

Ryback can still bounce back. He was white hot in the beginning, but after losses to Cena and Punk, pretty much tapered off to where he is now. But that's the story of many big men in the history of WWE. Big Show got beat by Austin on RAW in his first month in the company, and then lost his first major PPV match. He's still a multiple time World Champion. Mark Henry fathered a rubber hand, and he still had an awesome run as the World Heavyweight Champion later on down the line. Ryback is too young, too hungry (no pun intended) and has too good of a look not to succeed.


I think Reigns will follow a similar path to Randy Orton. Built to be "the man", but never really connects with the fans the way that Austin, Rock, Hogan and Cena did in their prime. He'll be pushed down our throats as "the guy," but he'll never really be that.

[Tom Guycott]

Ryback has the look, has the big intimidating power moves and I am hoping that his team with Axel now shows management his personality. He could still be a top star, he has all the tools and brings something different to the table.

Would love to see him leading a stable of guys that are being overlooked. (Say Axel, Ryder, Slater) Basically bullying them into doing his bidding. Would add to his character, give a few lesser guys something to do, and it would probably be really good TV. It could also be a way for one of those lesser guys to get over when he finally stands up to the bully

You mean "bow-ley"

[hb2k]

Nothins screams credibility like "news" from a dirtsheet.

Agreed, but WWE does have a track record of being trigger happy with guys they think are ready when the audience feels differently.

As an aside, I think it's too late for Ryback. People have gone from having faith in him (at least for a short time) and seeing him portrayed as a star to the guy losing to Stardust and the Usos. To get that back is going to require a major overhaul.

[Brigstocke]

Wyatt....

[Brigstocke]

Or that guy from NXT I championed for a bit...

[DAMN iNATOR]

Ryback has the look, has the big intimidating power moves and I am hoping that his team with Axel now shows management his personality. He could still be a top star, he has all the tools and brings something different to the table.

Would love to see him leading a stable of guys that are being overlooked. (Say Axel, Ryder, Slater) Basically bullying them into doing his bidding. Would add to his character, give a few lesser guys something to do, and it would probably be really good TV. It could also be a way for one of those lesser guys to get over when he finally stands up to the bully

RyBack vs. Juan, book it.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Or that guy from NXT I championed for a bit...

who?

[Anybody Thrilla]

Corey Graves

[Anybody Thrilla]

Answering STD's question, btw. Not giving my opinion.