Finally managed to remember the past moment where Reigns was shirtless before in WWE.

Payback 2014. That show featured the 6-man tag match of Shield vs. Evolution and where Batista got ridiculed online for his blue trunks.

During the match, Evolution ripped off Reigns' vest and attacked him with kendo sticks. What stood out was Reigns was a lot less ripped and more rounder than his current shirtless run. Also remember that's when people started to make jokes online about his tubby-like belly was probably the reason why Vince kept him in a vest since he didn't have the ideal chiseled look Vince loves for his top stars.

Pffft, it was because he was Samoan.

I give props to the ripped Samoans out there. Genetics are not on their side, they're prone to genetic variants impacting metabolism and fat storage, etc so it's generally a lot easier for them to pack on the pounds if they're not careful.

But as Roman's showed, it can certainly be done if you put the work in. Dude looks like a million bucks.

I think it's just a way for his character to feel like he doesn't have to do much to look powerful when he already looks the part.

Yes, the WWE had Roman Reigns take off his shirt at Payback 2014 without knowing what he looked like shirtless, even though he was already being pushed as one of their future biggest stars.

If that's your take from my post about Payback then it's a dumb one and a failed "gotcha" attempt.

Vito brought up a good point about Shield merch sales likely played a big reason while Reigns himself mentioned in a past interview or two about how he didn't feel comfortable wrestling shirtless during his Shield days.

The whole stuff about him not having the upper body Vince prefers for a top star has been a view around the net going all the way back to that event. Stuff like that almost always ends up with people comparing his physique from his FCW days and wondering what changed on the main roster, whether it was something with Reigns body or Vince being his odd self.

Or it’s Meltzer smark bullshit you’ve bought into like fucking always. “The lies go back to then.” Cool, bro. You fucking goober.

Why is everything you think I post for a view or take involves Meltzer.

That stuff about Reigns didn't even come from him but something I remembered while watching the show on /wooo at the time and that was the general consensus there when it happened. If you think that place is pro-Meltzer then I got a Nigerian uncle that would like to sell a fortune to you.