Roman Reigns struggled as a babyface, despite WWE’s attempts to position him as the next John Cena. Fans largely rejected his character from 2014 to 2020, finding his title reign dull and his promos unconvincing. His character lacked charisma, seeming forced and often coming off as awkward and unappealing.
During his first push in 2015 and even during Shield reunions, Reigns failed to genuinely connect with the audience. His promos felt stiff, and he couldn’t convincingly portray the psychology of his character in the ring. WWE’s writing was poor, and Reigns’ delivery further undermined his appeal, making him come across as goofy rather than heroic.
Reigns’ heel turn as the “Tribal Chief” revitalized his career, showcasing his talent as an unstoppable champion. This persona has been one of the most captivating in recent WWE history, elevating the main event scene dramatically and earning him widespread acclaim. Fans often wonder why WWE waited so long to turn him heel, but his return to a babyface role lacks the same impact, missing the aura, charm, and confidence of his villainous character.
Despite WWE’s efforts to keep elements of the Tribal Chief persona intact, Reigns appears to struggle with the babyface role, lacking the charisma and likability needed. This suggests that some wrestlers, like Reigns, are inherently better suited to playing villains.
As a part-timer, Roman Reigns is unlikely to succeed as a babyface. His scarce appearances limit the time available to develop a compelling redemption story. Wrestling less than ten matches in the past two years, Reigns lacks the screen time needed to build a deep babyface character. If he were featured regularly, fans might eventually turn against him, just as they did with previous runs.
WWE missed an opportunity to explore a redemption arc during the 2024 Bloodline storyline. While Reigns can still generate strong reactions, it seems doubtful he can convincingly embody a hero.
Fan Take: This analysis is crucial for WWE fans because it highlights the challenges of building a successful babyface character, even for one of the company’s biggest stars. The future of Roman Reigns’ character could significantly impact WWE’s storytelling dynamics and audience engagement, shaping the direction of main event wrestling for years to come.
