For quite some time, Roman Reigns wasn’t exactly the fan favorite WWE hoped he’d be, often drawing comparisons to the polarizing reactions once faced by John Cena. But then, Reigns decided it was time to lean into his darker side, much to the delight of the WWE Universe.
After a short break from the spotlight, he made a dramatic return by ambushing Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman at Summerslam. Just days after, he shocked everyone again by revealing an unexpected alliance with none other than Paul Heyman, a former adversary.
What followed was nothing short of legendary. Reigns embarked on an impressive 1,316-day run as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. During this epic reign, he headlined four WrestleManias and triumphed over big names like Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Logan Paul, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens, just to name a few.
His success wasn’t just about winning in the ring. It was also the evolution of his Tribal Chief persona, born from a tumultuous feud with his cousin Jey Uso. This character grew into a ruthless leader of the Bloodline faction, mastering the art of manipulation and control.
Every week, the Bloodline saga was a must-watch, especially with the addition of Sami Zayn, turning it into a captivating storyline that even drew in Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Roman’s dominant storyline reached its climax in perhaps the most rewarding way WWE has seen. At WrestleMania 40, Cody Rhodes, with some help from Seth Rollins, John Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, the Usos, and The Undertaker, managed to dethrone Reigns, claiming the WWE Championship and concluding his personal journey.
Had Roman Reigns not embraced his villainous side, WWE might look very different today.
