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Roman Reigns: Criminally underrated

40K views 464 replies 160 participants last post by  VitoCorleone 
#1 · (Edited)
I don't really watch the weekly TV, I just read recaps and watch the PPVs so the whole "Roman Reigns sucks and only knows 3 moves" thing has been pretty baffling to me because Reigns has been the best guy on PPV so far this year.

So I went through the Network and watched a bunch of TV matches of Roman Reigns. I was thinking "well maybe he really sucks on TV and just brings it for the PPVs" but I watched 7 Reigns matches and I really enjoyed 3 of them, 1 of them was dragged down by his opponent but had good moments, 1 was a short squash and the other 2 kind of sucked.

Reigns vs. Del Rio from July 2014 Smackdown was probably the best but there was also a really good slugfest with Luke Harper from Raw this January. He main evented Smackdown vs. The Miz in August 2014 in a match that was way more fun that it had any right to be. There was the really long match with Rollins from the last Raw of 2014 that I thought was dragged down by Rollins doing like 4 chinlocks in that match and being really boring while he was in control. Reigns was good though and he busted out this really cool move where he jumped over Rollins and rolled him up and then picked him up in that position and slammed him. Not sure if he ever did that before or after.

I didn't care for Reigns vs. Masked Demon Kane from Smackdown in June or vs. Wyatt from Smackdown in August but a lot of that is that I don't really like either of those guys and both matches ended in shitty DQs. I also watched Reigns vs. Mark Henry Raw in Feb. 2014 which was just a quick squash. It was only notable because if you go back and watch it you can see him making some goofy Edge like faces while he's setting up for the Superman Punch and the Spear that he doesn't do anymore.

The biggest takeaway is that this whole "He only has 3 moves" thing is a complete lie. I've seen him do plenty of other moves that weren't "Spear, Superman Punch, apron dropkick" including a few different suplexes, a samoan drop, a neckbreaker, and some other cool moves that don't really have names like the roll up into a slam on Rollins and this cool move where he trapped Harper's head like in kind of a headlock and started kneeing him in the face.

I'm willing to watch any match that would be on the Network if anyone wants to point out specific "Roman Reigns sucks" examples but at this point I'm calling bullshit. And I definitely don't see where guys like Ziggler, Ambrose or Rollins are supposed to be SO MUCH better than Reigns in the ring. I thought Reigns was clearly better than Rollins in their long Raw match where Rollins didn't want to do anything but stomps and chinlocks for 15 minutes.
 
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#2 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

Most of the anger stems from Daniel Bryan's fan club being upset that he wasn't in the main event of Wrestlemania so they had to start a corny ass smear campaign where they basically say Reigns doesn't have any in ring skills. I'll admit he's not the next Chris Benoit but the guy's ring capabilities are more then sufficient, especially in this wacky WWE era where they limit the move sets of *all* the wrestlers.
 
#169 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

He's above average in the ring and on the mic. The majority of people on this forum have no idea what they're watching.
On his best day he is AVERAGE at best in the ring. Only reason he would be even average is because he is athletic and can sell. Now him above average on the mic? you just ruined your reputation on this board completely. Might be one of the worst/awkward mic workers I've ever seen.

Even when you people come on here and claim he had a good promo you can tell he is rehearsing his lines. He doesn't sound natural what so ever and comes off beyond awkward.

I would have never booked him where he talks ever. Just make him come out in his outdated shield music and corny vest and just do the "silent bad ass" thing.
 
#32 · (Edited)
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

The "looks" defense seems to be an easy way of dismissing Reigns fans as though we are somehow incapable of knowing talent; that we're just women, children or homosexuals. At this rate, I'm not sure what constituency is allowed to be a Reigns fan just because. I'm also a Seth Rollins, Cesaro and Sami Zayn fan but my intelligence of knowing talent is never doubted when it comes to those wrestlers. It's only an issue when it comes to liking Reigns. I'm not a 16 year old girl who has just seen a good looking guy for the first time in life and to speak on behalf of the male Reigns fans, they're not gay men who are fapping to him. And even if they were gay, what would it matter? We can all acknowledge Reigns is good looking and recognize his talent. The two are not mutually exclusive.

I don't think Reigns is Randy Savage, Mr. Perfect and Shawn Michaels, all of whom are my all time favorites. But he has talent and is a hard worker. He deserves to be judged by his own merit and not viewed out of spite because Daniel Bryan or some other talent wasn't pushed in his place.

I'm glad the post Mania crowds have given him the opportunity to prove his worth. And in my opinion, he has earned respect. It's up to his harshest critics if they will give credit where it's due.
 
#161 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

The "looks" defense seems to be an easy way of dismissing Reigns fans as though we are somehow incapable of knowing talent; that we're just women, children or homosexuals. At this rate, I'm not sure what constituency is allowed to be a Reigns fan just because. I'm also a Seth Rollins, Cesaro and Sami Zayn fan but my intelligence of knowing talent is never doubted when it comes to those wrestlers. It's only an issue when it comes to liking Reigns. I'm not a 16 year old girl who has just seen a good looking guy for the first time in life and to speak on behalf of the male Reigns fans, they're not gay men who are fapping to him. And even if they were gay, what would it matter? We can all acknowledge Reigns is good looking and recognize his talent. The two are not mutually exclusive.

I don't think Reigns is Randy Savage, Mr. Perfect and Shawn Michaels, all of whom are my all time favorites. But he has talent and is a hard worker. He deserves to be judged by his own merit and not viewed out of spite because Daniel Bryan or some other talent wasn't pushed in his place.

I'm glad the post Mania crowds have given him the opportunity to prove his worth. And in my opinion, he has earned respect. It's up to his harshest critics if they will give credit where it's due.
Amen to that sister...

Seriously, I didn't like reigns when I first saw the shield. What caught my attention was his bad ass attitude and the apron dropkick.... then I noted how good looking he was....
Looks are completely secondary to me in this case.
Yeah I am a female, no I'm not a lovesick teen
I have just simply enjoyed watching a new guy who was very green compared to his fellow workmates improve over time and is getting better every day.


Oh another point for looks.... my favorite wrestler of all time was warrior, my favorite tag team... the bushwackers

Now tell me I only like wrestlers who are good looking people, I dare you
 
#59 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

Reigns marks please stop embarrassing yourselves with this constant passive agressiveness. It isn't going to make people like Roman. Some people have different standards than you and unfortunately Reigns may not live up to them.

Calling him "above average" in the ring & mic is laughable to say the least. He isn't in the top 10 in ANYTHING right now in the roster.

Now I'll be prepared to be called a "hater" because I'm not rimming his asshole even though I think Reigns is decent and kind of like him a bit now :cozy
 
#63 · (Edited)
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

Reigns marks please stop embarrassing yourselves with this constant passive agressiveness. It isn't going to make people like Roman. Some people have different standards than you and unfortunately Reigns may not live up to them.

Calling him "above average" in the ring & mic is laughable to say the least. He isn't in the top 10 in ANYTHING right now in the roster.

Now I'll be prepared to be called a "hater" because I'm not rimming his asshole even though I think Reigns is decent and kind of like him a bit now :cozy
Hater. :cena2

But you just touched on something in regards to different standards. Just as others have the right not to think that Reigns meets theirs, my standards shouldn't be seen as inferior for believing otherwise. I think he's more than capable in the ring and not the hack many want to write him off as.

And I see nothing passive aggressive in the OP. It's pretty straight forward IMO.
 
#72 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

Can we PLEASE cut the crap about Reigns's rejection having everything to do with angry Bryan fans? There were people on this board that didn't support Bryan and objected to Reigns's push, while there were Bryan fans that gave Reigns credit where it's due. Stop trying to pigeon hole the blame on one particular fanbase, it's getting old.


I think Reigns is not as bad as some people say, but I wouldn't say he is good either.
That's about how I see it too. I think he has traits that make him unique, and if he developes those traits he COULD eventually become a larger than life presence. His timing for high impact moves is good and his mannerisms show me that he has ample amounts of physical charisma. He certainly improved since his debut, but he's also been given all the opportunities and room to grow while some other wrestlers on the roster could only dream about having that kind of booking. Do I think he's great? No. Do I think he's delivering above expectations in matches that best accentuates his strengths and hides his weaknesses? Yes. Do I think he has potential to improve even more? Yes. Do I think he's criminally underrated? No.
 
#70 · (Edited)
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

Come on guys. I was a big Reigns "hater" but after seeing how him and fucking BIG SHOW had a better match than Orton/Rollins I had to take my L and accept that he's decent :mj

I don't think he's better than Rollins in the ring but he can be just as exciting at times. And that's how I look at him as. Exciting.

I think guys like Axel, Swagger, for example are better "wrestlers" but their matches bore the living the shit out of me most of the time. So of course, I'd rather watch a Reigns match than theirs because his moveset is more, again I should say, EXCITING.
 
#81 · (Edited)
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

Come on guys. I was a big Reigns "hater" but after seeing how him and fucking BIG SHOW had a better match than Orton/Rollins I had to take my L and accept that he's decent :mj

I don't think he's better than Rollins in the ring but he can be just as exciting at times. And that's how I look at him as. Exciting.

I think guys like Axel, Swagger, for example are better "wrestlers" but their matches bore the living the shit out of me most of the time. So of course, I'd rather watch a Reigns match than theirs because his moveset is more, again I should say, EXCITING.
I love that you and @Soul Cat are giving him a chance. It's crazy that you're my buddies when you really didn't care all that much for him before.

:nasir

Agree about the Axel/Swagger/Rollins comparisons. Swagger and Axel are technically better wrestlers but I prefer a Reigns match. Rollins rarely disappoints me in the ring but his recent matches with Randy have been boring.

Can we PLEASE cut the crap about Reigns's rejection having everything to do with angry Bryan fans? There were people on this board that didn't support Bryan and objected to Reigns's push, while there were Bryan fans that gave Reigns credit where it's due. Stop trying to pigeon hole the blame on one particular fanbase, it's getting old.
I would never want to lump you with some of the more overzealous Daniel Bryan fans who I do believe tried to sabotage Roman. You've always been fair and shown me nothing but respect. So, if I came across as though I'm lumping everyone together, you do have my sincerest apologies. I like Bryan and Roman. I'm not trying to pass off the entire backlash Reigns got on the account of Bryan fans. He and the WWE have their responsibility that they need to own. But there was a vocal Bryan contingent who wanted Reigns boo'd out of every building, his match at WM 31 hijacked, crapped on him at live shows even when he was trying and ruined to teach Vince a lesson. I just couldn't agree with that.
 
#7 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

You Reigns marks are so in denial. Just admit you like him cause of his looks. He sucks in the ring. Gasses out 2 minutes into a match.

If you like his looks ok, but don't come on a wrestling forum and sell us this bullshit. We know talent on this forum. Reigns is where he is because of his LOOKS, and not ability.

Thank you. Have a nice day.
/thread
 
#10 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

You Reigns marks are so in denial. Just admit you like him cause of his looks. He sucks in the ring. Gasses out 2 minutes into a match.

If you like his looks ok, but don't come on a wrestling forum and sell us this bullshit. We know talent on this forum. Reigns is where he is because of his LOOKS, and not ability.

Thank you. Have a nice day.
/thread
Thanks SO much for offering nothing credible or relevant to this discussion whatsoever.

And who's "we"? I know talent too. That's why Rollins is my No.1

Bye bye now. :eek:ut
 
#16 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

The amount of Reigns' threads nowadays is off the charts. It's like you're trying everything to convince people that he's so good in the ring. Guess what, even your beloved Roman Reigns has his haters, just like Bryan, Orton, Cena, and so on... For me he's just.... there right now, I don't hate him, but I certainly don't like him either. He has improved, that's fine and all, but he still has a long way to go before I seriously start liking him.

Oh, and can we please put Bryan aside for fuck's sake? This is getting quite annoying.
 
#27 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

His in ring performance was never really in question...everyone in the WWe does "5 moves of doom". It's their policy.

The fact that Reigns is a black hole of charisma and is being forced on you by the corporate office to be another John Cena for the next 10 years is the reason why people don't want to accept him.
 
#30 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

His in ring performance was never really in question...everyone in the WWe does "5 moves of doom". It's their policy.

The fact that Reigns is a black hole of charisma and is being forced on you by the corporate office to be another John Cena for the next 10 years is the reason why people don't want to accept him.
Yes because Reigns is champion and has been champion for 2 years straight and has buried the entire roster including Rollins who is jobbing to Cody Rhodes right now.
:StephenA2
 
#8 · (Edited)
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

I think saying Reigns is a better wrestler than Rollins was a bit of a stretch.
I don't think you could say Rollins is better based on match output although plenty of people DO say it and act like even questioning it is pure craziness. I don't really care if Rollins has the ability to work faster or do more moves than Roman Reigns, I care about match output and I don't see where he's putting out better matches than Roman Reigns.

You Reigns marks are so in denial. Just admit you like him cause of his looks. He sucks in the ring. Gasses out 2 minutes into a match.

If you like his looks ok, but don't come on a wrestling forum and sell us this bullshit. We know talent on this forum. Reigns is where he is because of his LOOKS, and not ability.

Thank you. Have a nice day.
/thread
This is a great low content post and pretty much what I was expecting so congrats. I write out a clear argument for why he is good and you just plug your ears and say 'NUH UH HE SUCKS NOT GONNA LISTEN TO YOU LA LA LA!"
 
#24 · (Edited)
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

Op has criminally overrated Reigns with his opening post. He has been the best guy on ppv this year? The only match where he was the better performer was arguably against Big Show. He wasn't better than Bryan or Brock and he sure as hell wasn't in the Rumble. I give him credit. His last 3 matches on ppv have been damn good, but to say he''s been the best on ppvs this year is a disservice to his opponents.
 
#26 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

Op has criminally overrated Reigns with his opening post. He has been the best guy on ppv this year? The only match where he was the better performer was arguably against Big Show. He wasn't better than Bryan or Brock and he sure as hell wasn't in the Rumble. I give him credit. His last 3 matches on ppv have been damn good, but to say he''s been the best on ppvs this year is a disservice to his opponents.
No, it's not because his 3 PPV matches this year are better than 3 PPV matches of anyone else on the roster so far this year. He has the best output.
 
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#232 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

He's not criminally underrated, but he is criminally hated for reasons that are often ridiculous.

Wrestling is subjective. Certain people don't like certain styles, certain people are hung up on "da look", etc. But if you're in the WWE, chances are (Khali notwithstanding) a decent wrestler. I'd actually have more respect for someone if they just were to come out and say that the reason they don't like Reigns is because they wanted Bryan to be in the WM main event. Enough with the same tired excuses. He's gotten better on the mic, his in ring work was never really called into question until he won the Rumble (go figure), and he had an excellent main event with Lesnar (you can't "carry" someone to have a good match). He's had MOTN (or 2nd best match of the night) since Fast Lane. Yet the same DB-NXT fanboys and girls consistently try to hold him to higher standards just because they don't like him. Can you imagine how much praise Sami Zayn would have gotten if he had the same exact match with Lesnar at WM?
 
#233 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

He's not criminally underrated, but he is criminally hated for reasons that are often ridiculous.

Wrestling is subjective. Certain people don't like certain styles, certain people are hung up on "da look", etc. But if you're in the WWE, chances are (Khali notwithstanding) a decent wrestler. I'd actually have more respect for someone if they just were to come out and say that the reason they don't like Reigns is because they wanted Bryan to be in the WM main event. Enough with the same tired excuses. He's gotten better on the mic, his in ring work was never really called into question until he won the Rumble (go figure), and he had an excellent main event with Lesnar (you can't "carry" someone to have a good match). He's had MOTN (or 2nd best match of the night) since Fast Lane. Yet the same DB-NXT fanboys and girls consistently try to hold him to higher standards just because they don't like him. Can you imagine how much praise Sami Zayn would have gotten if he had the same exact match with Lesnar at WM?
That bold part i agree with, a lot of people cant even pin point what they hate about him besides him being in the main event scene. His last 3 PPV matches have been a huge success. He main evented successfully twice and got MOTN with big show in a midcard match. So since he can put on good PPV performances a lot of people arguments switch to something else nit-picky just because he's Reigns. Not everyone has to like him, thats fine. I already see some people will probably NEVER like him, thats fine too. Different taste, thats to be expected but no need to say hes not ready for a main event spot or flat out cant wrestle anymore in my opinion. He's already proven with this small sample hes more than capable of having a good match.
 
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#34 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

This thread is so february :aries2
 
#47 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

Come on guys, let's just pretend to love Reigns so maybe these gimmick Vince posters can go away.



I love Reigns, his muscles are sooo big. Fuck indy trash like fat Kevin Owens and midgets like Finn Balor.
Yeah, cause it's possible to like and appreciate EVERY other wrestler, but you must be a corporate troll if you like Reigns. Gotcha.

:thumbsup
 
#49 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

calling him criminally underrated is stupid. i actually think his fans super overrate his in ring ability. the guy got a good match with lesnar by just selling the entire match and he threw two superman punches, then he does the superman punch and a spear during the lms big show match, which only got good ratings cause of the table spots. hes fucking bad.
 
#132 ·
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

Is this thread really still going? I see a litany of posts by the same users, none of whom are going to change the other's opinion. Nothing like watching marks argue.
This fact that this thread is still going on and will probably end at 20-30 pages is because people (including haters) are interested and invested in Roman Reigns. You can make a post called Roman Reigns is... and it will generate about 20-30 pages of nonsense from haters and rebuttals from his fans. That's polarization. That is success. Outside of Cena and Orton, Reigns is the only current wrestler with this affect on fans. Truth.
 
#191 · (Edited)
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated



REIGNS IS BETTER WRESTLER THAN ROLLINS? :sodone

But yes, Roman Reigns is the most underappreciated GOAT...

If we forget that all the matches you enjoyed were with great opponents. If we forget that it seems compulsory for him to be either on the receiving or giving end of chinlocks for at least half a match. If we forget that those "cool" moves you mentioned like 1) that tilt-a-whirl slam he does only on "vanilla midgets" or 2) that cool headlock where he knees people in the head (not in the face) he has practically done once and is not actually a part of his moveset or that 3) I don't have any clue that those "different suplexes" are because I'm fairly certain that for two years I've seen him executed just the most basic of all suplexes or 4) his real moveset is Spear, Superman punch, apron dropkick, samoan drop from time to time and about a BAZZILION jumping clotheslines.

I do love though how now Reigns' fans are "Oh he is such a great wrestler, one of the best on the roster" just because he was beyond protected in his PPV outtings but used to and still slam us for saying things like "Bryan/Rollins/Zayn/etc are great wrestlers" even though they proved in the last one or two decades how good they are without having to be made look good, because they actually are.

:lel

Also, watched like 5 PPVs and a bunch of TV matches doesn't make you sound like a credible reviewer of the skills of Reigns, Rollins, Ziggler, Ambrose and so on. :cudi
 
#194 · (Edited)
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

REIGNS IS BETTER WRESTLER THAN ROLLINS?
Go ahead and bold the part where I said that you over dramatic baby. I have also seen every PPV since like 2009 so I've seen plenty of Ambrose, Rollins & Ziggler.

Also thank you for continuing to make me believe that the more gifs someone puts in their post the shittier their argument is.
 
#222 · (Edited)
Re: Roman Reigns:Criminally underrated

Criminally was a poor choice of words and reeks of hyperbole. I acknowledge he's gotten better but I feel and, hopefully he does as well, that he can still improve on things.
There's nothing wrong with that sentiment, the problem is when people say things like that but act like the majority of the roster are perfect with no room for improvement. At least Reigns is still evolving, a guy like Ziggler is the same dude in the ring he's been for like 3 years.

I don't think it's really hyperbole when you have so many people in this thread who give him no credit at all, act like he's a horrible wrestler and bend over backwards to explain away how he deserves no credit for the good matches he's had.

I also don't see how he can be under rated when he performs at a upper mid card level and is getting Royal Rumble victories and WrestleMania main events.
Well for me a big part of being a main eventer is being able to step it up and make your big matches and your PPV matches feel more important than the matches on TV. Roman Reigns has been putting on better "big match" performances than guys like Rollins or Ambrose.
 
#431 · (Edited)
6 months into the year it wouldn't be much off the mark to say that Reigns has been the best performer this year.

He always had top notch physical presence and charisma but in these six months we have seen much much more to solidify him as a serious player for the next decade or so. The thing that impressed me the most is his temperament which is tough as nails. The RTWM was as tough a litmus test as it can be for any performer to prove himself as a main-eventer, if there is a column for "performance under intense-est of scrutiny" for a professional wrestler, Reigns is a sure shot 10/10, during a time when your credentials to even be in the company are being questioned, charges of nepotism flying around and a very vocal section of the fans always baying for your blood, to come up with the performances that he did at FastLane and WM is nothing short of extra-ordinary and a testament to his mental strength and fortitude.

In the ring he is a proven performer for me, from Daniel Bryan to Big Show he has wrestled every weight class and has given great matches against all of them. Here is a guy who can deliver a pretty damn convincing spear and at the same time perform a picture perfect suicide dive over the top rope, he has the perfect hybrid moveset to wrestle anybody of any weight class and make the match great which is a rarity.

The only weak area that remains is obviously mic skills, I'm glad that instead of saying NO and letting the problem manifest he took it upon himself to cut decent length promos on a consistent basis trying to improve and at the moment, even though his mic skills are just passable I'm pretty sure that this is not the ceiling and he has a lot of scope for improvement.
 
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