First off, this isn't a comparison thread. This is about fan response to the two, despite their similarities.
Anyway...
Both guys have been made to look unstoppable since the beginning of their push.
Both guys have been the face of the main event as the quality of the show declines.
Both guys are favourites of bookers and management. Reigns of Vince, Balor of HHH.
Both guys are devoid of character and suck on the microphone.
Both guys' only redeeming trait is "never give up".
The difference is, I assume from the years of reading posts in this subforum, that Balor is a better wrestler than Reigns, or receives better booking, and is therefore more entertaining.
However that seems entirely untrue.
Firstly, Reigns has been in a storyline against the Authority for months. This stuff has been played out for a while and everything makes sense even if it seems rushed or imbalanced. Though you might not enjoy it, it at least is a story.
Balor on the other hand is THE shoehorn champion, and NXT Championship booking is horrible. Contenders are decided through random thrown together matches that often ignore the feuds on the undercard, or for attacking the champion or showing some kind of anger. There's no denying this is lazy.
The other is simple. Since Balor has joined WWE he has been in the "workrate" zone - NXT - and has yet to have a match as good as any of Roman Reigns' top few matches in 2015.
So why exactly do people like Balor and loathe Reigns?
I certainly understand the disdain people have for Reigns based on the fact he's literally a corporate champion - being handpicked to run the show in the absence of a greater name like Cena. But Balor is clearly the same, and despite having years and years more experience, hasn't proven himself to be any better than Reigns in any way since debuting.
Shouldn't we all be booing Balor?
The fanbase that vehemently dislikes Reigns is also a huge majority of the NXT fanbase.
Shouldn't we be cheering and rooting for someone like Corbin?
Anyway...
Both guys have been made to look unstoppable since the beginning of their push.
Both guys have been the face of the main event as the quality of the show declines.
Both guys are favourites of bookers and management. Reigns of Vince, Balor of HHH.
Both guys are devoid of character and suck on the microphone.
Both guys' only redeeming trait is "never give up".
The difference is, I assume from the years of reading posts in this subforum, that Balor is a better wrestler than Reigns, or receives better booking, and is therefore more entertaining.
However that seems entirely untrue.
Firstly, Reigns has been in a storyline against the Authority for months. This stuff has been played out for a while and everything makes sense even if it seems rushed or imbalanced. Though you might not enjoy it, it at least is a story.
Balor on the other hand is THE shoehorn champion, and NXT Championship booking is horrible. Contenders are decided through random thrown together matches that often ignore the feuds on the undercard, or for attacking the champion or showing some kind of anger. There's no denying this is lazy.
The other is simple. Since Balor has joined WWE he has been in the "workrate" zone - NXT - and has yet to have a match as good as any of Roman Reigns' top few matches in 2015.
So why exactly do people like Balor and loathe Reigns?
I certainly understand the disdain people have for Reigns based on the fact he's literally a corporate champion - being handpicked to run the show in the absence of a greater name like Cena. But Balor is clearly the same, and despite having years and years more experience, hasn't proven himself to be any better than Reigns in any way since debuting.
Shouldn't we all be booing Balor?
The fanbase that vehemently dislikes Reigns is also a huge majority of the NXT fanbase.
Shouldn't we be cheering and rooting for someone like Corbin?
Or dare I say... Tye Dillinger?
Corbin has improved substantially, deserves an opportunity (even if that is just a 1v1 for the title in a loss), and is clearly underrepresented by the NXT fanbase as a whole.