Most of the job I feel is already done setting up, surprisingly, it just needs its completion. Let’s start at the beginning of the storyline, which has already passed.It all starts from Roman’s 30 day suspension. He came back, straight into the Shield triple threat for the title, got pinned by Ambrose, and left Raw without a world title. Then on the first Raw after Battleground got beaten by the seeming new face of the company in Balor, leaving him out of the title picture for the new Universal championship, securing his relegation to the midcard. This plants the US championship, and Rusev, firmly in his sights. It also takes pressure off of Roman, as well as a bit of the heat he’s got, and the drop seems to help his ability to cut a good promo, which importantly, still have an air of arrogance about them
Flash forward to the most recent Monday Night Raw (8th August 2016), and after the previous week attacking Rusev, Reigns confronts him again at the wedding party. Not only was he good on the mic, but by making jokes at the expense of Rusev, and the general persona he played, Roman Reigns actually managed to get a recognisable pop off the crowd.A pop that was made bigger at the end of the night when he speared Rusev.
Now let’s jump forward to Summerslam. Rusev vs Reigns for the US title. Rusev is heel and thus Reigns should get a face pop. That’s why it’s so important that creative booked the lead-up to Summerslam well, Roman needs to be accepted as the face role for the match to work. I feel that Reigns’ actions at this week’s Raw, coupled with Rusev’s work for his entire run, especially recently, have done enough to seal that. However, at the same time, Reigns’ recent actions mean he is no longer a face. He’s a ‘tweener, and that will be very important for the rest of the storyline. Reigns wins the match with a spear after an attempt to interfere by Lana goes wrong and Rusev drops the belt. The rematch is main event at the first Raw after Summerslam and Reigns wins clean again.
Before I continue, I’m going to remind you: At this point in the storyline, Reigns is neither face nor heel, but a slightly arrogant ‘tweener.
For the next few months, Reigns has a run with the belt, beating anyone who dares challenge him. Cesaro, Sami Zayn, K.O. once his feud with Cass and Enzo ends, holding off Del Rio at a cross-promotion PPV, everyone. All the whilst at the same time slipping in a few heel tendencies. Starting to get the occasional low blow and eye rake in in the harder matches, on occasion chucking in a dirty pin as well. Every victory making him more and more arrogant. But not yet taking the final step, staying as a ‘tweener.
We get to December, it’s nearing time for Roadblock, and Reigns still has the belt. A rematch against Alberto Del Rio is scheduled, but at the Smackdown before Roadblock Del Rio picks up a kayfabe injury. The WWE bandwagon rolls onto Roadblock and Reigns has no opponent. By this point, his arrogance has reached its height. Start of the show, he walks out to the ring and after saying he’s beaten the whole locker room, puts out an open challenge to anybody who thinks their tough enough. End of the night, main event, Reigns walks out, gets in the ring, no one comes down. He gets the ref to start counting for a no show. 1....2.....3.....4 - and then the music drops. For the first time in 10 years, in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, The American Hero Kurt Angle is back. The pop is unreal, Roman is left speechless.
The match is a classic. Near fall after near fall. Roman breaks out of the Angle lock, Kurt kicks out after a spear. Both men are left exhausted. Roman hits Angle with a Superman Punch that takes him to the floor. A final spear is prepared, Angle dodges it, gets behind Reigns, and immediately pulls off the Angle Slam. 1, 2, 3. New champion. The American Hero wins the US belt, on his return to WWE after 10 years away, in his hometown. Reigns rolls out of the ring quietly, lets Kurt get his moment. The comeback WWE fans have dreamed of for years has finally happened, and it’s been the perfect night......until Reigns starts hitting Angle with a chair. Attack after attack, the chair goes round Angle’s neck, Reigns stamps on the chair, puts Angle out of action with a kayfabe injury, and Reigns lifts up the belt he just lost, heel at last.
That is how I’d book the Roman Reigns heel turn.
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