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As everyone may have known, I am big wrestling fan. I have been watching since I was a teenager in a 2 bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, NY. I say that, to say this, yesterday I realized the sands of time have a funny way of shifting in professional wrestling. I have seen wrestlers who the company say is the next best thing came and go without fan fair. So one who I thought would have fell to that fate was Roman Reigns and here’s why.
About eleven years ago, the name Roman Reigns was always met with a chorus of boos from fans, especially when he stood victorious in the center of a WWE ring. This was especially true after he became the winner of the 2015 Royal Rumble. The fan rejection was so visceral it threatened to derail his career before it had even truly begun. I must admit, I too did not like the character. He was too generic and he lacked the charisma of The Rock and John Cena.
But fast forward to yesterdays Royal Rumble. I was surprise but excited that he stood as the final combatant among 30 who got hurled over the top rope in Riyadh. Yes, the very same Roman Reigns stood with his arm raised, but this time, the roar from the crowd was one of adulation, not animosity. There were no boos. Fans were genuinely excited and happy he won.
Finally, it wasn’t just a victory; it was a coronation, a long-awaited one and, this time, well-earned. I know everyone could see it was a very far cry from how they felt in 2015. This time around, the 2026 Royal Rumble, the first to be held in Saudi Arabia, will be remembered for this very moment. But what led to the win?
After losing to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, he became a part-timer. He was involved in various Bloodline adjacent storylines, but not at the same level. After lost during Survivor Series: War Games 2025, he took a period of absence. He was disappointed about the lost, and the fact he had been away from the championship picture. But in this rumble, the “Tribal Chief” returned to the iconic match and outlasted 29 other men to punch his ticket to another WrestleMania.
The victory was the culmination of a masterful, multi-year character transformation that has seen Reigns evolve from a corporate-pushed hero to the most compelling antagonist in the industry. But to truly appreciate the significance of the win, one must cast their mind back to the infamous 2015 Royal Rumble in Philadelphia. The backlash to Reigns’ win back then was immediate and severe. Fans, who felt their preferred Superstars were being overlooked, hijacked the event with deafening boos. I must say, I still believe they’ve been overlooking superstars even today and I was visibly upset when he got eliminated in this Rumble. This will be another post address my take on L.A. Knight.
In 2015, the hashtag #CancelWWENetwork trended globally as a sign of protest. Even an appearance by Roman Reigns’ cousin, the legendary Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, couldn’t quell the hostility. The perception was clear: Roman Reigns was the company’s choice, not the people’s.
What a difference a decade makes. The Roman Reigns of 2026 is a far cry from the stoic, smiling hero of 2015. The “Tribal Chief” is a complex, layered character, a dominant and manipulative former leader of the “The Bloodline” faction. This heel turn, which began in 2020, has been universally praised for its intricate storytelling and Reigns’ captivating performances. He has become a villain so good, you can’t help but respect him.
This hard-earned respect is the key to understanding the night-and-day difference in fan reactions. The 2015 victory felt forced, a premature crowning of a character that hadn’t resonated with the audience. The 2026 win, however, feels like a just reward. It’s an acknowledgment of the incredible work Reigns has put in to redefine himself and carry the company through one of its most engaging storylines in recent memory.
While some may still harbor resentment from the early days of his push, the atmosphere in Riyadh was electric with support for the “Head of the Table.” This Royal Rumble win wasn’t just another accolade for Roman Reigns; it was the final chapter in a long and arduous redemption arc. He was once the superstar nobody wanted. Now, he is the acknowledged and respected leader of the WWE Universe, a king who has finally received his crown, on his own terms.
