In a new interview with Complex, World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns talked about what it takes to be the face of WWE for a decade, and what his future in the business looks like.
Reigns said there’s a “responsibility” for someone in his position to “try to tap into the future.” He described a concept that wrestling fans might refer to as ‘getting the rub,’ which is how his opponent’s value is increased by sharing the ring with him, win or lose.
“It’s one thing to have a match with me. It’s another
to be the guy that we’re working towards to transition from me, or to use my equity to then put a rocket on that guy’s back.
If you’re in the ring with me, your value’s going up. It sounds arrogant, but I don’t mean it that way. I just mean that if you get in the ring with me, you’re gonna get the very best Roman Reigns.
You put them with someone like me, and I’ll be able to exploit it and then try to magnify and make it even greater. But they got to have that thing going for themselves already.”
Reigns went on to say that Cody Rhodes is the only other current WWE star who has demonstrated the ability to carry the company.
“As it’s been shown with John [Cena] and then also with me, it takes a decade or so.
Can you perform every single time and then deliver when you’re asked? Can you do it when you’re tired? Can you do it when you’re sick? Can you do it when you’re hungover after WrestleMania? Can you carry the banner for this company? This is a billion-dollar machine. It’s not easy.
There’s only been one who’s been able to carry that banner. And that’s been Cody.”
As far as his own future with WWE is concerned, part-timer Reigns may be moving out of his position as the guy who carries the company, but he didn’t rule out the possibility of “a whole ‘nother run that we didn’t even think about” as newer stars emerge at the top and draw him in to their stories.
“As these young guys continue to grow, they’re gonna create matchups and situations for me. As I’m phasing out and as they’re really taking the helm, their superstardom, I think, will create those type of fantasy warfares…What happens if he goes against the Tribal Chief five years down the road?”
Do you think Roman Reigns is as effective at giving the rub to other WWE stars as he says he is? Are you looking forward to an older Tribal Chief popping back up several years down the line to mix it up with whoever the new face of the company is at that time? How much longer will Rhodes be the guy in that spot, given Roman’s math about carrying the company for a decade?
Let me know your reaction to Reigns’ interview in the comments below, Cagesiders.
