WWE News and Updates 2016: Roman Reigns Hailed 'Best Wrestler'? Fans Reject PWI 500's No. 1
He is definitely not "The Guy" the fans want.
There are a huge variety of characters that have developed in pro-wrestling history. Out of the diversity, the WWE community had made distinctions between these personalities.
The faces are the traditional heroes, the good guys who are expected to triumph over evil. There are also the babyfaces, the people handpicked by the powers that be to act as popular victors and poster boys of wrestling. Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin and John Cena all went through this boost from the company.
Then there are the heels, the villains of the ring, a role Bret Hart, Kurt Angle, Triple H and Edge worked to perfection. These personalities are routinely booed by the crowd, committing atrocities against the faces and then challenging them to title matches.
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WWE superstar Roman Reigns is one of the league's top babyfaces—but fans boo him like he is the worst heel both in the ring and in reality.
Undeserved victory
The popular disdain for Reigns peaked when "The Guy" was named the No. 1 wrestler from August 2015 to August 2016, per the Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Top 500. However, the list is based on kayfabe—the storyline reality established on wrestling television. These include the rivalries, title wins and other events involving wrestlers on camera.
As kayfabe provides, he has had a phenomenal year (and not just because of the AJ Styles feud). Prior to his successful title defense against Triple H in the main event of WrestleMania 32, Reigns had won the World Heavyweight Championship three times.
The main issue the fans have is his supposed inabilities in the ring. Reigns' name was listed over some of the best in-ring technicians, notably IWGP heavyweight champion Kazuchika Okada, Finn Balor and AJ Styles. However, Reigns had been hated mostly because he was not perceived as a hard worker.
Whatever maneuvers he had were easily eclipsed by top heel Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, his former SHIELD colleagues. Yet Vince McMahon continues to boost his favorite superstar. His position in the list is also rumored to be McMahon's doing. With recent events, however, that may be about to change.
Trouble in paradise
Reigns' rewarding babyface run might come to a close if he continues to be embroiled in tough issues. Recently, the superstar was suspended for 30 days following a violation of WWE's Wellness Policy.
Another problem is the petition filed by wrestling fans against his attire. The Change.org petition complains that Reigns' vest gives him an unfair advantage against his fellow wrestlers; a controversial claim considering that the WWE shows predetermined sports entertainment. However, as of press time, it has gained 2,500 signatures.
Unless Reigns proves himself against top-tier competition, he would expect tough love from fans of the craft. With Kevin Owens awarded the Universal Championship, and Reigns getting the Pedigree from Triple H in the process, the complexion of his career may be about to change.
