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Roman Reigns & Paul Heyman Represent The Key to Success for WrestleMania

The future of The Rock is in the hands of Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns

Justin Barrasso

Roman Reigns & Paul Heyman Represent The Key to Success for WrestleMania
Roman Reigns & Paul Heyman Represent The Key to Success for WrestleMania /

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Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman will make or break WrestleMania 40

History is repeating itself.

In the spring of 1997, only six months after debuting with the company, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson–then known as Rocky Maivia–was testing the patience of the WWE fan base.

Overpushed and residing in a spot that should have belonged to someone else, Rock was booed and criticized. That vitriol reached its peak in April of ‘97 at In Your House: Revenge of The ‘Taker, with parts of a combative crowd in Rochester, New York shouting “die, Rocky, die” and “Rocky sucks!” during his match against Savio Vega.

This past Monday on Raw, just three days after an explosive SmackDown that saw Rock have a staredown with Roman Reigns, there were members of the crowd in St. Louis chanting “Rocky sucks!”

Ultimately, Johnson won over the fan base in the late 90s with his charisma, in-ring abilities, and charm. Decades later, as he slides into a WrestleMania 40 main event spot previously earmarked for Cody Rhodes, that won’t be nearly as easy this time.

None of this is to imply that fans of The Rock no longer exist in wrestling. He received a tremendous reaction when he appeared on SmackDown, only hours prior to the Internet nearly exploding over anti-Rock sentiment. But there is cause for concern. If you were a fan of The Rock during the height of his wrestling career–and yes, I am including myself–you are now in your 40s or 50s. The key part of the current demographic needed to be won over is much more familiar with The Rock as an actor than with The Rock as a wrestler.

Contents

  1. The (Online) Week in Wrestling
  2. AEW frontrunner to land Kazuchika Okada
  3. Tweet of the Week

Another factor is the snowball effect. Once a wrestler starts getting booed or receiving harsh treatment from the crowd, history tells us it is not going to change. This happened to Batista, as well as to Reigns–each of whom were cast in place of a more deserving Bryan Danielson at WrestleMania XXX and WrestleMania 31, respectively.

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A similar circumstance almost took place a year ago. Sami Zayn began his involvement with The Bloodline in April of 2022, and the storyline reached heights that no one–not even Zayn–could have envisioned. A year ago at this time, Zayn was, unquestionably, the hottest babyface in WWE–and every bit deserving of a title match against Reigns at WrestleMania 39. Instead, that spot went (rightfully) to Rhodes, who lost the match but has carried the entire promotion on his back ever since.

Interest in Rhodes’ storyline last year was significantly enhanced by Reigns and Paul Heyman. Both were incredibly gripping on the microphone, making Rhodes every ounce of the challenger needed for Reigns at WrestleMania.

The turning point for the Sami Movement was the one-on-one promo between Rhodes and Heyman that took place a year ago. It turned the tide, garnering support behind Rhodes (who had won the Rumble a week prior) in the beginning of his build toward WrestleMania.

More shocking, even in hindsight, is that the promo took place before Zayn’s title match against Reigns in Montreal at Elimination Chamber, yet it did not diminish him whatsoever.

Unlike when he was booed back in ‘97, Rock now has two major allies in his corner: Heyman and Reigns.

Roman

And yes, in that order. Heyman is the most spectacular orator in the storied history of pro wrestling. In order for the hostility surrounding The Rock to diminish, a flurry of outrageously compelling promos from Heyman will be a necessity.

Think of Heyman as the starting pitcher. I’ll even date myself with aces from the 90s who were popular during The Rock’s WWE heyday: Heyman is Roger Clemens or Andy Pettitte (what, you don’t think PEDs exist in pro wrestling?) or even David Wells, masterfully dominating the game over eight-plus innings. This is what Heyman does in a manner in which no other–not Bobby Heenan, Freddie Blassie, Jimmy Hart, Lou Albano, Gary Hart, or whoever else you would like to suggest–could do.

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Heyman is a wrestling lifer. He has dedicated his entire existence to his craft, and it shows. When people were apoplectic that Brock Lesnar ended The Undertaker’s beloved WrestleMania winning streak, it was Heyman who told you every week that Lesnar was the man who took the O from the 21-0. Decades ago, it was Heyman who sold you on the promise of ECW: not for what it was, but for how it made you feel.

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Brock

Most recently, Heyman brought a legitimacy and edge to Reigns. It feels like revisionist history, but it is not: Reigns was never as confident, natural, or effective as he is now until he was partnered with Heyman. And make no mistake, Reigns currently has no peer in the industry.

On the subject of Reigns, he plays the closer role to perfection. He is wrestling’s version of Mariano Rivera, entering the ring to cut a promo that leaves absolutely no doubt about its effectiveness (case in point: the way Reigns scorched Seth Rollins this past Friday on SmackDown).

In order for WrestleMania 40 to work–and it is by no means a guarantee–Heyman and Reigns will need to be at their absolute best.

Isn’t that something? For The Rock to be The Rock, he needs to sit back and let others work their magic. Heyman will need time on the microphone, and creative freedom–and maybe even a face-to-face showdown on the mic with The Rock–in order for this to work. And then Reigns will need to enter in the ninth, and he will need to be allowed to be unremitting in his bitterness and apathy toward The Rock.

Here is the million-dollar question: will The Rock buy into that creative plan? And will he accept losing cleanly to Reigns? If this match takes place, it should not follow The Bloddline formula (ie: outside interference). It should end with Reigns going over cleanly. Then, when Rhodes or whoever else finally dethrones Reigns, it will mean that much more.

This is going to be one of the most fascinating builds ever to WrestleMania. Ever. And the key to success is held by Heyman and Reigns.

The (Online) Week in Wrestling

  • Wearing all white, just like she did when first introducing Damage CTRL, Bayley turned face this past Friday on SmackDown. A title win at WrestleMania 40 would be an emotional moment for one of the most integral stars in all of pro wrestling.
  • Does anyone else see similarities between Drew McIntyre and Jake “The Snake” Roberts?
  • Bret Hart has given his latest address on the state of pro wrestling. He does not hold back on his current likes and dislikes throughout the industry.
  • Tony Khan is making an announcement on tonight’s Dynamite. Will it have to do with Sasha Banks?
  • This Sunday in Osaka, Zack Sabre Jr. seeks revenge against Bryan Danielson.
  • Jey Uso challenging Gunther is a match befitting WrestleMania.
  • Becky Lynch defeated Shayna Baszler this past Monday on Raw, qualifying for the Elimination Chamber match later this month that will determine Rhea Ripley’s opponent for WrestleMania.
  • Matt Cardona continues to inject excitement into wrestling, most recently in his loss this past Saturday against Nic Nemeth.

AEW frontrunner to land Kazuchika Okada

AEW is the frontrunner to land Kazuchika Okada, Sports Illustrated has learned.

There are multiple factors at play. Despite genuine interest from WWE, Okada already trusts AEW owner Tony Khan. He is also close with EVPs Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks, which is not to imply that he does not have allies in the WWE locker room. But Okada will be extremely well-paid in AEW, with the added benefit that he will be able to continue residing at home in Japan.

Courtesy AEW
Courtesy AEW

If Okada were to sign with WWE, he would have to move to Florida. That would allow him constant access to the Performance Center, where he could get acclimated with the new company. And while it is fun to fantasy-book Okada against Roman Reigns, Gunther, Cody Rhodes, or Finn Balor, it is far more likely that we will see the wrestling superstar become an integral part of the world title picture in AEW.

Could Okada be the man to dethrone Samoa Joe? If so, that could lead to an exceptional title defense against Will Ospreay this summer in London at All In.

Tweet of the Week

We’ll see.

Published
Justin Barrasso
JUSTIN BARRASSO

Justin Barrasso has been writing for Sports Illustrated since 2014. While his primary focus is pro wrestling and MMA, he has also covered MLB, NBA, and the NFL. He can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.

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