Roman Reigns’ eye color change in WWE has sparked curiosity among fans after he transitioned from wearing blue contact lenses to revealing his natural eye color, a shift that coincided with his dramatic heel turn in 2020. This transformation marked a new chapter for Reigns, who has become one of the industry’s most dominant personas, raising many questions about the reasons behind this striking alteration.
The Evolution of Roman Reigns’ WWE Persona
Since his 2012 debut with The Shield, Roman Reigns has steadily risen through the ranks to become WWE’s headliner, captivating the WWE Universe and dominating the male roster over the years. In his early appearances, management focused on making Reigns as marketable as possible, introducing blue contact lenses as part of his “Big Dog” gimmick—a persona defined by a powerful build, tactical vest, and striking gaze designed to project confidence and authority to new fans.
Despite this imposing image, Reigns struggled with crowd reactions during his tenure as a babyface champion. Week after week, he faced overwhelming boos from enthusiastic wrestling fans, suggesting that the presentation was not resonating as intended. In response to this, WWE made strategic adjustments, hoping to refresh his appeal and address the ongoing disconnect with the audience.
Why Roman Reigns Was Made to Change His Eye Color
The decision for Reigns to use blue contact lenses was not his own. Industry analysts and fans alike have pointed out that behind-the-scenes decision-makers, possibly including then-chairman Vince McMahon, pushed for this look to broaden his mass appeal—believing that his original eye color was not sufficiently striking for the company‘s new leading figure. However, neither Reigns nor any WWE executive has publicly addressed this change or the motivations behind it. According to details reported by WrestlingWorldCOC through a brief social video, Reigns’ eye color was one of the most “heavily” altered aspects of his appearance during his formative years in WWE. They revealed that the performer was
“instructed to wear for a few years,”
but ultimately chose to abandon the contacts; the official rationale for these instructions remains undisclosed. —WrestlingWorldCOC, via YTShort
Speculation within the wrestling community suggests that management’s goal was to maximize his attractiveness and relatability to a global fanbase. While the precise reasons stay unconfirmed, the use of contact lenses set Reigns apart visually during his initial run, contributing to the conversation around image manipulation in professional wrestling.
Turning Point: Reigns Discards Contact Lenses and Redefines His Legacy
As Roman Reigns evolved, his decision to shed the blue contact lenses and embrace his natural appearance paralleled a much larger transformation in his WWE persona. When Reigns returned in 2020 following a brief hiatus, he shocked audiences by stepping into a villainous role, known as the “Tribal Chief,” cutting ties with his previous babyface identity. This creative decision was met with overwhelming approval from crowds who had previously jeered him, signaling a major shift in his relationship with fans and the industry.
In his earlier role as a babyface, Reigns became synonymous with cliché promos and was often described as an overbooked, over-pushed contender—dominating the title scene to the frustration of many loyal viewers. His in-ring work was well-received, but his microphone skills and character authenticity were seen as lacking.
The turning point came when Reigns aligned himself with Paul Heyman and embraced his darker, more intense persona. His promos gained a new level of authenticity, his performances were widely praised, and his tenure as a villain quickly turned him into one of the most compelling characters in recent WWE history. No longer bound by the blue-eyed “Big Dog” image, Roman Reigns leveraged his natural presence to command the spotlight, ultimately achieving a 1316-day reign as the Undisputed WWE Champion before losing the title to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania XL. This dramatic evolution established him as a true “Head of the Table,” earning both the respect and admiration of wrestling fans worldwide.
What’s Next for Roman Reigns in WWE?
Roman Reigns is now anticipated to return for the upcoming Money in the Bank event on June 7, 2025, with fans eager to see if his ongoing rivalry with Seth Rollins will be reignited, and whether he can prevent Rollins from winning the coveted MITB ladder match. The event is set to broadcast on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix in other regions, sparking excitement throughout the WWE Universe for what is sure to be another electrifying chapter in Reigns’ storied career.
Roman Reigns’ eye color change in WWE remains one of the most significant and talked-about visual transformations tied to his character development. While the official reasoning for the forced blue lenses may never be fully disclosed, the move to abandon them coincided with an unprecedented surge in popularity and a renewed connection to his cultural roots and natural persona. As both a champion and a villain, Roman Reigns continues to redefine what it means to be a top performer in world wrestling entertainment, keeping fans and industry insiders invested in every new twist to his legacy.
