Major League Baseball ignited controversy when its official social media labeled Sean Manaea the “Tribal Chief” during his 2025 season debut for the New York Mets, a phrase fiercely associated with <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE superstar Roman Reigns. This unexpected crossover occurred as Manaea returned to the mound amid the Mets’ intense playoff race, drawing immediate backlash from wrestling fans who view the title as an exclusive symbol of Reigns’ wrestling legacy.
A Star Pitcher’s Return Amid Mets’ Injury Crisis
The New York Mets have been locked in a tight contest for the top spot in the National League East, carrying a solid 55-42 record into the All-Star break. However, the team’s postseason ambitions have been jeopardized by a slew of injuries, especially among their pitching staff. Key pitchers Griffin Canning, Christian Scott, and A.J. Minter are all sidelined for the remainder of the season. In this context, the return of Sean Manaea was highly anticipated, representing a vital boost for the Mets’ rotation.
Sean Manaea, the franchise’s $75 million left-handed ace, was returning from a discouraging absence caused by an oblique strain and an elbow issue that sidelined him for the first 96 games of 2025. Coming off what he described as the “best season of my career” in 2024, during which he posted a 3.47 ERA, Manaea was expected to lead the Mets’ pitching staff once again. His first outing after the hiatus was a mixed bag; while he demonstrated control by fanning seven batters, he ultimately conceded the decisive hit in a 3-2 defeat.
MLB’s Social Media Reference Triggers Wrestling Community Backlash
To celebrate Manaea’s return, Major League Baseball posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, writing,
“The Tribal Chief is back. Sean Manaea makes his season debut for the @Mets this afternoon!”
The phrase was intended as a nod to Manaea’s leadership and significance to the team, but it quickly sparked a cultural uproar.
The controversy centered on the title “Tribal Chief,” which is not merely a generic nickname but a key element of WWE’s record-breaking storyline associated with Roman Reigns. Reigns, a member of the famed Anoa’i wrestling family—which includes his cousin, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson—is renowned for earning this title as part of his character’s rise from rejection to dominance as the “Head of the Table.” For dedicated wrestling fans, the “Tribal Chief” is a title steeped in personal and cultural significance, and its casual use by MLB was seen as a profound misstep.
Wrestling Fans Voice Outrage Over Appropriation of Title
Many WWE enthusiasts responded with disbelief and frustration, highlighting the cultural divide that MLB’s tweet had crossed. The “Tribal Chief” is deeply tied to Roman Reigns’ symbolism in wrestling, reflecting his Samoan heritage and multi-year narrative arc. Users expressed shock and disappointment over the phrase’s deployment to describe a baseball player without similar context or history.
This is just flat out disrespectful. There is one tribal chief, and his name is @WWERomanReigns. Be better, MLB
—Wrestling Fan
The backlash was rooted in the narrative power the WWE persona holds. The “Tribal Chief” role represents the peak of Roman Reigns’ career and persona, earned through an extensive storyline chronicling his transformation into an undisputed ruler in the industry. Fans argued that borrowing this title for a baseball player diluted the significance of the wrestling saga.
Baseball Fans Offer Their Own Picks for “Head of the Table”
In response, some baseball followers engaged in the debate by proposing athletes they believed genuinely deserved recognition as leaders of their sport. They suggested names like Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, both of whom had standout seasons in 2024, as more fitting candidates for such a title.
The only two that are worthy for the Head of the Table right now are Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal
—Baseball Enthusiast
Paul Skenes gained fame as the dominant 2024 Rookie of the Year, while Tarik Skubal secured the 2024 American League Cy Young Award along with the pitching Triple Crown. These accolades contrasted with Manaea’s recent injury struggles and uneven return, leading fans to question MLB’s choice of analogy.
Humorous and Critical Fan Responses Highlight the Controversy
The debate also sparked playful and sarcastic reactions, with some fans imagining hypothetical confrontations between the sports stars. These comments cast doubt on the validity of comparing Manaea to Roman Reigns while entertaining the absurdity of such a crossover.
I don’t think he’s beating Roman, but let’s see how it goes.
—Fan Respondent
This humorous response underlined the physical disparity and distinct nature of the two athletes—Reigns being a 6’3”, 265-pound professional wrestler with a commanding persona, while Manaea is primarily a baseball lefty on the mound.
Other fans with deeper knowledge of both baseball and wrestling made more nuanced critiques. One pointed out the difference in workload between the two athletes, with an allusion to Roman Reigns’ part-time schedule as WWE champion.
The difference between Sean and Roman Reigns is that Sean will have more days worked by the end of the season than the OTC will have all year
—Informed Fan
This remark highlighted Reigns’ limited WWE appearances, contrasting it with Manaea’s full-season commitment, while simultaneously acknowledging Reigns’ dominant status despite his reduced ring time.
Significance of the Dispute and Future Intentions
The incident highlights the complexities that arise when one entertainment domain crosses cultural and narrative boundaries of another. MLB’s attempt to celebrate a returning player collided unexpectedly with an intensely guarded title from the wrestling world, illustrating how deeply rooted and protective fans are of their icons and storylines.
Given the ferocity of the response, MLB may need to tread carefully in the future when invoking cultural or entertainment references that carry substantial meaning outside of baseball. Meanwhile, Roman Reigns’ identity as the sole “Tribal Chief” within the WWE universe remains fiercely defended by millions of fans, affirming the value of storytelling and lineage in shaping modern sports entertainment culture.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Roman Reigns’ illness?
A. A few days after he came back, WWE released a documentary about one of their top stars. For the first time, it was shared that Reigns had been managing chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer that is treatable but can’t be cured, for more than ten years.
