Roman Reigns has made a subtle but pointed remark about The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, two icons who dominated WWE during the Attitude Era. As John Cena transitioned to Hollywood, Reigns became the face of WWE, stepping into a role once defined by those legendary figures. His comments reflect on the differences between the eras and the challenges he faces as the current top star.
During the Monday Night Wars, WWE surged in ratings by spotlighting stars like The Rock, known as The Brahma Bull, and Austin, nicknamed The Texas Rattlesnake. Their intense rivalry helped propel WWE to become the world’s premier wrestling company. However, Reigns’ path was shaped under Vince McMahon’s direction, initially struggling before establishing himself as The Tribal Chief.
Recently appearing on the podcast What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon, Reigns discussed the art of cutting promos in the current PG Era, contrasting it with the more explosive style used during the Attitude Era—a remark perceived as a critique of his predecessors.
“From a promo standpoint, a lot of those cheaper digs, I feel a little more sophisticated than that. I feel like my communication can be a little more intellectual. I don’t know, I’m from Georgia Tech. I should be able to, like put some stuff together that isn’t necessarily the stuff you’d hear on the corner, you know what I mean? So I just always, and (Vince McMahon) was that way too, the way he wrote and the way he thought about writing and being a little more sophisticated and things of that matter. That was just a challenge of mine that I’ve always taken being in a PG product, and no disrespect to anybody, chugging a beer, flipping birds, shove this up your a**, that up your a**, you know? That’s not that hard. You know what I mean?”
—Roman Reigns, WWE Superstar
Potential Matchup Between Roman Reigns and The Rock Remains Open
The possibility of a Roman Reigns versus The Rock match continues to excite WWE fans, remaining one of the company’s highly anticipated dream matches. Plans for this bout had been discussed years ago but never came to fruition due to various complications. Since The Rock, often referred to as The Final Boss, has not officially retired from wrestling, the opportunity to create a major storyline still exists, bolstered by their real-life family connection as cousins.
In addition to The Rock, rumors have circulated about Stone Cold Steve Austin‘s willingness to step back into the ring, with reports indicating he might be open to another match as of June. These developments keep the door open for fresh and compelling matchups featuring WWE legends and current stars alike.
Implications of Roman Reigns‘ Comments on Wrestling’s Future
Roman Reigns’ remarks shed light on the evolving nature of WWE storytelling and promotional styles, especially under the constraints of the PG Era. His emphasis on a more intellectual and sophisticated approach to promos contrasts sharply with the raw, unfiltered expressions of the Attitude Era, highlighting a shift in WWE‘s creative direction. This perspective may influence how future matches and rivalries are shaped, especially as dream matches like Reigns versus The Rock or Austin remain potential highlights for the company.
As Reigns continues to develop his role as the Tribal Chief, his comments hint at a desire to elevate the art form within WWE‘s modern framework. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how this influences upcoming storylines and the potential realization of long-awaited dream matches within WWE’s evolving landscape.
