WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns has come a long way in his career, from struggling on the mic and being involved in embarrassing storylines to becoming one of the biggest wrestling stars in the world. Yet, it was his involvement in the infamous dog food storyline with Baron Corbin that reportedly made Reigns rethink his standing on the main roster.
Embarrassing storylines and promos
Before he was known as The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns went through many challenges to establish his current status as a megastar. As a babyface, he had difficulty with his on-screen persona, and some of the storylines he was involved in were cringeworthy at best. According to his manager, Paul Heyman, the “sufferin succotash” promo and the dog food angle with Baron Corbin pushed Reigns to reevaluate his role in the WWE.
The turning point
The turning point for Reigns came after his feud with Baron Corbin and the humiliating dog food segment in late 2019. Heyman explained that these experiences weighed on Reigns enough for him to decide, “I’ve had enough. I’ve reached the cap. I can’t go any further. As the big dog, I’ve peaked. As an athlete, I haven’t peaked as a performer. I’ve barely scratched the surface. I have so much more to offer, and since I’m taking time off, I’m not coming back as the same person.” Just months after this revelation, Reigns turned heel.
The transformation to The Tribal Chief
Roman Reigns’ heel turn during WWE SummerSlam 2020 brought about a significant change in his on-screen demeanor. Aligning with Paul Heyman just days later, Reigns has since dominated the main roster like few others have before. His improved promos and unmatched aura have made him an even more prominent figure in the wrestling world. It’s interesting to consider where Reigns would be today if he hadn’t made the switch to playing a villain back in 2020.
