Matt Hardy expressed that Roman Reigns was given some genuinely poor creative direction early in his solo career, and he questioned whether Reigns was truly prepared to be the top star when WWE initially pushed him to that spot. On the latest episode of The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, he analyzed Reigns’ trajectory, especially focusing on whether the 2015-2016 version of Reigns was ready for the demands placed on him by the company.
Hardy expressed skepticism about Reigns’ readiness but acknowledged that WWE had already made up their minds due to their admiration of Reigns’ look, physique, and in-ring skills, deciding to proceed regardless. He noted that while the company eventually achieved success, the journey was tougher than necessary, largely because Reigns was often stuck with weak material and awkward lines, such as the infamous “dog food” promo, which didn’t match the serious main event persona WWE intended for him.
Hardy pinpointed the main issue as a disconnect between the character’s role and the creative content Reigns received. He emphasized that Reigns wasn’t supposed to provide comic relief but instead be a charismatic, tough figure admired by fans of all kinds. According to Hardy, Reigns’ real breakthrough came when he embraced the Bloodline storyline and his role as the “Tribal Chief,” a character that feels authentic and genuine to him, making his performances much more believable.
Drawing a parallel to his own career, Hardy mentioned how his personal investment in the “Broken Matt” persona made that character resonate with audiences. He also praised Reigns’ on-screen partnership with Paul Heyman, saying their chemistry makes the promos feel natural and authentic.
This transformation spans nearly a decade—from Reigns winning the 2015 Royal Rumble to enduring significant fan backlash, to his 2020 return that introduced the Tribal Chief character, which has since elevated him to one of WWE’s most dominant and protected stars. Hardy highlighted Reigns’ recent match against Penta in Mexico City, where Reigns defended his World Heavyweight Championship in an intense main event. Despite Penta’s loss, Hardy compared the match to Jeff Hardy’s defining 2002 Ladder Match against The Undertaker, noting it significantly boosted Penta’s credibility.
He concluded that although Penta didn’t win, going toe-to-toe with a dominant figure like Reigns added immense value to his reputation, illustrating both Reigns’ influence and the importance of booking compelling matches that elevate all competitors involved.
Fan Take: This insight into Roman Reigns’ early struggles and eventual rise highlights the critical role creative direction plays in shaping wrestling superstars. For fight fans, it underscores how narrative authenticity and character chemistry are as vital as in-ring talent in creating compelling Hollywood-style sports entertainment that captivates audiences worldwide.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
