JBL has highlighted Roman Reigns as a rare phenomenon in modern wrestling—a true attraction whose value hinges on being protected and not overexposed on television. On a recent episode of Something to Wrestle, which he co-hosts with Conrad Thompson, JBL discussed Reigns’ Raw main event match against Penta El Zero M in Mexico City, likening Reigns to legendary touring stars like The Sheik, Bruiser Brody, Abdullah the Butcher, and Jack Brisco who made each of their appearances feel like major events by wrestling infrequently.
JBL emphasized that Reigns’ scarcity increases his impact, stating, “Roman Reigns has become the guy that’s very rare in this business, that can come along as an attraction. You don’t want them wrestling on TV every week.” This limited presence, JBL argued, made the match with Penta particularly significant, turning it into a special occasion rather than a routine TV slot.
He explained that the old-school model of wrestling stars traveling between territories and appearing sparingly built their mystique and value—something Reigns has maintained since his 2020 comeback by focusing his appearances around major live events. The recent match against Penta was one of the few times he defended his world title on regular television.
JBL also praised Penta, noting the intense fan enthusiasm during the Mexico City show, with people lining up long before the event and social media buzzing all night. “Penta is a massive star… That’s freaking rock star level,” JBL said, expressing admiration that rivaled his praise for Reigns.
Acknowledging Reigns’ talent beyond his status, JBL asserted, “I think Roman Reigns is an incredible worker… He deserves his flowers.” Regarding why the match resonated so well, JBL credited the perfect alignment of factors: a tournament to decide the challenger, the home-country advantage for Penta, and Reigns’ infrequent television appearances all combined to create a “perfect storm.”
The September 14 Raw episode was broadcast live from Arena CDMX, marking WWE’s first show in Mexico City in 15 years and was extensively promoted as a special event. Penta earned his shot by winning an eight-man tournament featuring luchadors from Raw, SmackDown, and AAA, culminating with a victory over his brother Rey Fenix in the finals on August 31.
The match itself exceeded typical TV main event lengths and featured intense action, with Penta injuring Reigns’ right arm early and showcasing high-impact maneuvers like the Sacrifice and Mexican Destroyer. At one point, Reigns grabbed a microphone mid-match to demand recognition from the Mexican crowd before ultimately winning with a spear to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.
Although Penta lost, JBL argues that Reigns’ infrequent appearances are what build his attraction’s value, making rare matches like this feel like major events rather than routine parts of weekly programming.
Since capturing the World Heavyweight Championship earlier this year following his second Royal Rumble win in January, Reigns remains the most protected superstar on the roster. Speculation is mounting about a potential feud with Oba Femi, the 2026 King of the Ring winner, who has deliberately ignored Reigns—a storyline that could further elevate the championship scene.
Fan Take: For fighting fans, JBL’s insights highlight the lasting magic of making top stars special by limiting their appearances, preserving their allure and creating must-see moments rather than diluting the product. This approach could help wrestling maintain its appeal by focusing on quality over quantity, ensuring that championship bouts and major rivalries continue to carry significant weight in the sport.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
