The relationship between Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman has worked wonders for the Tribal Chief over the past couple of years. Since returning at SummerSlam 2020, Reigns has dominated the SmackDown locker room with Heyman at his corner. Reigns has built such a presence for himself and has made sure that the WWE universe indeed acknowledges him, something Heyman seems to be proud of.
While speaking with James Stewart of the 98.5 Sports Hub‘s “Wrestling Inside The Ropes” show, Heyman discussed why being able to communicate with the audience ultimately makes someone a great superstar in today’s wrestling businesses. For Heyman, it’s not just about being the great athlete or just having enough charisma, but it’s having all those qualities and then some. According to Heyman, Reigns has proven himself to have those qualities and that’s why he’s made it this far.
It’s everything. In today’s climate, with the expectation of the audience higher than it ever has been, with high definition cameras zooming in on you from every conceivable angle on television, you have to be good at everything. You have to have charisma. You have to be an athlete. You have to be a performer. You have to be a showman or a show-woman. You have to be able to talk. You have to be able to communicate in that talking.
You have to be able to communicate intimately with each and every single individual in the audience, and also with the audience en masse. You have to have a lot of luck on your side. You have to be in the right place at the right time, with the right opponent and the right story to tell. There are some great athletes that never got out of college basketball because they just didn’t get noticed in the draft … There are great boxers that never got a title match. So it takes everything, and you have to get yourself noticed, and you have to then get yourself accepted by the audience. It’s why Roman Reigns starts every day with ‘Acknowledge me.’ Because he worked so hard for that acknowledgment. And that’s what it takes.
Reigns is rumored to work less house shows this year, but that won’t stop the Tribal Chief from making appearances on SmackDown. While there’s no confirmed opponents set for Reigns, it looks as if either Randy Orton or Riddle be next in line. If Heyman continues to a supportive ally to the Tribal Chief, who knows whether Orton or Riddle will stand a chance? In the end, one of them might just have to acknowledge the Tribal Chief.
What do you make of Heyman’s comments and do you acknowledge the Tribal Chief? Sound off in the comments section below.