As of the second week of June, WWE superstar Roman Reigns has been missing from television for two months now. WWE’s creative team works fast to fill in the holes when a superstar is injured or taking time from the ring. The company has always been quick to work around gradual and abrupt absences.
On one hand, it means that there is a space open for someone WWE wants to move up. This also opens the possibilities for new feuds as we’ve seen recently. On the other hand, WWE can change drastically in a calendar season with running stories in place.
Even though Roman’s space was filled in, he still has his spot on the roster. It just means that another SmackDown superstar is keeping it warm for him. However, the WWE Roman Reigns would return to could be a different one than he left. New faces in new spaces, belts are on new waists and across new shoulders.
What would that mean for Roman Reigns? Could we see a new Roman? Also, does WWE even need him at this point?
Is Roman Reigns Needed At This Point?
While he does have a fanbase in WWE and he will move merch, Roman Reigns is someone who doesn’t standout in-ring. That’s especially true when you look at the fresh talent on the bubble in NXT, the recent and last wave call ups. Actually, if you’ve noticed, the in-ring style on WWE television has become more athletic and competitive to a degree.
We’re not talking Ruthless Aggression-era SmackDown competitive as the booking in this modern era has been mixed. There is definitely a place for Roman on the roster but whenever he leaves, WWE soldiers on without missing a beat. This isn’t like if WWE didn’t have Austin for several months during the Attitude Era or even the first few times when Cena was out of commission.
The company has enough strong talent and potential stars for the upper reaches of the roster. An absent Roman Reigns isn’t hurting the brand. Sure the roster make up and storylines are different from when Roman left but the booking is pretty much the same: some stuff hits and some stuff miss.
It’s actually time for WWE to attempt to groom him for a Hollywood run. This would mean less TV time but could raise his profile more. Besides, in almost a period of year, it’s been shown that WWE can operate without The Big Dog for months at a time.
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