During his premiere episode of A&E Biography: WWE Legends, Roman Reigns revealed that he didn’t want to break up The Shield nor did he want to be a babyface.
Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) broke up in 2014 after The Lunatic Fringe turned on the group. This led to Reigns working as a babyface until 2020.
Reigns said, “I didn’t wanna break up The Shield, and I damn sure didn’t want to be a good guy. That’s exactly what was happening. I was so young on the rise. It’s not like I had a nest egg built up. It’s not like I had a whole bunch of options that I can just say ‘No I’m not feeling this. This doesn’t feel good to me or I wouldn’t say this.’ It was so hard to do that when you don’t have that backup, when you don’t have that ‘f**k you’ money, and you can’t just stand on your art and your family is depending on you. Your livelihood is depending on you. You have to just be a good soldier and do what you’re told.”
At WrestleMania 40 (Night One), The Rock and Reigns will battle Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in a tag team match. Reigns will then defend the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship against Cody in the main event of WrestleMania 40 (Night Two).
Roman Reigns, one of the most prominent figures in WWE, recently opened up about his feelings regarding the breakup of The Shield and his transition to being a babyface. During the premiere episode of A&E Biography: WWE Legends, Reigns revealed that he didn’t want The Shield to break up and that he never aspired to be a good guy in the wrestling industry.
The Shield, consisting of Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose (now known as Jon Moxley), was a dominant faction in WWE from 2012 to 2014. However, in 2014, the group disbanded when Ambrose turned on his fellow members. This led to Reigns taking on the role of a babyface, or a good guy, until 2020.
Reigns expressed his reluctance towards the breakup, stating, “I didn’t wanna break up The Shield, and I damn sure didn’t want to be a good guy. That’s exactly what was happening.” He explained that at that point in his career, he was still young and rising in popularity. He didn’t have the financial security or freedom to refuse certain storylines or character directions. Reigns felt the pressure of providing for his family and ensuring his livelihood, which made it difficult for him to go against the decisions made by WWE management.
The wrestler emphasized the importance of having financial stability and creative control over one’s career. He mentioned that without a backup plan or the ability to say no to certain ideas, he had to be a “good soldier” and follow instructions. This sheds light on the challenges faced by professional wrestlers who may not always have the freedom to fully express themselves artistically.
In recent years, Roman Reigns has undergone a significant character transformation. He has embraced a more villainous persona and adopted the moniker “The Tribal Chief.” This change has been well-received by fans and has revitalized his career. Reigns is now the WWE Undisputed Universal Champion and is set to defend his title against Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 40 (Night Two). Additionally, he will team up with Seth Rollins to face The Rock and Cody Rhodes in a tag team match at WrestleMania 40 (Night One).
Reigns’ journey from being a member of The Shield to becoming a top heel in WWE showcases the evolution and challenges faced by professional wrestlers. It highlights the importance of creative freedom and financial stability in the industry. As fans eagerly anticipate his matches at WrestleMania 40, Reigns continues to prove himself as one of the most compelling figures in the world of professional wrestling.