Roman Reigns vs. Triple H Lacks Heat, Star Power for WrestleMania 32 Main Event

A Thursday afternoon report from Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t RingsideNews.com) revealed a WrestleMania 32 main event consisting of Roman Reigns taking on Triple H, the culmination of a rivalry that began at Survivor Series and continued into TLC, where the former juggernaut of The Shield brutally assaulted the man who had screwed him out of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

While ongoing stories have the Superstars headed on a collision course, it's far from a match worthy of headlining wrestling's grandest night.

There is no denying the work Roman Reigns has put in over the last year. A Superstar who had been rejected by fans following his Royal Rumble victory nearly one year ago, he busted his back to improve his in-ring game, to the point that many of his pay-per-view bouts stole the show. And by the end of 2015, he won over those same fans and captured the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

But he is still an unproven commodity as a main event draw. His run as the face of WWE is in its infancy, his star still growing. He is in much better standing with the audience than he was, but he is still in a situation where one booking misstep could unravel all of the goodwill he has built to this point.

His situation is volatile, hardly one the company wants to hitch its trailer to heading into its most important show of the year.

The criticism of the proposed main event does not lay solely at the feet of the current WWE champion, though.

Triple H is a legendary figure in sports entertainment, an all-time great who will enter the Hall of Fame the moment he decides he is ready to. His contributions to the squared circle are undeniable, and his greatness as a professional wrestler is inarguable. If his success with NXT thus far is any indication, he has a bright future ahead of him as a promoter, as well.

But the man known to millions as "The Game" is not the star someone such as The Undertaker, The Rock, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin or Brock Lesnar is. Despite a run as a top star dating back to 1999, Triple H has always been the guy who benefited from working with bigger names—not the lead actor in the motion picture that is WWE television.

Reigns is hardly a name that will convince casual fans to plunk down their hard-earned money to purchase WrestleMania. Thus, his proverbial dance partner on the grandest stage known to pro wrestling becomes that much more important.

In 2015, Reigns was one half of the headline bout at the Showcase of the Immortals, but his opponent was box-office attraction Lesnar. A Superstar with legitimate mass media appeal, he could be counted on to attract buyers. Triple H, for as well known as he is within the industry, does not have that same appeal. He does not have that drawing power, no matter how great he is.

With a main roster depleted by injuries to top attractions, the company desperately needs a main event that can draw both viewers and attendees to the show. Unfortunately for them, Reigns vs. Triple H is not that bout. 

At least not right now.

There is plenty of time for their rivalry to develop into one deserving of the top spot on the card. But it will take flawless booking on the part of an inconsistent WWE Creative and strong performances by both men involved to ensure the success of the story and a quality marquee match fans can be excited about.

The heat has been hurt significantly by the absence of Triple H from television following the aforementioned beating he endured at TLC. Without him around, Vince McMahon has returned to television and stolen the spotlight, leaving some to wonder if the match can ever generate the same interest that McMahon's appearances have to this point.

Again, that will be up to the writers to ensure, even if they have proved uneven and inconsistent.

If they can generate enough interest, excitement and anticipation for a Reigns-Triple H main event, though, it will be an accomplishment few would have expected and one that those on the booking team can be proud of.