Triple H vs. Roman Reigns Is Only Solution to Save WWE WrestleMania 32
Roman Reigns is the top babyface in WWE, and some people are not OK with that.
Reigns typically receives a mixed reaction, with most of the boos coming from WWE's vocal minority of hardcore fans. Some fans are even sharpening their fangs, either demanding a Reigns heel turn or that WWE changes course for the WrestleMania main event.
But if Reigns is truly WWE's choice to represent the company for the next 10 years, the professionals within the publicly traded company need to buckle down and move forward with that choice. Per WWE's long-term storytelling, all signs point to Reigns taking on Triple H in the WrestleMania 32 main event, which is a match that will save an otherwise injury-riddled card.
Fans are much more empowered (or entitled) around WrestleMania season these days, for better or worse. The trend started two years ago with WrestleMania XXX, where the Yes Movement infamously promoted Daniel Bryan to the main event in place of a planned Batista vs. Randy Orton match. The fan-led revolt led to one of the most feel-good moments in WrestleMania history.
One year later, plans called for Reigns to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Brock Lesnar, per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Marc Middleton of WrestlingInc.com). But after a cascade of residual anger from the Yes Movement—this time directed at Reigns—WWE once again became gun shy. Seth Rollins, a Yes Movement-approved choice, went on to become the WWE World Heavyweight champion at WrestleMania 31.
It's worth mentioning both Rollins and Bryan ended up vacating their world championships due to serious injury. It was a bitter reminder that the overly physical style that endears itself to hardcore fans leads to injuries and is not conducive to being a "face of the company." Finn Balor is the most recent example of this theory, per WWE.com.
This time around, Dean Ambrose is the "Great White Hope" among the Internet as Fastlane approaches with a ticket to the WrestleMania main event on the line:
Should WWE wuss out for a third straight year, Reigns' development as a top babyface may be permanently damaged.
Dealing with unruly fans is part of the process for any top star, especially one who seems hand-selected by WWE. Defeating Triple H in the main event of WrestleMania is the final step in what has been a bumpy road to the top of WWE for Reigns.
Due to injuries to marquee names, WWE has already had to change plans multiple times this WrestleMania season. Fortunately, Reigns taking on Triple H makes perfect sense, as this has been a brewing that dates back to the Shield-Evolution rivalry of 2014.
Triple H is a pro who will be able use nuances to turn fans against him as a power-hungry authority figure. There are few talents who can make Reigns come off as a legit underdog. Triple H is one of those few.
If WWE wants to project Reigns as a sympathetic babyface without seeming forced, a match against a WWE COO who just so happens to be a world champion is the answer.
But if WWE changes directions in a build that has already been compromised yet again, there would be little continuity, and WrestleMania 32 would be an abject mess.
