The Roman Reigns Curse Crushing WWE

There is no denying that Roman Reigns has gotten better at professional wrestling.

The Tribal Chief's character work has improved, his microphone skills are much stronger, and he's become a more compelling performer than the guy WWE spent years desperately trying to convince audiences was the next big thing.

Unfortunately, WWE seems to have mistaken improvement for greatness.

Reigns is a very good wrestler, particularly in an era where the company's main-event depth leaves plenty to be desired. But the way WWE keeps positioning him suggests we're supposed to believe we're watching one of the greatest performers in wrestling history.

We're not.

And the company's obsession with keeping Reigns at the center of everything is becoming a problem that extends far beyond one Superstar. The experiment worked once, but WWE's inability to move on from it is crushing the product.

WWE Keeps Chasing the Magic of Reigns' Bloodline Run

The original Bloodline storyline was one of WWE's best accomplishments in years. Reigns finally found a character that worked, surrounded himself with compelling personalities, and became the centerpiece of a story that consistently delivered.

But that was several years ago. The company has spent an absurd amount of time trying to recreate that magic, seemingly convinced that another lengthy championship reign or another Roman-led storyline will produce the same results.

It won't.

The problem is that WWE continues treating The OTC like the answer to every question. Need a major storyline? Bring back Reigns. Need a championship to feel important? Put Reigns in the picture. Need a marquee main event? Somehow, Reigns ends up involved.

There is a difference between being a major star and being the only star WWE seems interested in protecting. Reigns has benefited from booking most wrestlers could only dream of, but the company has become so dependent on that formula that it no longer feels special.

Reigns Is Overrated, and WWE Is Making It Worse

I'll give Reigns credit where it's due. He's improved tremendously. His ability to control a match, work a crowd and deliver meaningful character moments is considerably better than it was a decade ago.

That doesn't make him an all-time great, though.

In fact, Reigns might be the most overrated wrestler in history when you consider the gap between how WWE presents him and what he actually brings to the table. He's good, sometimes very good, but the constant insistence that he's operating on a different level than everyone else has become exhausting.

His latest Crown Jewel victory over Sami Zayn is another example. Reigns already has world championships, an established legacy, and more accolades than he needs.

What exactly did winning the Men's Crown Jewel Championship accomplish? Did it elevate Zayn? Did it create a new star? Did it give WWE something it couldn't have accomplished without putting another trophy in Reigns' hands?

Of course not. It was another Reigns victory because apparently that's what WWE thinks its audience needs.

WWE's Reigns Obsession Is Holding Everyone Back

The biggest casualty of this obsession is the rest of the roster.

Talented performers should be getting opportunities to establish themselves as legitimate main event attractions. Instead, WWE continues operating as though everything eventually needs to revolve around Reigns.

Championship divisions suffer, emerging stars struggle to break through, and storylines take a back seat to maintaining The Tribal Chief's position. The irony is that WWE has spent years trying to convince audiences that Reigns is the undisputed face of the company, but that approach has arguably made the overall product less interesting.

Reigns doesn't need another championship. He doesn't need another lengthy run. And WWE certainly doesn't need to keep finding reasons to remind everyone how important he is.

The 41-year-old has earned his place as a major WWE Superstar, but he hasn't earned a lifetime exemption from criticism, nor should the company keep sacrificing its roster's development to preserve his position.

WWE needs to stop chasing The Bloodline's glory days and start creating new ones. Until that happens, Reigns might remain the company's biggest attraction, but he'll also continue being one of its biggest problems.

For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics or catch the latest episode in the player above (some language NSFW).