Roman Reigns Hatred Blinding Fans to McMahon Epidemic and Own Indecisiveness

As the February 22 episode of Monday Night Raw went off the air, a bloody Roman Reigns laid at the feet of Triple H, fans cheering his pain and punishment while The Game stood tall to close out the broadcast. It was in that moment that it became clear that the hatred fans feel for Reigns had completely blinded them to the McMahon family epidemic—and their own indecisiveness—that plagues the WWE product.

For years, fans begged WWE to push young talent. They pleaded for the company to bring forth Superstars of youth that could supplant the John Cenas, Triple Hs and Undertakers of the world and carry it into the future.

When Reigns put forth a dominant showing in the 2014 Royal Rumble, fans reacted favorably, and it appeared as though the company had done right by them. When he received such a strong pop for beating Triple H and leading The Shield to a victory over Evolution later that year, the juggernaut was firmly established as the future face of WWE.

But as the push became a reality, fans turned on Reigns, booing him because he suddenly and inexplicably did not represent what they wanted in a top star. It was hardly the first time that had happened. In the age of the Internet, fans had a history of building up a Superstar through tremendous cheers and incredible pops, only to reject them when it was no longer cool to cheer WWE's chosen one.

What is strange, though, is that by booing Reigns to such a degree that they have over the last two months, those fans have brought about the return of McMahon family drama to WWE television.

That's right, the same members of the WWE Universe who took to the Internet to champion change in professional wrestling have necessitated the return of CEO Vince McMahon to television. Then, on the same February 22 episode of Raw, erupted for the return of his son, Shane.

After seven years away, it was cool to see the prodigal son return, but to suggest that he has somehow saved WrestleMania is asinine. But right there it was on Twitter.

"

Shane McMahon might of single-handily saved Wrestlemania.

— Davin Huynh (@davinhuynh) February 23, 2016"

Some even ridiculously went as far as to say that Shane's return to the company saved the future of the business.

Yes, that is exactly what happened.

The segment that featured Shane's return to the company ate up 30 minutes of television time. Throughout the remainder of the broadcast, Stephanie McMahon was featured in numerous backstage segments with her father.

Then there was the aforementioned segment in which another 46-year-old guy beat down the man positioned to carry the company for the next decade as if he was a jobber unable to defend himself against the almighty King of Kings.

So invested in booing Reigns and "sticking it to the man" are fans that they are secretly boosting the ego of that same "man" by being the catalyst for his return to television and the latest chapter in soap opera nonsense with his family. Instead of giving time and opportunity to the young talent the audience supposedly supports, the McMahon family dominated the February 22 broadcast.

WWE intercontinental champion Kevin Owens was not even on the show, some 24 hours after beating Dolph Ziggler to retain his title at Fastlane. He even made light of it on Twitter.

"

No worries people… #KOMania is still upon us.

— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) February 23, 2016"

And no one noticed because, "OMG! McMahon family drama! It's the Attitude Era again!"

Determination to derail Reigns' push because of some rebellious desire to hate anything WWE pushes, no matter how organically it began or how much it makes sense, has led to Creative and management forcing a match between Shane and The Undertaker for control of Raw that came from out of nowhere and makes zero sense.

After all, if Shane has everything in order to succeed his father and ensure that his sons have control of the company well into the future, why would he even bother to accept the match with The Undertaker? Why would he be so interested in revealing the sad state of the company's ratings and stock, then turn around and be so eager to take it over?

Hardly the best business decision from a guy who left the company to go succeed in business.

Make no mistake about it: The return of the McMahon epidemic and their domination of television time has everything to do with the fans rejecting Reigns for reasons that still do not make much sense.

Is Reigns booked like a world beater who overcomes the odds and wins more than he loses? Of course, but so was Cena, Steve Austin, The Rock and Hulk Hogan. Every major babyface has followed that same pattern dating back to 1984.

Austin and Rock rose to international Superstardom in the same exact role that Reigns finds himself in now, battling the corruption of the McMahons.

The unfortunate reality is that guys like Austin and Rock would never get over with today's audience because they would be turned on the moment it appeared as though management was getting behind them. Why? Because it is the nature of today's industry.

Smart fans, ironically enough, like the underdog. They like someone who has obstacles placed in front of him or her by management. They like to cry and complain that "so and so is being held back." That youth is being smothered by the same old Superstars that have been on top for too long.

But when the McMahon family returns to television and takes time away from AJ Styles, The New Day, Neville, The Social Outcasts and Owens, no one bats an eye. It is hypocrisy that defines today's fan base and, unfortunately, leads to annual temper tantrums from entitled fans no longer happy enough with being given what they originally asked for.

For so long, "push young talent" has been the rallying cry for fans but every time they get it, they find something to complain about. Even Daniel Bryan's recent retirement, which returned the leader of the YES! Movement to television for the first time since injuries sidelined him last year, generated negativity on Twitter.

"

Not sad at all that Daniel Bryan officially retired. Never liked him much. Overrated Indy star #RAW #WWERAW #DanielBryan

— IG: DamnHisBody_ (@DamnHisBody) February 9, 2016"

Two springs ago, the WWE Universe asked for young and athletic. Dynamic and entertaining. They championed a push for Reigns, erupting after every one of his 12 Rumble eliminations and exploding when he put away Triple H and the rest of Evolution.

Is he a perfect performer, devoid of flaws? Absolutely not. But he is a strong one, who has excelled between the ropes and delivered in every major match in which he has been booked. He has been responsible for numerous Match of the Year candidates, including last year's 'Mania main event against Brock Lesnar.

His struggles on the mic are well-documented but so is WWE Creative's strict scripting of promos. Thus, it is difficult to blame Reigns for coming up short in those moments when it is essentially laid out for him what to say and how to act.

Now, he has become another unfortunate Superstar to have what should be a magical period of time in his young career ruined because the fans in the stands are an indecisive bunch, unsure of what they really want.

It is their fault that the march to WrestleMania 32 has become another excuse for the McMahon family to take center stage, feed their egos and soak in the spotlight that should be reserved for the roster they oversee.

You have not even noticed.

And it is all your fault.