Roman Reigns isn’t pretending he’ll be WWE’s top guy forever. The Tribal Chief knows the next generation is taking over, but don’t confuse that with him riding off into the sunset. If the right star comes along, Reigns thinks there could still be another big chapter left in his career.
While speaking to Complex, Reigns opened up about where he sees himself now that he’s checked just about every box imaginable in WWE. At this stage, he’s thinking less about adding another title reign and more about helping create the company’s next marquee attraction.
According to Reigns, there’s a huge difference between simply wrestling him and being the person WWE is positioning to carry the company forward. If you’re in that spot, he believes sharing the ring with him can take your career to another level.
“It’s one thing to have a match with me. It’s another to be the guy that we’re working towards to transition from me, or to use my equity to then put a rocket on that guy’s back. If you’re in the ring with me, your value’s going up. It sounds arrogant, but I don’t mean it that way. I just mean that if you get in the ring with me, you’re gonna get the very best Roman Reigns.”
That doesn’t mean he thinks anyone can be made into a superstar overnight. Reigns said the talent has to bring something special to the table first, and then someone in his position can help make those strengths impossible to ignore.
“You put them with someone like me, and I’ll be able to exploit it and then try to magnify and make it even greater. But they got to have that thing going for themselves already.”
As for what’s left on his own to-do list, Reigns admitted another championship isn’t really what’s driving him anymore. What still excites him are the stories that haven’t been told yet and the little details that can make a rivalry memorable.
“I got like a little bit of OCD when it comes to storytelling and stuff. I like symmetrical situations, continuity and stuff. It’s all about the nuances.”
That’s when Reigns got honest about where he is in his career. He admitted he’s beginning to phase out as WWE’s centerpiece, but he actually sees that as an opportunity. As younger stars continue to break through, they’ll naturally create fresh rivalries that could eventually pull him back into the mix.
“As these young guys continue to grow, they’re gonna create matchups and situations for me. As I’m phasing out and as they’re really taking the helm, their superstardom, I think, will create those type of fantasy warfares.”
Reigns even threw out a hypothetical that shows exactly how he’s thinking. Maybe the next dream match isn’t one WWE can book today—maybe it’s one that won’t exist for another five years. And while he isn’t making any promises, he definitely isn’t shutting the door either.
“What happens if he goes against the Tribal Chief five years down the road? If I stay in shape and I do my end of the job, I could possibly still have a whole ‘nother run that we didn’t even think about.”
Roman isn’t talking like someone who’s ready to call it a career. He’s talking like someone who’s waiting for the next star to give him a reason to come back for one more big story. If that person shows up, don’t be surprised if The Tribal Chief has another run left in him.
Who do you think could be the Superstar that brings Roman Reigns back for one more huge run? Let us know your pick in the comments below.
