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View Full Version : Roman Reigns: WWE Is “A Kids Show,” He’s Not In Wrestling “For The Grown Men”



Kemo
03-29-2016, 07:56 PM
Yesterday, the Orlando Sentinel published an interview with Roman Reigns that well-known pro wrestling writer and radio show host Brian Fritz had conducted. Like his Kingston Whig-Standard interview that we covered over the weekend, the most controversial comments will probably be those about the fans that boo him.

When asked why he thinks he’s still getting such a strong negative reaction from WWE crowds, Reigns has some theories (emphasis mine):

“I think there’s a few different reasons why. You could name a bunch of them. I don’t think we could actually put a finger on one and say this is the reason why. Typically if you hear the boos, it generally is grown men my age and I’m not really in this business for the grown men. (laughs) I’m in this business for the families. That’s what we are; we’re a PG product. We’re a family-based product. We’re here to entertain families and give them enjoyment. If you’re a 30-year-old man and you want to flip me off at a kids show, then, hey, like I said, you paid your money but just be careful because you could get kicked out.”

Despite the fact that he’s been pushed to the moon and positioned as “the next John Cena,” the majority fans just aren’t taking to his act the way WWE has hoped. When asked if he’s bothered by fans rejecting him as the new face of the company, he gave another head-scratching reaction.

“There’s nothing to complain about as far as reaction, because we’re storytelling here and not everybody is going to have the same opinion about the story,” Reigns said. “My only concern is you’re setting a bad example. I’ve seen grown men flip me off and there were children right there. There’s a guy who got kicked out of one of the shows because I’m pretty sure he was drunk. He’s going nuts, screaming and cussing, acting like a fool when there’s children right next to him. That’s something we have to keep in mind.

A lot of times, these pay-per-views and Monday Night Raws, they’re on school nights so it is a lot more of a grown-up feel. I think if you pick and choose and just think with logic, everything will be all right. That’s just one thing, you have to be concerned with the example we’re setting. At a show, I’m not the only role model. These kids are sitting next to these other grown-ups and they’re seeing how these people act. That’s just a reflection of what they see and they probably act the same way.”

In context, it’s honestly not an unfair comment, albeit one seemingly designed to pivot from Fritz’s actual question. The whole interview is worth reading, as he also gives the non-storyline reason for his nasal surgery (deviated septum from bad allergies, worsened by all of the travel he does).