Is Roman Reigns “The guy”? Is he the locker room leader? What does it even mean to be “The Guy” and does that translate into becoming a leader in the locker room? On his recent podcast, Jerry “The King” Lawler expounded on Reigns being “the guy” and what being the top wrestler in the company means and what it doesn’t mean. Lawler repeated what a lot of people, including John Cena, said about the No Mercy match between Cena and Reigns.
The reason for that match was, we talk about mythical passing of the mythical torch, I think that’s what that match basically represented.
But Lawler said being “The guy” doesn’t mean you’re a leader and one with the boys. Just look at Brock Lesnar.
There is a little bit of a fallacy in the fact of the guy that is “the guy” is the locker room leader; that is just not necessary real.
A guy like Brock Lesnar; you never see Brock. He’s always on his bus or his own locker room. You never see him. He stays in there until basically it’s time for his match. He goes out and comes back, and then he’s gone.”
You can listen to whole “Dinner With The King” here:
The Importance of a “Locker Room Leader”
In wrestling, like any other group of people, there will be leaders and there will be followers. Having a leader in the wrestling locker room is important to maintain order and handle disputes. Reigns has already proven himself a leader and arbiter by making the decision to kick an incorrigible Enzo Amore off the WWE tour bus.
Reigns himself seems to relish the role. He sees it as his duty to maintain order in the locker room.
I swing the sword. If I put the sentence down then I lay it down. If you have heat, that’s what a locker room leader does, he speaks up for the rest of the bunch. It’s tough when you have so many cooks in the kitchen — I’m not the only guy who would speak up. But as the man that I am before I was in this business I would have spoken up if something was wrong, to what I am today within our industry. I am a locker room leader.
Reigns is from maybe the most prolific family in professional wrestling. The Anoa’i family has been a mainstay since the 60s and 70s. Reigns grew up in this business. To him, it is what made him the man he is today. He will do what we must do to make sure wrestling is respected:
But the bottom line is it’s fed me my entire life. I don’t care who you are, you will not disrespect it, not in front of me, not today, not any day that I’m alive.
That’s leadership. Not asking to take over. But taking over. And from everything I’ve read about what people think backstage, Roman is revered and respected as the man. Here’s what former WWE star Ryback had to say about The Big Dog:
He works really hard, but he’s always very humble. He is very [respectful] and he never walks around backstage with an ‘I’m better than you’ attitude. So, to me, not to say that John does that or anything. It’s just that Roman comes off different. I don’t know if it’s from being raised in the business and whatnot. But I’ve worked with him very closely over the years, especially early on, so and the guy can go and he’s super talented, so I’m happy for all of his success.”
Roman is extremely popular backstage. He’s “The Guy” for a reason. He works his tail off, performs in the ring, and has the respect of his peers. Fans are warming up to him and he is becoming a major driver for ticket sales and merchandise. Contrast him with Brock’s lazy attitude and low-show job. I’ll take Roman as champ!
What do you think of Roman? Share your thoughts in the comments below.