15 Years WWE got the Royal Rumble winner wrong

2015

Apocalyptic.

Who won: Roman Reigns

Who should have won: Daniel Bryan

If 2014 was a catastrophic volcanic eruption, 2015 was an apocalyptic meteor, an unmistakable signal of how out of touch WWE is with its own fans.

Daniel Bryan's victory at WrestleMania 30 was bittersweet, as he would have to relinquish the title shortly afterward due to injury. From that moment on, fans wanted to see him regain the title that he never lost, which, as the Royal Rumble approached, was in the hands of Brock Lesnar. Nothing could have made for a better David and Goliath story.

That was indeed the story WWE planned on telling - but with Roman Reigns in the role of David. It wasn't believable, as he doesn't exactly look diminutive in comparison to Brock Lesnar. Roman Reigns wasn't the one who fans wanted to see, anyway. They wanted to see Daniel Bryan. When the former champion formally announced his entry into the Royal Rumble, hopes were raised.

Those hopes would soon be shattered, as Daniel Bryan was eliminated quickly early on. This set the event up for disaster, as an orchestra of boos blasted throughout the entire match. The Big Show and Kane dumping everyone out only made the fans' blood boil that much more, as it was obvious who the winner would be.

Roman Reigns' victory went beyond the Pyrrhic variety. It would open a wound that would never heal and cast a dark shadow over his career from that point forward. WWE has tried hard to establish Roman Reigns as its next "guy," but that night guaranteed that he would never be fully accepted by the "universe." Vince McMahon's lack of foresight that night has haunted him (and us) ever since.