5 Things fans learned about Roman Reigns after turning heel

Current WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns had been absent from WWE TV for the better part of the pandemic, and finally made his long-awaited return at WWE SummerSlam 2020. The show closed out with Roman Reigns attacking The Fiend and Braun Strowman, and his mannerisms hinted that he had finally embraced his dark side.

Things became clearer very soon, as Reigns aligned with Paul Heyman and went on to win the Universal title at WWE Payback. He is now the biggest heel in WWE, and recently finished off a heated feud with his cousin Jey Uso. The personal rivalry between the cousins highlighted how well Roman Reigns can play the character of a villain.

Reigns has given a bunch of interviews following his return as a heel, and we've learned several interesting things in regards to The Tribal Chief. In this list, we will take a look at five things fans learned following Roman Reigns' heel turn.

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#5 Roman Reigns is more outspoken and brash than he has ever been in the past

Roman Reigns and Heyman

Back when Roman Reigns was a babyface in WWE, he used to be the epitome of goodness and always held fellow Superstars in high regard. Reigns used to praise the WWE locker room occasionally, for working hard on a weekly basis and trying to make a name for themselves. The Roman Reigns of today doesn't agree with that guy though. Speaking with Corey Graves on After The Bell, Roman Reigns opened up on how every Superstar wanted a push, but was lazy to work towards it.

“Everybody wants that push. Everybody, ‘Man! If they just push me! Why am I not here. But when the work comes they start b***hing and moaning about it. They start complaining. You say you want to be the guy but you don’t want to work on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. You don’t want to work on a Saturday.”

Roman Reigns is one of the most-pushed WWE Superstars in the last decade

Roman Reigns received a bunch of major pushes during his previous stint in WWE before the pandemic, and fans weren't thrilled with the same at all. This time though, the WWE Universe is completely behind WWE pushing Reigns as a heel, as this is something the fans had been asking for a long time.

#4 The new Roman Reigns doesn't think that he is a heel or a babyface

Roman Reigns

It's clear as day that Roman Reigns is now the biggest heel in all of WWE, and fans aren't complaining one bit. The Tribal Chief doesn't agree with the mindset that he is a heel though, and recently made some comments explaining why he isn't a heel or a babyface.

"A lot of people want to say, 'Oh, he's a heel.' And, 'Oh, he was a babyface," and this and that. I try not to look at it as that. I try to look at it as this being a character in a storyline and he has choices like anyone else. Some of his choices are going to be perceived as good, some of them are going to be perceived as bad and some of them people won't understand because they won't understand where he's coming from."

Roman Reigns has one of the most layered personas on WWE TV currently

Roman Reigns' last line will make a lot of sense, if you look at his mannerisms during his Hell In A Cell match against Jey Uso, where he broke down and shed tears. Even though Reigns is portraying the character of a bad guy on SmackDown, there's no doubt that his persona has several layers and he certainly isn't a one-dimensional character anymore.

#3 Roman Reigns isn't fond of CM Punk

CM Punk vs Roman Reigns

One of the biggest upsides of Roman Reigns' new character is that he doesn't mince his words while addressing fellow Superstars, or anyone else for that matter. A short while ago, Reigns shared his thoughts on former WWE Superstar CM Punk and made it known that he doesn't like The Voice of the Voiceless.

“I don’t like the guy, I don’t know many people who do, but I’m willing to put business first and make really good content if that’s the case.

“He’d probably have to be slapped around a few times in order to get his mind right, but if it’s willing, and the fans and the audience are going to like it and be into it, then most likely I’m going to be into it.”

Roman Reigns and CM Punk have feuded in the past

It's clear from Roman Reigns' statement that he won't mind having a match with CM Punk somewhere down the line if an opportunity arises. Back when Punk was a WWE mainstay, he did have a few outings with The Shield. Mere weeks before his WWE exit, Punk won a Handicap match against Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Seth Rollins at the TLC PPV.

#2 Roman Reigns' cousin wants to follow in his footsteps

Lance Anoa'i, Roman Reigns' cousin

Several members of the Anoa'i family are currently signed with WWE, but there's one more who wants to join them and make a name for himself as a WWE Superstar. The guy is none other than Roman Reigns' cousin, Lance Anoa'i. In an interview with Post Wrestling, Lance revealed that there were plans to bring him on WWE TV as Roman Reigns' partner against Drew McIntyre and Shane McMahon.

Lance would make a great addition to Roman Reigns' stable

Lance also stated that his ultimate goal will always be to join WWE. Roman Reigns recently made some comments about how a possible Samoan stable could beat up the likes of The Hurt Business and RETRIBUTION. We are seemingly heading towards a Roman Reigns stable, if the latest events on SmackDown are any indication. The possibility of Lance Anoa'i being called to join Reigns in his stable can't be discounted in the coming months. If Roman Reigns wants to build up a dominant stable on the blue brand, he will certainly need all the help he can get.

#1 How Roman Reigns really felt when Jon Moxley left WWE

The Shield

Roman Reigns had always been supportive of Jon Moxley for trying to seek greener pastures outside WWE, but it all changed recently, a few weeks after his heel turn. During a virtual fan meet, Roman Reigns shared his real thoughts on Jon Moxley's exit, and didn't seem too happy about the same.

"Well I guess Ambrose or Moxley really sc**ewed that up, didn't he? He messed around and just left us. I don't think The Shield will ever be recreated or brought back. That's not just a situation because Mox went to AEW. It's just, we were so good. Honestly, I think we did the reunion thing a little too much the last... three years ago or whatever it was."

Roman Reigns is hands down the most successful member of The Shield

The Shield is one of the greatest stables in WWE history, and all of its three members went on to become World Champions. Fans of The Shield would want nothing but to see the trio reunite in the distant future. This might never happen though, as Moxley seems content in AEW and is the promotion's current World Champion.