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Roman Reigns will eventually turn babyface, and there are a few good ways for WWE to execute it. It's inevitable, especially since Vince McMahon spent years trying to establish Roman Reigns as a babyface, only for it to backfire.
Thankfully, his approach changed in 2020, and with no audience present, Roman Reigns finally turned heel - 5 years after fans began to clamor for it. Here are a few approaches WWE should avoid when turning Roman Reign's babyface:
#5. Having The Usos turn on Roman Reigns
The Usos, particularly Jey Uso, has been an integral part of Roman Reigns' rise as The Tribal Chief. During nearly the entirety of his heel run, Roman Reigns has directly or indirectly been assisted by Jey Uso - including during the main event of WrestleMania featuring Daniel Bryan and Edge.
It all started with Roman Reigns' first set of Universal Championship defenses against Jey Uso. At Clash of Champions 2020 and Hell in a Cell 2020, Roman Reigns brutalized his cousin, establishing him as WWE's top heel.
In the time since, we've seen Jey Uso get berated and humiliated multiple times by Universal Champion Roman Reigns. He's been a key figure, participating in many SmackDown main events and losing on almost all occasions. But that hasn't stopped him from being integral to Roman Reigns' success.
Even when Jimmy Uso returned, there was a conflict of interest. The returning Jimmy didn't want to submit to Roman Reigns the way Jey did and has since refused to fully acknowledge The Tribal Chief.
Given how Roman Reigns has brutalized and humiliated both brothers on multiple occasions, it wouldn't make much sense if the payoff was his cousins turning on him. Since Roman Reigns is receiving all the heat, The Usos seem to be more sympathetic figures. How WWE can eventually break them off will be interesting to see, but it's not something that needs to happen anytime soon.
#4. Trying to soften up Roman Reigns and making the same past mistakes
We doubt this will happen with Roman Reigns, but it wouldn't be surprising if they did. A situation where WWE wants to establish a top heel into a top star is a tricky one, and they will be walking a fine line with how they execute it.
WWE's biggest problem with Roman Reigns from 2015 to 2018 wasn't just their refusal to turn him heel, but also their overall handling of his character and blatant attempt to turn him into the next coming of John Cena.
WWE has to be careful with how they handle Roman Reigns' face turn. Batista's incredible face turn in 2005 was a result of subtle change week by week. It was The Animal whose previous ruthlessness began to change as he saw Triple H turn from bad to worse.
Facial expressions of disapproval, subtle digs, manipulation, and more all led to one of the most incredible face turns of the modern era, and that's a better approach to take for WWE, rather than making the same mistakes they made with Roman Reigns before.
#3. Seth Rollins attacking Roman Reigns
Seth Rollins has quietly been the #2 heel on SmackDown, well behind Roman Reigns. Their paths haven't crossed much since, minus a brief confrontation where Cesaro was the central figure.
There might come a time when WWE wants to establish Seth Rollins as SmackDown's top heel in favor of Roman Reigns becoming a babyface, and this might be the catalyst for it all.
It would require careful planning, but ultimately, it isn't the best option to go with if WWE wants to turn Roman Reigns' babyface. It's something that has already been done before in 2014, and recycling it for the biggest face turn of the decade won't be a good idea.
It's better if Seth Rollins has an organic rise to the top as a heel again, while Roman Reigns has an organic babyface turn. They don't need to cross paths in the process, but it would be a bonus if done right. Hopefully, WWE doesn't recycle the Shield breakup storyline.
#2. A long hiatus for Roman Reigns and return as a babyface
This is a tried and tested formula that has worked, but it shouldn't happen for Roman Reigns. Perhaps the best example of this was Triple H in 2002 when he missed most of the previous year and came back to win the Royal Rumble for the first time.
It was a nicely built return, with WWE airing vignettes advertising Triple H as a babyface. It's perhaps the best example of this, but in reality, absence makes the heart grow fonder. That's why it's easier for many superstars to quietly return as a babyface.
But this shouldn't happen for Roman Reigns. The hiatus he had between April and August 2020 was the best thing that could have happened to him, and he returned to have the best run of his WWE career.
Since Roman Reigns is the central figure of SmackDown, he needs to be present week-in and week-out for the gradual shift in character that will inevitably happen in the future.
#1. Any association or rekindling of The Shield for Roman Reigns
When Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) left WWE in 2019, it marked the end of an era. WWE knew they had to capitalize on The Shield one last time, and they did so in a slightly underwhelming fashion.
Either way, that was the last stand for The Shield, and ever since, WWE has rightfully tried not to make any mention of the legendary faction. For Ambrose/Moxley, leaving WWE was the best decision of his career. For the other two, it meant continuing on their road as singles stars.
Both have done well since, with Roman Reigns truly establishing himself as WWE's best star after years of trying. Paul Heyman once told Big E on Talking Smack that The Shield was simply a footnote in Roman Reigns' career, urging him to take the same approach post-New Day.
There is truth in what he said. The Shield certainly helped propel Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose, but the time to have any kind of Shield association is done. If WWE does that, it will simply be another attempt at nostalgia - something that's not needed at all now.
