'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
For those of you who are probably watching the matches with the television on mute, Roman Reigns was and still is the most despised wrestler that the company has to offer. A cursory look at the comments section on YouTube or any website that deals with wrestling news reveal that the 'Big Dog' doesn't share the kind of support that is befitting of a 'baby face'.
Reigns is not really a bad wrestler. He has good skills, a charismatic in-ring presence and his finisher gets a huge pop irrespective of the crowd's hostility. But the modern day fan is unhappy with him as they always see him as 'the guy that Vince wants us to love'. His limited mic work hasn't helped his cause.
A symptom of this animosity has been the constant negative pop that Reigns has received for months. But that did not deter the company from banking on him or even give him the Intercontinental title belt.The company looks at him as the next babyface now that Cena is no longer appearing regularly for them. This has been vehemently opposed by the fans; up until now.
The recent India tour of the WWE saw Reigns getting the biggest pop, rivaling even that of a seasoned star like Triple H. The Shield vs Bar and Joe match in India was one where both Rollins and Ambrose kept Reigns hanging by the ringside for the most part of the match while the Indian crowd constantly cheered for him.
This week's Raw saw a fantastic match between Reigns and Cesaro for the Intercontinental championship. Even the commentators couldn't help but mention how Reigns was using orthodox wrestling techniques and showing a lot of prowess to deal with the Swiss Superman.
If anything, the match proved that Reigns has the skill and that it's high time that Cesaro is also pushed. Both men showed extraordinary talent and the crowd's reaction showed support for both of them, even though Cesaro is a heel.
If WWE continues these weekly Intercontinental matches till Royal Rumble and Reigns continues to perform this well, then the company may see the crowd chanting Reigns' name at WrestleMania.
