Step 3: Rusev feud
Keep in mind, Rusev in early 2015 was one of the most dominating heels on the roster, he was undefeated and still wasn't a victim to the terrible booking that he's been having currently.
So next night on Raw, Rusev attacks Roman, brutalising him with a chain or something and waves the Russian flag on Roman’s prone body. Setting up for a match at Fastlane. Rusev wins clean, just like how he beat John Cena clean in real life.
This entire time, Roman hasn't been given the microphone or anything, he’s just a man with a point to prove and while Rusev is beating down babyfaces, Roman Reigns is running roughshod on heels.
Roman challenges Rusev to a No holds barred match at WrestleMania for the US title, Rusev declines.
Next week, after Rusev squashes yet another babyface, Roman attacks Rusev from behind viciously beating him down, as the crowd presumably chant, “U-S-A” or something, Roman wraps Rusev around a chain and demands a US title shot from Lana, looking at her man in such pain, she accepts the challenge on his behalf.
At this point, the fans are loving this tough and badass babyface, who isn't immediately pushed into the main event picture, and fans ought to cheer him cause, America. Roman Reigns beating an undefeated monster at Wrestlemania not only increasing his stock but also increases the credibility of the US Championship.
Keep him off the mic, away from Triple H, and in the upper-mid card till at least Survivor Series, and then fans will not only respect Roman for elevating a mid-card title but would also be invested in potential main event matches against Brock Lesnar or The Undertaker in the near future.
But here’s how I would transition this strong upper mid-carder to the main event scene.
