WWE TLC: Rollins & Co. selling Reigns suspension to perfection

Barnaby Read 12:52 06/07/2016
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  • Rollins (l) and Ambrose have been starring in Reigns' absence.

    When news of Roman Reigns’ suspension from the WWE dropped, the company was staring at an embarrassing crossroads.

    Their dethroned champion, who they had force-fed the Universe as the face of the company for nearly two years, had fallen foul of its Wellness Program and was punished in line with policy.

    With Seth Rollins returning to immense pops from the crowd and a prime opportunity to push the rivalry, progress was stalled.

    It threw a proverbial spanner in the works.

    The WWE has thus been promoting its triple-threat bout at Battleground between former Shield members Dean Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns without the latter present in its programming.

    That is no mean feat but, fortunately for the WWE, they have two men in Ambrose and Rollins more than capable of carrying the burden.

    This was certainly the case on RAW this week as Rollins took to the mic to berate Reigns and his transgression.

    It was impassioned, engaging and certainly captured the imagination of the WWE Universe.

    A real sense of injustice and anger was palpable as Rollins, either directed by the WWE or on his own volition, set about branding Reigns a disgrace and unworthy of sharing a ring with someone like himself.

    There is no doubt that Reigns will come back to an even more hostile reception than before, which is no mean feat given he was welcomed with boos at nearly every appearance previously.

    But thanks to Reigns in particular, it will create an electric atmosphere at the WWE’s next pay-per-view. It will be enthralling viewing, which will ultimately lead to sales.

    And if it leads to Reigns finally becoming a viable heel, then it will be win-win for us all.

    Reigns’ suspension could end up being one of the most profitable misdemeanours in WWE history but the ones to thank are Rollins and Ambrose, who are helping the company capitalise on an otherwise ugly situation.

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