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WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns dominated his promotion and stood far and away above his peers as the number-one name in the industry over the past year
In 2022, WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns seemingly sat at the table of the gods. He was able to partake in a supper of success and a sip from a goblet of gold, as he continued his ascension to legendary status in pro wrestling history.
The Tribal Chief finished off the calendar year by surpassing 850 days as the holder of the blue belt. Along the way, he gobbled up the WWE Championship by defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38.
The Beast Incarnate rode into Dallas like he was tougher than a two-dollar steak, Instead, Reigns turned him into Texas toast. Since then, his plate has been full, as he's defended his two titles against the cream of the crop in the promotion.
For the most part, The Big Dog has feasted on the competition, alongside his wildly popular heel faction, The Bloodline. The fact that cousins Jay and Jimmy Uso have also unified the titles in the tag team division makes the group look even more impressive.
This fearsome faction, draped in gold, is fortified by powerhouse Solo Sikoa. Alongside them is the 'adopted Uso', Sami Zayn, who doesn't mind picking up the table scraps the others leave behind. Add in wise man Paul Heyman, and The Bloodline has discovered a secret recipe for success.
And with all due respect to The Rock, everyone can smell what they're cookin'.
Roman Reigns wasn't just the top man in WWE, he dominated all of professional wrestling in 2022
While Jon Moxley was certainly a warrior for AEW, and IMPACT World Champion Josh Alexander is one of the most underappreciated performers in the world, Reigns is 'the man' in comparison to them.
As far as international stars are concerned? Sure, there may be more technically talented guys in the ring. But none of them is the draw that the WWE Universal Champion is. They may all be like a roadhouse steak, but he represents the sizzle of a filet mignon.
The difference is in the name... and the excellence that comes along with the premium value. Roman is like a bottle of aged Chardonnay. By comparison? Everyone else is just Arbor Mist.
Reigns' presence and aura are almost godly now, and his segments are the highlight of WWE programming. Any of his appearances on Smackdown or RAW promises to bring in higher ratings and plenty of social media buzz.
Nearly everything that Roman is doing currently has the fans' mouths watering. It's like they can't get enough of him, and they keep on asking for seconds. His merchandise sales as part of The Bloodline are through the roof, and he's one of the most instantly recognizable stars that sports entertainment has several years. He's got Hollywood looks and 'works the chair' well during mainstream interviews. He's everything you want in a corporate representative, all wrapped in 270 pounds of beef.
Bottom line: Roman Reigns was the top name in the industry in 2022. There's really not much debate on that. He was the top man in the top company in the world. That outweighs everything else on the scale, and it's time we should all just ACKNOWLEDGE that.
What's next on the menu for Reigns in 2023?
It's been widely speculated that Reigns will remain the Head of the Table until this year's WrestleMania. Then, he will push away from his plate, wipe his mouth, and excuse himself for a while. If he drops the championship(s) in April, he'll likely take some time off to digest all that's happened over the past couple of years. It would be a well-deserved break, as he's basically carried the company during that time.
In the meantime, there are plenty of cooks in the kitchen who could fill the order while he's gone. Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, or Seth Rollins might step into that role. Any one of them finally conquering the king would make for an appetizing angle as we head toward Hollywood.
As we close the year, it's interesting to reflect on how far Reigns has come. 2022 was a far cry from the days when The Tribal Chief was a hapless babyface, booed by the WWE Universe. When Reigns embraced the hate, he (oddly enough) became much more popular.
So, when he drinks in all of his success today, it's sweeter than sweet tea. Perhaps those trials and tribulations were merely a test to bring him to this level
As the curtain finally dropped on a banner year, Roman Reigns still had the gold - as well as all the momentum in the world. He's, far and away, the face of the WWE machine. Everything at the top of the card seemingly funnels through him, and he whips the crowd into a frenzy with a mere look or a nod.
The world is his oyster right now, and The Head of the Table knows it. He's found the right formula, forging a special connection with the WWE Universe because of his piping-hot persona. The fans are eating up his charismatic cuisine, and there's no doubt he will serve up even more... in 2023 and beyond.
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