There’s been a lot said about Roman Reigns in the wrestling “news.” Rey Cash is here to clear that up.

I’m fucking angry. Really fucking angry. I’m angry that another black man, two black men actually, have been shown to have been murdered in cold blood for just being black. I’m angry that again, some stupid no-name comedian wants to talk down on wrestling for some clout that he’ll inevitably not get. I’m angry that it’s the middle of May, and we’re still in the middle of a global pandemic the likes of which we’ve never seen in modern history.

None of that is what I’m going to talk about here.  Today, I’m going to talk about Roman Reigns.

It’s no secret that Roman Reigns is my current favorite wrestler (besides Naito, of course).  So I’m never one to grudgingly talk about him, but unfortunately, that’s the situation we’re at.  It’s no secret that Roman backed out of WrestleMania and his Universal Championship with Goldberg.  He also has openly said on numerous occasions that he’s sitting out to protect his family and there’s no timetable for his return.  Needless to say, this has started a firestorm among wrestling fans.

Those who loved him are supporting his decision with respect and admiration.  Those who hated him, well, still find a way to hate the guy.  The surprising thing, however, is the growing sentiment of people who believe that Roman deserves better.  They believe that Roman is being done wrong by Vince McMahon and the WWE.  In fact, the belief is that Roman is being ERASED from WWE history.

The proof of this? A report that Vince told the commentators not to mention Roman’s name, and his exclusion from a Make A Wish video and a Money In The Bank cash in promo.

Yeah.  That’s it.

Let’s talk a few facts.  Yes, Roman hasn’t been mentioned on WWE TV since WrestleMania.  You know who else hasn’t been mentioned since?  Kevin Owens.  John Cena.  Brock Lesnar.  And until this past Monday, Edge and Randy Orton.  Are they being erased too?

Let’s talk about wrestlers who haven’t been mentioned or used since the quarantine:

• AOP
• Riddick Moss
• Natalya
• Mojo Rawley
• Robert Roode

I haven’t even mentioned Sami Zayn, who won the Intercontinental Championship before WrestleMania and even worked a few shows after but has chosen not to work the past handful.  What about Kyle O’Reilly, who’s staying quarantined because of his diabetes?

But no, this is a pointed attack on Roman Reigns.

Always Roman.  You always find a way to make him a lightning bolt of criticism.  If it’s not about him and his character, it’s about his wrestling ability.  Here, it’s not even about him, but the detractors are sticking up FOR him.

It’s exhausting!

I know we’re in the age of “fake news.”  Now-a-days, it’s easy to believe the dumbest, most asinine news story that is clearly made up.  And in wrestling news, it’s even worse because the “journalists” are often working with agendas to spread their nonsense.  What other reason could trying to claim that WWE is trying to erase the very superstar that the same people claimed for years was pushed down our throats be possible?

The man beat leukemia.  The “journalists” criticize every part of the story and claim that he’s not telling the truth.

The man pulled out of a huge match at the biggest show possible.  The “journalists” claim that it’s because of his immune system, when he’s said on numerous occasions that it’s because of his newborn twins and the rest of his kids.  Then, said “journalists” criticize his story again, not believing HIS very words.

Now, the company that Roman has fought tooth and nail for is being criticized because they’re not acknowledging his absence?  Only that they are!  They’ve promoted him and his historical matches multiple times on Twitter.  They had a SCHEDULED episode of his best WrestleMania Moments on FS1.  But, just like the wrestlers I mentioned earlier, they’re not mentioning him on TV because he’s not pertinent to the stories being told on TV.  Point blank.

I know WWE is an easy target.  Especially now.  The callous superstar releases a month ago are still fresh in the minds of all of us.  Then the rumor that they paid $18 million to be deemed an essential business in Florida to continue taping (which is COMPLETELY untrue, by the way) became huge and only compounded the already indignant feelings we all had.  So, I get that it’s really easy to believe any negative story about them right now.  But please, PLEASE, use your better judgement.  As we like to say around here, use your head.

Roman Reigns is not being erased.  He’s not being blackballed.  He’s not being forgotten.  He’s quarantining with his family, enjoying his children and newborn twins.  He’s also being a true leader – choosing the road less traveled over what’s expected of him.  It’d be easy for him to succumb to the pressure – pressure from fans, the business, and surely, the company – and perform, but he’s choosing himself and his livelihood.  And contrary to popular belief (and hope), he’s not being punished for doing so.

By the way, did you watch the Money In The Bank Ladder Match(es) on Sunday? If you did, you saw the “lengths” to which the company will go to erase Roman, like sticking on a shot of his poster for nearly 30 seconds…

Be careful what you believe.

FIN