Roman Reigns’ Early Solo Career: Creative Struggles Behind The ‘Big Dog’ Persona

Roman Reigns remarked something that most performers in the wrestling industry have felt but rarely admit so explicitly and so directly. After the dissolution of The Shield, Reigns was (in theory) positioned as the next face of WWE. And for those early solo contributions, Reigns confessed that he had no control over the creative nature of arguments – financially motivated – and nothing more.

To grasp the significance of Roman Reigns statements, we must first define who he is: A foundation of contemporary WWE, world champion (multiple times), and 1/3 of the historical faction The Shield (alongside Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, who now performs as Jon Moxley in AEW). However, this quote, in particular, focuses on a completely different part of his career. There was a time when he was expected to carry the company, but felt artistically restrained and motivated more by obligation than creative freedom.

This analysis will explore the early solo career of Roman Reigns, the pressures related to the “Big Dog” frame of mind, and the idea that he had to make money even before he was able to become “The Tribal Chief”.

The Shield’s Breakup: Launching Three Careers

Following The Shield’s break-up in 2014, the wrestling business looked at it as the beginning of three possible main-event careers. Seth Rollins opted to go heel and cashed in on the first significant opportunity. Dean Ambrose would find his way down his path of rebellion. But Reigns was obviously picked to be the heir apparent to the next John Cena. Although “The Big Dog” did not have ambivalence to conform to public perception like his two former partners, he was presented to the audience as a “corporately selected” top guy.

WWE’s creative team had classified him as the stoic, unstoppable “Big Dog” with universal appeal, but it did not result in anything productive as a polarizing character. Clearly the expectation was very high for Roman Reigns as a character, but the crowd response he received was mixed at best and at times overtly hostile response.

Creative Control and the “Good Soldier” Mentality

After The Shield disbanded, Reigns entered a series of main event storylines and top-level victories, including a Royal Rumble win and WrestleMania title shots. Unfortunately, the audience’s reaction was not to embrace him, but rather to reject the character they were being force-fed as the future of the company. He was obviously a star, but his promos and storylines almost always felt contrived and fabricated.

Roman Reigns himself reflected:

“I mean, I can’t say, ‘Let’s talk about the Lazy River and my life to go ahead and get punched and take a bump,’ because I don’t have ‘F* You money’.”

That indicates he was just taking care of business for his family. He was possibly separating a man living his dream as a pro wrestler vs. a man who wanted no part of the personal baggage that comes with being the character. The soldier analogy applies nicely here, someone is given orders we are given a job to complete and whereas the character behaves as such life in line for, it does not lend itself to creative outlets.

In other words, to be the soldier in a pro-wrestling environment, which essentially means accepting orders without motives, could risk extinguishing someone’s awareness who may love being in front of audiences and fans.

Financial Pressure vs. Creative Freedom

For Roman Reigns, it was not an option to reject a creative path. Professional wrestling, behind the curtain, is as much business as it is storytelling; when Reigns says he has to “do what they say,” he is not merely referring to being dutiful—it is survival mode. Supporting a family and a livelihood often costs you a burden with artistic contributions.

This concept—that talent is forced to go along with a story, they may even disagree with—is not a uniquely personal matter for wrestling. If a wrestler does not have the ability to walk away, they would likely succumb to creative thoughts, in the interest of holding onto their livelihood.

The concept of “Rejecting Money” in the professional wrestling business is rejecting monetary security for creative freedom. It enables a performer to reject bad creative, take time off, or leave the company whenever he or she feels necessary. This is a status that only a few ever reach and Reigns was not there yet in the early days of his solo performances.

Fan Reactions and the Turning Tide

The WWE Universe was not bashful in expressing its displeasure during this time. Between Reigns extremely scripted promos; forced catchphrases; and notions of favoritism, he was exposed to backlash, primarily during pay-per-views and major moments. The fan reaction became a storyline, with boos often outshining Reigns performance—ironically, while in the position of babyface, or good guy.

Along the way, the Samoan endured. He led, he carried the brand, and in due time, he had acquired the financial and political capital to take ownership of his character.

From Big Dog to Tribal Chief: A Full-Circle Evolution

Today, Roman Reigns thrives in both the storyline and reality as “The Tribal Chief” with not just screen time, but more creative control than ever. The changes are shocking. The depth to his character is interesting, interesting to fans as well as critics. The fumbles he made as the Big Dog were simply not intended.

He lacked the creative control he now possesses. This professional wrestling journey serves as a case study in the long game of pro wrestling: endure, adapt/change, and hopefully, if you’re skilled and/or lucky enough, take control of your own narrative.

Roman Reigns journey tells a powerful story about power in wrestling. Like every entertainment company, WWE thrives on control, but control comes with sacrificing self-expression. His story illustrates how reality works for so many wrestlers – before staring a fight with creative, a wrestler must establish themselves.

His candidness about the strife between loyalty to the money and loyalty to the creative process gives the fan a clear gazer behind the curtain. And since he has established as much financial and creative security, we have a real Roman Reigns – one that the fans are eating up more than ever.

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