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WWE NEWS: Defiant Roman Reigns's latest interview answering criticism, plus states his case for top WM31 spot, answers D-Bryan Fans, previews Brock Lesnar match, more

Mar 17, 2015 - 10:41:21 PM
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By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

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The latest mainstream interview with WrestleMania main-eventer Roman Reigns paints the picture of a defiant star who knows he is the next top act for WWE. Even in the face of criticism that he continues to address in each interview leading up to WM31.

Reigns talked to Rolling Stone about the main criticisms that have been brought up about him. And, with those critical fans being the audience of the interview, Reigns tried to state his case for why he belongs in the top spot, especially over fan-favorite Daniel Bryan.

One of the main criticisms is that Reigns seems robotic on the mic and in the ring, a machine-like product of WWE's Developmental system. Reigns cited Exhibit A that his mid-promo remark toward "Daniel Bryan" chants Monday night on Raw was "not something you learn in a warehouse or people tell you."

"That's just an instinct thing," Reigns said. "If you're a Daniel Bryan fan, I'm all for that. The more people Daniel Bryan will bring into arenas, the better. The more people I bring in, the better. But when I'm talkin', shut the hell up and let me talk."

As for the criticism that he is robotic in the ring, Reigns's Exhibit B was that he recently flew over the top rope "like Rey Mysterio."

"I can do anything I want in that ring. It really comes down to when the time is right, and only when the time is right. Once the bell rings and the punches start flying, I think people are really going to appreciate what's going on," Reigns said.

Reigns said he believes he will surprise and impress the Mania audience with what he brings to the table in the main event against Brock Lesnar. "I would like to wake up and know, 'Yeah, that was a five-star, you-can't-touch-that match.' I'd like to be able to walk to the back thinking, 'Can't one of y'all do that.' ... I want people to take from that match that it was one of the most physical they've ever seen. That's something we're gonna be able to leave behind."

Also in the interview, Reigns played up injury-related "badges of honor" to try to prove that he's committed, tough, and not someone who was just handed the WrestleMania top spot.

"For me, I didn't have an indie background, but at the same time, there's a lot of things I dealt with just even in developmental. A lot of guys are like this and don't get enough credit for it. It's rigorous. You bust your ass in that warehouse. I was hurt, banged up, bruised, nicked. I crushed the brachial nerve that runs down your neck, I've lost all strength in my right side, had atrophy, but I still wrestled. I think I missed one show, like, the day it happened. People don't realize there's way more than what you know," Reigns said.

Reigns added a final parting shot for the audience: "Everyone's been through hell to get where they are, and I'm not gonna let anybody talk down on what I've done just cause I didn't do what Daniel Bryan or your other favorite wrestlers did. Don't mean I didn't earn my spot."

[ LINK: Full Interview with more Q&A with reporter Kenny Herzog HERE ]

[Torch art credit Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]


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