Roman’s Return: Aura of the Tribal Chief
In the vast universe of the wrestling industry, there is no better example of an in-ring character transformation that was as effective and powerful as the one of Roman Reigns becoming the Tribal Chief. Ever since his came back in the WWE in 2020, Reigns has not only regained the top spot of the company but has also reinvented his character that has not only the fans and the critics intrigued. The “Tribal Chief” character is all about power, authority and, a godlike figure that goes beyond the wrestling ring. This article will discuss the details of Roman Reigns’ homecoming, the evolution of tribal chief character and why the character has helped in carving the legacy of Roman Reigns in WWE. 1. The setting of the return of Roman In particular, before Roman Reigns’ return in August 2020, Roman Reigns’s career was on the verge. The result was that Reigns, despite being set up as WWE’s top babyface for several years, never received the full endorsement of the WWE Universe. His first run was received with somewhat of a mixed response and while he did find a lot of success; being a multiple time WWE champion, headlining WrestleMania multiple times there was always a disconnect between the character and the fans. It was during this time WWE tried to position Reigns as the ‘Face of WWE’ in the mold of John Cena. However, the notion that Reigns was being shovelled down fans’ throats, his scripted promos and the so-called ‘Superman’ booking made him a polarising figure. Reigns’ exit in March 2020 because of health issues caused by COVID-19 was a blow to WWE but served as a chance to begin afresh. In fact, when Reigns came back at SummerSlam 2020, the WWE universe got a Roman Reigns they probably have never seen before. The neat and polished corporate warrior had been replaced by a more muscular and aggressive figure, who now sought the recognition not only as the defender of the people but as the rightful heir to the throne of the Samoan wrestling family. This return was the start of the process of turning Reigns into the Tribal Chief. 2. The Emergence of the Tribal Chief The Tribal Chief character is based on Roman Reigns’ actual heritage and background. Reigns whose birth name is Leati Joseph Anoa’i comes from a lineage of wrestlers known as the Anoa’i family. His father Sika and his uncle Afa were the wild Samoans, a popular tag team during the seventies and eighties. It is also a relation of other wrestling legends like The Rock, Yokozuna, and Umaga. This lineage brings a novelty to the character of Tribal Chief who has the attributes of family, loyalty and respect. As for the Tribal Chief, this character is built around the fact that Reigns is not only a champion but a head of the table, a family man, and the rightful owner of WWE. This character transformation was well done by affiliating with Paul Heyman, a phenomenal talker and master of the narrative, who became counsel to Reigns. Having Heyman by his side gave Reigns an extra air of believability and danger, because he is a conductor who has helped some of the greatest talents in the business. As for Reigns, his attitude became more calculating, more cunning and more brutal. He ceased to care for people’s approval and their response to his decisions and actions. It was not about power or authority to protect or provide for those below him, it was about control, dominance, submission, wanting people to know that he was the boss. The change was final when Reigns captured the Universal Championship within days of his come back to make him the top figure in WWE. 3. The Development of Reigns’ Persona One of the most compelling aspects of the Tribal Chief character is its evolution over time. Reigns did not become the Tribal Chief overnight; rather, his character has developed layers, making him one of the most complex and intriguing figures in WWE. In his early days as the Tribal Chief, Reigns faced his cousin Jey Uso. This storyline was a critical one in the changing of the Reigns character. Reigns wanted to make Jey acknowledge him as the head of the family, which led to a series of brutal matches that ended with forcing Jey to join Reigns. This storyline was not just for the championship gold to be won; it was a fight for respect, for position in the family, and power. The matches were quite intense and Reigns in particular had a new kind of brutality that the fans had not witnessed in him before. This rivalry with Jey Uso defined the Tribal Chief’s run at the top. It also proved that Reigns would not hesitate to do anything to protect his position and anyone who dared to cross him including family would bear the full wrath of the Reigns. The introduction of Jimmy Uso into the narrative was a good addition, as Reigns tried to dominate the entire family, to remain the head of the table. Reigns’ character has also been defined by his relationship with other superstars in the WWE promotion. Some of the rivalries he has had with other wrestlers include Kevin Owens, Edge, Daniel Bryan, and John Cena which have helped him to be referred to as the Tribal Chief. In all of these feuds, Reigns has been portrayed as a cocky, self-motivated champion with the belief that he is the best in the word and everyone else should bow to him. The feuds have been well told, and the stories in Reigns’ feuds have been that he had the psychological edge before getting the physical one over his opponents. His promos, which he made, mostly in a laid-back threatening voice, were some of the best he has ever done. He talks with a tone of privilege and destiny that leaves no doubt that he considers himself to be the top of WWE.