• Look Back In History
• Pmessages
• Quiz
• Stump The Staff
• Top Fifty
• Close

MVP questions Roman Reigns’ mainstream crossover appeal

Posted: Sep 16th 2026 By: Shounak Chakribarti

MVP does not see Roman Reigns as having the same mainstream crossover appeal as John Cena, The Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Speaking on the latest edition of his Marking Out podcast, MVP opened up and compared Reigns’ mainstream appeal and compared it with some of the biggest names in WWE.

“I can maybe see what he’s talking about only insofar as traditionally the biggest stars that we’ve had in wrestling have had, like, a mainstream crossover appeal. John Cena. Like, you don’t have to watch wrestling to know John Cena. The Rock, Stone Cold. These were the guys, the man. And their fame transcended beyond pro wrestling.

“I don’t necessarily see Roman Reigns being the same, having the same level of popularity outside of wrestling. But the numbers say different in terms of his star power, his drawing power within wrestling,” MVP shared.

He further admitted that while he could be wrong, he holds the perception that six/seven out of ten people will recognize Cena, The Rock, or Hulk Hogan. However, he does not believe the same will happen with Reigns.

Although, strictly speaking, from WWE’s point of view, Reigns’ numbers speak something else. MVP believes Reigns has the power of drawing numbers and selling tickets.

“If you do a show in some location and it’s a WWE show and Roman Reigns is not on the card and you sell, I don’t know, 20,000 tickets, if you add ‘Roman Reigns will be’ you’re going to sell another 5,000 tickets.

MVP further argued and disagreed with Conrad Thompson’s point of Reigns being an industry plant. “So I disagree very strongly with Conrad. The industry plant, I think that’s absolutely ridiculous. Is that for being pushed by the office? Every star is pushed by the office. Every star is, as they like to say, crammed down your throat. That’s how you become a star.

“Perhaps maybe it took a little longer for him to catch on, but I don’t think you can deny now his star power in wrestling. And I will bet a dollar we’re dying that at some point Roman is going to go the way of The Rock and become a movie star. He’s got the presence, the good looks, the charisma. Like Roman Reigns will be an actor. I know he will be a television star. He is that dude,” MVP finished.

While fans hated Reigns’ Big Dog gimmick and the babyface push in the late 2010s, it was his heel turn and Tribal Chief gimmick that finally let him connect with the fans and increase his popularity.

Reigns recently defeated Penta in the latest episode of WWE RAW in Mexico City to retain his World Championship in a heavily praised match.