Breaking tradition is part of what Roman Reigns does. The Tribal Chief, known for his in-ring dominance in WWE and calculated, no-nonsense image, gave his opinion on one talked-about moment from WrestleMania XL: After he lost the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship to Cody Rhodes, he did not stick around to participate in the customary post-match camaraderie. And he said he had no reason to.
Roman Reigns Explains His Absence After WrestleMania XL Loss to Cody Rhodes
On the SI Media Podcast, Reigns explained candidly why he would not engage in the unwritten ritual. Reigns said, “If you want to sit out there and babyface for four hours, I ain’t waiting. Especially at that point.”
WrestleMania XL marked a historic moment. Cody Rhodes, finishing the tale of his quest for championship gold, dethroned one of the fiercest champions in WWE history. The crowd erupted at Lincoln Financial Field as Rhodes raised the title high in the air, sealing Reigns’ historic run of 1,189 days as champion.
Equally as important as the match itself to many fans is what happens after it. It’s a moment for competitors to thank one another for their efforts and appreciation for what they’ve gone through. Only for Reigns did things pretty clearly work out differently than this.
He further noted, “What’s waiting? What kind of time are we talking about here? We have to keep it moving. I don’t live in Philly. There is some jet fuel to be burnt, and I had to go. We know what we did. We were both out there. You can thank each other and all that old stuff. We put our bodies on the line together, and that’s thanks enough.”
This is not the first time Reigns has gone against wrestling stereotypes. As The Head of the Table, Roman’s character is based on confidence and authority, and this translates into how he carries himself daily. Even if some fans expected an emotional bonding, the confirmations of Reigns operating within his character simply affirm the brand.
In all respects, Cody Rhodes’ post-match interactions certainly made no impact on his celebrations or momentum. The undisputed WWE universal champion has eyes set on the x-men challengers, leaving behind the drama of WrestleMania. For the Tribal Chief, it’s just another Tuesday. A mere speed bump on his highway to greatness. As for the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes, this win is the rocket fuel he needs to ignite his reign of terror.
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Love him or loathe him, Roman Reigns is the gift that keeps on giving. A walking controversy, a master of manipulation. Whether he’s a hero or a villain, one thing’s for sure: he’s got the whole wrestling world hooked. Because let’s face it, isn’t that what being a superstar is all about? Keeping us talking, arguing, and tuning in for more?
