Would Moving Reigns to SD Be an Admission of Defeat?

[CH Punk]

I saw in the Reigns merch this interesting quote and thought it would be a good point of discussion:

Mar 29, 2017 20:33:33 GMT -5 @kn said:

Mar 29, 2017 20:25:54 GMT -5 andrew8798 said:

Another reason why he won't be turning heel. He has a better chance of going to SD

Does it mention who's switching brands? I know PWI said Reigns is the top name of switching brands and also Styles might go to Raw but idk if Meltzer's said anything.

Now, I personally don't think sending Reigns to Smackdown is a demotion for him (due to USA's insistence that SD get at least 2 million viewers, they can't let it rot/turn into a clear B-Show), but with Raw being Vince's baby and, whether you like it or not, Raw still gets more shiny toys/focus than Smackdown, would sending Reigns to Smackdown while someone like AJ Styles or Finn Balor gets to be the top face on Raw be them admitting that Reigns isn't working from an audience reception perspective?

Personally, if Reigns is still going to be The Guy™, he should stay on Raw and be their focused star there (be it as a face or a heel), while someone like Seth Rollins or Finn Balor can be the big name that goes to Smackdown and they can have a strong babyface run (for Rollins, cementing himself as a face maybe in a feud with a heel Ambrose/for Balor, getting his first real main roster run as a face).

[badkarma]

They'll move Roman to SDL in order to keep him away from Brock until next years Wrestlemania.

[Mayonnaise]

Honestly I think they would honestly say it is sign their plan worked. Roman is over enough to no longer need to be in front of bigger crowds that Raw has, that they believe he can draw on SDL by himself. Same as when they flipped Cena and Batista years back. They can then use Raw to get Balor to that megastar level while having Roman in case Balor crashes and burns for some reason.

[Deleted]

I wouldn't say it's defeat but rather it's a way to get the most out of Reigns as a face and also to have some backup plans to further him as a face. Mind you Ambrose is on SDL and they can do the "Shield boys as tag champions" thing to help get Reigns some pops since the Ambrose/Reigns team-up always helps him out. You got Miz who potentially get some cheers for Reigns, potentially Corbin and overall you've got SDL's more focused cast. From what I've read, SDL is also more relaxed compared to Raw and I forgot who said it (maybe Road Dogg idk) but someone stated that and that would do Reigns some good.

Finally, they've got the "break in case of emergency" glass case which is the Ambrose heel turn. Have Ambrose and Reigns be amazing friends and be tag champions and then randomly have Ambrose turn on Reigns in the middle of their run. I stick by it and say that if anyone's capable of getting Reigns some cheers it's probably Ambrose given their connection. Overall though SDL has guys that Reigns can feud with and once he's exhausted all of his options then they'll be forced to go for a heel turn.

[Fade is a CodyCryBaby]

I might actually like Roman on SDLive....so I'm guessing he stays on RAW as an admission of "victory".

[Big Bad Kahuna]

Nah he's "The Merchandise", he is gonna stay on da flagship/muthaship for a long time

[Germansuplex]

If it means his face persona gets the Smackdown Treatment (i.e.: being written as actually likeable), I'm all for it.

[Ricky Nightshade]

I wouldn't mind seeing him not be scripted to hell on Talking Smack.

[sunnytaker]

would also give them a shot at doing cena/reigns if he went to SD. then the male audience can chant "who do we cheer for" clap clap clapclapclap. "we hate, them both" clap clap clapclapclap

[TGM]

"Mr. Reigns went from being one of the elite in the business, wrestling in the Shield and recently got demoted to Smackdown."

[Andy Martin]

It'll lead to people saying they're trying to sabotage Smackdown.

[This Player Hating Mothman]

It's worth noting that John Cena is probably going to be poofing shortly after Mania season again and as far as Meltzer's concerned he's hinging on part-timer. It's probably more likely they're putting Roman onto Smackdown so that he can be top face of the brand over there in Cena's absence. If anything, they likely see him as a big enough draw to plug that top face gap, rather than bringing up Dean to fill the role again. Plus, remember that Orton and Batista both had face runs as The Guy over on Smackdown and weren't ever treated like the B show champ in their time.

[A Platypus Rave]

Mar 30, 2017 1:35:16 GMT -5 Big Bad Kahuna said:

Nah he's "The Merchandise", he is gonna stay on da flagship/muthaship for a long time

You say that but Batista was THE STAR and he was moved to Smackdown.

[Push R Truth]

I liked my 2 hour Roman-free wrestling show

[Big Bad Kahuna]

Mar 30, 2017 9:06:45 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

Mar 30, 2017 1:35:16 GMT -5 Big Bad Kahuna said:

Nah he's "The Merchandise", he is gonna stay on da flagship/muthaship for a long time

You say that but Batista was THE STAR and he was moved to Smackdown.

"The Merchandise" is Roman's nickname/handle on UUDD

Idk maybe Cena was selling better back then!? Thus their switch with titles n all

[Shai]

I actually hope this happens. I think the atmosphere on SDL could do him a world of good.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2017 6:54:52 GMT -5 Ricky Nightshade said:

I wouldn't mind seeing him not be scripted to hell on Talking Smack.

That might actually be what he needs to make people connect with him. It worked for Baron Corbin who no one gave a crap about, and also led to a comeback for The Miz.