Hall of Famer says Roman Reigns ‘carried WWE when others couldn’t’

One half of a legendary tag team ranks The Tribal Chief among wrestling’s most distinguished names.

Week after week, the resounding chants of “We Want Roman” surge through arenas and resonate emphatically on television screens, a testament to the escalating passion and reverence for arguably the most preeminent performer in wrestling history, Roman Reigns. Amid WWE’s new era, the yearning for The Tribal Chief’s return reflects a deep appreciation for his wrestling legacy, which has been sorely missed since WrestleMania.

One person Reigns’ contributions aren’t lost on is WWE Hall of Famer D-Von Dudley. While promoting the video game WWE 2K24, Dudley spoke highly of Reigns during an interview with Screen Rant. The multi-time tag team champion placed Reigns on a pedestal, comparing his nearly four-year stretch as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion with some of the most prominent title holders in years past.

“I rank him in the same rank as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, as The Rock, as a Bret “The Hitman” Hart, Hulk Hogan, you know, Bruno Sammartino; he carried the company when others couldn’t, and he did it for a long period of time,” said Dudley.

In assessing The Head of the Table, Dudley highlighted Reigns’ ability to carry WWE for a prolonged period, similar to long title reigns of the past by the likes of Hogan, Sammartino, and Ric Flair. Dudley noted that while modern champions typically hold titles for shorter durations, Reigns captivated fans with his lengthy reign, reminiscent of earlier eras.

At 1,316 days, Roman’s reign as champion was particularly impressive because he achieved it as a heel in a promotion historically dominated by babyface champions. His ability to captivate fans as one of wrestling’s most despised characters highlights the exceptional effort he put into his storylines and performances.

His achievement is even more remarkable, given that it came during a pandemic. D-Von Dudley commended Reigns for his role during that challenging time and praised the compelling storylines involving the Bloodline, including the Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn. Dudley expressed pride in the entire group’s performance and the memorable matches they delivered.

“It was a great ride. It was a great watch to see those guys do their magic,” said Dudley.