In the world of professional wrestling, words can be just as powerful as moves in the ring. WWE superstars craft their personas through promos, delivering iconic lines that define eras and rivalries. But what happens when two of WWE’s biggest megastars, Roman Reigns and John Cena, seem to echo each other’s sentiments years apart? Was Reigns ahead of his time? Did Cena take inspiration from his long-time rival? Let’s break down the shocking truth behind these words and what they mean for the legacies of these wrestling titans.
### **Roman Reigns’ Iconic Promo: “I’m Not a Good Guy. I’m Not a Bad Guy. I’m THE Guy.”**
In 2016, Roman Reigns stood in the ring as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, gripping the microphone with confidence. He delivered a statement that would go on to define his career for years to come:
**“I’m not a good guy. I’m not a bad guy. I’m THE guy.”**
This phrase was more than just a catchphrase; it was a bold declaration of his identity in WWE. Reigns, at the time, was caught in a unique space between fan adoration and rejection. WWE had been pushing him as the new face of the company, but the audience wasn’t unanimously behind him. Instead of trying to fit into the traditional “babyface” (good guy) or “heel” (villain) mold, he claimed his own space.
With these words, Reigns was positioning himself beyond traditional storytelling tropes. He didn’t need to be a typical hero or villain—he simply was **THE** attraction in WWE.
### **John Cena’s Response: “I’m Not a Babyface. I’m Not a Heel. I’m a Human Being.”**
Fast forward to 2024, and John Cena finds himself in a very similar situation. Throughout his legendary career, Cena was known as WWE’s ultimate babyface—always standing for respect, loyalty, and never giving up. But over the years, he also became a polarizing figure, much like Reigns before him. Fans either adored him or passionately booed him.
In a recent promo, Cena stunned the WWE Universe by stating:
**“I’m not a babyface. I’m not a heel. I’m a human being.”**
The parallels between Cena’s words and Reigns’ 2016 promo are undeniable. Cena’s statement acknowledged the complexity of his character, moving beyond labels and embracing his real-life persona. The line blurred the boundaries between wrestling fiction and reality, similar to how Reigns had done years earlier.
### **Did Roman Reigns Call It First?**
Looking at the timeline, it’s clear that Reigns introduced the idea of rejecting traditional wrestling labels before Cena did. While Cena’s statement took a more philosophical and humanistic approach, the concept was laid out first by Reigns.
Reigns’ promo in 2016 was revolutionary for WWE storytelling. It reflected a shift in how modern fans perceive wrestlers—not just as scripted characters, but as individuals with real personalities, struggles, and ambitions. Cena, who always played the ultimate hero, has now seemingly taken inspiration from Reigns’ stance, finally admitting that wrestling personas are not as black-and-white as they used to be.
### **The Evolution of Character Work in WWE**
The evolution of both Reigns and Cena’s promos signals a shift in WWE’s storytelling approach. In the past, wrestlers were either clear-cut heroes or villains. Hulk Hogan was the all-American hero, while Ric Flair played the arrogant heel. But modern WWE superstars exist in shades of gray, and the audience prefers characters with depth.
Reigns, since his 2016 declaration, has taken his character work to an entirely new level. His transformation into **The Tribal Chief** is proof of his ability to play both sides of the moral spectrum without adhering to the traditional “good guy vs. bad guy” structure. Fans now acknowledge that characters in wrestling can be fluid, changing depending on their motivations and situations.
Cena’s latest promo follows the same philosophy, showing that even the most iconic figures in WWE history are embracing this new reality.
### **What This Means for WWE’s Future**
WWE’s storytelling is evolving, and both Reigns and Cena have played critical roles in this transformation. By rejecting rigid labels, they’ve allowed future superstars to explore more nuanced character arcs. Wrestlers no longer have to fit into a box; they can simply be who they are, making storytelling in WWE more organic and unpredictable.
So, did Roman Reigns call it before John Cena? The answer is a resounding **yes**. Reigns set the stage for a new way of defining wrestling personas, and Cena’s recent words only reinforce how influential Reigns’ promo was.
As WWE moves forward, one thing is clear: the days of simple good guys vs. bad guys are over. The lines are blurred, the characters are deeper, and the stories are more compelling than ever before. And for that, we have Roman Reigns to thank.
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