While the March 22nd SmackDown was big, Roman Reigns takes shots at CM Punk and Cody Rhodes before the show ever hit the air.
WWE is usually very good getting crossover attention for it’s Superstars. That has only gotten more true in recent years. And with the sale last year, the TKO leadership is surely pushing things even further.
It doesn’t hurt that WWE has a long standing working relationship with Pat McAfee. McAfee hosts one of the most popular sports shows, and he also happens to be a part of the Monday Night RAW announce team. One thing which McAfee and WWE have done lately is manage to have live shows in close proximity.
It was how the fall surprise appearance of The Rock was semi-ruined. Rock and McAfee appeared on TV in the morning, very close to that evening’s SmackDown, and the rest is history.
Ahead of this week’s blue brand festivities, McAfee had a live broadcast in Iowa. On his Friday show was none other than the Tribal Chief. Ahead of his face to face Friday fun with the American Nightmare, Reigns sat down with the former NFL punter.
As you’d expect, Reigns didn’t hold back and he didn’t only take shots at his WrestleMania opponent.
Roman Reigns Takes Shots At CM Punk And Cody Rhodes
I have to assume some of this was to sow seeds for future work, because that is what WWE does. Long term story-telling is a thing, and it’s something we’ve seen a lot of in more recent years.
Discussing his big weekend in a couple weeks, Reigns was straight forward about his challenger. He implied that Cody ruined what could have been a historic main event. Of note, he also said that someone like Rhodes, or even his Hollywood cousin, are but chapters in his own legendary story.
Taking shots at CM Punk was not quite on my bingo card, but here we are.
Reigns noted that he and the recently-returned Superstar are different. The champion says he is happy where he is and appreciates the journey and his successes…unlike Punk. His point being, whenever CM Punk got to the top, he didn’t like the view and complained (like his pipe bomb before walking out).
I’d bet money that some remarks were at least planned with WWE, but maybe not. His Cody remarks furthered that whole story, which si why I am willing to think that perhaps we might just get a Reigns/Punk program down the road if the Second City Saint can stay healthy.
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