For over a decade, John Cena stood at the top of WWE as a baby face. He defined himself by a simple yet unshakeable rule: Never Give Up. This wasn’t just a slogan on a T-shirt; it was something that Cena lived by.
He was always the good guy who fought from behind, stayed true to his values, and never, ever turned his back on the fans. That rule made him a global superstar.
For years, WWE tried to cast Roman Reigns in that same heroic mold, but it didn’t work.
It wasn’t until Roman Reigns did the one thing John Cena never would. Break that old rule and abandon the need for approval. And from there, Reigns started stepping into becoming the face of the company.
This is the story of two legacies, one defining rule, and how the “Tribal Chief” found success by shattering the blueprint his predecessor perfected.
John Cena’s Golden Rule: Be the Good Guy, No Matter What
To understand the rule, we have to understand the PG era that John Cena dominated. Cena’s role was to be a real-life superhero for a global, family-friendly audience. His whole character was built on one idea.
The Rule: No matter what, always be the hero who finds a way to win.
This meant Cena could be beaten down, outnumbered, and betrayed, but he would never give up his values. He wouldn’t take shortcuts, cheat, or turn to the dark side for an easier path to victory. He took the boos from half the crowd with a smile, confident in his beliefs.
In a 2017 interview with Complex, The Cenation Leader explained his unwavering commitment to this role, stating:
“I have a very young audience, and I have a lot of kids. I’m a real-life superhero… I don’t ever want to go down that path.”
This wasn’t just a character choice; it was a brand identity. Cena’s rule was his bond with the audience, and it generated WWE hundreds of millions of dollars. For a long time, it seemed like the only way to become WWE’s top star.
The Next Cena? Why It Didn’t Work for Roman Reigns
After Cena transitioned to a part-time role due to his projects outside the company, the promotion positioned Roman Reigns as his successor. They gave him a similar heroic character: the strong, silent protector who overcame the odds. The problem? The fans hated it.
From 2015 to 2019, Reigns was relentlessly pushed as a top babyface, but the fans booed him out of the building. The more he was presented as the next John Cena, the more fans rejected him.
Reflecting on that period in his A&E Biography, Reigns admitted just how tough it was:
“I was booed historically. Think of these moments, you dream about them, and the moment it actually happen, it’s like they are playing the worst soundtrack of all time over your moment, ruining your party.” (Timestamp: 0:12-0:30)
He was following the rule of being the hero, but it felt forced and inauthentic. He was trying to portray a character that the modern audience was no longer willing to universally accept. His struggles culminated in moments like the main event of WrestleMania 32, where the sound of boos was undeniable.
Breaking the Rule: The Birth of the Tribal Chief
Everything changed in 2020. After a hiatus, Roman Reigns returned with a new attitude and formed a new alliance with Paul Heyman. He didn’t just bend Cena’s rule; he shattered it into a million pieces.
The Breaking Point: Reigns embraced the idea that winning wasn’t enough. He demanded to be acknowledged. He stopped trying to be a hero and instead became the tyrannical “Tribal Chief” and “Head of the Table,” a leader willing to do whatever it took to protect his family and his position.
Reigns began winning matches through manipulation, interference from The Bloodline, and being absolutely ruthless. All things the John Cena character would never do. He was the exact opposite of Cena. He wasn’t asking for respect; he was taking it.
When asked about his transformation in a 2021 FOX Sports interview, Reigns admitted he had always wanted to play the villain:
“I’ve always wanted to turn heel. I didn’t feel like i should have like been the baby face out of the shield group. We all agreed we thought it was, it should have been Seth.” (Timestamp: 0:43-0:54)
Why Breaking the Rule Was Necessary for Roman Reigns’ Success
Roman Reigns’ historic multi-year championship reign as the Tribal Chief proved one thing: the WWE audience had evolved. Fans in the modern era crave complex, character-driven storytelling. They are more attracted to a compelling, authentic anti-hero than a flawless, manufactured one.
John Cena’s rule was perfect for his time, creating a generation of young fans and establishing a clear moral center for the company. But for Roman Reigns, that same rule was a creative prison. By breaking free from it, he was finally able to:
- Become Authentic: The Tribal Chief felt more real and resonated more deeply than his previous character ever did.
- Create Compelling Drama: His reign was defined by the long-term, cinematic story of The Bloodline, something a simple heroic character could never sustain.
- Define a New Era: His success proved that the top star no longer needs to be a traditional hero. They need to be the most compelling character in the room.
The legacies of John Cena and Roman Reigns are forever connected in WWE history. Cena became the face of his era by following an unshakable code that defined his career.
Roman Reigns, however, carved his path differently, by daring to break that very mold. His rise proved that to truly be “The Guy” of a new generation, you can’t just follow the old blueprint. You have to create your own legacy.
