The "Big Dog" shares why he truly believes that WWE is his yard.
Former three-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion and the man who will be competing amongst six other men this Sunday inside of the Elimination Chamber, Roman Reigns, spoke with ESPN ahead of the 'Elimination Chamber' PPV. Reigns analyzed his fellow opponents in the bout, revealing what he believes they bring to the table. He would also address his critics, who do not feel that he should be positioned as the top guy, or "the guy" in the WWE.
"I'm always looking forward to the opportunity to do something great. It's a great responsibility. A lot of times, jokingly, I always say 'Someone's gotta do it, why not me?'"
Reigns is proud that he gets to go out there every night and lay it all on the line, but his ultimate goal going forward is to leave the Elimination Chamber victorious and go on to New Orleans to face Brock Lesnar once again, but this time for the WWE Universal Championship.
"The toughest part is that is goes so fast. It's hard to really enjoy it and relish in the cool things that you're able to accomplish because there's no offseason. There's no time to kick back and realize that something was awesome or it was a crazy two months or it was a crazy tour. It's a system and we're running this drill that just never stops and God willing, my body holds up and I keep doing this as long as possible, because there's nothing like performing in front of this crowd that we have." He added. "That's what it's all about ... I busted my butt, people can say whatever they want. I know my schedule, I know what I've done, I know all the different places and all the different tours and workloads that I've taken on, but [WrestleMania] is our playoffs, this is our Super Bowl, this is where it all counts. You've been waiting for your birthday all year long and this is where you capitalize."
The 2015 'Royal Rumble' match winner would then explain what each of the participants in the Elimination Chamber match this Sunday brings to the WWE; praising their abilities. Although Roman recently lost the I.C. Title to this man, The Miz, he does not let that blind his judgement that The Miz is one of the very best, currently on WWE's main roster.
"He's an underrated workhorse. I'm extremely proud of the job that he does representing the company. The crossover reach that he has and his ability to maintain the relationship he has with MTV [is great]. I think he's very underrated for the amount of work that he does and I'm grateful to have him in our locker room." Reigns said.
Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns destroyed each other for the greater half of 2017, but those wars have done nothing but earn the "Monster Among Men" respect from Reigns.
"He's a monster, it's for real. He's a big strong dude that can move. He's a good athlete too. It's very rare you see men who stand 6-8, 6-9-plus and they have to hitch to do what we do. On top of all that, he's not a big blockhead. He's a smart guy with a decent head on his shoulders where I think he's going to continue to progress and continue to learn because there's so many different facets and nuances that we do in the ring. He's definitely going to be a monster for us for many years to come."
And the man who has seemingly passed the torch to Roman; former 16-time WWE World Champion, John Cena, was highly praised the most out of all the men Roman spoke about to ESPN, because of Cena's longevity and his passion for the WWE.
"He's like 'The Babe.' I don't think there's ever going to be anybody like Cena ever again. That's why when people compare myself to him now, I like to just think that it's a compliment. To be able to have the longevity -- that's the word for Cena -- longevity. It goes to speak to his worth ethic and his passion, but I just don't think it's going to be able to be done again. He's one of one. There will never be a guy who can hold up and be that durable because he competed 15-plus years on an elite level. I've been doing it a few years now and I can already feel the tolls, so there's a lot of respect that has to go his way because to do it at the top for that long is unprecedented."
To read more of Roman Reigns's interview with ESPN and see what he had to say about Seth Rollins, Finn Balor & Elias, click here. We will have full coverage of the WWE 'Elimination Chamber' PPV and a post-show podcast, right here on Fightful.com
