WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns has had an incredible run since his return to the company, highlighted by his heel turn and the establishment of his new “Tribal Chief” persona.
Part of the evolution of his new character has been an added new finisher to his moveset in the form of a guillotine submission.
Reigns credits the UFC for inspiring him to add the move into his set.
“I thoroughly enjoy watching MMA, especially over the pandemic, I feel like UFC has been on TV far more for whatever reason” Reigns said, during an interview with Bleacher Report’s Graham Matthews. “I’ve gotten into it the last couple of years and it just seems like every single card, somebody wins with the guillotine. It’s the simplest move. It’s the simplest submission ever. You just crank it in there and squeeze and wrench back.”
Reigns also spoke about wanting to use the move for a long time, but was turned down for a while.
“I’ve been wanting to use that for years,” Reigns said. “No one’s to blame, it’s just the process of the creative. It’s like, ‘What if I just pulled out a submission?’ I’ve been saying that for years. Everybody knows the Spear. The producers that I work with all the way up to [Vince] said, ‘I think the finish would be better with a Spear.’ That’s great because for years we built that spear up and up.”
With WWE looking to have fans back in attendance for WrestleMania 37, Reigns also has his eyes on the event, which will likely see him in the main event.
“One of the biggest things about WrestleMania and WWE is the relationship we have with the individual communities that we locate in,” he said. “It was really tough for us to miss it this past year in Tampa. Obviously I didn’t perform, but it takes a pretty big effect on the talent and the company when there isn’t a stadium involved packed full of fans. A week full of events and interaction with the fans, that’s what makes it so special.”
“This year, during a pandemic, it’s going to be what it is,” he said. “We definitely have to stay safe, but to be back in Tampa and to be able to get it done this year and to be able to have that opportunity to be hosted by Tampa Bay and use the Buccaneers’ stadium is really neat.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to get some kind of attendance, whether it’s following the same type of protocols as the NFL or any other sports league,” he continued. “Hopefully we can get some fans in there and keep everybody very safe. That’s always the most important thing.”
