What was supposed to be Roman Reigns’ triumphant return on SmackDown instead turned into one of WWE’s more awkward, controversial moments — and fans are not letting it go. The “Walking Stick Entrance,” hyped as an ultra‑dramatic moment for The Tribal Chief, ended up being a disaster that left the WWE Universe divided and furious.
—
The Build
For weeks, WWE teased that Roman Reigns would return in a new light — more vulnerable, more dramatic. Promos pushed the idea of him using a walking stick, both as a symbol of his pain and as a prop to underline how far he’s fallen from the top. The build was intense: social media chatter, backstage rumors, and WWE dropping hints that this would be “his most emotional entrance yet.”
—
The Entrance — And It All Goes Wrong
When the moment finally came, Roman emerged to huge anticipation. The lights dimmed, fans held their breath, pyros exploded — and then he stepped out with the walking stick. But almost immediately, something felt off.
Instead of a powerful limp or a stirring display of struggle, Roman’s walk came off as unsteady and poorly staged. He seemed to overcompensate, pausing awkwardly, his timing thrown off. The crowd was visibly confused. Some cheered out of support; others booed, mocking what they saw as WWE trying to manufacture sympathy. What was supposed to be a bold, cinematic moment instead looked clumsy and half‑baked.
—
Fan Reaction: Scorn, Frustration, Disbelief
The backlash was swift and brutal:
On social media, fans roasted the production value, the timing, and the logic. Some said the walking stick felt gimmicky, like WWE was trying too hard to make Reigns look “fragile” in a way that didn’t suit the character.
Among long‑time viewers, there was a sense of betrayal. Roman Reigns has been booked as virtually unstoppable for years — “Tribal Chief,” “Original Tribal Chief,” etc. Seeing him hobble out on a stick didn’t match the aura fans expect from him.
Criticism of booking: Many believe that this was a wrong turn in storytelling. Some argue that vulnerability makes sense, but this felt like WWE botched the execution, turning what could have been a moment of depth into an unintentionally comedic spectacle.
—
WWE’s Damage Control — And What It Means
No immediate responses from WWE while the segment aired, but backstage buzz suggests creative is aware they misjudged it. Possible fixes:
Lean into a storyline injury: maybe the walking stick isn’t a prop but indicative of real danger in Reigns’ road going forward — giving him a comeback arc.
Use it in promos to explain the “why” and turn the crowd’s confusion into sympathy.
But the larger question: what does this say about WWE’s current direction? Are they too reliant on spectacle without ensuring payoff? Does Roman’s character endure if such missteps keep happening?
—
Verdict
If the Walking Stick Entrance was meant to elevate Roman Reigns — to show a human side, to make the crowd feel something — it failed. What it delivered instead was awkwardness, disbelief, and a lot of criticism. For a company built on big moments, this one seemed to shatter more than build. Whether fans ever move past this will depend on
WWE’s ability to follow it up with something real.
