ASK TITO: Roman Reigns, WWE Night of Champions 2025 Predictions, CM Punk & Saudi Arabia, and More
The EXCELLENCE IN COLUMN writing has returned to provide my snappy answers to the many questions sent to me via email (mostly long-time readers), social media, and the comments cesspool down below these columns where trolls like to show off their infinite wisdom. Funny, to me, how contentious being a pro wrestling fan is these days, as WWE and AEW fans hate each other or lots of name calling simply for liking a particular wrestler, storyline, or promotion. If you think that it sucks now, try absorbing 27 years of hatred, personal attacks, and threats and attempt to still be here posting columns for free for y’all to enjoy.
I just want to say a special congrats to Roman Reigns for landing the role of Akuma in the upcoming Street Fighter video game film. Hopefully, the studio does this version of the film better than the 1990s one, though Raul Julia’s performance as M. Bison was incredible despite him actually dying of cancer at the time. Akuma is a big antagonist of Ken and Ryu, though I feel his appearance in the Street Fighter games took away the effectiveness of M. Bison as the lead villain. You know, kind of like an overpushed babyface version of Roman Reigns from 2015 through early 2020 that drown out everybody and caused WWE to lose over 2 million RAW viewers.
However for Roman Reigns, it’s MORE TIME-OFF… We haven’t seen him since Wrestlemania 40, as one would think he’d psychologically want to rush back and get revenge on Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins. Nope, disappearing for 3 months is how Roman does it and then he’ll hope that fans, with their short-term memories, will remember past storylines.
It’s one thing to take extensive time-off when you’re in a HOT heel stable and you’ve got Paul Heyman or other stablemates to carry the load. Hence why the Bloodline storyline was so successful, and hence why Brock Lesnar was so successful. When Roman and Brock wanted to take extensive vacations, Paul Heyman could speak for them and keep the memories of both wrestlers alive. However, without Paul Heyman representing them and helping them to agent their matches, they don’t look as strong.
Taking time-off as a major babyface without a Paul Heyman or supporting stable is a mistake… Fans want someone to root for against the top heels, but if you’re not there, it’s the next man up.
To me, this babyface run of Roman Reigns since SummerSlam 2024 has been a failure. Business didn’t pick back up like it did during Wrestlemania 40, as The Rock re-appearing did that… But if you look at Wrestlemania 41 tickets, nobody was tripping over themselves to see Roman vs. Punk vs. Rollins. No, it wasn’t until John Cena turned heel that momentum shifted and helped get Wrestlemania 41 from about 42,000 tickets sold (Wrestlemania always sells moderately well) to 60,000.
Then you look at someone like Jey Uso who is moving merchandise and is very popular with the fans. That guy doesn’t receive the credit for the Bloodline storyline, but remember, he was the first family member to join the group and gave Roman his first good match as a heel. Then, Jey Uso was the key driver of the Sami Zayn storyline. While I’ll agree that Jey’s in-ring ability could improve, you cannot deny his personality that helped sell the group and storyline. Hence why he received a World Title at Wrestlemania 41 as a reward.
Without Roman Reigns during 2024 (also without the Rock, too, as he helped business surge during the first quarter) and now after Wrestlemania 41, business is the same as usual… Mostly over 10,000 attendees for all television tapings, massive attendance for Premium Live Events, and merchandise sales for NON-ROMAN wrestlers are going through the roof. Freakin’ Columbus, OH had their record gate for a random episode of RAW and that was a show, again, without Roman Reigns in sight.
This week’s Saudi “Night of Champions” show is headlined by John Cena and CM Punk. Yeah, 2011 and 2013 called, they are happy to see their big feud again.
And I’m sure we’ll see the Roman Reigns apologists come out and cry foul for what I’m daring to write here… It’s like in politics when entire networks like FOX or MSNBC provide state-run media for one candidate, while individual goofs from each side show unwavering love for one politician or another. Then you have people online like Laura Loomer who are literally in love with a particular candidate and defend literally anything that a politician does. I see this significantly with Roman Reigns and Vince McMahon love given by certain people online, and then extremely militant attacks on anyone who disagrees with their opinion. To a degree, AEW and Triple H lovers act that way too.
But I don’t care… WWE’s business is doing well whether Roman Reigns is there or not. Fact is that his spotlight was bigger and brighter with the Bloodline and Paul Heyman versus no longer being around either. With that, he’s sliding down my all-time greats list and maybe out of the top 10 for the WWE Wrestlemania Era.
Enjoy the time off, as we’ll enjoy not seeing your lackluster babyface run. Less is more…
Onto your questions.
ASK TITO: Your Questions My Answers
What do you think of CM Punk’s apologies to Saudi Arabia and its fans?
It’s typical of someone working for a company and having to do things. There are many events and social gatherings that I don’t want to attend, but I have to or the pressure is applied to do so. When you have customers with their fat dollar bills to please, you have to suck it up and get out there.
For Punk, his comment was directed at the Miz but his mention of “blood money” was a rough personal shot at the entire government. BUT, CM Punk rejoined WWE during 2023 which is right in the think of WWE taking said “blood money” from Saudi Arabia for their ongoing deal since the last 2010s.
Is CM Punk a hypocrite for tweeting what he did and now performing for them? Of course he is… But work makes you become a hypocrite in many ways when you get paid to present yourself a certain way or to schmooze with your clients.
I think that anyone who is critical of Punk acting like a professional to Saudi Arabia and its fans hasn’t worked for a more corporate setting where image and public relations mean everything.
That said, the HEAT that CM Punk is getting for acting this way in Saudi Arabia should tell the WWE that the timing is getting close to turn CM Punk heel. Punk is perceived as a rebel, but when he goes against that grain, his loyal fans get pissed.
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Predictions for WWE Night of Champions?
Karrion Kross vs. Sami Zayn: Y’all can keep telling me that Karrion’s online work is great, but the issue remains his in-ring performance and confidence as a performer. Plus, those ill-placed tattoos. HHH wants this guy pushed, so I’ll go with Kross.
Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez: Rhea should mop the floor with her, but that’s why it is pro wrestling. Raquel is going to steal the win.
Jacob Fatu vs. Solo Sikoa: Jacob is the star, Solo didn’t shine in big moments granted to him during 2024. Should be a win by Jacob.
Asuka vs. Jade Gargill: WWE isn’t giving up on Jade yet. Asuka just came back, so I’ll go with Jade.
Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton: Plans appear to run back Cena vs. Cody for SummerSlam. So I’ll go with Cody, given that we’ve seen Orton vs. Cena already.
CM Punk vs. John Cena: Punk will get rewarded for being the company guy and he defeats John Cena. However, this will trigger a rematch and that’s probably where everyone’s expected call of Ron Killings joining Cena happens. WWE seems to be silent on Pay Per Views between here and SummerSlam, so maybe a quick rematch happens on Smackdown or another PLE is introduced? I don’t think it would be SNME.
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Thoughts on Cody Rhodes revealing he is at the “tail end of his babyface run”?
I hope that he said it on the Netflix WWE Unreal, too… This is what I dislike about Cody. He’s a guy who acts like a pro wrestler instead of living it and protecting it like his other family members.
With him saying this, everyone will now project that he’ll do a double-turn at SummerSlam 2025 with John Cena or something stupid like that. I can’t wait to hear about that for 2 whole months…
Here’s the thing about Cody… He was a successful babyface because (a) he bolted from AEW as an EVP, (b) received sympathy for his daddy never winning the WWE Title, and (c) he wrestled nothing but great opponents from 2022 through 2025. Straight facts. And he won 2 Royal Rumbles in a row.
The fact that his career was propped up by favorable conditions is the easy argument to flip him into heel…
But Cody, JUST SHUT UP about talking openly about storylines and where your character may go. Just let the stupid Netflix show WWE Unreal do that for you instead.
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Do you believe that Mariah May should have been named Blake Monroe in WWE?
No, but this is what WWE does for many unless they are bigger stars coming in (AJ Styles, for example). WWE can then copyright the name and with Mariah under WWE contact, they’ll require her to refer to her stage name too. Then, if she leaves the WWE, she’ll have to rebuild name recognition of her older name.
To me, they could have just called her “Mariah Monroe” and that’s the perfect name. “Blake Monroe” just doesn’t sound like a cool name and having it as a mixture of Marilyn Monroe and Blake Lively is lame. Plus, Blake Lively is having a very difficult time personally and professionally right now with reported behavior on-set and accusations made of others.
Listen… Names mean nothing, as if you have talent, you can get a name like “Farts Fisher” over. Seriously, Hunter Hearst Helmsley is what Triple H was dealt with and he got over no matter what he was called. Good talent always rises to the top.
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Should WWE keep bringing back Tony Hinchcliffe for their events?
Yes, but realize that WWE has a slightly different audience than UFC and a different one that doesn’t fully follow the Austin, TX comedy scene. WWE found that out during Wrestlemania 41 weekend when the roast had a few shocking things said. That said, I think there is a role for Tony working with the WWE. He’s actually a big wrestling fan and seems to have knowledge of the profession, and I really like watching Kill Tony from time-to-time, especially with good guests.
However, you’ve got to know your audience… While WWE is heavily favored towards adult males over 40 years old, there’s a lot of family attendees mixed in there that aren’t quite looking for the foul jokes. Great comedians can be funny no matter what environment they are in, which I hope Tony thinks about and considers this time around for SummerSlam.
He’s a popular guy wanting to invest time in WWE… I have no objections to having him there to help the WWE, but just think about your presentation just a tad. Different audience than what you have in Austin or in other settings dominated by adult men with thicker skin for jokes.
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Thoughts on Pat McAfee taking a break from commentating and explaining he was “exhausted”?
Many online wrestling fans hopped on this topic, suggesting that Pat cannot handle the tough WWE road schedule. No, the issue isn’t that… The issue is that Pat has a 5-days-per-week live podcast that airs on ESPN for 2 hours and then an additional 1 hour on YouTube daily. On top of that, he’s managing the company that airs that daily show while also having other ESPN commitments including preparing for College Football Gameday. And when you play the Corporate Game, you have to attend the Corporate Events. Same thing that explained about CM Punk performing for Saudi Arabia. Pat is also a father now and wants to spend time with his daughter.
To me, just retire from WWE and just run your podcast show and do College Gameday. Support WWE from your daily show and let that be the means of your WWE association.
Over-exposure is a real thing. As good as Pat may be on commentary, his VALUE remains his daily show on ESPN and keeping that a strong property. That’s what made him into a household name and gave him his biggest riches. What I don’t want is diminished returns on that part due to spreading Pat too thin. Thankfully, he has a great supporting crew on his daily show with AJ Hawk, the Toxic Table, and very loyal fans that can help move things along when Pat is burned out.
WWE money will always be waiting for you, as they are suckers for bringing in celebrities. But Disney money is permanent money that not everybody receives. Get that bag instead and a WWE announcing career will always be there as a backdrop if needed.