Roman Reigns Named Best WWE Villain: Fans Clash Over His Top Heel Status
In the decades since the WWE was founded, the company has created some truly incredible villains that fans have loved to hate. After being compared to the most notorious of those wrestlers, Roman Reigns has been named the best WWE villain of all time. However, whether he deserves an accolade that significant has been passionately debated by fans.
Who Named Roman Reigns the 'Best Heel in WWE History'
In February 2025, Screen Rant published a ranking of the "12 Best Heels in WWE History, Ranked." For anyone who doesn't know, in wrestling, dastardly characters are often called heels. That list named Roman Reigns as the single greatest villain in the history of the world's most successful wrestling company.
As for why Screen Rant named Reigns the WWE's top heel, they pointed to his 1,316-day run as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion and leader of the Bloodline. They also noted his "in-ring dominance," his "arrogant promos," the wrestlers he elevated, and the role he played in making the WWE commercially successful.
Related: Why This Iconic Attitude Era Star Has Been Ranked One of the ‘Greatest WWE Wrestlers in History'
Reigns has already done it all in the WWE, including winning a total of seven Heavyweight Championships. He is also a Grand Slam Champion who has won the Royal Rumble twice and headlined several WrestleManias.
The Fierce Fan Debate Over Whether Roman Reigns is the Greatest WWE Villain of All Time
Over the last several years, Roman Reigns' place in wrestling history has been hotly debated. He has some supporters who argue he is an all-time great, and there are seemingly just as many people who disagree with that.
In March 2025, a wrestling fan on Reddit argued that Reigns is one of the most entertaining villains in wrestling history. "I feel like people don't give 2021 Roman Reigns enough credit as one of the best heels of all time… He had everything-intensity, presence, and the ability to make every feud feel personal. The way he carried himself, the slow, methodical way he spoke, and how he treated everyone around him like they were beneath him-it was all masterful. He wasn't just playing a bad guy; he was the guy. Every match felt like a big deal because of how he carried the championship."
In response to that post, a different fan wrote, "Not just 2021 tho. The whole Tribal Chief run should be considered as one of the greatest heel runs, period." Similarly, another comment succinctly agreed with the sentiment. "I agree he's on that top heel list." On the other hand, other Reddit users have been more critical of arguments that Reigns is one of the best wrestling villains.
In response to a 2021 Reddit post about Reigns becoming "the greatest heel of all time," one user contested that claim. "Bro, he's not even the greatest heel of the year." Another user went even further. "He's not even the best heel in his FACTION. Heyman absolutely smokes him." In response to a different Reddit post on the same subject, another wrestling fan asserted that "Roman's boring" before arguing why. "Roman's heel personality is just an angry guy demanding acknowledgment. He wins by cheating most of the time. I think a good heel has more to them."
With passionate opinions on both sides, it will be fascinating to see how the debate over how Roman Reigns compares to the greatest WWE villains will play out in the future.
The Full List: 12 Best Heels in WWE History, Ranked
- 12. Kane
- 11. Charlotte Flair
- 10. The Miz
- 9. Nia Jax
- 8. Randy Orton
- 7. Eddie Guerrero
- 6. The Rock
- 5. Trish Stratus
- 4. Ric Flair
- 3. Triple H
- 2. Hollywood Hulk Hogan
- 1. Roman Reigns
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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 6:34 AM.