Former WWE Head Trainer Says Roman Reigns Isn't Ready To Take On Brock Lesnar
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer revealed last month that WWE officials have made plans for Roman Reign's ongoing mega-push to climax at WrestleMania 31 with a match against Brock Lesnar. This direction was decided "either shortly before or shortly after WrestleMania." Lesnar's beatdown of Cena at SummerSlam was originally intended for Daniel Bryan before he was sidelined due to injury, with Reigns being the WWE Superstar who would emerge to "save the day" at next year's WrestleMania.
Dr. Tom Prichard, who oversaw Reigns' developmental as a professional wrestler while working as WWE's head trainer from 2007 to 2012, doesn't believe Reigns is ready to be featured in the WrestleMania main event and take on Lesnar.
In an interview this week with DailyDDT.com, he was asked, "In your opinion, do you think Roman Reigns is ready to jump into the main event of WrestleMania and take on Brock Lesnar?"
Prichard responded, "Reigns has a way to go in the ring and on the mic. They shouldn't throw him into something that he's not ready for. I don't see anyone with the exception of The Rock who could stand toe to toe with Brock after Cena."
Prichard did, however, give his seal of approval for Reigns' former teammates, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, as well as Lesnar and Cena.
Prichard was also asked if he feels there are any wrestlers in WWE's developmental system who can become household names for the sports-entertainment organization.
"There's a lot of them, if they learn how to play the game," remarked Prichard. "The first "wave" of all NXT stars have yet to arrive. The so-called "NXT talent" there now actually started at Florida Championship Wrestling."
He adds that the most important aspects of finding success in WWE is to "stay true to themselves, learn the political climate and adjust."
Elsewhere in the interview, Prichard reveals which wrestler he had eye on that didn't land in WWE and former students of his that he was surprised didn't make a bigger splash in WWE.