‘I’m No Part-Timer’ — Roman Reigns Fires Back at Critics Ahead of WWE WrestleMania 41

The anticipation for WrestleMania 41’s main event on Night 1 continues to escalate, with Roman Reigns set to defend his undisputed status against the formidable challenges of CM Punk and Seth Rollins in a highly anticipated triple threat match.

This all comes down to the dramatic return of CM Punk, whose re-entry into WWE has reignited old rivalries and added an element to the championship landscape. A narrative surrounding Roman Reigns’ work schedule has emerged leading up to this monumental encounter.

While maintaining a consistent presence on house shows and television broadcasts, CM Punk and Seth Rollins have subtly and not-so-subtly alluded to Reigns’ less frequent appearances. These remarks, seemingly questioning Reigns’ commitment and labeling him a part-timer, have clearly struck a nerve with “The Tribal Chief.”

Reigns finally addressed these criticisms head-on in a recent social media video, delivering a sharp and unequivocal retort. Reigns directly confronted the accusations leveled against him. With his characteristic intensity, he stated, “It’s funny because a lot of people call me a part-timer, a lot of people got a lot of things to say about my schedule. I’m no part-timer. I’m a full-time cash cow — This business lives off me.”

This declaration served as a forceful rebuttal to the narrative being pushed by his WrestleMania opponents, firmly positioning himself as an indispensable cornerstone of WWE, irrespective of the number of dates he works.

The context for Reigns’ current schedule lies in the multi-year contract he inked with WWE in August 2022. Reports at the time indicated it would secure his presence with the company for “at least a few more years.” A significant component of this new contract was implementing a reduced working schedule.

More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation

This adjustment meant that Reigns would participate in a more selective number of events, primarily focusing on major Premium Live Events such as WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series, as well as the events held in Saudi Arabia. His television appearances also became less frequent as a way to maximize impact and storyline progression.

Reigns himself has been candid about the motivations behind this shift in his schedule. A key factor driving his decision to negotiate a reduced workload was the desire to prioritize his family life and gain greater control over his time and commitments both within and outside the demanding world of professional wrestling. This pursuit of a better work-life balance, while allowing him to maintain his status as a top-tier attraction.

More WWE News:

For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.