“[Roman is] the most confident performer, the best-looking man, the guy that looks like a champion, the one guy that can handle Brock Lesnar, the D1 athlete, a second-generation Samoan American wrestler, and he’s needy. He’s a ‘Tribal Chief.’ He’s ‘The Head of the Table.’ He runs the family. He’s the biggest star, but he’s needy. He needs you to acknowledge him,” Heyman said.

Upon closer inspection of Reigns’ on-screen character, Heyman revealed “The Tribal Chief” wasn’t motivated by love, affirmation, or even hate. All he desires is acknowledgment from the audience. 

With his two-word plea, Reigns empowers the audience to respond back any way they want, whether it be in the form of cheers or boos.

“It’s a beg from a man who doesn’t beg. From a man who rules. From a man who commands ‘The Island of Relevancy.’ ‘Please acknowledge me. Please, just acknowledge me. I don’t just want it, I need it from you.’ And when you do it, do it authentically.”

According to Heyman, Reigns’ catchphrase serves as a “psychological twist” to humanize him. Reigns recently surpassed 1,000 days as the Universal Champion and has shown no signs of ending his reign anytime soon. He continues to compliment his domination with a sense of vulnerability in his spurts of anger, and his “needy” catchphrase.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “Tetragrammaton” with a H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.