I guess I don't share your scorn for Reigns. Is he any worse than say the Ultimate Warrior? He couldn't wrestle a lick and was incoherent on the mic. But he was a big star before he got too big for his britches. In the land of sports entertainment you can get by without being Brett Hart in the ring. He will need to get better on the mic, but he'll get there.
I just don't like the fans having SO much power that they directly dictate what happens. Especially since not everyone wants the same things. Will there be another "cancel WWE Network" campaign if Cena should be given the belt again? Or if Ziggler doesn't get the push the internet fans think he deserves?
Maybe they have other long range plans for Bryan. Maybe his moment was planned for Summerslam. Maybe they feel after the long layoff that they need to re-establish him a little bit again like they didn't with Bautista.
Given the circumstances, Reigns is worse than the Ultimate Warrior. Back in the late '80s, WWF fans had never seen great workers aside from Savage and Steamboat. All that changed when Hart and Michaels rose to prominence and there hasn't been a mega-face of the company since that couldn't put on a great match. Also, FWIW, I'd still say Warrior's intensity and goofball interviews still trump what we've seen from Reigns. And Warrior just looked out of this world (ya, it was steroids, but still). Reigns, in contrast, needs to wear a shirt/chest protector to the ring at all times.
Beyond that, I don't think the fans would be as up in arms regarding the Cena and Ziggler scenarios you mentioned. The hardcore fans at least respect Cena and there are still other alternatives to promote over Ziggler (and Ziggler isn't necessarily universally loved by the smarks).
Fair enough. I just wish the smarks could sometimes just relax and enjoy the show. Sit back and let them tell us a story instead of trying to sabotage what they're trying to do. Cheer your favorites and stay silent for the talent you don't like. They'll get the message.
You know for as rebellious as those fans fancy themselves to be, they're pretty much as predictable as a partisan politician. There's not really much independent thought within the group.
Daniel Bryan = God
Ziggler - Being held down by "the man"
Cena - Sucks (even though he clearly doesn't)
Almost anything on the Indy Circuit or NXT - good (gotta get in on the ground floor for the next big thing)
Usos-boring (I think they're fun)
Reigns-Bad
ECW-The good old days (Sandman makes Reigns look like Eddie Guerrero)
Rollins-awesome (they're right about that, but let's let him be a heel. He's great at it.)
Cesaro-also being held down by the man (he's boring, IMO)