Roman Reigns Responded to Conrad Thompson Criticism
WWE superstar addressed claims of being an overrated main eventer during a recent interview on Club Shay Shay.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Wrestling
Roman Reigns appeared on the Club Shay Shay podcast to address ongoing criticism from wrestling podcaster Conrad Thompson. Thompson had previously labeled the WWE star an industry plant and the most overrated main eventer in company history.
Why it matters
Reigns stated that podcasters use his name to drive viewership, while Thompson maintains his stance that WWE forced Reigns into a top-tier position. The public exchange highlights the tension between legacy wrestling figures and independent media personalities.
Roman Reigns held the Universal Championship for over 1,300 days during his tenure at the top of the card. The exact viewership metrics for the specific episodes where Thompson critiqued Reigns were not disclosed.
The players
Roman Reigns
He is a prominent WWE superstar who held the Universal Championship for over 1,300 days.
Conrad Thompson
He is a podcaster who co-hosts programs with figures like Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone and is married to Megan Fliehr.
Shannon Sharpe
He is the host of the Club Shay Shay podcast who interviewed Roman Reigns.
The details
Roman Reigns addressed the comments during an interview with Shannon Sharpe after Conrad Thompson repeatedly criticized him across various podcasts. Thompson, who co-hosts shows with wrestling veterans like Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone, claimed he has never seen a fan wearing a Roman Reigns T-shirt in public.
Timeline
2019: AEW launched, and Conrad Thompson denied having an official deal.
August 2026: Conrad Thompson first called Roman Reigns overrated on his podcast.
September 25, 2026: Thompson repeated his criticism on the Something to Wrestle podcast.
October 2026: Thompson commented on the wrestling star during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.
October 14, 2026: Roman Reigns responded to the criticism during his appearance on the Club Shay Shay podcast.
Season Trajectory
This public conflict reflects the broader shift in the wrestling industry where podcast hosts exert significant influence on fan narratives. It marks a departure from traditional PR strategies where performers ignored external criticism from independent media outlets.
The duration of Reigns' 1,300-day championship reign serves as the primary metric for his standing within the company relative to historical titleholders. Audience perception of his status remains divided between those citing his championship length and those echoing the criticisms of media figures like Thompson.
The takeaway
This interaction demonstrates how professional athletes now directly address critical commentary from digital platforms to manage their public image. Fans should expect similar exchanges to continue as the lines between traditional sports coverage and independent podcasting blur.
Further reading
For more on the current wrestling landscape, visit Wrestling.
