WWE's Roman Reigns: AEW 'babied' by fans, CM Punk has 'lost a step' - Figure Four Online

In a wide-ranging interview with Complex Sports, WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns said that he doesn't see real competition with AEW due to the differences in their fanbases.

AEW is very subjective with passion and tribalism, Reigns says he doesn't see AEW as competition as their fanbase is "a hardcore" one with both a ceiling and built-in floor while WWE is more about connecting with the mainstream, pulling in the casual fan.

He also said that AEW is being "babied" by those hardcore fans because they are new, adding that he thinks it's strange when the fans are the biggest character in your show:.

I think because they are the new kids on the block, they’re the cool kids in town I guess because of how premature and how novel it kind of still is, I think there still being babied by these hardcore wrestling fans.

Ahead of their match next week at Crown Jewel, Reigns also talked about Brock Lesnar and how he feels like the Paul Heyman-less version of Lesnar has helped him evolve:.

I think he’s been able to display more of Brock Lesnar from a personality standpoint

Then for me, like you said man, I’m on a different level now

Both Reigns and Lesnar will be on Friday's live SmackDown