At WWE Clash in Paris 2025, Roman Reigns delivered a moment that left the wrestling world stunned, exacting a dramatic and symbolic revenge on Bronson Reed in a grudge match that opened the Premium Live Event. The feud, fueled by Reed’s repeated theft of Reigns’ prized sneakers and his taunting “Shoe-la Fala” antics, reached its peak when Reigns, after a hard-fought victory, stuffed one of his reclaimed shoes directly into Reed’s mouth, shocking the raucous French crowd. The audacious act, a blend of defiance and humiliation, sent fans into a frenzy and ignited social media, with clips of the moment trending worldwide.
The match itself was a brutal showcase of power, with Reigns and Reed trading thunderous blows. Reigns, the former Undisputed WWE Champion, started strong with punishing punches and a near-successful Samoan Drop, but Reed’s size and agility countered with a Samoan Drop of his own and a near-fatal Tsunami splash. Reigns, fueled by the crowd’s deafening chants of “OTC,” battled back, ultimately securing the win with a top-rope Samoan Drop followed by a devastating Spear. The victory wasn’t enough for Reigns, who turned his attention to Paul Heyman, Reed’s ally, choking him out with a guillotine hold to reclaim his stolen sneakers. In a moment of pure defiance, Reigns then shoved the shoe into Reed’s mouth, a direct response to Reed’s earlier provocations.
The Paris crowd erupted, chanting Reigns’ name as he stood on the announcer’s desk, signing the sneakers before tossing them into the audience. However, the celebration was short-lived. Bron Breakker, aligned with Reed and Seth Rollins’ Vision faction, ambushed Reigns with a Spear through the announcer’s table. Reed followed with three Tsunami splashes, leaving Reigns battered and stretchered out, with Jey Uso’s attempt at a save proving futile. The chaotic post-match assault, which saw Reigns hospitalized for MRIs and X-rays, raised questions about his immediate future, with speculation swirling about a sabbatical or filming commitments for Street Fighter as Akuma.
This moment capped a heated rivalry that began when Reed, dubbing himself “The Tribal Thief,” stole Reigns’ Jordan sneakers on the July 28 and August 4 episodes of Raw, wearing them as a necklace to mock Reigns’ Samoan heritage. Reigns’ response—stuffing the shoe into Reed’s mouth—was a symbolic reclaiming of his pride and a message to The Vision faction. Fans on X called it “the most hater thing ever,” with some praising Reigns’ babyface evolution and others marveling at Reed’s villainous intensity.
The incident has sparked debate about Reigns’ next move, with some suggesting a Survivor Series return to confront The Vision. For now, the image of Reigns’ bold act remains etched in WWE history, a testament to his ability to captivate and shock, proving why he remains the face of the company.
