But how will WWE get a new guy to the top when the smarks are refusing to let the WWE play out their plans.
I think that's really a lost idea among hardcore wrestling fans. They want a lot, at once. The Attitude Era has really served this generation wrestling bookers a shitplatter to deal with. Instead of watching and waiting for a storyline to play out, and to see where it leads to next - people want it all or nothing at all. I seriously believe that Reigns push to the top will result in a Heel Cena vs. Face Reigns feud for a future WrestleMania. But you can't expect something like that to happen when fans refuse to watch any of it.
I'm not saying that WWE is booking Reigns right, or even that I watch till the end and wait it out - but I wonder how the product will change/feel for me, if I did.
Reigns would not be the top guy however WWE booked him. He does not have it.
WWE just needs to let it happen organically. Austin was not intended to be the top guy, look at him. Shawn was not intended to be the top guy (he was intended to be A top guy but Diesel was the heir apparent), Bret was not intended to be the man, that was Luger.
The fans elect the top guy. The crowd elected Cena for Pete's sake. It's all about waiting for WWE to realize who the crowd has picked. And they already have. Just listen to the reactions to Ambrose.
Cena still has an important role to fill as the top guy representing the company, a role which he can still fill in the midcard (this is usually a traditional role in wrestling, Jumbo in All Japan, Inoki in New Japan, Flair for periods in the NWA), the established top dog stepping away to allow the younger crop to duke it out for the top spot.
Vince has a body fetish, that much is established. But history shows that patience in the crowd pays off.