Really? But that's it? Did he spend any time in the indies or local companies?
Does having spent time on the indies matter? Last I checked that does not mean shit.
A career or "respect in the business" is not measured in the amount of places you have worked. Working a lot of places or having a long career before coming to the WWE does not equal paying your dues or earning the respect of the boys. They can go hand in hand a lot of times but it is not the only way.
AJ Styles probably had to go around the entire WWE roster and staff on his first day and shake everyone's hand. Because he was the newest guy in the company. He still has to earn respect and standing within the WWE.
Roman Reigns have paid his dues and is just as worthy of being top of the card as AJ Styles. Difference being that Roman did all that within the WWE system. He's been at the absolute shit bottom, working opening matches in the shitty little FCW gym in front of 20 people. He's carried bags for older wrestlers, set up chairs, set up rings, driven cars across the country countless of times etc etc etc.
Locker room respect and worthiness is earned in willingness to work. Not in championship runs or having worked every little shitty southern indy in the US.
Unlike what people believe it is perfectly fine and okay to have your entire career within the WWE system.