Would Stone Cold have been as big if he didn't have Vince McMahon? Would Rock be as big if it weren't for Stone Cold? Flair isn't Flair if not for the 4HM. All the big stars either had a top nemesis or group that made them the #1 person.
I mean i wouldn't say as being the number 1 person but more like the character. The tribal chief character doesn't work if Roman isn't Samoan or part of the family. Like Stone Cold i could see a case for but he still would've been a rebel to the authority no matter who was in charge of that was his character. Rock always had that charismatic charm aspect and even Flair. You don't need anyone else to make you when that's your character.
Look at Seth Rollins. He has a charismatic personality. Compare that to Roman. If there's no bloodline or Samoan dynasty, then there's no tribal chief or head of the table character. He was struggling until they put him with Heyman and the whole story started. That's what really boosted his career.