Personal info
Known for

Ultimate Talent

Gender

Male

Birthday

25 May

Location

Florida, United States

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Roman Reigns

Biography

Roman Reigns, born Leati Joseph Anoa'i on May 25, 1985, in Pensacola, Florida, USA, is a professional wrestler, actor, and former professional football player. He comes from the legendary Anoa'i wrestling family, which includes stars like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Yokozuna, Rikishi, and The Usos. His father, Sika Anoa'i, was a member of the Hall of Fame tag team The Wild Samoans, and his brother, Rosey, also wrestled in WWE.

 

Reigns attended Pensacola Catholic High School and later Escambia High School, excelling in football. He went on to play college football at Georgia Institute of Technology, where he was a standout defensive player for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. After college, Reigns pursued a brief professional football career, signing with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL and later playing in the Canadian Football League for the Edmonton Eskimos.

 

Wrestling Career

1. Early WWE Career and Debut

Roman Reigns signed with WWE in 2010 and began training in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), under the ring name Leakee. When FCW rebranded as NXT, Reigns adopted the name Roman Reigns and debuted a persona that highlighted his commanding presence and charisma.

 

2. The Shield (2012–2014)

Reigns debuted on WWE's main roster on November 18, 2012, at the Survivor Series pay-per-view as part of the faction The Shield, alongside Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) and Seth Rollins. The Shield was known for their tactical and destructive teamwork, targeting top WWE stars and establishing themselves as dominant forces.

 

The trio enjoyed immense success, winning multiple titles, including the WWE Tag Team Championships (held by Reigns and Rollins). Their faction dissolved in 2014, with all three members embarking on successful solo careers.

 

3. Solo Career and Rise to Stardom

Roman Reigns quickly rose to prominence as a singles competitor, cementing his position as WWE's top star.

 

Main Event Push (2014–2016): Reigns began competing for major championships and won his first WWE World Heavyweight Championship in 2015 by defeating Dean Ambrose at the Survivor Series. His meteoric rise faced mixed reactions from fans, with some perceiving him as a heavily promoted "corporate" champion.

 

Royal Rumble Win (2015): Reigns won the 2015 Royal Rumble, securing a main-event spot at WrestleMania 31. Though he lost to Seth Rollins in the main event, his performance solidified his status as a top-tier competitor.

 

4. Dominant Title Reigns

Roman Reigns became one of WWE’s most decorated stars, capturing multiple championships:

 

  • WWE Universal Championship: Reigns became the longest-reigning Universal Champion in history, winning the title at Payback 2020 and holding it for over 1,000 days.
  • WWE Champion: He unified the WWE Championship and Universal Championship at WrestleMania 38 in 2022 by defeating Brock Lesnar.

5. The Tribal Chief Era

In 2020, Reigns reinvented his character, adopting the persona of The Tribal Chief. As a heel (villain), he aligned with Paul Heyman and portrayed himself as the head of the Anoa'i family, demanding respect and recognition as the leader of WWE. This version of Reigns became widely praised for his storytelling, mic skills, and dominance in the ring.

 

  • Feuds and Rivalries: Reigns’ reign as the top star featured iconic rivalries with Brock Lesnar, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and his cousins, The Usos.
  • The Bloodline: He formed the faction The Bloodline, consisting of his cousins Jimmy and Jey Uso, and Solo Sikoa, showcasing his dominance in both singles and factional storylines.

Key Accomplishments

  • 6-Time World Champion (including WWE and Universal Championships).
  • Grand Slam Champion, having won the WWE Tag Team, Intercontinental, United States, and WWE/Universal Championships.
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  • Winner of the 2015 Royal Rumble.
  • Longest-reigning Universal Champion in WWE history.
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Acting and Entertainment Career

Beyond wrestling, Reigns has ventured into acting and appeared in films and television:

  • Film Appearances: Reigns co-starred with his cousin, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, in "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw" (2019).
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  • Television: Reigns has made guest appearances on shows like "Cousins for Life" and featured in commercials and media campaigns.
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Personal Life

Roman Reigns married Galina Becker in 2014, and the couple has five children. Known for his devotion to family, Reigns often emphasizes the importance of his Samoan heritage.

In 2018, Reigns publicly announced that he was battling leukemia, a disease he had first been diagnosed within 2008. After taking a hiatus for treatment, Reigns returned triumphantly in 2019, inspiring fans worldwide with his resilience and strength.