As we all know, Roman Reigns is a prominent figure in the world of professional wrestling. He is known for his charisma, athleticism, and impressive career in WWE. However, there are several lesser-known facts about this superstar that might surprise you. In this article, we’ll delve into the top 10 lesser-known facts about Roman Reigns that showcase a different side of the man behind the larger-than-life persona.
1. Wrestling runs in his Blood
Although the name “Roman Reigns” may not immediately evoke a sense of wrestling heritage, his true identity, Leati Joseph Anoa’i, certainly does. Reigns belongs to an illustrious wrestling lineage, being part of one of the most significant professional wrestling families in the industry.
The Anoa’i family boasts a remarkable roster of wrestlers, including iconic figures like The Wild Samoans, The Rock, Peter Maivia, Yokozuna, Umaga, Rikishi, and The Usos, just to name a few. In fact, Reigns and his brother, Matt “Rosey” Anoa’i, are the sons of Sika who was one-half of the renowned tag team named Wild Samoans.
2. He was an NFL player before joining the wrestling
Football played a very significant role in Roman Reigns’ life before he transitioned to the WWE. Reigns excelled as a standout player at Georgia Tech during his college years, sharing the field with the iconic NFL wide receiver Calvin Johnson, known for his time with the Detroit Lions. Reigns initially joined the NFL ranks by signing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2007 as an undrafted free agent. Unfortunately, his plans took an unexpected turn when he received a leukemia diagnosis during a team physical, resulting in his release from the Vikings.
However, Reigns persisted in pursuing his professional football aspirations which eventually led to him joining the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2008. He had a full season with the Edmonton Eskimos (now Edmonton Elks) in the CFL, participating in five games for the team. Post this, Reigns made the decision to retire from football and give his full-time commitment to professional wrestling.
3. He made his wrestling debut in 2010
Roman Reigns decided to venture into professional wrestling, officially joining WWE in 2010 and starting his journey in their developmental territory named Florida Championship Wrestling. He made his television debut on August 19, 2010, adopting the ring name Roman Leakee and participating in a 15-man battle royal.
He then transitioned his name into Roman Reigns and marked his debut on the main roster in November 2012, aligning with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins to form The Shield. This trio dominated the wrestling scene until June 2014, when Reigns shifted gears and began competing as a singles performer.
4. Roman Reigns is the Youngest WWE Star to Win “The Superstar of the Year” Slammy
The Slammy Awards in WWE are similar to that of the esteemed Academy and Grammy Awards. However, a key difference lies in their objective as the Academy Awards and Grammys recognize past accomplishments, the Slammys primarily serve as a platform to catapult future stardom.
Roman Reigns’ reception of the award in December 2014 was a pivotal moment in his trajectory to becoming a newly emerging superstar. At a mere 28 years old, he became the youngest recipient of this accolade, symbolizing a significant milestone in his ascent as an individual star to the top of the wrestling company.
5. He was not the first choice for the Shield
The Shield, a prominent WWE faction, was initially conceived with a different plan for its lineup. Roman Reigns, although a vital member of the stable was not the initial choice for the group. Originally, The Shield was envisioned to consist of Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Chris Hero (also known as Kassius Ohno). However, due to creative decisions made by Vince McMahon, Chris Hero’s involvement was altered. And hence Roman Reigns stepped into the role that would then define the sports entertainment industry.
Also Read: From McMahons to the Shield: Top 10 Betrayals in the History of WWE
Despite not being the original selection, Reigns fit seamlessly into the role and played a crucial part in The Shield’s success. His presence, combined with Ambrose and Rollins, created a dynamic and impactful trio that left a lasting mark in WWE history. The chemistry and contributions of all three members ultimately defined The Shield as a force to be reckoned with in the world of professional wrestling.
6. His first match earned a rating of 4.5 stars
Many fans exhibit what seems like a love-hate relationship with Roman Reigns, citing a specific reason for their mixed feelings. They believe his repertoire of wrestling moves is somewhat limited, as he predominantly relies on high-impact moves, such as the Superman Punch and Spear. Despite this perception, Wrestling expert and author of The Wrestling Observer, Dave Meltzer awarded Reigns and his fellow Shield members an impressive 4.5 rating during their debut match at TLC 2012.
This accolade is noteworthy, considering even legendary figures like The Rock and Undertaker have never achieved such recognition. In fact, The Rock fell short of a four rating during his overall appearance on RAW in 1996, while Undertaker received an even lower score of 3.5 from Meltzer. Although Reigns was part of a tag team during this debut, the significance and magnitude of a debut match remain consistent regardless of the circumstances.
7. Roman Reigns beat cancer not once, but twice
Roman Reigns who has earned numerous world championships to his name, is also a remarkable cancer survivor. He bravely disclosed his battle with leukemia in October 2018 during a “Raw” episode, a revelation that stunned the wrestling industry. In an act of immense courage, Reigns relinquished his WWE Universal Championship that same night and took a hiatus from the company. After undergoing oral chemotherapy treatment, he made a surprising return to the ring, completely free of cancer, in February 2019.
But did you know that Roman Reigns had previously faced leukemia in 2007 during his football career with the Minnesota Vikings? The discovery of cancer during his time in the NFL showcases his strength and resilience, battling through both personal health challenges and pursuing success in two highly demanding and competitive fields.
8. His favorite WrestleMania match is the one he lost
Roman Reigns has main-evented six WrestleMania shows to date. However, one specific match stands out as his favorite, despite being an experience he’s unlikely to repeat. The WrestleMania 31 clash against Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is supposedly the superstar’s best Wrestlemania match of his career.
Also Read: Top 10 Times when Roman Reigns came close to losing his Undisputed World Title
WrestleMania 31 marked Reigns’ inaugural WrestleMania singles match. The encounter witnessed Seth Rollins cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase, surprising fans by pinning Reigns to claim the title. This event marked the first-ever cash-in during a WrestleMania, adding another layer of significance to the encounter. Furthermore, Reigns and Lesnar continued to headline WrestleMania together, reprising their main event status at WrestleMania 34 and once again at WrestleMania 38, respectively.
9. He idolizes Bret Hart
Growing up in the 1990s, Roman Reigns shared the same childhood dream as many pro wrestling enthusiasts—to don the iconic pink Bret Hart sunglasses. In an interview, Reigns reminisced about Hart’s influence on him, recalling the excitement he felt as a young fan.
He was drawn to Hart’s charismatic persona, leather jacket, and the gesture of giving away his sunglasses to young fans. Reigns expressed how he aspired to be one of those lucky kids and admired Hart’s kindness and genuineness.
10. He worked as an office furniture installer to meet his ends
Roman Reigns, the present-day face of WWE, had a diverse work history in his early years. While many WWE fans recognize Reigns as the former football player who transitioned to wrestling, there’s more to his story. Before stepping into the wrestling ring, Reigns held a position as an Office Furniture Installer.
In fact, Reigns, alongside his cousins Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso, took up roles as Furniture Installers during their early days. Interestingly, the office they worked at was owned by their sisters, who hired the Samoan Brothers for the installation work. Reigns’ journey from football, through various jobs like Furniture Installer, to ultimately becoming the standout star of WWE, reflects his remarkable and diverse career path.
