We're all familiar with Roman Reigns as the current WWE Undisputed World Champion, but here are 10 things you might not know about "The Tribal Chief".
He pursued an American football career first
Prior to becoming Roman Reigns, Joe Anoa’I was a budding football star. He was signed by both the Minnesota Vikings (like Brock Lesnar) and the Jacksonville Jaguars but failed to maintain a roster spot. He proceeded to play for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League for one season before retiring from the sport.
His original ring name
When signed by WWE in 2010 and assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), he went by the ring name “Roman Leakee” – doesn’t have the best ring to it, does it? When FCW was rebranded as NXT, Leakee became Reigns and never looked back.
His professional wrestling idol is Bret Hart
Despite coming from the famed Anoa’i wrestling family, Reigns looked up to Bret Hart as a child. The current Undisputed WWE Champion said he respected The Hitman for being a “blue-collar sports entertainer,” admiring his sports-centric ring work. Hart has been similarly complimentary of Reigns.
Roman Reigns could be set to lose one of his world titles
Made his Hollywood film debut alongside his cousin, The Rock
Reigns is well-known for being the (non-blood) cousin of The Rock, and joined him on the cast of Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. Reigns played the brother of The Rock’s “Hobbs” character.
Holds the record for most eliminations in a single Royal Rumble match
In 2014, Reigns eliminated 12 of 30 competitors, going one better than Kane in 2001.
Reigns and Brock Lesnar have main-evented the most WrestleManias together
Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar have been on-off rivals for the best part of seven years, competing in numerous main events.
Their three WrestleMania main events are more than any other tandem, highlighting both their consistent star power and in-ring chemistry.
Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar's WWE salaries has been revealed
Third most WrestleMania main events in history
With six main events to his name, Reigns is third in the all-time list behind Hulk Hogan and Triple H. One would expect Reigns to sit atop this list within the next five years.
Longest reigning Champion in over 30 years
With a reign now lasting over 700 days, “The Tribal Chief” is the longest reigning Champion since Hulk Hogan in the mid-1980s. His hold over the title is unheard of in the modern era and is a testament to his position as face of the company.
Not pinned in nearly three years
Reigns has not lost by pinfall since December 2019 at the Tables, Ladders and Chairs Premium Live event.
Reigns’ favourite superhero
While one of his signature moves in the ring is termed “The Superman Punch,” his favourite character is that of Marvel’s Iron Man.