Life moves quickly for Roman Reigns, even more quickly than
for the typical WWE superstar. Of course Reigns is anything
but typical. The lights shine a little more brightly on the
former big-time college and pro football player with the
wrestling pedigree. And his star is rising quickly.
for the typical WWE superstar. Of course Reigns is anything
but typical. The lights shine a little more brightly on the
former big-time college and pro football player with the
wrestling pedigree. And his star is rising quickly.
1. Roman Reigns was born Leati Joseph Anoa’i into the
legendary Samoan American wrestling family of the same last
name. His dad is Sika of the Wild Samoans tag team (with
Afa), which collected NWA and WWF championships
throughout the 1970s and 80s. His cousin is Dwayne ‘The
Rock’ Johnson, son of wrestler Rocky Johnson. Current WWE
tag team champions, The Usos, consisting of twin brothers
Jimmy and Jey Uso, are also family.
2. Anoa’i played defensive line for the Georgia Tech Yellow
Jackets. He was a team captain and named first-team all-
ACC in 2006, his senior year.
Jackets. He was a team captain and named first-team all-
ACC in 2006, his senior year.
3. The NFL’s Minnesota Vikings signed him as an undrafted
free agent in 2007 but released him. The Jacksonville Jaguars
signed him soon after as a backup. Anoa’i spent the 2008
season in the CFL, playing for the Edmonton Eskimos.
free agent in 2007 but released him. The Jacksonville Jaguars
signed him soon after as a backup. Anoa’i spent the 2008
season in the CFL, playing for the Edmonton Eskimos.
4. In 2010, Anoa’i got his start in the squared circle as
Roman Leakee with Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).
He unsuccessfully challenged for the heavyweight
championship, but paired with Mike Dalton to win the tag
team title. When FCW became WWE NXT, Leakee changed his
last name to Reigns.
Roman Leakee with Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).
He unsuccessfully challenged for the heavyweight
championship, but paired with Mike Dalton to win the tag
team title. When FCW became WWE NXT, Leakee changed his
last name to Reigns.
5. Reigns fronted the wrestling vigilante group known as The
Shield, fighting injustice in the wrestling world as they saw it.
The other members were Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. The
trio won numerous six-man tag team matches and served as
hired guns in various feuds until disbanding earlier this year.
Shield, fighting injustice in the wrestling world as they saw it.
The other members were Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. The
trio won numerous six-man tag team matches and served as
hired guns in various feuds until disbanding earlier this year.
6. Reigns and Rollins took down Team Hell No to win the tag
team championship in May of 2013. The pair held the belts for
five months, successfully defending their title against The
Usos, The Prime Time Players and other challengers. The
team of Cody Rhodes and Goldust eventually got the better of
them.
team championship in May of 2013. The pair held the belts for
five months, successfully defending their title against The
Usos, The Prime Time Players and other challengers. The
team of Cody Rhodes and Goldust eventually got the better of
them.
7. Reigns’ finishing move is the Spear, which is basically a
shoulder tackle applied to an upright opponent’s midsection.
Upon contact, he lifts their legs and drives them into the mat.
Football fans will notice the similarity to a textbook football
tackle.
shoulder tackle applied to an upright opponent’s midsection.
Upon contact, he lifts their legs and drives them into the mat.
Football fans will notice the similarity to a textbook football
tackle.
8. Like his super-celebrity cousin,
Reigns has the looks and
personality for a career in Hollywood. And he is open to the
idea, as he recently discussed with Chuck Carroll on
Turnbuckle Weekly. “If that opportunity comes up… I’m willing
to try anything and gain a little experience in anything,” said
Reigns. But his goal right now, as he made clear, is the WWE
World Heavyweight title.
personality for a career in Hollywood. And he is open to the
idea, as he recently discussed with Chuck Carroll on
Turnbuckle Weekly. “If that opportunity comes up… I’m willing
to try anything and gain a little experience in anything,” said
Reigns. But his goal right now, as he made clear, is the WWE
World Heavyweight title.
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