[5] He later said that he considers Bret Hart his wrestling idol. It was huge. [131] Despite Reigns's suspension, WWE continued to advertise Reigns as part of the Battleground main event,[132] and went on to acknowledge Reigns's suspension on television. "Peter decided he'd better train me to wrestle and put me in the business before we cause some damage and wind up in prison," Afa told ESPN. A year before Heyman's introduction to the future tag stars, he ran into Sika backstage at a show in Panama City, Florida. But the athlete explained, he had to leave to be with his wife and their newborn sonstwins. REIGNS WILL BE inside his home gym, running on the treadmill, when thoughts of his brother Matt inevitably enter his mind. Roman Reigns (American Professional Wrestler and Longest-Reigning WWE Universal Champion) Leati Joseph 'Joe' Anoai, better known by his ring name, Roman Reigns, is an American professional wrestler from the famous Anoai wrestling family. That idea was to make the stories feel more natural and relatable. In 2022, he became the longest reigning Universal Championhis ongoing reign of 974+ days is recognized as the sixth-longest world championship reign in the promotion's history and the longest reign of any WWE championship since 1988. He has a whole lineage of wrestlers in his family. Umaga was released by WWE after a Wellness Policy Violation and refusing to go to rehab. [62] Reigns and Rollins lost the tag team titles to Rhodes and Goldust in a no disqualification match on the October 14 episode of Raw, following interference from Big Show. You are my hero Roman ! Also, Nia Jax, Jimmy Snuka are Reigns' cousins. The Bloodline, in the script, is showing some cracks. [169] Reigns was due to team with Rollins and Ambrose at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on October 22,[170] but he was removed from the match due to an illness concern. His network television series "Young Rock" chronicles his childhood in a wrestling family, with actors playing the Afa and Sika roles. Bobby Lashley to earn the right to face Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam", "Powell's WWE SummerSlam 2018 live review: Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship, AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe for the WWE Championship, Alexa Bliss vs. Ronda Rousey for the Raw Women's Championship, Daniel Bryan vs. The team of feared heels, or bad guys, was a success. Roman Reigns when Luke Harper interfered (No Disqualification Match)", "10/04 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of The Rock's return, Kofi Kingston vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship, Kevin Owens vs. Shane McMahon in a career vs. career ladder match, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks and Bayley", "WWE Hell in a Cell results: Powell's live review of Seth Rollins vs. "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt in an HIAC match for the WWE Universal Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks in an HIAC match for the Raw Women's Championship, Bayley vs. Charlotte Flair for the Smackdown Women's Championship", "WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell's live review of Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez for the WWE Championship, Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt in a Falls Count Anywhere match for the WWE Universal Championship, Braun Strowman vs. Tyson Fury, Lacey Evans vs. Natalya", "Raw, SmackDown and NXT teams to battle in Men's Survivor Series Elimination Triple Threat Match", "Team SmackDown def. He was born in American Samoa and grew up with 12 siblings. you are more like a Rock star and batman roman my hero. 1 contender to the Universal Title", "KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 6/19: Reigns announces what he wants at Summerslam, Hardys vs. Anderson & Gallows", "7/9 Powell's WWE Great Balls of Fire Live Review", "Universal Champion Brock Lesnar def. WHILE REIGNS MIGHT be the "Head of the Table" in storyline now, but when he first signed with WWE in 2010, he was in Florida Championship Wrestling (the promotion's developmental territory). He main evented Wrestlemania two years in a row, at Wrestlemania IX and Wrestlemania X. [291], On the June 17 episode of SmackDown, Reigns successfully defended the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Riddle, but after the match, he was attacked by a returning Brock Lesnar to renew their rivalry and set up a Last Man Standing match at SummerSlam on July 30,[292][293] in which Reigns won, ending their 7-year feud. So he did the first thing that popped into his 4-year-old mind. The Bloodline was formed almost three years ago when Reigns aligned with Heyman. It didn't materialize. [266] The two faced off for the championship in a Hell in a Cell match on the June 18 episode of SmackDown,[267] with Reigns emerging as the victor. 15 Chris Jericho. He had a superhero gimmick, with Hurricane terming him as Super Hero In Training(S.H.I.T). "[238], Reigns returned at SummerSlam on August 23, attacking the new Universal Champion "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt, and Braun Strowman after their match for the title. Roman Reigns by Disqualification", "KELLER'S WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW REPORT 1/9: Reigns vs. Owens & Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Foley's Performance Review, Undertaker "rumored" to appear", "WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns (Chris Jericho will be suspended in a shark cage above the ring)", "WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens def. [211] On the May 20 episode of Raw, Reigns, who appeared via the wild card rule, was interrupted by Shane McMahon, who was still bothered by Reigns' earlier attack on his father. But if not, like everything else in life, we're going to roll with the punches. ", "[Reigns] had more charisma at 3 years old than an entire locker room filled with future Hall of Famers," Heyman told ESPN last year. I miss my Brother so much. The Rock: $65 Million. While we don't know if and when that will happen, it will certainly inject freshness into The Tribal Chief's stable. Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe and Braun Strowman (Fatal 4-Way Match)", "Powell's WWE SummerSlam 2017 live review: Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman vs. Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship, Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship, Sheamus and Cesaro vs. Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins for the Raw Tag Titles", "KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 9/25: Reigns on Miz TV in opening segment, Miz vs. Reigns booked, Matt Hardy & Jordan vs. Miztourage", "KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 10/9: Shield reunion continues, Miz TV with Sheamus & Cesaro, TLC build up continues", "Kurt Angle & Raw Tag Team Champions Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins vs. None other than Heyman, who had remained close to the family. [163] At SummerSlam on August 20, Reigns was pinned by Brock Lesnar in a Universal Championship match also involving Strowman and Joe. Reigns was immediately suspicious. Like his favorite screen hero, he appreciates his opponents after the fight. [175] Following his title win, Reigns would successfully defend the title against Elias,[176] Jason Jordan,[177] Cesaro[178] and Samoa Joe[179][180] before losing it back to The Miz on the 25th Anniversary of Raw on January 22, 2018, ending his reign at 63 days. Sikoa has become the quiet, intimidating enforcer of the Bloodline group, alongside Reigns, the Usos and Heyman, the consigliere they call "Wiseman. Afa's son Samu, only two years older than Heyman, would tag along, too. [26] On the January 16, 2011 episode of FCW, Leakee was a competitor in a 30-man Grand Royal, but was eliminated. Roman Reigns has amicable relationships with his dad and never forgets to send him sweet touching words on Fathers Day and on any other occasion. Roman fathers full name is Leati Sika Anoai Amituanai. [242][243], Reigns then began a rivalry with his cousin Jey Uso. "That's where it started," Reigns said with a laugh. Several years later the young man found a job in the Merchant Marine and earned his first salary as a sailor. "I could watch the twins, because our movement patterns are far more similar than like me and 'Ecky' or Rodney or even Junior," Reigns said. Like most men in the family, pro wrestling would be there, though. Later that night, he entered the Royal Rumble match, but was the last competitor eliminated by the eventual winner Drew McIntyre. [77], Following Rollins's betrayal, Reigns would briefly continue teaming with Ambrose,[78] before embarking on a singles run and being quickly placed into world title contention. [5] [43][44] On the January 28 episode of Raw, it was revealed that Punk and his manager Paul Heyman had been paying The Shield and Brad Maddox to work for them. [172] At the event on November 19, The Shield emerged victorious over The New Day. [227], In November, Reigns began a feud with King Corbin and his allies Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. [27] Later in 2011, Leakee formed a tag team with Donny Marlow and the pair unsuccessfully challenged Calvin Raines and Big E Langston for the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship on July 8. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings, but was released soon. [325], Reigns also makes regular appearances on fellow wrestler Xavier Woods' comedic YouTube channel UpUpDownDown under the nickname "The Merchandise". Triple H and Stephanie McMahon", "Brock Lesnar def. Roman Reigns and his elder brother Matt aka Rosey. WrestleMania 39 is the next chapter in this unusually long, multifaceted pro-wrestling story. Despite a rocky start Sami Zayn managed to get in Roman Reigns good books, Relation to Roman Reigns Honorary First Cousins, Once Removed, Relation to Solo Sikoa Honorary brother. The Usos were also having success, embracing their Samoan roots in their characters -- complete with face paint similar to their uncle "Ecky" -- en route to winning the WWE tag team titles for the first time in 2013. When Jey got home from the road, he'd bang on the wall to let Reigns know he was back, and the two would go out onto their shared porch, crack open cans of Coors Light and talk into the night about the "ABCs" of wrestling, like how to lay out a match, Reigns said. Last year, Dwayne surprised his cousin and WWE wrestler Tamina, the daughter of the late WWF luminary Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, with a new home in Los Angeles. [232] At the Royal Rumble on January 26, 2020, Reigns defeated Corbin in a falls count anywhere match, after receiving assistance from The Usos. Team Rollins)", "Seth Rollins suffers knee injury, new WWE World Heavyweight Champion to be crowned at Survivor Series", "11/9 WWE Raw Results CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report", "11/16 WWE Raw Results: CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report", "Roman Reigns def. [288] On the second night of WrestleMania 38 on April 3, he defeated Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Championship for a fourth time and also became the first superstar to hold both the WWE Championship and WWE Universal Championship simultaneously and be recognized as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. He then pursued a career in professional wrestling and was signed by WWE in 2010, reporting to their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). [240] On the following SmackDown, Reigns aligned himself with his new manager, Paul Heyman, turning heel for the first time since 2014. [204] The following week on Raw, Ambrose assisted Reigns and Rollins from another attack by the four, before the trio performed their signature pose, officially reuniting the group for the third time. Previously Sika was a king on the ring, too. 6x WrestleMania Main Event. The team appeared in numerous wrestling events and won several championships. And Reigns and the Usos benefited from learning by watching, sometimes without knowing it. [185] They had a rematch for the championship at the Greatest Royal Rumble on April 27, this time in a steel cage match, which Reigns narrowly lost after spearing Lesnar through the cage wall. TWO CHILDHOOD MEMORIES stand out to Reigns and the Usos: wrestling and barbecues. [196] Reigns then faced Strowman at Hell in a Cell on September 16 in a Hell in a Cell match, which ended in a no contest after Brock Lesnar returned and attacked both men. [150] This led to a No Holds Barred match between Reigns and Undertaker at WrestleMania 33 on April 2,[151] which Reigns won in his third consecutive WrestleMania main event. It was brief, Reigns said. [285] During the same night, Lesnar would win the Royal Rumble and eventually challenge Reigns to a match in the main event of WrestleMania 38, marking the third time Reigns would face Lesnar in the main event of WrestleMania. WWF was running its television show, Raw, in Biloxi, Mississippi, on Aug. 11, 1997. I could 'Tribal Chief' you and say blah, blah. Rosey Anoa'I (brother) Date of birth: April 7, 1970 Date of death: April 18, 2017 His real name was Matthew Tapunu'u Anoai. Reigns aunt by blood, Elevera Anoai, had four sons with Iaulualo Folau Solofa Fatu, introducing the Fatus to the Anoai bloodline. The Undertaker six-man tag match, Ryder squashed", "RAW News: Shield loses first match, Lesnar's "mystique" now in-play, Dolph off TV, Miz returns, Dance-Off, App overload, more", "Lesnar finishes off Triple H at Extreme Rules", "WWE News: Significant Smackdown spoiler for Friday's episode (w/Analysis of potential fall-out scenarios)", "Smackdown! He was inducted into the Hall of Fame by The Usos and Rikishi. [216], On the July 30 episode of SmackDown, an unidentified person pushed lighting equipment on Reigns. He was Romans older brother. [262] On the April 30 episode of SmackDown, Reigns defeated Bryan in a championship vs. career match, which resulted in Bryan being forced to leave SmackDown. The brother of Roman Reigns, Rosey, passes away on this day last year. Reigns said he'll channel one of his relatives while playing his character now on TV without even knowing it. [107], On the October 26 episode of Raw, Reigns defeated Alberto Del Rio, Dolph Ziggler, and Kevin Owens in a fatal four way to become the number one contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Roman Reigns had an elder brother, Matt aka Rosey, who died in 2017. "He would have been like, 'You already know who the real Tribal Chief is,'" Reigns said. Roman Reigns has been Universal Champion since August 30, 2020, and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion since April 3, 2022. Joseph Fatu is the son of Rikishi and the younger brother of The Usos. Heyman said he doesn't think there is a character on television "that offers as much sophistication in as many layers" as Reigns, and he doesn't limit that to pro wrestling. The Street Profits, Bobby Lashley vs. Sami Zayn in champion vs. champion matches, Team Raw vs. Lets now go and take a look into Roman Reigns' incredible family: Rosey had a 4-year stint in WWE, having a run completely opposite to that his younger brother Roman Reigns is currently having. Rosey was released from his contract in March 2006. "It's weird, because the paths and experiences are so similar that when we are together it's like we cover a month's ground of conversation and things," Reigns said. The Bloodline story, Reigns said, is as much for them as anyone else. Dwayne greeted his younger cousin by calling him Sole (pronounced SOH-lay), a Samoan term of endearment akin to "bro" or "dude.". Title, more matches", "WWE RAW Results 8/24/15 (The Dudleys, Sting return)", "Keller's WWE Night of Champions PPV Report 9/20", "Roman Reigns def. Rikishi is a WWE Hall of Famer most famously known for his 12-year tenure in the WWE. And if that's one of the biggest ones out there, let's do it. [10], From 2014 onwards, WWE positioned Reigns as a heroic character and attempted to establish him as their next "face of the company", which was met with intense disapproval by audiences and critics. Pensacola Catholic High School; Escambia High School; Georgia Institute of Technology, 5 (daughter Joelle Anoa'i, twin boys, twins). "He's like, 'Nah, I don't get sick.' The knock on him was that he wasn't authentic in his role as WWE's lead babyface, or good guy. Then, with Afas help, he founded the Wild Samoan Training Center. The stakes are high for us, because we've put so much into this business. In the early 1970s, Anoa'i's sons, Afa and Sika, would drive Maivia, who they considered their uncle, up and down the freeways of California to wrestling events. Roman whose real name is Leati Joseph Anoai didnt want to follow family traditions and began to make career in another area. He tragically passed away from a pulmonary edema in his hotel room in Liverpool on October 23rd, 2000. [233] At Super ShowDown on February 27, Reigns defeated Corbin in a steel cage match to end their feud. Here's what The Usos said to their younger brother before he joined WWE: With Sikoa proving himself on NXT 2.0, it might be time for Roman Reigns to call the younger Uso up to the main roster and induct him into The Bloodline. When in 2016 he put on pause his WWE tour, Reigns fans became concerned about him. Their on-screen manager? We lost people -- I'm not going to say because of this business, but maybe some of us got lost in this business. "They'd be lying [if they said they didn't]. Despite his age, the precocious Heyman, who had just gotten credentialed to cover WWF events, started to drive with The Wild Samoans to shows all over the Northeast. The ambushed Timpanogos were outnumbered and outgunned and had no defense against the militia that crept in and surrounded their camp before dawn. Reigns first title defense was against his cousin Jey Uso, who he defeated at that years Clash Of Champions event. The title was named the WWE World Heavyweight Championship during his first three reigns. His first storyline after returning in August 2020 as a heel was with Jey and Jimmy, emotionally (and physically) breaking them until they had no choice but to acknowledge him as their Tribal Chief. Rodney died at just 34 years old in 2000, and Ecky died in 2009 at only 36. But maybe The Tribal Chief's origin story can be traced back to then. Reigns' older brother, Matt Anoa'i, who later wrestled in WWE as Rosey, would be there, too. Sika notably won the WWE (WWF) World Tag Team Championship on three occasions in the 1980s alongside his brother Afa Anoai as the Wild Samoans. He had a 5-year stint with WWF where he debuted as The Tonga Kid. [8] The group debuted on November 18, 2012 at the Survivor Series pay-per-view. [275] After that, Reigns begins a rivalry with Finn Blor, successfully defending his title against him on the September 3 episode of SmackDown,[276] and in an Extreme Rules match at Extreme Rules on September 26 with Blor in his Demon persona. [228] Reigns was named team captain for SmackDown at Survivor Series on November 24,[229] where he and his four teammates defeated Team Raw and Team NXT in a five-on-five-on-five tag team elimination match. While he hasnt wrestled in the WWE, dont let that fool you. But they're better known to WWE fans as the Usos -- Jey and Jimmy, respectively. The most recent blood-addition to the Bloodline, Solo Sikoa (Joseph Sefa Fatu) is also the son of Rikishi, and the brother of Jimmy & Jey Uso. [308] Their first child, a daughter, was born in December 2007 and appeared with Anoai in a PSA in June 2014. Matthew was trained at his fathers training center. Most recently, Jericho and Reigns have been . Dwayne last appeared in WWE in 2019; his most recent full-length match was 10 years ago. He is a member of a family who has made a major impact in WWE. That could be art imitating life. Yozokuna was tangling with the likes of Hulk Hogan in the early 1990s. "You see this big cooler of turkey tails -- it's turkey butt. But many fans and pundits rejected Reigns initially. Like this is what we've been waiting on. And Reigns said that day had been burnt into his memory ever since. Roman Reigns. He died from it three years later. While uce is a slang term for bro or brother, recent Twitter interactions between Sami Zayn and Rikishi have indicated that Zayn is specifically an honorary Uso, or an honorary son of Rikishi at least. Sika debuted in 1973 alongside his brother Afa. If you ask him, Roman Reigns will tell you that he has over a hundred cousins. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Roman Reigns are distant cousins since their grandfathers - Peter Maivia and Amituana Anoa'i - were blood brothers. Heyman said Dwayne wouldn't have enough time with his acting schedule to get into the kind of cardiovascular shape he would want to be in for a match of that magnitude. [114] Immediately afterward, Sheamus cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and defeated Reigns, thus ending Reigns' reign after only five minutes. I couldn't believe he did it and I was so grateful.". Please logout and login again. Rosey is also related to The Rock as he is a member of the Anoa'i Family Rosey had a 4-year stint in WWE, having a run. The Miz", "WWE Raw results, recap, grades: The Shield send shock waves with epic return in main event", "8/27 WWE RAW RESULTS: Keller's report on Reigns's show-opening confrontation with Braun, Corbin vs. Balor, Dana Brooke vs. Sasha, Seth open challenge", "Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman ended in a No Contest (Hell in a Cell Match)", "The Shield def. This is the way we feed each other. [75][76] On the Raw following Payback, Rollins turned on The Shield and aligned himself with Triple H and The Authority. Buddy Murphy and Chad Gable vs. Shelton Benjamin in first round King of the Ring matches, Daniel Bryan and Rowan demand an apology from Roman Reigns", "9/3 WWE Smackdown Live Results: Powell's review of Ali vs. Elias and Chad Gable vs. Andrade in quarterfinal King of the Ring tournament matches", "New stipulation added to Roman Reigns vs. Erick Rowan this Sunday at Clash of Champions", "Erick Rowan def. Finn Blor and Drew McIntyre to advance to a match to determine Brock Lesnar's next challenger for the Universal Championship", "Bobby Lashley def. Rosey's brother Roman Reigns recently came back from a health scare and is one of the most heavily pushed stars in WWE today. He then played a full season for the Canadian Football League's (CFL) Edmonton Eskimos in 2008 before his release and retirement from football. The Anoa'is and Johnsons were very close when Dwayne was growing up. [302] During the match, The Usos attempted to intervene, however, Rhodes was rescued by Zayn and Owens. [239] At the Royal Rumble on January 28, 2023, Reigns successfully defended the titles against Kevin Owens for the fourth time. [5] Anoai was a three-year starter beginning in his sophomore year and was also one of the team captains as a senior. Yokozuna was perhaps among the most famous members of Roman Reigns' family at the time. Soon they joined and formed a team, named The Wild Samoans, which gained incredible success. Afa and Sika, who often wrestled with or against Rocky on the same cards, would attend Dwayne's high school football games when they all lived in Pennsylvania. "I think anybody would love to have that match," Reigns said. That's just how he is. Joe is, of course, now known as Roman Reigns, pro wrestling's top star. Family remains a big part of Dwayne's life. See Roman Reigns full list of movies and tv shows from their career. ", "This is everything to me," Reigns said. [289] It was reported that the WrestleMania main event was cut short due to Reigns sustaining an arm injury. Edge, Lesnar vs. Omos", "Roman Reigns Will Be Making Title Defense History At WrestleMania 39 TJR Wrestling", "Reigns sends adorable early Valentine's Day message", "With leukemia in remission, WWE's Roman Reigns announces return to ring", "WWE Superstars Alberto Del Rio, Titus O'Neil and Roman Reigns Take on the Importance of Being a Dad in National Public Service Campaign", "WWE Badass Roman Reigns Has A Heart-Warming Tea Party With His Daughter (Video)", "Video: Roman Reigns celebrates with Dean Ambrose and The Usos and dedicates his victory to his daughter - Superfights", "WWE News: Roman Reigns on why WWE pulled him from tour last year", "WWE's Roman Reigns Wants to Go Back to Work But Gotta 'Protect' My Kids", "Is This The Real Reason Roman Reigns Was Written Off TV For Nose Surgery? He does recall watching him on TV right before he broke out into a megastar as The Rock, as that was around the same time as their backstage meeting when Reigns was a preteen. So basically, The Rock and Sami Zayn are both honorary uces. "Reigns was a greener-than-grass wrestler who WWE identified as the Face of the Performance Center Machine taking raw talent without the "bad habits" from the independents and trying to manufacture a WrestleMania Main-Eventer". The . That's how I found out how everyone got so big. Check out WrestleShop.com for all your favorite WrestleTalk merch, the WrestleTalk Magazine, wrestling shirts for grown-ups, and more! How much did the rock make in WWE? [80] His second consecutive pay-per-view main event was at Battleground on July 20, where Reigns again challenged for the title, this time in a fatal four-way match involving Cena, Kane, and Randy Orton, which Cena again won. He extended his arm, flexed his wrist and gave them the middle finger. After the match, Reigns was confronted by a returning John Cena. [19][20] Anoai attended Pensacola Catholic High School and Escambia High School,[5] before going on to major in management at the Georgia Institute of Technology.