Roman Reigns Then and Now

Roman Reigns Then

Leati Joseph Anoa’i, best known by his ring name Roman Reigns, was born on May 25, 1985, in Pensacola, Florida. 

Raised in a family with deep connections to the world of professional wrestling, Reigns hails from a rich heritage that combines both Italian and Samoan roots. 

His father, Sika Anoa’i, was a member of the famed Wild Samoans tag team, and his brother, Matthew Anoa’i, was also a professional wrestler, competing under the name Rosey. 

The Anoa’i family is widely regarded as wrestling royalty, with numerous relatives such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Yokozuna, Rikishi, and the Usos being part of this celebrated dynasty.

Reigns’ athletic prowess was not limited to wrestling, as he was also a standout in football during his academic years. 

After graduating from high school, he attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he majored in management. 

During his time at Georgia Tech, Reigns played football for three years as a member of the Yellow Jackets, quickly making a name for himself as a top-tier defensive player. 

His dedication and talent on the field were eventually recognized when he was named Defensive Player of the Year, further showcasing his ability to excel in multiple sports.

Although his football career was promising, Reigns ultimately shifted his focus to professional wrestling, where he quickly rose to fame in WWE. 

Combining his natural athleticism and his family’s wrestling legacy, Reigns became one of the most iconic figures in the wrestling world, earning accolades and establishing himself as a dominant force in the sport.

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Roman Reigns Football Career

Roman Reigns’ athletic journey took an unexpected turn after his impressive college football career at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Following his standout performance as a defensive player, he caught the attention of the NFL and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2007. 

This marked a significant achievement and the beginning of what seemed to be a promising professional football career. 

However, just as his NFL journey began, it was abruptly interrupted by a devastating diagnosis: Reigns was found to have leukemia, a serious illness that significantly impacted his health and ability to play.

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Due to his leukemia diagnosis, the Minnesota Vikings had to release him before he had the chance to make his mark on the team. Despite this setback, Reigns remained determined and resilient. 

Shortly after being released by the Vikings, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in hopes of revitalizing his career. 

Unfortunately, his time with the Jaguars was also cut short, as he was released before the start of the 2007 season. 

These back-to-back rejections could have marked the end of his professional sports aspirations, but Reigns refused to give up on his athletic career.

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Undeterred by the setbacks in the NFL, Reigns sought opportunities elsewhere and turned to the Canadian Football League (CFL). 

He joined the Edmonton Eskimos, where he spent one season and appeared in five games. 

Although he was able to continue his football career briefly, his time with the Eskimos did not lead to a long-term opportunity. 

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In 2008, Reigns was released from the team, prompting him to make the difficult decision to retire from football altogether.

Reigns’ early retirement from football was a turning point in his life, leading him to explore new paths and ultimately find his true calling in professional wrestling. 

His resilience in the face of adversity and his determination to succeed despite numerous challenges laid the groundwork for his future success in WWE, where he would go on to become one of the most dominant and popular figures in the sport.

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Roman Reigns Wrestling Career

Roman Reigns’ journey in WWE began in 2010 when he signed with the company and started training in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). 

There, he honed his skills and adopted the name Roman Reigns, initially portraying a villainous character. 

His dedication and athleticism quickly propelled him through the ranks, leading to his debut on the main WWE roster in 2012 as part of the faction known as The Shield, alongside Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. 

The trio initially portrayed anti-hero characters who sought to fight against perceived injustices in WWE, rapidly gaining popularity for their intense and impactful performances.

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However, Reigns’ individual career trajectory became more complex as WWE sought to position him as the company’s top heroic figure after The Shield disbanded in 2014. 

Despite being described as “one of the most valuable commodities in the WWE” by the company itself, Reigns faced significant backlash from the fans. 

Many felt that WWE was forcefully pushing him into the role of the company’s face, ignoring the audience’s reactions and preferences. 

His limited move set and perceived lack of character development drew criticism, leading to negative crowd reactions that included loud boos and chants expressing displeasure. 

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By 2015, the situation had escalated to the point where WWE was accused of manipulating fan polls in Reigns’ favor, further fueling the controversy surrounding his push.

The negative response culminated at major events like WrestleMania 33, where Reigns was vocally booed before, during, and after his main event match. 

Despite WWE’s attempts to mask the crowd’s reaction by manipulating audio, it was evident that the fans were overwhelmingly opposed to the idea of Reigns as the company’s top hero. 

This persistent disapproval even led WWE to broadcast fake crowd noises to create the illusion of positive reactions. 

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Many former wrestlers and industry insiders began advocating for a character shift, suggesting that Reigns be turned into a villain, a role they believed would suit him better and resonate more with the audience.

In 2016, Reigns faced a significant personal and professional setback when he was suspended by WWE for 30 days due to a violation of the company’s wellness policy. 

The exact reason for the suspension was never disclosed, but speculation suggested it could have been related to substances like marijuana, Adderall, or steroids. 

This incident further complicated his standing with the fans and added to the controversies surrounding his career. 

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Despite these challenges, Reigns continued to be featured prominently by WWE, though audience support remained divided.

A turning point came in 2018 when Reigns revealed that he was battling leukemia for the second time, after an 11-year period of being in remission. 

This announcement garnered sympathy and support from the wrestling community and fans alike, marking a rare moment of widespread positive reception. 

When Reigns returned in early 2019 and announced that his leukemia was in remission, the crowd’s response was overwhelmingly positive.

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 However, WWE realized that the traditional heroic character they had tried to establish was still not resonating as hoped.

In 2020, WWE made a significant shift by repackaging Reigns as a villainous character, “The Tribal Chief,” embracing his Samoan heritage and portraying him as a domineering leader within his family lineage. 

This new persona was met with acclaim from both fans and critics, as it allowed Reigns to showcase a more authentic and compelling side of his character. 

This change in direction revitalized his career, and he quickly became one of WWE’s most compelling and dominant figures. 

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His reign as Universal Champion, which began in 2020, was historic, reaching over 1,000 days and becoming one of the longest championship reigns in the company’s modern history. Throughout his career, Reigns has achieved significant accolades. 

He is a six-time world champion, having held the WWE Championship four times and the WWE Universal Championship twice, with his reign as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion marking a defining era in his career. 

He has also held the WWE United States, Intercontinental, and Tag Team Championships, making him a Grand Slam Champion. 

Additionally, he won the 2015 Royal Rumble and was named the 2014 Superstar of the Year. 

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His dominance in major events, including headlining WrestleMania a record nine times, further solidifies his status as one of the most influential and polarizing figures in modern professional wrestling.

Despite the early controversies and mixed reactions, Roman Reigns has evolved into one of the most respected and successful wrestlers of his generation. 

His transformation into “The Tribal Chief” has been widely praised, and he is now considered one of the best active professional wrestlers in the world, embodying the perseverance and adaptability required to thrive in the ever-changing landscape of WWE.

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Roman Reigns Wrestling Competition

• WWE Championship (4 times)
• WWE Universal Championship (2 times)
• WWE United States Championship (1 time)
• WWE Intercontinental Championship (1 time)
• WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Seth Rollins
• 2015 Royal Rumble winner
• 2014 Superstar of the Year
• WWE Triple Crown Champion
• WWE Grand Slam Champion
• PWI 500 No. 1 Ranked Wrestler (2016, 2022)
• WrestleMania Main Event headliner (9 times: WrestleMania 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39, and both nights of WrestleMania XL)
• Most eliminations in a Survivor Series match (tied record: 4 eliminations, 2013)
• Former record holder for most eliminations in a Royal Rumble match (12 eliminations, 2014)

Roman Reigns Wife and Children

Roman Reigns married Galina Joelle Becker in December 2014, a relationship that began during their college years at the Georgia Institute of Technology. 

The couple first met while they were both students and athletes at the university—Roman excelling in football and Galina as a standout track and field athlete. 

Their shared backgrounds in sports and education laid the foundation for a strong and supportive partnership that has endured throughout Reigns’ rise to fame in professional wrestling. 

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Together, they have built a family that includes five children, notably with two sets of twins among them. 

Despite the demands of Roman’s career and the intense spotlight that comes with being a WWE Superstar, the couple has maintained a relatively private and grounded family life. 

Galina has played a pivotal role in supporting Roman through the ups and downs of his career, including his battle with leukemia. 

Their relationship is often highlighted as a testament to their commitment to one another and their family amidst the pressures of fame and public life.

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Roman Reigns Now

As of now, Roman Reigns is 39 years old and remains one of the most prominent figures in professional wrestling. 

Born Leati Joseph “Joe” Anoaʻi, Reigns has been a fixture in WWE since signing with the company in 2010. 

Currently performing on the SmackDown brand, he has solidified his legacy as a dominant champion and a central figure in WWE storylines. 

Roman is known not just for his in-ring prowess but also for his leadership role within The Bloodline, a stable consisting of members from his own renowned Anoaʻi family. 

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His portrayal as “The Tribal Chief” has garnered widespread acclaim, successfully rebranding him as a formidable and respected character in the WWE universe.

Reigns’ journey has been marked by significant personal challenges, most notably his ongoing battle with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). 

This form of blood cancer is treatable but incurable, and Roman’s diagnosis, first revealed in 2018, brought a new layer of complexity to his career and personal life. 

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The WWE released a documentary following his return, shedding light on his struggles and resilience in managing this condition while continuing to perform at the highest level in the wrestling world. 

His openness about his health has inspired many, showcasing his strength both inside and outside the ring.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Roman Reigns maintains an active presence on social media, particularly on Instagram, where he has amassed a substantial following of 9.1 million fans. 

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Through his social media platforms, he shares glimpses of his daily life, including training sessions, family moments, and behind-the-scenes looks at his WWE career. 

This connection with his fans has allowed him to further cement his status as not just a wrestling superstar but a public figure who is admired and followed for his dedication, resilience, and authenticity. 

Despite his health battles and the physical demands of his career, Roman Reigns continues to be a leading figure in WWE and an influential personality in the world of sports entertainment.

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Roman Reigns Net Worth

Roman Reigns, an American professional wrestler, boasts a net worth of $14 million, reflecting his successful career in WWE, lucrative contracts, endorsements, and various business ventures that have solidified his status as one of the industry’s top earners.

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