Roman Reigns, a prominent figure in professional wrestling, boasts a global fanbase and a captivating backstory. From his gridiron beginnings to his WWE stardom, his journey is filled with compelling details. Let’s delve into the life and career of this wrestling icon.
Biography/Wiki
Leati Joseph Anoa?i, better known as Roman Reigns, was born on May 25, 1985, in Pensacola, Florida. His impressive in-ring skills and physique have earned him nicknames like Joe, The Big Dog, The Juggernaut, and The Guy. He rose to prominence in November 2012 when he joined Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to form The Shield, a pivotal moment in his career.
Before his wrestling career, he pursued professional football, but after several unsuccessful attempts to make it big in the NFL and CFL, he transitioned to wrestling, quickly becoming a top WWE star.
Physical Stats
Hailing from a family of wrestlers, Roman Reigns possesses a naturally athletic build. Standing at 6’3″ (191 cm) and weighing 120 kg (265 lbs), his physique is a testament to his rigorous training. His impressive measurements include a 52-inch chest, 36-inch waist, and 20-inch biceps, showcasing his muscular frame.
He has long black hair and striking hazel eyes.
Family & Wife
Roman Reigns comes from the renowned Anoa?i family, a dynasty of professional wrestlers. He is the son of Patricia Anoa?i and Sika Anoa?i, a WWE Hall of Famer known for his work as part of the tag team The Wild Samoans.
He married Galina Becker, a fitness model, in December 2014, at Disney’s Castaway Cay in the Bahamas. They met while attending the Georgia Institute of Technology. The couple has three children: a daughter, Joelle Anoa?i (born 2008), and twin sons (born 2017).
Roman also has siblings: his brother Matthew Anoa?i (Rosey), a former wrestler who passed away in 2017; his sister Vanessa Anoa?i; and his half-sister Summer Anoa?i. His extensive family tree includes famous wrestlers such as The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso), Yokozuna, Umaga, Rikishi, and even a distant cousin, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Religion & Ethnicity
Roman Reigns is a Christian and attends the Roman Catholic Church. He is of Samoan descent.
Education
Roman attended Pensacola Catholic High School and Escambia High School in Florida. He later graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Management.
Career
Initially aiming for a career in professional football, Roman was briefly signed by the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL before playing a season with the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
In 2010, he signed a developmental contract with WWE, starting in FCW (later NXT) under the ring name “Leakee.” After transitioning to the ring name Roman Reigns, he joined Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to form The Shield in 2012. Their debut involved attacking Ryback and John Cena at the Survivor Series, significantly impacting the WWE landscape.
Following the Shield’s disbandment in 2014, Roman Reigns began headlining RAW and major WWE events. The company positioned him as a successor to John Cena, although his career has also faced criticism regarding his mic skills and character development.
Slams
Known for his power and in-ring skills, Roman Reigns utilizes a range of signature moves:
- Spear
- Superman Punch
- Samoan Drop
- Multiple Corner Clotheslines
- Running Apron Dropkick
Awards & Achievements
Roman’s accolades span high school, FCW/NXT, and WWE achievements. Here’s a summary:
| Category | Award | Year |
|---|---|---|
| High School | Defensive Player of the Year (Pensacola News Journal) | N/A |
| FCW/NXT | FCW Florida Tag Team Championship (with Mike Dalton) | N/A |
| WWE (2013) | Breakout Star of the Year, Feat of Strength of the Year, Faction of the Year (with The Shield), What a Maneuver of the Year (Spear) | 2013 |
| WWE (2014) | Superstar of the Year, Faction of the Year (with The Shield) | 2014 |
| WWE (2015) | Most Improved Wrestler of the Year, Winner of Royal Rumble | 2015 |
| WWE (2016) | Most Hated Wrestler of the Year | 2016 |
| WWE | WWE World Championship (4 times) | Various |
Favourite Things
Roman Reigns’ preferences include:
- Favorite Food: Barbacoa
- Favorite Drink: Monster Energy
- Favorite Wrestler: Bret Hart
- Favorite Actor: Pierce Brosnan
- Favorite Movie: Wolf of Wall Street
- Favorite Football Team: Green Bay Packers
- Favorite Restaurant: Chipotle
- Favorite Travel Destination: Australia
Tattoos
Roman Reigns features tribal tattoos extensively across his right chest and arm. The arm tattoo alone took 17 hours to complete.
Controversies
In 2010, Roman was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct in Pensacola, Florida. In 2016, he faced a 30-day suspension from WWE for violating the company’s Wellness Policy.
Salary & Net Worth
As of 2017, Roman Reigns reportedly earned around $2 million annually, with a net worth estimated at approximately $4 million.
Facts
Beyond wrestling, Roman enjoys travelling and playing American football. He’s a non-vegetarian, consumes alcohol, but doesn’t smoke. His car collection includes a Lamborghini Huracan, Range Rover, Mercedes Benz SUV, and Toyota Fortuner. His entrance theme song is “The Truth Reigns.”
