Roman Reigns is the most mainstream active WWE Superstar today. Wrestling fans from all over the world have heard of The Big Dog’s work and, chances are non-wrestling fans have too.
He has won everything there is to win in WWE, broke records, main-evented WrestleMania’s. The Tribal Chief’s career is going from strength to strength as he continues to transcend wrestling.
His in-ring career is one of the most renowned to date. However, there isn’t much to know about the Head of the Table outside of the squared circle. So, here are five things you didn’t know about Roman Reigns.
5. He used to work as a furniture installer
Before the Tribal Chief was the Head of the Table, he was constructing the tables.
After Reigns’ NFL career petered out, he was forced to find a 9-5. Luckily for him, his sister ran a furniture installation business which Roman and his cousins, Jimmy and Jey Uso, worked at.
Soon after Roman, and the Usos signed developmental contracts to FCW, and fast forward ten years later, they are dominating WWE as the Bloodline. Safe to say, furniture installation wasn’t their calling.
4. He played for the same NFL team as Brock Lesnar
Despite being bitter rivals in the ring, the Beast Incarnate and Reigns seem to have more in common with each other than meets the eye.
A common theme for WWE Superstars is to have once been an NFL player, or at least an aspiring one. In 2017, when Reigns was an undrafted American Football player, he was finally picked up Minnesota Vikings. Although, he was released a month later.
Much like Reigns, Lesnar too used to dabble in the NFL before successful careers in WWE and UFC. Lesnar, after leaving WWE in 2004, signed to the Minnesota Vikings. However, he also got released soon after.
Minnesota Vikings’ loss is WWE’s gain, with both Superstars currently being two of the best WWE have to offer.
3. He looks up to Bret Hart
With a family lineage containing Hall of Famers such as Rocky Johnson, Yokozuna and Rikishi, you would think Roman Reigns would idolise one of the many legends within his family.
However, the current Universal Champion actually idolised Hall of Famer, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, growing up.
Reigns has done several interviews discussing his love for Bret Hart, stating he is
“a pro wrestler’s, pro wrestler” and that he was always his “guy” growing up.
The Tribal Chief has also labelled Ric Flair and, The Undertaker has other legends he idolises, but seemingly, Bret Hart is at the top of the Big Dog’s list.
2. He is half-Italian
As the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns is representing his Samoan heritage and their culture. His relatives include The Usos, Umaga, and, The Rock, alongside a plethora of other Samoan icons.
So, given his heavily lauded family heritage, you would be surprised to find out that Roman Reigns is actually half-Italian.
Reigns’ father, Sika, is best known as one-half of The Wild Samoans and is of Samoan heritage. Reigns’ mother, Patricia, was born in Italy.
So, our infamous Tribal Chief is half-Italian. Despite this, it is hard to blame WWE for leaning so heavily into his Samoan heritage it is a tried and tested successful formula.
1. He wasn’t supposed to be in The Shield
Although he is currently single-handedly the most dominant singles wrestler in WWE, it is safe to say none of this would’ve happened without his place in The Shield. But how different could have things been, given the Big Dog wasn’t in the original plans for the trio.
On Colt Cabana’s Art of Wrestling podcast, CM Punk revealed it was his idea to curate The Shield. His original idea was to take three wrestlers from FCW, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Chris Hero, and have them alongside him as he turned heel.
It turns out Vince McMahon and Triple H loved the idea of Ambrose and Rollins but insisted on Reigns being involved. Thus, we have The Shield.
Chris Hero has come out and shot down the rumours he was supposed to be in The Shield, so who knows what the truth is, but one thing is for sure, we may have never seen The Tribal Chief we love today if things were just that little different.