Roman Reigns, is the renowned American professional wrestler. According to Pro Wrestling Wire, he has a net worth of $14 million. While he briefly pursued a career in professional football, his true fame came through WWE. Performing under his ring name, Reigns is a key figure in WWE’s SmackDown brand. Initially drafted into the NFL by the Minnesota Vikings, Roman played briefly for both the Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars, later joining the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos. Ultimately, he retired from football in 2008 to pursue wrestling.
In WWE, Reigns has earned significant acclaim. He is a six-time WWE Champion and has twice held the prestigious WWE Universal Championship. He also won the WWE Intercontinental Championship, and WWE Tag Team Championship, and took home the 2015 Royal Rumble win. In addition to his titles, Roman was honored as Superstar of the Year in 2014. He is considered one of WWE’s elite wrestlers, although his journey to fame wasn’t without challenges. Despite being marketed as the face of WWE between 2014 and 2020, fans’ rejection of this portrayal led to Reigns embracing a more villainous role, which was much better received by audiences.
Roman Reigns, born Leati Joseph Anoaʻi on May 25, 1985, hails from Pensacola, Florida. Growing up in a family with Samoan and Italian heritage, Roman was surrounded by professional wrestling. His father and brother were both wrestlers, and he shares ties with several other WWE stars. Reigns attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he played college football for three years, earning the title of Defensive Player of the Year.
Roman’s college football career caught the attention of the NFL, leading to his selection by the Minnesota Vikings in 2007. Unfortunately, his dreams were derailed when he was diagnosed with leukemia, and he was subsequently released by the team. He briefly signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars but was also cut before the season began. Roman then played a season with the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos, before retiring in 2008, marking the end of his football career.
Roman Reigns signed with WWE in 2010, entering their development territory, Florida Championship Wrestling. He debuted as a wrestler that same year, adopting the persona of a heroic character. However, in 2012, he joined WWE’s main roster as part of The Shield, eventually being rebranded as a villainous figure. His rise to prominence in WWE was controversial, as fans often criticized the company for pushing him too hard as the face of the organization. By 2016, the situation worsened as WWE resorted to piping in fake cheers to mask the boos directed at Reigns during his entrances. Calls to transform him into a villainous character grew louder.
In 2016, things reached a breaking point for Reigns when he angrily lashed out at fans after being booed and was later suspended for violating WWE’s wellness policy. While the exact reason for his suspension remains unclear, speculation points to a violation related to drugs. At WrestleMania 33, Reigns faced intense backlash, with the live audience shouting insults and profanities. WWE tried to spin the negative reactions, claiming the boos were signs of admiration.
However, Roman’s fortunes took a turn for the better after his second battle with leukemia. Fans, who once rejected him, became more sympathetic following his diagnosis. Reigns announced his remission in 2018, receiving a more positive response. In 2020, WWE repackaged him as “The Tribal Chief,” a villainous character, and this persona gained far more favor from the WWE Universe. As of January 2023, Reigns achieved the longest Universal Championship reign in WWE history, surpassing 870 days, and by June 2023, he held the title for over 1,000 days.
Roman Reigns married Galina Joelle Becker in 2014, after meeting her while they were both students at Georgia Tech. The couple has five children, including four who are twins.
Roman’s health has been a key part of his personal story. Beyond his struggles with leukemia, he also faced physical injuries, such as a broken nose after a match with Sheamus, which required reconstructive surgery. Despite these setbacks, Reigns has remained a dominant figure in WWE.
