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Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns is the ring name of Leati Joseph Anoaʻi, an American professional wrestler and actor.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Roman Reigns is the ring name of Leati Joseph Anoaʻi, an American professional wrestler and actor. He is best known for his tenure in WWE, where he has held multiple world championships and became one of the company’s most prominent stars. He is also a former college football player and member of the Anoaʻi wrestling family.

Early life and background

Leati Joseph Anoaʻi was born on May 25, 1985, in Pensacola, Florida. He comes from the Anoaʻi family, a well-known wrestling family, and later played college football at Georgia Tech.

Professional wrestling career

Reigns signed with WWE’s developmental system in 2010 and joined the main roster in 2012 as part of The Shield. He later became one of WWE’s most successful singles stars, winning multiple world titles and other championships.

Championships and achievements

Sources list Reigns as a multi-time WWE Champion and Universal Champion, as well as a former Intercontinental, United States, and Tag Team Champion. He also won the 2015 Royal Rumble and has been recognized with numerous awards.

Public persona

Reigns has been presented at different points as a heroic and villainous character, including his later 'Tribal Chief' persona. WWE and other profiles describe him as one of the defining stars of his era.

Key facts

  • Roman Reigns is the ring name of Leati Joseph Anoaʻi, born in Pensacola, Florida.
  • He is best known for his career in WWE and has held multiple world championships.
  • His billed height is 6 ft 3 in and billed weight is 265 lb.
  • He made his WWE main roster debut in 2012 as part of The Shield.
  • His signature moves include the spear, Superman Punch, and Guillotine.
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Canadian context

Roman Reigns has appeared on WWE programming widely broadcast in Canada and has a large Canadian fan base through WWE’s touring and televised events.

Frequently asked questions

What is Roman Reigns' real name?
His real name is Leati Joseph Anoaʻi.
When was Roman Reigns born?
He was born on May 25, 1985.
What sport did Roman Reigns play before wrestling?
He played college football at Georgia Tech before becoming a full-time wrestler.
What is Roman Reigns known for in WWE?
He is known for being a multi-time world champion and one of WWE’s top stars.
What wrestling family is Roman Reigns part of?
He is part of the Anoaʻi family, also known as the Samoan wrestling dynasty.
What are Roman Reigns' signature moves?
His listed signature moves include the spear, Superman Punch, and Guillotine.

References

  1. Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Roman-Reigns
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, occupation, and overview of his WWE career.
  2. ESPNhttps://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17122948/wwe-profile-page-roman-reigns
    Supports: Billed height and weight, hometown, college football background, debut, signature moves, and championship record.
  3. WWEhttps://www.wwe.com/superstars/roman-reigns
    Supports: Official WWE profile with height, weight, hometown, signature moves, and career highlights.
  4. A&Ehttps://www.aetv.com/shows/biography-wwe-legends/season-4/episode-6
    Supports: Family background, NFL aspirations, leukemia-related career interruption, and rise to the 'Tribal Chief' persona.
  5. National Todayhttps://nationaltoday.com/birthday/roman-reigns/
    Supports: Birth date, family background, and summary of his football and wrestling career.