Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Roman Reigns

How Roman Reigns built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Roman Reigns (Leati Joseph Anoaʻi) is a highly regarded American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE's SmackDown brand. He is considered one of the best and most influential wrestlers globally. His 1,316-day reign as WWE Universal Champion stands as the fourth-longest world title reign in WWE history and the longest since 1988. Before wrestling, Reigns was a football player.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1988: Longest WWE Championship Reign Since 1988

In 1988 Roman Reigns' Universal Championship reign reached 871 days, breaking Gunther's NXT UK Championship reign and becoming the longest reign of any WWE championship since 1988.

May 2007: Signed by Minnesota Vikings

In May 2007, Anoaʻi was signed by the Minnesota Vikings after going undrafted in the 2007 NFL draft.

August 2007: Signed by Jacksonville Jaguars

In August 2007, after being released by the Minnesota Vikings, Anoaʻi was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars, only to be released less than a week later.

2007: Brief NFL Stints

In 2007, Anoaʻi had brief off-season stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL).

2008: Plays in CFL

In 2008, Anoaʻi played a full season for the Canadian Football League's (CFL) Edmonton Eskimos before being released and retiring from football.

2008: Plays for Edmonton Eskimos

In 2008, Anoaʻi played one season for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL), featuring in five games.

August 19, 2010: Televised Debut as Roman Leakee

On August 19, 2010, Anoaʻi made his televised debut using the ring name Roman Leakee in a 15-man battle royal, which was won by Alex Riley.

2010: Signed by WWE

In 2010, Anoaʻi was signed by WWE and assigned to their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).

January 16, 2011: Competitor in 30-Man Grand Royal

On January 16, 2011, Leakee was a competitor in a 30-man Grand Royal but was eliminated.

January 2012: Pinned FCW Champion Leo Kruger

In January 2012, Leakee pinned FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion Leo Kruger in a non-title match.

August 2012: WWE rebranded FCW to NXT

In August 2012, WWE rebranded FCW to NXT.

November 18, 2012: Main Roster Television Debut

On November 18, 2012, Roman Reigns made his main roster television debut at the Survivor Series pay-per-view event alongside Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, assaulting Ryback during the triple threat main event for the WWE Championship, establishing themselves as villains.

2012: Main Roster Debut as Roman Reigns

In 2012, Anoaʻi made his main roster debut under the ring name Roman Reigns as a member of The Shield alongside Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins.

January 2013: The Shield Aids CM Punk

In January 2013, The Shield continued to aid CM Punk, attacking both Ryback and The Rock. On January 28, it was revealed that Punk and his manager Paul Heyman had been paying The Shield and Brad Maddox to work for them.

January 26, 2014: Royal Rumble Match

On January 26, 2014, at the Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns entered the match at number 15 and eliminated 12 competitors, finishing as the runner-up after being eliminated by Batista.

2014: WWE's Next Face of the Company

From 2014, WWE attempted to establish Reigns as their next "face of the company", which was met with disapproval.

2014: Heel Turn

In 2014 Roman Reigns turned heel for the first time since 2014.

2014: Singles Competition

In 2014, The Shield disbanded, and Roman Reigns entered singles competition in WWE.

2015: Royal Rumble Victory

In 2015, Roman Reigns won the Royal Rumble match after eliminating Rusev, granting him a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 31. The crowd heavily booed Reigns despite him portraying a heroic character.

January 24, 2016: Lost WWE World Heavyweight Championship

On January 24, 2016, Roman Reigns was forced to defend his WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the Royal Rumble match and lost the championship after being eliminated by Triple H.

2016: WWE Draft

On July 19, 2016, at the WWE draft, Roman Reigns was drafted to the Raw brand.

January 9, 2017: Lost United States Championship

On January 9, 2017, Roman Reigns lost the United States Championship to Chris Jericho in a handicap match also involving Kevin Owens, ending his reign at 106 days.

January 22, 2018: Lost Intercontinental Championship

On January 22, 2018, Roman Reigns lost the Intercontinental Championship back to The Miz on the 25th Anniversary of Raw, ending his reign at 63 days.

2018: Elimination Record Broken

At the Royal Rumble on January 26, 2014, Reigns entered the Royal Rumble match at number 15 and went on to eliminate 12 competitors in the match, a record that was later broken by Braun Strowman in 2018.

2018: Royal Rumble and Universal Championship pursuits

In 2018, Roman Reigns competed in the Royal Rumble match on January 28, being the last person eliminated by Shinsuke Nakamura. After defeating Bray Wyatt on February 5, Reigns won the Elimination Chamber match, earning the right to face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 34, but failed to win. Reigns and Lesnar had a rematch for the championship at the Greatest Royal Rumble on April 27 in a Steel Cage match, which Reigns lost after spearing Lesnar through the cage wall.

February 25, 2019: Return to Raw after remission

On February 25, 2019, Roman Reigns made his return to Raw, revealing his leukemia was once again in remission. Later that night, Reigns and Rollins assisted Ambrose from an attack by Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, Elias, and Baron Corbin.

December 2019: First Pinfall Loss

In December 2019 Roman Reigns had his first pinfall loss.

2019: Move to SmackDown and Feuds

In 2019, during the WWE Superstar Shake-up, Roman Reigns was drafted to SmackDown on April 16 and attacked Elias and Vince McMahon. He won against Elias at Money in the Bank on May 19, but lost to Shane McMahon at Super ShowDown on June 7 after interference from McIntyre. Reigns defeated McIntyre at Stomping Grounds on June 23, and teamed with The Undertaker to defeat McMahon and McIntyre at Extreme Rules on July 14.

December 31, 2019: Reigns Defeats Dolph Ziggler on Fox's New Year's Eve with Steve Harvey

On December 31, 2019, Roman Reigns wrestled against Dolph Ziggler in a pre-taped match on Fox's New Year's Eve with Steve Harvey.

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January 26, 2020: Feud with King Corbin and Royal Rumble

On January 26, 2020, Roman Reigns defeated King Corbin in a falls count anywhere match at the Royal Rumble, with assistance from The Usos. He then entered the Royal Rumble match, but was the last competitor eliminated by Drew McIntyre.

2020: Rebranded as a Villain

Between 2020 and 2024, Roman Reigns was repackaged as a villainous character, which was generally met with acclaim.

2020: Return at SummerSlam and New Moniker

In 2020, Roman Reigns made his return at SummerSlam, attacking "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman. He aligned himself with Paul Heyman, turning heel for the first time since 2014.

January 31, 2021: Universal Championship Defense against Kevin Owens

On January 31, 2021, Roman Reigns defended his title against Kevin Owens in a Last Man Standing match at the Royal Rumble.

January 1, 2022: Match Cancellation and Title Reign

On January 1, 2022, Roman Reigns was scheduled to defend his title against Brock Lesnar at the Day 1 event, but the match was canceled due to Reigns testing positive for COVID-19.

January 18, 2023: Longest WWE Championship Reign Since 1988

On January 18, 2023, Roman Reigns' Universal Championship reign reached 871 days, breaking Gunther's NXT UK Championship reign and becoming the longest reign of any WWE championship since 1988.

January 27, 2024: Universal Championship Defense at Royal Rumble 2024

On January 27, 2024, Roman Reigns successfully defended the titles against LA Knight, Randy Orton and AJ Styles in a fatal four-way match at Royal Rumble.

2024: End of villainous character

Between 2020 and 2024, Roman Reigns was repackaged as a villainous character, which was generally met with acclaim.

2024: Sikoa Takes Over the Bloodline

In 2024, Solo Sikoa appointed himself as the de facto leader of The Bloodline. On the April 26 episode of SmackDown, Paul Heyman informed fans that Reigns voluntarily withdrew from the 2024 WWE Draft and Sikoa removed Reigns from the leadership of The Bloodline and the group altogether.