Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Roman Reigns

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

Roman Reigns, whose real name is Leati Joseph Anoaʻi, is a highly acclaimed American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE's SmackDown brand. He is considered one of the top wrestlers globally. Reigns holds the distinction of having the fourth-longest world title reign in WWE history with his WWE Universal Championship, lasting an impressive 1,316 days. This reign also marks the longest championship run since 1988, solidifying his position as a dominant figure in professional wrestling.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1988: Longest Championship Reign

In 1988, Roman Reigns' 1,316-day reign with the WWE Universal Championship is the fourth longest world title reign in WWE history and the longest championship reign since 1988.

1988: Longest WWE Championship Reign Since 1988

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

May 2007: Signed by Minnesota Vikings

In May 2007, Anoaʻi was signed by the Minnesota Vikings but released after being diagnosed with leukemia.

August 2007: Signed and Released by Jacksonville Jaguars

In August 2007, Anoaʻi was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars but released less than a week later.

2007: NFL Stints

In 2007, after playing college football, Anoaʻi had brief off-season stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.

2008: CFL Season with Edmonton Eskimos

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

August 19, 2010: Televised Debut in FCW

On August 19, 2010, Anoaʻi, using the name Roman Leakee, made his televised debut in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) in a 15-man battle royal.

2010: WWE Signing

In 2010, Anoaʻi, a member of the Anoaʻi wrestling family, was signed by WWE.

January 16, 2011: FCW Grand Royal Competition

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

January 2012: Pinned Leo Kruger in Non-Title Match

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

August 2012: NXT Debut as Roman Reigns

In August 2012, after WWE rebranded FCW to NXT, Anoaʻi debuted with the new ring name Roman Reigns and a villainous character.

November 18, 2012: Main Roster Debut at Survivor Series

On November 18, 2012, Reigns made his main roster debut at the Survivor Series pay-per-view alongside Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, attacking Ryback during the WWE Championship match, forming The Shield.

2012: Main Roster Debut with The Shield

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 27, 2013: The Shield Aids CM Punk at Royal Rumble

On January 27, 2013, The Shield continued to aid CM Punk at the Royal Rumble.

January 26, 2014: Royal Rumble Runner-Up

On January 26, 2014, at the Royal Rumble, Reigns entered at number 15, eliminated 12 competitors (a record later broken in 2018), and finished as the runner-up after being eliminated by Batista.

2014: Heel Turn and Universal Championship Win

After a five-month hiatus, Roman Reigns returned at SummerSlam on August 23, 2020, attacking Bray Wyatt and Strowman. On the following SmackDown, Reigns aligned with Paul Heyman, turning heel for the first time since 2014. At Payback on August 30, 2020, Reigns defeated Wyatt and Strowman to win the Universal Championship for the second time.

2014: WWE's Face of the Company Push

From 2014, WWE positioned Reigns as a heroic character, attempting to establish him as their next "face of the company", which faced disapproval.

2014: The Shield Disbands

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

2015: Royal Rumble Win

In 2015, Reigns won the Royal Rumble match, earning a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 31.

January 24, 2016: Loss of Championship at Royal Rumble

On January 24, 2016, Reigns lost the WWE World Heavyweight Championship after being eliminated by Triple H in the Royal Rumble match.

2016: PWI 500 No. 1 Ranking

In 2016, Roman Reigns was ranked No. 1 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's annual PWI 500 list of the top 500 singles wrestlers.

2016: Drafted to Raw Brand

In 2016, during the WWE draft, Reigns was drafted to the Raw brand.

January 9, 2017: Loss of United States Championship

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

January 22, 2018: Loss of Intercontinental Championship

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

2018: Braun Strowman Breaks Elimination Record

In 2018, Braun Strowman broke Reigns' Royal Rumble elimination record.

2018: Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, WrestleMania 34, Greatest Royal Rumble, Backlash, Money in the Bank, Extreme Rules, SummerSlam

In 2018, Roman Reigns competed in the Royal Rumble, ultimately being eliminated by Shinsuke Nakamura on January 28. He won the Elimination Chamber match on February 25, earning a Universal Championship match at WrestleMania 34 on April 8, but was unsuccessful. On April 27, he lost a rematch at the Greatest Royal Rumble. He secured victories against Samoa Joe at Backlash on May 6 and Jinder Mahal at Money in the Bank on June 17. After losing to Bobby Lashley at Extreme Rules on July 15, he won a number one contender's match and defeated Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam on August 19 to win the Universal Championship for the first time.

February 25, 2019: Return to Raw

On February 25, 2019, Roman Reigns returned to Raw, announcing his leukemia was in remission. He, alongside Seth Rollins, assisted Dean Ambrose against Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, Elias, and Baron Corbin.

2019: WWE Superstar Shake-up, Money in the Bank, Super ShowDown, Stomping Grounds, Extreme Rules

In 2019, Roman Reigns was drafted to SmackDown on April 16. He attacked Elias and Vince McMahon. On May 19, Reigns defeated Elias at Money in the Bank. He was interrupted by Shane McMahon and later lost to him at Super ShowDown on June 7. 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.

January 26, 2020: Royal Rumble: Reigns vs. Corbin

On January 26, 2020, at Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns defeated King Corbin in a falls count anywhere match with assistance from The Usos.

2020: Villainous Character Repackaging

Between 2020 and 2024, Reigns was repackaged as a villainous character, which received acclaim.

January 31, 2021: Royal Rumble: Reigns vs. Owens

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

January 1, 2022: Universal Championship Match Cancelled

On January 1, 2022, the Universal Championship match between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar at Day 1 was cancelled after Reigns tested positive for COVID-19.

2022: PWI 500 No. 1 Ranking

In 2022, Roman Reigns was ranked No. 1 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's annual PWI 500 list of the top 500 singles wrestlers.

January 18, 2023: Longest WWE Championship Reign Since 1988

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

January 27, 2024: Royal Rumble: Fatal Four-Way Match

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

2024: Universal Championship Retirement

In 2024, after losing the Undisputed title at WrestleMania XL, the Universal Championship was retired with Reigns recognized as its final champion.

January 6, 2025: Raw premiere on Netflix

On January 6, 2025, at the Raw premiere on Netflix, Reigns defeated Sikoa to reclaim his Ula Fala and Tribal Chief title. The Rock presented Reigns with the Ula Fala after the match.