Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Roman Reigns

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

Roman Reigns, real name Leati Joseph Anoaʻi, is a celebrated American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE's SmackDown brand. Previously a football player and actor, he is widely considered one of the top wrestlers globally. His most notable accomplishment is a 1,316-day reign as WWE Universal Champion, marking the title's longest reign, the fourth longest world title reign in WWE history, and WWE's longest championship reign since 1988.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1988: Longest WWE Championship Reign Since 1988

In 1988, was the start of the longest championship reign recognised by the WWE.

August 2007: Signed and Released by Jacksonville Jaguars

In August 2007, Roman Reigns was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was released less than a week later before the start of the 2007 NFL season.

2007: Brief NFL Stints

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

2008: Season with Edmonton Eskimos

In 2008, Roman Reigns played a full season for the Canadian Football League's (CFL) Edmonton Eskimos before his release and retirement from football.

August 19, 2010: Televised Debut in FCW

On August 19, 2010, Roman Reigns, using the ring name Roman Leakee, made his televised debut in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) in a 15-man battle royal, which he did not win.

2010: Signing with WWE

In 2010, Roman Reigns signed with WWE and joined the Anoaʻi wrestling family.

January 16, 2011: FCW Grand Royal

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

January 2012: Pinned FCW Champion Leo Kruger

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

August 2012: Rebranded FCW to NXT

In August 2012, WWE rebranded FCW to NXT, and 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, Roman Reigns made his main roster debut at the Survivor Series pay-per-view alongside Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins as The Shield.

2012: Main Roster Debut as Part of The Shield

In 2012, Roman Reigns 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: Aid to CM Punk at Royal Rumble

On January 27, 2013, The Shield aided CM Punk at the Royal Rumble.

January 26, 2014: Record Elimination in Royal Rumble Match

On January 26, 2014, Roman Reigns entered the Royal Rumble match and eliminated 12 competitors, finishing as the runner-up.

2014: WWE Attempts to Establish Reigns as 'Face of the Company'

From 2014, WWE tried to establish Roman Reigns as the 'face of the company', but it was met with disapproval by audiences and critics.

2014: Heel turn and Universal Championship win

In 2014, Roman Reigns turned heel for the first time since then, aligning himself with Paul Heyman. He then defeated "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt and Strowman at Payback on August 30 to win the Universal Championship for the second time, marking a significant shift in his character and career trajectory.

2014: The Shield Disbands; Singles Competition

In 2014, The Shield disbanded, leading Roman Reigns to enter singles competition in WWE.

2015: Wins the Royal Rumble

In 2015, Roman Reigns won the Royal Rumble match after lastly eliminating Rusev, granting him a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 31.

2015: Royal Rumble Win

In 2015, Roman Reigns won the Royal Rumble.

January 24, 2016: Loses Championship at Royal Rumble

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

2016: Drafted to Raw Brand

In 2016, Roman Reigns was drafted to the Raw brand as part of the WWE draft.

January 9, 2017: Loses United States Championship

On January 9, 2017, Roman Reigns lost the United States Championship to Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens in a handicap match, 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: Braun Strowman Breaks Elimination Record

In 2018, Braun Strowman broke Roman Reigns's record of 12 eliminations in a Royal Rumble match.

2018: Various matches and feuds

Throughout 2018, Roman Reigns competed in the Royal Rumble on January 28, where he was eliminated last by Shinsuke Nakamura. On February 25, Reigns won the Elimination Chamber match and unsuccessfully challenged Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 34 on April 8. He continued feuding, including a loss to Bobby Lashley at Extreme Rules on July 15, before defeating Lesnar at SummerSlam on August 19 to win the Universal Championship.

February 25, 2019: Reigns announces his leukemia is in remission

On February 25, 2019, Roman Reigns made his return to Raw, announcing that his leukemia was once again in remission, receiving a huge ovation. That same night, Reigns and Rollins assisted Dean Ambrose from an attack, marking a significant and emotional moment for his career and personal life.

2019: SmackDown debut and feud with Shane McMahon

In 2019, Roman Reigns was drafted to SmackDown on April 16, attacking Elias and Vince McMahon. This led to a feud with Shane McMahon, including a loss at Super ShowDown on June 7, and a victory at Stomping Grounds on June 23. Reigns then teamed with The Undertaker to defeat McMahon and McIntyre at Extreme Rules on July 14.

January 26, 2020: Feud with King Corbin culminates, Royal Rumble appearance

On January 26, 2020, Roman Reigns defeated King Corbin in a falls count anywhere match at Royal Rumble with help from The Usos, ending their feud. Later that night, Reigns entered the Royal Rumble match as the 26th entrant, but was the last competitor eliminated by Drew McIntyre.

2020: Reigns Repackaged as a Villain

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

January 31, 2021: Universal Championship defense against Kevin Owens

On January 31, 2021, Roman Reigns successfully defended his Universal Championship against Kevin Owens in a Last Man Standing match at Royal Rumble, continuing his reign and feud with Owens.

January 1, 2022: Universal Championship match canceled due to COVID-19

On January 1, 2022, Roman Reigns' Universal Championship match against Brock Lesnar at Day 1 was canceled after Reigns tested positive for COVID-19, impacting his scheduled appearance and the event's plans.

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, highlighting his dominance.

January 27, 2024: Universal Championship defense at Royal Rumble

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

2024: The Bloodline changes and Sikoa declares himself Tribal Chief

In 2024, after Roman Reigns lost the titles and took time off, Solo Sikoa appointed himself the de facto leader of The Bloodline. Later, Sikoa removed Reigns from the leadership and declared himself the new "Tribal Chief," marking a shift in the stable's power dynamics.

2024: Reigns Loses the Undisputed Title, Universal Championship Retired

In 2024, upon Roman Reigns losing the Undisputed title, the Universal Championship was retired and Reigns was recognized as its final champion.

January 6, 2025: Reigns reclaims Ula Fala and Tribal Chief title

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