WWE superstar Roman Reigns, known as the Tribal Chief, has a past that few fans know about. Before he became the face of WWE, Reigns had a run-in with the law that almost derailed his career.
The Shocking Arrest Before WWE Debut
In an unexpected twist, Roman Reigns was arrested just weeks before signing his WWE contract in 2010. Scheduled to make his debut at Florida Championship Wrestling (now NXT), Reigns found himself behind bars instead.
On June 20, 2010, Reigns, whose real name is Leati Joseph Anoa’i, was arrested in his hometown of Pensacola, Florida. According to xwauniverse, Reigns was involved in a public altercation while intoxicated, leading to his arrest. He was later released on a $1,000 bond, facing charges that cost him $500 each.
This incident remained under wraps until his mugshot surfaced on Mugshots.com, linking Roman Reigns to WWE and surprising fans worldwide.
From Jail to WWE Superstar
Despite this early setback, Reigns quickly turned his life around. Following in the footsteps of his famous cousin, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Reigns began his WWE journey in 2010 with FCW. Within two years, he made his main roster debut as part of The Shield alongside Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.
The Shield became a dominant force in WWE, taking down superstars like CM Punk, John Cena, and The Evolution (Triple H, Batista, and Ric Flair). In 2015, the group disbanded, and Reigns pursued a solo career. However, his transition wasn’t smooth, as fans initially rejected him, subjecting him to constant boos.
Triumph Over Adversity
In 2018, Reigns took a sabbatical to battle leukemia, a fight that garnered him immense respect. Upon his return, he reinvented himself as a villain, aligning with Paul Heyman. This heel turn marked a significant turning point in his career.
After defeating Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman at WWE Payback in 2020, Reigns held the WWE Universal Championship for an astonishing 1,316 days. His reign ended only when he lost to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40. Since then, Reigns has been absent from WWE, and fans eagerly await his return.
Roman Reigns’ journey from a jail cell to WWE superstardom is a testament to his resilience and determination. His story reminds us that even our heroes have struggled, making their victories all the more inspiring.
