MANILA, PHILIPPINES–Last September 20th, 2019, Roman Reigns makes his return to the Philippines together with the stars of WWE SmackDown!. From his main roster debut as a member of The Shield, his multiple victories as WWE World Heavyweight Champion, to his fight with leukemia, Reigns has built his career on continuously overcoming the odds.
“I don’t want to stay in a box. I want to put my gear on: I want to wrestle, I want to perform,” shared Roman Reigns last April in an interview for WWE Chronicle, just moments before his Wrestlemania XXXV comeback. It is just about enjoying these blessings that put upon me.”
The Rise of a Champion
Born Joe Anoa’i, Roman Reigns has the blood of wrestling royalty flowing through his veins. The third-generation WWE Superstar is part of the legendary Anoa’i wrestling family that includes the likes of Yokozuna, Rikishi, Umaga, Jey, and Jimmy Uso, Afa and Sika Anoa’i (The Wild Samoans), “High Chief” Peter Maivia, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
In 2007, shortly after having signed to the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, Reigns was first diagnosed with leukemia and released from his contract. Despite the disease being in remission, Reigns retired two years later, following a year spent competing for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Courtesy of Manila Concert Scene
The following year, Reigns signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment. They assigned reigns to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where he trained with future stablemates, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.
“I firmly believe that I was here because my family is a wrestling family, and I’m a wrestler and that’s what I will do. And why not start with young children are in the most intense fight that any human can imagine?” said Reigns.
The Rise of the Big Dog
In late 2012, Roman Reigns made his debut on the WWE’s main roster as part of The Shield: a three-man power team that destroyed every single WWE Superstar in their sight. And yet, despite the overwhelming negativity he faced each week, Reigns pushed on and became a three-time holder of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship belt.
Overcoming Leukemia
On October 22nd, 2018, Roman Reigns announced that he was battling leukemia on Monday Night Raw. And I knew when I came back that it was one thing I wanted to do: if I wanted to have a moment with my two best friends in the world, this was the time.”
Roman Reigns’ Inspiring Return
The time away from the ring allowed Roman Reigns to reflect on his blessings and support children battling leukemia. To WWE fans all over the world, Roman Reigns represents the will to live and the struggle against adversity, regardless of the odds.
