Leati Joseph “Joe” Anoaʻi (born May 25, 1985), widely known by his ring name Roman Reigns, is an American professional wrestler and former professional football player. He is one of the most dominant and iconic figures in modern professional wrestling, especially renowned for his tenure in WWE.

Roman Reigns (Leati Joseph “Joe” Anoaʻi) Early Life and Football Career

Born in Pensacola, Florida, Joe Anoaʻi comes from the legendary Anoaʻi wrestling family, a prominent Samoan-American dynasty that has produced numerous wrestling superstars. His father is Sika Anoaʻi, one half of the WWE Hall of Fame tag team The Wild Samoans, and his older brother was Matthew Anoaʻi (Rosey). He is also a cousin to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Rikishi, Umaga, Yokozuna, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso), and Solo Sikoa, among many others.

Despite his family’s wrestling heritage, Anoaʻi initially pursued a career in American football. He played defensive tackle for three years at Pensacola Catholic High School and one year at Escambia High School, where he was named Defensive Player of the Year by the Pensacola News Journal in his senior year. He then attended Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), where he was a standout player for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team.

After college, Anoaʻi had brief off-season stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL) in 2007. He later played one season in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Edmonton Eskimos in 2008. His football career was cut short due to health issues, including a diagnosis of leukemia, which he would battle again later in life.

Roman Reigns (Leati Joseph “Joe” Anoaʻi) Professional Wrestling Career (2010-Present)

Following the end of his football career, Anoaʻi turned to professional wrestling, training with his father and uncle. He signed a developmental contract with WWE in 2010, reporting to their Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) territory, where he debuted under the name “Roman Leakee.”

The Shield (2012-2014): Roman Reigns made his main roster debut at Survivor Series in November 2012, alongside Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) and Seth Rollins, forming the highly impactful faction The Shield. The trio quickly became one of the most popular and dominant groups in WWE history, known for their tactical attacks and cohesive teamwork. As part of The Shield, Reigns won the WWE Tag Team Championship with Seth Rollins.

Singles Push and “The Big Dog” Era (2014-2020): After The Shield disbanded in 2014, Reigns embarked on a singles career. WWE positioned him as a top “babyface” (hero), but this push was met with mixed reactions and significant backlash from some portions of the audience, despite his numerous main event matches at WrestleMania and championship victories. During this period, he became a Grand Slam Champion and Triple Crown Champion, winning the WWE Championship (multiple times), Intercontinental Championship, and United States Championship, in addition to the Tag Team Championship. He also won the 2015 Royal Rumble match.

In October 2018, Reigns announced that he was battling leukemia for the second time and took a hiatus from WWE. He made a triumphant return in February 2019, announcing his remission, which was met with overwhelming support from fans.

“The Tribal Chief” and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion (2020-2024): In August 2020, Reigns returned to WWE as a dominant heel (villainous character) with a new persona: “The Tribal Chief,” aligning himself with Paul Heyman. This marked a significant turning point in his career, leading to his most critically acclaimed and dominant run. He captured the Universal Championship, embarking on a historic reign that lasted 1,316 days, becoming the fourth longest world title reign in WWE history and the longest of any WWE championship since 1988. During this period, he unified the Universal Championship with the WWE Championship, becoming the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion at WrestleMania 38. He formed The Bloodline faction with his real-life cousins The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso) and later Solo Sikoa, creating one of the most compelling storylines in wrestling history. His reign as Undisputed Champion came to an end at WrestleMania 40 in April 2024.

Roman Reigns Net Worth

Roman Reigns’ net worth is estimated to be around $14 million as of May 2025. His income primarily comes from his WWE contract (reportedly earning $5 million annually), merchandise sales, endorsements (including brands like C4 Energy and Nike), and acting roles (such as his appearance in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw).

Roman Reigns Personal Life

Leati Joseph Anoaʻi married Galina Becker in 2014. They met while attending Georgia Tech. Together, they have five children: a daughter, Joelle “JoJo” Anoaʻi (born 2007), and two sets of twin boys (born in 2016 and 2020). He is known for being a private individual regarding his family life, often emphasizing the importance of being a father. His battles with leukemia have been a significant part of his public journey, demonstrating his resilience and determination.