You can find role models all across the mainstream media and the MMA and wrestling industry is not the exception. Take a look at this story that we share about Roman Reigns, a WWE fighter that is worthy of admiration and imitation.
Who is Roman Reigns?
Leati Joseph “Joe” Anoaʻi, known as Roman Reigns, was born on May 25th, 1985, and is famous nowadays for being more than just a wrestler. He has had a prolific career as a professional football player before becoming a WWE fighter and he played in 3 different NFL teams from 2007 to 2008.
Entering the WWE
In the year 2010, he was signed in by World Wrestling Entertainment, where he was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling. The first time we saw him on TV was under the name of Roman Leakee, that same year on August 19th, when he participated in a battle royal with another 14 men.
Two years after that, in January 2012, he ended up pinning Leo Kruger, the FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion, but it was a non-title match. However, soon afterward, he fought for the title in a triple threat match and beat Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.
Roman Reigns is Born
Two years after entering the WWE, he debuted as a villain character named Roman Reigns, on the NXT episode where he defeated CJ Parker, no doubt a spectacular first appearance.
The Shield and Solo Titles
This is the first team name that saw Roman Reigns fight in the main roster, during a Survivor Series. In The Shield, he was joined by Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollings and all three of them became villains for enabling CM Punk to hold his title as WWE Champion.
Roman Reigns on his own has managed to obtain four WWE titles in total, including one Universal Championship title.
What Makes Him Special?
If you are reading all this, you are probably thinking that this man is strong and unbeatable and that he is in top condition, but you would be half wrong. As it turns out, since the age of 22, he was diagnosed with leukemia and he has declared that it was a rough time where he had no job, no home, and a baby on the way.
Since then, he beat this cancer, entered the WWE, earned many titles and our hearts, but was hit back with leukemia in 2018, which made him give up his title. Ever the fighter, he pushed cancer back into remission and is now fighting again, as a part of Smackdown.
A wholesome fighter and a tough guy, who has not only made his way up the ladders of the WWE rankings but also kicked cancer’s bottom more than once. Truly an example to follow.