The Original Tribal Chief Roman Reigns has undoubtedly become one of the biggest stars in pro wrestling history. As a member of the iconic Anoa’i Family, Reigns entered WWE with high expectations. Recently, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H opened up about his first impression of Reigns and how he immediately recognized his potential to transform the industry.
Roman Reigns’ Beginnings in WWE
Before his rise to superstardom, Reigns joined WWE in 2010 after a football career at Georgia Tech, where he majored in management. Originally performing under the name Leakee in WWE’s developmental territory, FCW, Reigns later adopted his now-famous persona when the brand evolved into NXT.
The developmental system was overseen by Triple H, with contributions from legends like Dusty Rhodes. According to Triple H, his first encounter with Reigns left an indelible mark.
Triple H on Meeting Roman Reigns for the First Time
Speaking on The Roommates Show, Triple H shared how his initial meeting with Roman Reigns convinced him that Reigns was destined for greatness.
“The first time I ever met Roman Reigns, I had just taken over and sort of started what would become our developmental system… The first day I met him, I sat down with him for like 20 minutes just to get to know him,” said Triple H. [From 20:00 to 20:34]
After the meeting, Triple H immediately shared his thoughts with Dusty Rhodes, stating:
“If that kid’s not the biggest star we ever have in ten years, I don’t know what we’re doing. Holy st, he’s got everything. When he walked in the room, you couldn’t help but look and go, ‘Who’s that?’ He has an innate X-factor charisma.” [From 20:35 to 21:19]
Triple H emphasized that Reigns possessed the elusive “it factor” that sets game-changing stars apart from others in the business.
A Storied History Between Triple H and Roman Reigns
Over the years, Triple H and Roman Reigns have crossed paths in the ring on six occasions. Their most memorable encounter took place at WrestleMania 32, where Reigns defeated The Game in a grueling 27-minute match to capture the World Heavyweight Championship.
Their final singles match came in December 2017, during a live event in Abu Dhabi, where Reigns retained the Intercontinental Championship.
Roman Reigns: A Game-Changer in WWE
Triple H’s early assessment of Reigns has proven prophetic. With multiple world championships, iconic feuds, and a record-breaking reign as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Reigns has redefined the modern era of professional wrestling.
From his roots in FCW to headlining WrestleMania and leading The Bloodline, Roman Reigns continues to cement his legacy as one of WWE’s most influential superstars.
