We have all wondered if Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins are related. They both entered the WWE together as part of The Shield, alongside Dean Ambrose – now known as Jon Moxley in rival promotion AEW – and worked together as a team for quite some time. They have both achieved great success in their individual WWE careers and have become household names in the wrestling world. So, are they brothers, cousins, or related in any way?
Early Years and Breakthrough
Seth Rollins, real name Colby Lopez, hails from Davenport, Iowa. He began his wrestling career in 2003 under the name Gixx – and later as Tyler Black – and wrestled for a few independent promotions before landing a contract with WWE. On the other hand, Roman Reigns, real name Leati Joseph Anoaʻi, was born in Pensacola, Florida. Reigns comes from a wrestling dynasty – his father, Sika, was a member of the famous Wild Samoans tag team, and his cousins include Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Yokozuna, Umaga, and the Usos. The current Universal Champion began his wrestling career in 2010 and signed with WWE in 2012.
Although Reigns and Rollins entered the WWE together, they are not related in any way. However, what these two do have in common is that they broke into the WWE scene together as part of The Shield, alongside Dean Ambrose. The trio was an instant hit with fans, with their black tactical vests and iconic fist bump, and quickly became one of the most influential factions in wrestling history. It was this camaraderie and chemistry that helped elevate Reigns’ and Rollins’ careers to new heights.
They forged a strong bond over the years and have remained close friends to this day. In fact, Rollins was one of the first people Reigns spoke to when he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2018, and he was visibly upset on the episode of Monday Night Raw when Reigns announced to the world his struggles.
It’s worth noting that the wrestling industry is full of families and relatives who have followed in their parents’ or siblings’ footsteps. However, Reigns and Rollins have proven that it’s not always about blood relations, but about the bonds you form along the way.
Seth Rollins’ Road to WrestleMania
WWE is approaching its biggest time of the year as it gears up to storm down the Road to WrestleMania. That road officially gets underway at the end of January with the Royal Rumble event, which is the next Premium Live Event following a shocking Survivor Series at the end of November. Both Rollins and Reigns are expected to feature prominently at the Show of Shows.
For the former, he is expected to face off against the recently returning CM Punk. The Second City Saint has been away from Vince McMahon’s company for the better part of a decade and in his time away, he has regularly bashed the company at every chance he got. He twice fought in the UFC, famously losing his debut to Mickey Gall. This wasn’t particularly surprising to fans or those who gamble; UFC betting odds providers had already made him a +400 underdog. He then went on to sign for rival upstart wrestling promotion AEW and became a two-time world champion.
However, a string of backstage antics saw Punk released from the company, and he has finally made his long-awaited return home, doing so to a thunderous ovation in his hometown Chicago at the recent Survivor Series event. But while the wrestling world couldn’t be happier to see the 45-year-old back inside a WWE ring, one man who does not share that sentiment is currently World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.
The Visionary has slandered his recently returning rival at every opportunity in recent years, both on TV and in interviews. The pair recently went face to face on Monday Night Raw and the segment proved that pairing the two of them together for a long-term program is money. They are expected to battle it out at WrestleMania with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line.
1,200+ Days As Champion
As for Roman Reigns, he is expected to tie Hulk Hogan’s record of eight WrestleMania main events when the Grandaddy of Them All comes to Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field in April. He is the company’s biggest star and is the reigning Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, a championship he has held for over 1,200 days. During his time as champion, he has defeated a whos who of legends including the likes of Brock Lesnar, John Cena, and Daniel Bryan.
However, it was his victory against Cody Rhodes in the main event of last year’s WrestleMania that was the most shocking. The Tribal Chief headed into that bout as a heavy underdog, but much to the surprise of the nearly 80,000 people inside Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, he would get the victory. The pair are expected to face off in the rematch at the upcoming Philly showpiece, and this time around, the American Nightmare is expected to be crowned as the company’s new champion.