Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns are two of the most popular and successful wrestlers in the world. They have both achieved fame and fortune in WWE and beyond, but are they really related? Many fans have wondered about their family connection, especially after they starred as brothers in the Fast and Furious spinoff Hobbs and Shaw. In this article, we will reveal the truth behind their family ties and how they are connected to the legendary Anoa’i family.
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The Rock and Roman Reigns are Cousins in Real Life
According to FirstSportz, the answer is yes, The Rock and Roman Reigns are related to each other and cousins in real life.Their family bond goes back to their grandfathers, who were blood brothers. High Chief Peter Maivia, Dwayne Johnson’s grandfather, and Amituanai Anoa’i, Roman Reigns’ grandfather, were both Samoan wrestlers who shared a close friendship and a brotherhood. They also belonged to the same clan, the Anoa’i family, which is one of the most influential and respected wrestling dynasties in history.
Lia Maivia Johnson, The Rock’s mother, and Sika Anoa’i, Roman Reigns’ father, are the first cousins. Lia is the daughter of Peter Maivia and his wife Ofelia Fuataga, who adopted him as her own. Sika is the son of Amituanai Anoa’i and his wife Elevera Anoa’i. Sika also has a brother named Afa Anoa’i, who formed the tag team The Wild Samoans with him. They won the WWF Tag Team Championship three times and were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.
The Rock was born as Dwayne Douglas Johnson on May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California. He is the son of Rocky Johnson, a former WWF Tag Team Champion himself, and Lia Maivia Johnson. He started his wrestling career as Rocky Maivia, a tribute to his father and grandfather, but later changed his name to The Rock. He became one of the most charismatic and successful wrestlers of all time, winning multiple championships and headlining several WrestleManias. He also transitioned into a Hollywood star, appearing in blockbuster movies such as The Scorpion King, The Mummy Returns, Jumanji, Moana, and of course, Hobbs and Shaw.
Roman Reigns was born as Leati Joseph Anoa’i on May 25, 1985, in Pensacola, Florida. He is the son of Sika Anoa’i and his wife Patricia A. Anoa’i. He played football in college and briefly in the NFL before pursuing a wrestling career. He signed with WWE in 2010 and debuted on the main roster in 2012 as part of The Shield, a dominant faction with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. He later became a singles star, winning multiple championships and main eventing several WrestleManias. He is currently the WWE Universal Champion and the leader of The Bloodline, a stable with his cousins Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso.
The Rock and Roman Reigns are Part of the Anoa’i Family Legacy
The Rock and Roman Reigns are not the only members of the Anoa’i family who have made their mark in wrestling. The family has produced many other notable wrestlers over the years, such as:
– Yokozuna: The late Rodney Anoa’i was a two-time WWF Champion and a two-time WWF Tag Team Champion. He was known for his massive size and his devastating finisher, the Banzai Drop. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012 by The Usos.
– Rikishi: Solofa Fatu Jr. is a two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion and a one-time WWF Tag Team Champion. He was known for his colorful attire, his dancing skills, and his signature move, the Stink Face. He is also the father of The Usos. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015 by The Usos.
– Umaga: The late Edward Fatu was a two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion and a one-time WWE Tag Team Champion. He was known for his savage persona, his face paint, and his deadly finisher, the Samoan Spike. He was also Rikishi’s brother.
– Rosey: The late Matthew Anoa’i was a one-time World Tag Team Champion with The Hurricane. He was known for his superhero gimmick, his size, and his agility. He was also Umaga’s brother and Roman Reigns’ brother.
– Nia Jax: Lina Fanene is a one-time WWE Raw Women’s Champion and a two-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. She is known for her power, her confidence, and her dominance. She is also The Rock’s second cousin once removed.
– Tamina: Sarona Snuka is a one-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. She is known for her toughness, her loyalty, and her superkick. She is also the daughter of Jimmy Snuka, who was related by marriage to the Anoa’i family.
– Naomi: Trinity Fatu is a two-time WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion. She is known for her athleticism, her charisma, and her glow. She is also married to Jimmy Uso, making her part of the Anoa’i family by marriage.
The Anoa’i family has also influenced other wrestlers who are not related by blood, such as The Tonga Kid, The Barbarian, and The Rock’s stunt double Tanoai Reed. The family has also inspired many young wrestlers who aspire to follow their footsteps, such as The Rock’s daughter Simone Johnson, who is currently training in WWE’s developmental league NXT.
The Rock and Roman Reigns Have a Mutual Respect and Support for Each Other
The Rock and Roman Reigns have always shown a mutual respect and support for each other, both in and out of the ring. They have praised each other’s accomplishments, cheered each other on, and helped each other out when needed.
For example, when Roman Reigns announced that he had leukemia in 2018 and had to relinquish his WWE Universal Championship, The Rock was one of the first to send him a heartfelt message on social media. He wrote:
“Stay strong @WWERomanReigns \uD83D\uDDA4
I’m praying for you and your family. You’re my family too.
I don’t know if you know this but I’ve been quietly paying attention to you for years now.
I see every move you make.
I see the hard work you put in.
You’re one of the hardest workers in the room.
I’m so proud of you.
You’re a leader.
A role model.
A champion.
A man.
You’re THE man.
That’s why this hurts so much.
Because it’s not fair.
Life ain’t fair sometimes my brother.
But you’re a fighter.
You’re a warrior.
You’re a legend.
And legends NEVER die.
You have so much more to accomplish in this life.
So much more to give to the world and your fans.
I’m here for you every step of the way.
We all are.
Just like you’ve always been there for us.
You’re our hero.
And heroes get better.
We love you Joe. #ThankYouRoman”
The Rock also helped Roman Reigns land his first movie role in Hobbs and Shaw, where they played brothers Luke Hobbs and Mateo Hobbs. The Rock revealed that he wanted to showcase his Samoan culture in the movie and that he thought Roman Reigns was the perfect choice to play his brother. He also said that he was very proud of Roman Reigns’ performance and his recovery from leukemia.
Roman Reigns has also expressed his gratitude and admiration for The Rock many times. He has thanked him for his guidance, his friendship, and his opportunity. He has also said that he looks up to him as a role model and a mentor. He has also teased the possibility of facing him in a dream match someday, saying that it would be an honor to share the ring with him.
The Rock and Roman Reigns are more than just cousins. They are brothers in arms, partners in crime, and allies in battle. They are part of a family legacy that spans generations and continents. They are both champions in their own right and inspirations to millions of fans around the world.
