Roman Reigns and The Rock are two of the biggest stars in WWE history and both are members of the famous Anoa’i wrestling family. But how are they related and what is the story behind their Samoan heritage? In this article, we will explore the facts and myths about their family ties and their impact on the wrestling industry.
The Blood Oath
The Rock’s grandfather, “High Chief” Peter Maivia, and Roman Reigns’ grandfather, Reverend Amituana’i Anoa’i, were blood brothers. This means that they performed a ceremony where they cut their wrists and mingled their blood, forming a bond that was stronger than family ties. According to Sportskeeda, this is a practice that is not native to Samoa alone but is carried out all across the world, usually to forge a tie between two tribes.
Maivia’s adopted daughter, Ata, married Rocky Johnson and they are the parents of The Rock. His original ring name of Rocky Maivia was a tribute to his status as a third-generation wrestler. The equivalent third-generation offspring on the Anoa’i side are considered cousins of The Great One.
The Anoa’i Family Legacy
The Anoa’i family is arguably the most famous wrestling family in WWE history, with over 30 championships between them. The sons of Amituana’i, Afa and Sika, saw Maivia as their uncle. They wrestled as “The Wild Samoans” in the 1970s and 1980s in WWE.
Afa is the father of Samu and Manu, both of whom wrestled in WWE. Sika is the father of Roman Reigns and Rosey, who sadly passed away in 2017. Reigns’ other first cousins include former WWE Champion Yokozuna (died in 2000), Umaga (died in 2009) and Rikishi, as well as The Tonga Kid.
Rikishi is the father of The Usos, who are currently the tag team champions and allies of Reigns. They are also joined by Solo Sikoa, the younger brother of The Usos and another member of the Anoa’i family.
The Rock is not the only one who has ventured into Hollywood. Roman Reigns made his acting debut in Hobbs & Shaw, a spin-off of The Fast and Furious franchise starring The Rock. They played cousins in the movie as well.
The Head of the Table
Roman Reigns and The Rock have both achieved tremendous success in WWE, but they have also faced criticism from some fans. Reigns was booed by many when he won the 2015 Royal Rumble, even though he was endorsed by his cousin The Rock. He has since embraced his role as a heel (a villain) and calls himself “The Tribal Chief” and “The Head of the Table”.
The Rock has also been rumored to return to WWE to face Reigns at WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles next year. The storyline is expected to focus on their family rivalry and who is the true leader of the Samoan dynasty.
According to Sportsmanor, Roman Reigns and The Rock don’t hold the same blood, but they belong to the same family. They both are real-life cousins who respect each other’s achievements but also have a competitive edge.
Is Roman Reigns related to The Rock? Yes, they are related by a blood oath that goes beyond genetics. They are part of a wrestling legacy that has shaped WWE for decades and will continue to do so for years to come.
