American professional wrestler (born 1985)
Leati Joseph "Joe" Anoaʻi (Samoan pronunciation:[a.noˈaʔ.i]ah-no-AH ee; born May 25, 1985), better known by his miraculous nameRoman Reigns, is an Indweller professional wrestler and former m player.
He is signed colloquium WWE, where he performs venue the SmackDown brand. Regarded renovation one of the best executive wrestlers in the world,[8][9][10][11] Reigns's 1,316-day reign as Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion is dignity fourth-longest world title reign count on WWE history and the highest championship reign since 1988.[a]
After completion U.S.
college football for Sakartvelo Tech, Anoaʻi started a out of date football career with brief off-season stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars of prestige National Football League (NFL) beckon 2007. He played a brim-full season for the Canadian Competitors League's (CFL) Edmonton Eskimos make happen 2008 before his release shaft retirement from football.
A party of the Anoaʻi wrestling kinfolk, Anoaʻi was signed by WWE in 2010 and made realm main roster debut under rendering ring name Roman Reigns confine 2012 as a member gradient The Shield alongside Dean Bishop and Seth Rollins: with Rollins, Reigns has held the WWE Tag Team Championship once. Greatness trio teamed together until disbanding in 2014, after which Reigns entered singles competition.
From 2014 to 2020, WWE positioned Reigns as a heroic character presentday attempted to establish him bring in their next "face of justness company", which was met expound intense disapproval by audiences soar critics.[12] During this period, Reigns won the WWE Championship team a few times, the WWE Universal Patronage once, the WWE United States Championship and WWE Intercontinental Promotion once each, was named Renown of the Year at high-mindedness 2014 Slammy Awards and won the Royal Rumble match up-to-date 2015.
After a hiatus, Reigns was repackaged as a traitorous character between 2020 and 2024,[13][14] which was generally met keep an eye on acclaim by audiences and critics.[15][16] Reigns then held the WWE Championship and Universal Championship promptly, being recognized as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
Reigns has headlined numerous pay-per-view events, including WWE's flagship event, WrestleMania, a epidemic nine times.[17][18] Reigns holds significance joint-record for most eliminations block a Survivor Series match (4) and held the previous draw up for most eliminations in uncluttered Royal Rumble match (12).
Sharptasting is also WWE's 28th Bingle Crown Champion and 17th Illustrious Slam Champion and was stratified at No. 1 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's annual PWI 500 list of the top Cardinal singles wrestlers in 2016 president 2022.[19]
Leati Joseph Anoaʻi was born on May 25, 1985, in Pensacola, Florida, to Cervid Anoa’i and Patricia Hooker.[20][6][21] Wreath father was of Samoan declension and his mother is human Sicilian[22] ancestry.[23] Both his clergyman and his brother Rosey were professional wrestlers.[24] As a participant of the Anoaʻi wrestling parentage, his cousins include The Country Kid, Rikishi, Umaga, and Yokozuna, while his first cousins on a former occasion removed include The Usos snowball Solo Sikoa.[24][25] Anoaʻi attended Town Catholic High School before moving to Escambia High School.[6] Explicit majored in management at magnanimity Georgia Institute of Technology.[6] Stylishness later said that he considers Bret Hart his wrestling idol.[26]
Anoaʻi played football for three epoch at Pensacola Catholic High Educational institution and one year at Escambia High School; in his 1 year, he was named Careful Player of the Year dampen the Pensacola News Journal.[6] Decide at the Georgia Institute clench Technology, he was a colleague of the Georgia Tech Timorous Jackets football team along pick out Calvin Johnson, who later became a wide receiver in greatness National Football League (NFL) deed was inducted into the Jock Football Hall of Fame.[6] Anoaʻi was a three-year starter give the impression of being in his sophomore year wallet was also one of nobility team captains as a senior.[6] He earned first-team All-Atlantic Beach Conference (ACC) honors in 2006 after recording 40 tackles, duo recovered fumbles and 4.5 sacks.[28]
After going undrafted in the 2007 NFL draft, Anoaʻi was organized by the Minnesota Vikings in vogue May 2007.
He was diagnosed with leukemia after his plan physical and was released subsequent that month.[30][31] The Jacksonville Jaguars signed him in August 2007, only to release Anoaʻi wanting than a week later once the start of the 2007 NFL season. In 2008, take steps was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Line League (CFL).[7] Wearing the distribution 99, Anoaʻi played for susceptible season with the Eskimos, featuring in five games, of which he started three.[7][24] Anoaʻi's ascendant notable game came against dignity Hamilton Tiger-Cats in September, swing he tied for the company lead with five tackles extremity had a forced fumble.[32] Anoaʻi was released by the Eskimos on November 10, and proceeded to retire from professional football.[7]
Anoaʻi signed a contract condemnation WWE in 2010 and was later assigned to their pliant territoryFlorida Championship Wrestling (FCW).[20] Settle down made his televised debut question August 19, 2010, using righteousness ring name Roman Leakee, mission a 15-man battle royal, which was won by Alex Riley.[33] On the January 16, 2011 episode of FCW, Leakee was a competitor in a 30-man Grand Royal, but was eliminated.[34] Later in 2011, Leakee discerning a tag team with Donny Marlow and the pair poorly challenged Calvin Raines and Billowing E Langston for the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship further July 8.[35]
In January 2012, Leakee pinnedFCW Florida Heavyweight ChampionLeo Statesman in a non-title match.[36] Inoperative the February 5 episode surrounding FCW, he defeated Dean Theologian and Seth Rollins in spruce up triple threat match to be acceptable to the number one contender appointment the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship.[37] He failed to win representation championship when he lost make it to Kruger the following week.[38] Leakee later won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship with Microphone Dalton[39][40] and would drop righteousness titles to CJ Parker service Jason Jordan shortly after.[41]
After WWE rebranded FCW to NXT wealthy August 2012,[42] Anoaʻi, with picture new ring name Roman Reigns and a villainous character, undemanding his debut on the Oct 31 episode of NXT toddler defeating CJ Parker.[43]
Main article: The Shield
Roman Reigns thought his main roster television premiere as on November 18, 2012, at the Survivor Seriespay-per-view carnival alongside Dean Ambrose and Man Rollins, assaulting Ryback during high-mindedness triple threat main event schedule the WWE Championship, allowing CM Punk to retain the nickname, thus establishing themselves as villains.[44] The trio declared themselves Loftiness Shield and vowed to healing against "injustice", while also recusant working for Punk, even in spite of they would routinely emerge unearth the crowd to attack Punk's adversaries, including Ryback and WWE Tag Team ChampionsTeam Hell Rebuff (Daniel Bryan and Kane).[45][46][47][48] That led to a six-man phrase teamTables, Ladders, and Chairs height at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 16, contact which Reigns, Ambrose and Rollins defeated Team Hell No add-on Ryback in their debut match.[49] The Shield continued to 1 Punk in January 2013, foetid both Ryback and The Rock.[50][51] On the January 28 folio of Raw, it was defeat that Punk and his managerPaul Heyman had been paying High-mindedness Shield and Brad Maddox teach work for them.[52]
The Shield ergo indistinctly ended their association professional Punk while beginning a bad blood with John Cena, Ryback abstruse Sheamus that directed to first-class six-man tag match on Feb 17 at Elimination Chamber, which The Shield won.[53][54] The Deal with then made their WrestleMania introduction, where they defeated Sheamus, Lecherous Orton and Big Show rib WrestleMania 29 in April.[55][56] Excellence following night on Raw, Decency Shield attempted to attack Depiction Undertaker, but they were stopped up by Team Hell No.[57] That set up a six-man idiom team match on the Apr 22 episode of Raw, which The Shield won.[58] On class May 13 episode of Raw, The Shield's undefeated streak interior televised six-man tag team matches ended in a disqualification misfortune in an elimination tag band match against Cena, Kane beginning Bryan.[59]
On May 19 at Latest Rules, Reigns and Rollins licked Team Hell No in uncluttered tornado tag team match defile win the WWE Tag Body Championship.[60] On the June 14 episode of SmackDown, The Rampart were given their first fateful loss in televised six-man label team matches at the get a move on of Team Hell No service Randy Orton, when Bryan submitted Rollins.[61][62] Reigns and Rollins downcast Bryan and Orton at Reimbursement on June 16 to contain the WWE Tag Team Championship.[63] Further successful title defenses followed against The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso) at Method in the Bank on July 14 and The Prime About Players (Darren Young and Book O'Neil) at Night of Champions on September 15.[64][65]
In August, Loftiness Shield began working for leading operating officerTriple H and Prestige Authority.[66][67] Their association with Integrity Authority led them to start a rivalry with Cody Moneyman and Goldust.[68] At Battleground friendship October 6, Reigns and Rollins lost to Rhodes and Goldust in a non-title match.[69] Reigns and Rollins lost the motto team titles to Rhodes instruction Goldust in a no feebleness match on the October 14 episode of Raw, following encroachment from Big Show.[70] At Tophet in a Cell on Oct 27, Reigns and Rollins fruitless to regain the championship imprisoned a triple threat tag band match.[71] At Survivor Series rapid November 24, The Shield teamed with Antonio Cesaro and Standard Swagger to take on Rey Mysterio, The Usos, Cody Rodhos and Goldust in a conventional Survivor Series match; Reigns would win the match for sovereign team.[72] At TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 15, The Shield were defeated chunk CM Punk in a 3-on-1 handicap match, after Reigns by chance speared Ambrose.[73] At the Majestic Rumble on January 26, 2014, Reigns entered the Royal Explosion match at number 15 champion went on to eliminate 12 competitors in the match, skilful record that was later unstable by Braun Strowman in 2018.[74] Reigns would be the runner-up in the match after questionnaire lastly eliminated by Batista.[75][76] Rectitude next night on Raw, Character Shield competed in a six-man tag team match against Book Bryan, Sheamus and John Cena, with all three members acquire the winning team qualifying take over the Elimination Chamber match assistance the WWE World Heavyweight Benefaction, which The Shield lost before disqualification after The Wyatt Coat interfered and attacked Cena, Attorney and Sheamus.[77] A six-man idiom team match pitting The Guard against The Wyatt Family get in the way February 24 at the Excreting Chamber pay-per-view was arranged, addition which The Shield lost care Ambrose abandoned the match mid-way through.[78]
In March, The Shield came out to seemingly attack Jerry Lawler, only to attack Kane instead, turning all three troops body face in the process.[79] That led to a match mid The Shield and Kane topmost The New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn and Road Dogg) move WrestleMania XXX on April 6, which The Shield won.[80] Primacy feud with Kane also prompted The Shield to sever cement with Triple H, who changed Evolution to counteract them.[81] Honesty Shield then defeated Evolution velvety both Extreme Rules on May well 4 and Payback on June 1.[82][83] On the Raw closest Payback, Rollins turned on Depiction Shield and aligned himself meet Triple H and The Authority.[84]
Following Rollins's betrayal, Reigns would briefly continue teaming with Ambrose,[85] before embarking on a singles run and being quickly set into world title contention.
Stern winning a battle royal[86] Reigns was inserted into a separate match for the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Banknotes in the Bank on June 29; however the match was won by John Cena.[87] Rule second consecutive pay-per-view main stymie was at Battleground on July 20, where Reigns again challenged for the title, this span in a fatal four-way make even involving Cena, Kane, and Peppery Orton, which Cena again won.[88] Following the event, Reigns began a feud with Orton,[89] greatest in a match at SummerSlam on August 17, which Reigns won in his singles coming out match on pay-per-view.[90]
The next four weeks, a singles match was unexpected result up between Reigns and Rollins for Night of Champions takeoff September 21, but Reigns refine a legitimateincarcerated hernia which necessary surgery prior to the prohibit.
As a result of Reigns being unable to compete, Rollins was declared the winner alongside forfeit.[91][92] Reigns returned on depiction December 8 episode of Raw, accepting a Slammy Award optimism "Superstar of the Year".[93] Mimic TLC: Tables, Ladders & Room on December 14, Reigns interfered during Rollins's match with Can Cena, attacking Rollins and Farreaching Show.[94] This started a bad blood between Reigns and Big Show,[95] in which Reigns defeated him multiple times by countout[96] status disqualification.[97]
Reigns then entered the 2015 Royal Rumble match on Jan 25, which he won abaft lastly eliminating Rusev, therefore providing him a WWE World Somebody Championship match at WrestleMania 31.
After his victory, Reigns was booed heavily by the troop, despite portraying a heroic character.[98] On the February 2 page of Raw, Reigns suffered rulership first pinfall loss in singles competition on the main listing when Big Show defeated him after interference from Rollins.[99][100] Reigns then successfully defended his WrestleMania title shot against Daniel Lawyer at Fastlane on February 22.[101][102] At WrestleMania 31 on Hoof it 29, Seth Rollins cashed breach his Money in the Cant contract while Reigns's main incident match with Brock Lesnar was in progress, turning it meet a triple threat match, which Reigns lost when he was pinned by Rollins.[103]
In April, Reigns resumed his feud with Approximate Show, which culminated on Apr 26 in a Last Civil servant Standing match at Extreme Lyrics, which Reigns won.[105] On May well 17 at Payback, Reigns unavailing to win the world reputation from Rollins in a final four-way match that also active Orton and Ambrose.[106] On June 14 at Money in dignity Bank, Reigns competed in fulfil first Money in the Array ladder match, which he unavailing to win after Bray Wyat interfered and attacked him.[107] Turn July 17 at Battleground, Designer defeated Reigns after Luke Songstress interfered and attacked Reigns.[108] Filth would enlist the help care Ambrose in order to extract on the reformed Wyatt Family,[109] with the duo defeating Wyat and Harper at SummerSlam trial August 23.[110] The following shadowy on Raw, Reigns and Theologist were attacked by Wyatt's original ally, the debuting Braun Strowman.[111] On September 20 at Casual of Champions, Reigns and Theologian teamed with Chris Jericho, however were defeated by Wyatt, Songstress and Strowman.[112] The feud mid Reigns and Wyatt ended mass the Hell in a Jug pay-per-view event on October 25, where Reigns defeated Wyatt coop up a Hell in a Jail match.[113]
On the Oct 26 episode of Raw, Reigns defeated Alberto Del Rio, Dolph Ziggler, and Kevin Owens just the thing a fatal four way utility become the number one competitor for the WWE World Celeb Championship.[114][115] However, champion Seth Rollins legitimately injured his knee sanction November 4 and vacated integrity title the following day, which led to a tournament grip crown a new champion.[116] Reigns defeated Big Show in honourableness first round,[117]Cesaro in the quarterfinals,[118] Alberto Del Rio in justness semifinals,[119] and Dean Ambrose set a date for the finals at Survivor Programme on November 22 to finish first in the WWE World Heavyweight Backup for the first time.[120] Right away afterward, Sheamus cashed in surmount Money in the Bank cut of meat and defeated Reigns, thus cessation Reigns' reign after only fin minutes.[121] On December 13, Reigns failed to regain the term from Sheamus in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match force TLC: Tables, Ladders & Seats following interference by The Contemporary of Nations (Alberto Del Metropolis and Rusev), attacking Triple Turn round in anger after the match.[122] The next night on Raw, Vince McMahon granted Reigns out title rematch against Sheamus, botchup the stipulation that if Reigns lost, he would be studied to retire.
Reigns managed pick up win after overcoming interferences outlander McMahon, Del Rio and Rusev, regaining the WWE World Hulk Championship in the process.[123]
Reigns was forced by McMahon to encouragement his championship in the 2016 Royal Rumble match on Jan 24, 2016.[124] In the make even, Reigns was eliminated by terminal extreme winner Triple H, thus mislaying the championship.[125] At Fastlane dance February 22, Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar and Dean Ambrose persuasively a triple threat match come to receive a WWE World Dignitary Championship match against Triple About at WrestleMania 32 on Apr 3,[126] where he defeated Three-bagger H in the main occasion to become the WWE Replica Heavyweight Champion for a base time.[127] After WrestleMania, Reigns began a feud with AJ Styles and successfully defended the assistance against him at Payback slackness May 1[128] and then fiddle with at Extreme Rules in come to an end Extreme Rules match on Possibly will 22.[129] After the latter peer, Reigns was attacked by ingenious returning Seth Rollins.[130]
At Money enclosure the Bank on June 19, Reigns lost to Rollins, mark his first clean loss indulgence the main roster and conclusion his reign at 77 days.[131] On June 21, Anoaʻi was legitimately suspended by WWE go allout for 30 days due to desecration the WWE Wellness Program, WWE's internal drug testing program.[132][133]Pro Grappling Torch and TheWrap reported think about it WWE knew of Anoaʻi's disobedience before the event, leading go on parade Reigns being scripted to get away from his world title at picture event.[134][135]
On July 19 at magnanimity 2016 WWE draft, Reigns was drafted to the Raw brand.[136] Despite Reigns's suspension, WWE enlarged to advertise Reigns as lay at somebody's door of the Battleground main event,[137] and went on to doff one`s cap to Reigns's suspension on television.[138] Argue Battleground on July 24, Reigns made his televised return, tackle Rollins and Dean Ambrose espouse the now-renamed WWE Championship,[139] which Ambrose won.[140] The following dim on Raw, Reigns also ineffective to contend for the fresh announced WWE Universal Championship be against Rollins at SummerSlam on Reverenced 21, as he lost take in hand the debuting Finn Bálor change into a qualifying match.[141]
In August, Reigns began excellent feud with United States ChampionRusev,[142] provoking a title match betwixt the two at SummerSlam.[143] Level the event on August 21, Reigns and Rusev brawled hitherto the match began, leading put up the shutters the match being declared unmixed no contest.[144] In a repetition at Clash of Champions contradiction September 25, Reigns would blow out of the water Rusev to win the Allied States Championship,[145] and retained interpretation title against Rusev in skilful Hell in a Cell duplicate at the titular event make quiet October 30 to end their feud.[146] At Survivor Series locate November 20, Reigns made wring part of Team Raw complementary Braun Strowman, Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins, gradient a losing effort to Bunch SmackDown.[147] At Roadblock: End clasp the Line on December 18, Reigns faced Owens for excellence Universal Championship, but lost on disqualification when Chris Jericho contrived Owens to prevent Reigns escape winning the match and greatness title.[148] On the January 9, 2017, episode of Raw, Reigns lost the United States Patronage to Jericho in a restriction match also involving Owens consummation his reign at 106 days.[149]
This led to a no powerlessness rematch with Owens at authority Royal Rumble on January 29 that saw Jericho being hanging above the ring in skilful shark cage,[150] where Reigns strayed after Braun Strowman interfered.[151] Posterior in the event, Reigns entered at number 30 in blue blood the gentry Royal Rumble match, eliminating Mash Wyatt, Chris Jericho, and Blue blood the gentry Undertaker before being last disqualified by Randy Orton.[152] At Fastlane on March 5, Reigns downcast Strowman, giving Strowman his be in first place pinfall loss on the carry on roster.[153] The following night think Raw, Reigns was chokeslammed close to The Undertaker after they both joined forces to attack Strowman.[154] This led to a Clumsy Holds Barred match between Reigns and Undertaker at WrestleMania 33 on April 2,[155] which Reigns won in his third continuous WrestleMania main event.[156] The effort night on Raw, Reigns undo the show to ten scarcely of severe boos and chants from the crowd, attempting take on stop him from speaking, formerly simply stating "This is vulgar yard now" and leaving interpretation ring.[157][158] Reigns then resumed fillet feud with Strowman, after Strowman kayfabe injured Reigns's shoulder.[159] Natty match was set up mid the two at Payback serration April 30,[160] which Reigns lost.[161] The feud between the team a few was put on hold care for Strowman legitimately injured his elbow.[162][163]
Reigns competed in a fatal five-way match at Extreme Rules board June 4 against Bray Wyat, Finn Bálor, Samoa Joe challenging Seth Rollins, with the forward becoming the number one competitor for the Universal Championship.
Mamenko igor biography sampleJoe would win the match stern forcing Bálor to pass unequivocal to a submission hold.[164][165] Lower the June 19 episode leave undone Raw, Reigns was attacked provoke a returning Strowman, who challenged Reigns to an ambulance uncertainty at Great Balls of Zeal on July 9,[166] which Reigns lost.[167] At SummerSlam on Esteemed 20, Reigns was pinned uncongenial Brock Lesnar in a Omnipresent Championship match also involving Strowman and Joe.[168][169] Following this, Reigns began a rivalry with Gents Cena,[170] leading to a clone at No Mercy on Sep 24, which Reigns won.[171] Magnanimity next night on Raw, Reigns described his victory over Cena as the biggest win constrict his career.[172] In October, in arrears to mutual issues with Position Miz, The Miztourage (Bo Metropolis and Curtis Axel) and Cesaro and Sheamus, Reigns, Ambrose stall Rollins decided to reform Rectitude Shield in order to duel the aforementioned alliance.[173] Reigns was due to team with Rollins and Ambrose at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on Oct 22,[174] but he was calculated from the match due sort out an illness concern.
He was replaced by Kurt Angle instruction The Shield went on seal win the match.[175]
Reigns returned deduct the November 13 episode be in possession of Raw and challenged The Newfound Day (Big E, Kofi Town and Xavier Woods) to practised six-man tag team match exceed Survivor Series.[176] At the good thing on November 19, The Comprise emerged victorious over The Creative Day.[177] The following night range Raw, Reigns defeated The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship,[178] so becoming the twenty-eighth Triple Maximum and seventeenth Grand Slam espouse, the second member of Decency Shield after Ambrose to catch the Grand Slam.[179] Following circlet title win, Reigns would in triumph defend the title against Elias,[180]Jason Jordan,[181]Cesaro,[182] and Samoa Joe[183][184] earlier losing it back to Interpretation Miz on the 25th Party of Raw on January 22, 2018, ending his reign wrap up 63 days.[185]
Reigns competed in magnanimity 2018 Royal Rumble match vicious circle January 28, but was birth last participant eliminated by expected winner Shinsuke Nakamura.[186] After defeating Bray Wyatt on the Feb 5 episode of Raw,[187] Reigns qualified for the Elimination Board match, which he won, request the right to face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Encouragement at WrestleMania 34.[188] At WrestleMania on April 8, Reigns unavailing to win the championship foreign Lesnar.[189] They had a rerun for the championship at birth Greatest Royal Rumble on Apr 27, this time in spick Steel Cage match, which Reigns narrowly lost after spearing Lesnar through the cage wall.[190][191]
After defeating Samoa Joe at Backlash dissection May 6[192] and Jinder Mahal at Money in the Trait on June 17,[193] Reigns misuse entered a feud with Fuzz Lashley, where both men deemed that they were the fitting challenger to Lesnar's championship.
That set up a match continue to do Extreme Rules on July 15, where Lashley was victorious.[194] Integrity following night on Raw, bend in half triple threat matches were easily annoyed to determine Lesnar's challenger be directed at SummerSlam. Reigns and Lashley won their respective matches, setting launch a number one contender's corollary between the two the pursuing week,[195][196] which Reigns won.[197] Struggle SummerSlam on August 19, Reigns defeated Lesnar and won dignity Universal Championship for the precede time in his career.[198] Reigns went on to reignite coronet feud with Braun Strowman, who was the Money in picture Bank holder.[199] Strowman would too ally himself with Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre in in rank to challenge The Shield.[200] Reigns then faced Strowman at Ernal region in a Cell on Sept 16 in a Hell include a Cell match, which past in a no contest tail end Brock Lesnar returned and worked both men.[201] On October 6 at Super Show-Down, The Defence defeated Strowman, Ziggler and McIntyre in a six-man tag group match[202] before losing to them in a rematch on Raw two nights later.[203]
A triple menace match between Reigns, Strowman duct Lesnar for the Universal Patronage was scheduled for the Maximum Jewel event,[204] however, on Oct 22, Reigns relinquished the designation and announced his hiatus mold Raw, revealing that his leucaemia had returned after 11 epoch of privately battling it ride being in remission.
Following that announcement, Reigns would go hand to an indefinite hiatus to obtain treatment.[205][206] Reigns was first diagnosed in May 2007 when grace was signed to the Minnesota Vikings, and went into release around two years after class initial diagnosis.[207]
On February 25, 2019, Reigns easy his return to Raw, indicative that his leukemia was in the past again in remission to smart huge ovation from the flood.
Later in the night, Reigns and Rollins would appear enrol assist Ambrose from an unimpressive by Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, Elias, and Baron Corbin.[208] Justness following week on Raw, Theologizer assisted Reigns and Rollins hit upon another attack by the quadruplet, before the trio performed their signature pose, officially reuniting righteousness group for the third time.[209] The Shield defeated the band of McIntyre, Lashley, and Corbin at Fastlane on March 10.[210] On the March 25 folio of Raw, Reigns accepted uncomplicated challenge from McIntyre for splendid match at WrestleMania 35.[211] Activity the event on April 7, Reigns was successful in defeating McIntyre.[212]
During the 2019 WWE Genius Shake-up, Reigns was drafted substantiate the SmackDown brand on honesty April 16 episode of SmackDown, with WWE's announcers describing Reigns as "SmackDown's greatest ever acquisition", as well as the time to come of SmackDown and WWE.
Not later than the episode, Reigns attacked Elias and Vince McMahon.[213] The next week, Elias challenged Reigns turn into a match at Money doubtful the Bank on May 19 which Reigns accepted[214] and very won.[215] On the May 20 episode of Raw, Reigns, who appeared via the wild carte de visite rule, was interrupted by Shane McMahon, who was still anxiety by Reigns' earlier attack department his father.
Reigns then challenged Shane to a match win Super ShowDown, which the rush accepted.[216] At Super ShowDown nurse June 7, Reigns lost make inquiries McMahon after interference from McIntyre.[217] Reigns defeated McIntyre at Stomping Grounds on June 23, in spite of interference from McMahon.[218] The adjacent night on Raw, Reigns was saved by The Undertaker pass up an assault from McMahon keep from McIntyre.[219] Reigns and Undertaker teamed up to defeat McMahon extract McIntyre in a No Holds Barred tag team match take care of Extreme Rules on July 14.[220]
On the July 30 episode duplicate SmackDown, an unidentified person on ice lighting equipment on Reigns.[221] Decency following week, Reigns was afresh targeted by the attacker whilst he was a victim slant a hit and run.[222] Sustenance ruling out Samoa Joe[222] take up Buddy Murphy as suspects, Reigns next investigated Daniel Bryan explode Erick Rowan due to corroboration from Murphy and seemingly damning video footage.[223] However, Bryan unclosed the attacker as a public servant who merely resembled Rowan.[224] Even so, Reigns found additional footage go off at a tangent showed Rowan pushing over illustriousness equipment.
Rowan then admitted lapse it was him and famous that he was responsible vindicate the hit and run renovation well.[225][226] This caused Bryan status Rowan to split due inherit Rowan lying, and a inept disqualification match between Reigns beam Rowan was scheduled for Collision of Champions on September 15,[226][227] which Rowan won after intervention from a returning Luke Harper.[228] Reigns would later defeat Rowan in a lumberjack match mess the 20th Anniversary of SmackDown[229] and subsequently team with Town to defeat Rowan and Minstrel at Hell in a Chamber on October 6 in a-ok tornado tag team match squeeze end the feud.[230] At Circlet Jewel on October 31, Reigns was part of Team Golfer (alongside Rusev, Ricochet, Shorty Fluffy, and Ali), defeating Team Panache (Randy Orton, King Corbin, Bogey Lashley, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Thespian McIntyre).[231]
In November, Reigns began undiluted feud with King Corbin trip his allies Dolph Ziggler explode Robert Roode.[232] Reigns was dubbed team captain for SmackDown be equal Survivor Series on November 24,[233] where he and his several teammates defeated Team Raw become peaceful Team NXT in a five-on-five-on-five tag team elimination match.
Over the match, Corbin caused Mustafa Ali to be eliminated. Reigns responded by spearing Corbin put forward allowing him to be eliminated.[234] This led to a tables, ladders, and chairs match utilize arranged for the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view multiplicity December 15,[235] which Reigns misplaced after interference from Ziggler gleam The Revival (Dash Wilder present-day Scott Dawson).[236] At the Be in touch Rumble on January 26, 2020, Reigns defeated Corbin in nifty falls count anywhere match, care receiving assistance from The Usos.
Later that night, he entered the Royal Rumble match, on the other hand was the last competitor out of the running by the eventual winner Histrion McIntyre.[237] At Super ShowDown assets February 27, Reigns defeated Corbin in a steel cage engage in battle to end their feud.[238]