Everything You Need to Know About Roman Reigns’ Legendary Anoa’i Family

Roman Reigns is one of the most dominant Superstars in WWE right now. His influence stretches throughout the fan base and he had been the face of the company for quite some time. 

“The Big Dog” comes from a long line of power, with almost all his relatives being in the professional Wrestling business at some point. This group is the Anoa’i family, one of the most respected wrestling families in professional wrestling history.

The Anoa’is have given generations of their members to the ring. WWE has relied on their bloodline to Ould the best Superstars that have ever set foot in the ring. Roman Reigns is not the first, and certainly will not be the last.

1. Rikishi 

Rikishi is probably one of the most prominent members of the Anoa’i family. His time in WWE cemented his status as a future Hall of Famer. Fans have the clearest memories of Rikishi in the ring.

The one thing wrestlers kept in mind while heading into the ring with this big man was never to get caught at the corner of the ring lying down on the bottom turnbuckle. 

Rikishi literally made his opponents kiss his behind with one of the most famous moves in WWE history- Stink Face. He became a crowd favourite through this move, sending the audience in roars of laughter every time an opponent got Stink Faced.

Rikishi left WWE as a one-time Intercontinental Champion, two-time World Tag team Champion, and One time WWE Tag Team Champion.

2. Umaga

The late Umaga was probably one of the most hardcore men in WWE. His monstrous gimmick saw him spare no brutality against his rivals and he often used his raw physicality to overpower them.

Umaga had a very peculiar finishing move, where he used his thumb to deliver a sharp poke to the opponent’s neck. He called this the “Samoan Spike”. The poke was enough to leave opponents fighting for breath and often incapacitate them. This made them care a lot less if Umaga pinned them.

Umaga had a glorious beginning at WWE, winning throughout most of 2006. He won the Intercontinental Championship twice in his career at WWE.

3. Yokozuna 

There has never been a more iconic gimmick than Yokozuna. Named after the highest attainable order in Sumo wrestling in Japan, Yokozuna conquered the main roster. 

His huge presence left wrestlers in awe. Forget pinning him, bringing him to the ground was a task in itself. Most Superstars never managed to do it.

Yokozuna had a decorated career in Wrestling, being a two-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, and a two-time WWF Tag Team Champion alongside Owen Hart. He set the course of the early 90s for WWE and made an impact before calling time on his career.

4. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

The Rock is the most high profile member of this family. Although not directly related to Roman Reigns, Johnson has ties with the Anoa’i family bloodline.

The Rock and his father, Rocky Johnson, are both considered to be Wrestling greats and honorary members of the Anoa’i family. Dwayne Johnson himself is widely recognised as the greatest entertainer WWE has ever seen. His skills on the mic are unparalleled to this day.

The Rock, besides being the face of the company and being part of the greatest rivalry of the Attitude Era, is a 10 time WWE World Champion. This includes 3 reigns as the WWE Championship, 2 reigns as the Intercontinental Champion and 5 reigns as the Tag team championship with different partners.

He is now one of the most popular personalities on the planet. His Hollywood acting career has taken him beyond the stars. The Rock has truly seen and done it all. He is one of the few personalities to be at rock bottom and make it to the very top.

5. Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka 

“Superfly” was one of the most influential wrestlers of the New Generation era. Before the greats of the Attitude Era took over, men like Jimmy Snuka, Roddy Piper, and Hulk Hogan ruled the WWF Universe. 

His daring high flying moves set the tone for the future of WWE. Whenever the crowd feels that a move is too high or insane to perform, they start chanting “Superfly” in memory of this legend.

Snuka was known for delivering the Superfly Splash from the top of WWF steel cages. His daring moves are remembered to this day by WWE fans. Snuka wa inducted in the Hall of Fame class of 1996 and has also been awarded the WWE Lifetime Award.

6. Nia Jax

Yes, the dominant Nia Jax is also unsurprisingly related to Roman Reigns. Nia is one of the strongest female superstars to ever enter the ring. 

Her physique gives her a huge edge over opponents who don’t seem to get enough of a punch on her. Jax is capable of obliterating her opponents and is known for her rough techniques.

Nia Jax is a one time Raw Women’s Champion and also a one time Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Shayna Baszler.

7. Tamina Snuka 

Tamina Snuka is the daughter of the earlier mentioned Jimmy Snuka, who has given years of her professional wrestling career to WWE. Like her father, she is also a high-flyer and enjoys getting on the top rope on multiple occasions.

Tamina is a one-time WWE 24/7 Champion, and is yet to make a bigger impact on the main roster.

8. Naomi

Through her marriage with Jimmy Uso, Naomi has also become a member of the Anoa’i family. She has been making a constant impact on WWE’s main roster. Mostly a Superstar of the blue brand, Naomi is already a two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion. 

She has competed with the best WWE has to offer and has come out on top on multiple occasions. Naomi has a lot of successful years left for her yet.

9. The Wild Samoans 

Sika Anaoa’i, Roman’s own father, formed a great tag-team duo with his brother Afa Anoa’i called the Wild Samoans. Although they may not be remembered or even heard of by the current generation of fans, they surely made ripples into waves in the Tag Team division back then.

10. The Usos- Jimmy and Jey

Jimmy and Jey Uso, the famous tag-team duo, are the cousins of Roman Reigns. They have bee together since the beginning until Jey got his break as a solo superstar in 2020.

The Usos have been one of WWE’s most consistent Tag team in modern times and have held the WWE Tag Team Championship for a total of six times.

Jey Uso was involved in a big family and blood-related feud with Roman Reigns. This was the first time the Anaoa’i family has come in direct conflict in WWE.

11. Sam Fatu and Other WWF Superstars 

Among other members of the Anoa’i family to grace the WWE ring are Sam Fatu, Rosey, Samu, “Tahitian Savage” Llyod Anoa’i, and Manu. All these Superstars had their time in WWE. Sam Fatu wrestled in WWF and joined WCW later on in his career.

12. Wife and Daughter 

The closest to the home of Roman Reigns, and also his heart. Reigns’ wife, Galina Becker, is a former athlete and model. She met Reigns in college, and the two have been in love ever since. 

Roman married Galina on December 6, 2014, and has seen nothing but smooth sailing since then. Galina has always supported Reigns even when he was a developmental talent. Her investment has paid off, and he is now the best in the business.

Reigns’ daughter Joelle Anoa’i was born on December 14, 2007. Seeing her share light-hearted moments with Reigns will certainly make your day.

Roman Reigns has exceeded the expectations, being a member of the Anoa’i family. He has kept the name of his family up at the top levels, and will undoubtedly pave the path for the successor to come in the future.

For now, “The Big Dog” is the top dog in the WWE ring.