If you are a fan of WWE, you might have wondered if Roman Reigns and Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, are related. The two wrestlers have often referred to each other as cousins, and they even played brothers in the Fast and Furious spinoff Hobbs and Shaw. But are they really blood relatives, or is it just a showbiz gimmick? Here’s what we know about their family connection.
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The Rock and Roman Reigns are Cousins in Real Life
According to FirstSportz, The Rock and Roman Reigns are indeed related to each other and cousins in real life. Their grandfathers, High Chief Peter Maivia and Amituanai Anoa’i, were blood brothers, which means they shared a bond of loyalty and friendship that was stronger than blood
The Rock’s mother, Lia Maivia Johnson, and Roman Reigns’ father, Sika Anoa’i, are first cousins, making them second cousins once removed The Rock and Roman Reigns often call each other cousins because their families have known each other for years and share a Samoan heritage
The Rock and Roman Reigns are Part of a Wrestling Dynasty
The Rock and Roman Reigns are not the only members of their family who have made a name for themselves in the wrestling world. They belong to the Anoa’i family, a dynasty of professional wrestlers originating from American Samoa
Some of the famous members of the Anoa’i family include WWE Hall of Famers Rikishi, Yokozuna, and the Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika Anoa’i). Other notable members include The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso), Umaga, Rosey, Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa
The Anoa’i family tree is quite extensive and complex, with many wrestlers related by marriage or adoption. For example, Jimmy Snuka is related by marriage to the Anoa’i family, with his children Sarona Snuka (Tamina) and Jimmy Snuka Jr (Deuce or Sim Snuka) having both wrestled for WWE
Another example is Nia Jax, who is The Rock’s second cousin once removed. Her father is Joseph Fanene, who is Peter Maivia’s first cousin Naomi, who is married to Jimmy Uso, is also part of the family by marriage
The Rock and Roman Reigns Have a Close Bond
The Rock and Roman Reigns have a close bond that goes beyond their family ties. They have supported each other through their careers and personal struggles.
In 2019, The Rock cast Roman Reigns as his brother in Hobbs and Shaw, marking Roman’s first movie role since his leukemia went into remission earlier that year. The Rock revealed why he chose Roman for the film in an interview with ET.
“When we had the opportunity to showcase my Samoan culture, I thought, ‘Well, let me go get my real blood,’” he explained. “And, I went out and got Roman Reigns, but he had to earn the part. He sent his audition tape in like everybody else.”
The Rock also praised Roman for his courage and strength in battling cancer since he was 22. He said he was proud of him for being an inspiration to others who are fighting the disease
Roman Reigns has also expressed his gratitude and admiration for The Rock on several occasions. He thanked him for giving him the opportunity to work with him on Hobbs and Shaw, and said he learned a lot from him on set. He also said he would love to face him in a WWE match someday
