Roman Reigns is one of the biggest stars in WWE today. He is the undisputed WWE Universal Champion, the leader of the Bloodline, and the head of the table. He comes from a legendary wrestling family, the Anoa’i family, which has produced many famous names in the industry, such as The Rock, Rikishi, The Usos, and Yokozuna.
But what about Umaga? The late superstar was known as the Samoan bulldozer, a fearsome and dominant force who wreaked havoc on Monday Night RAW and SmackDown between 2005 and 2009. He was a two-time Intercontinental Champion and a formidable opponent for anyone who crossed his path.
Was Umaga related to Roman Reigns? How close were they? And what impact did Umaga have on Reigns’ career? Let’s find out.
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Umaga and Roman Reigns were first cousins
The answer is yes, Umaga and Roman Reigns were related. They were first cousins under the Anoa’i family tree. Umaga’s father, Elevera Anoa’i, was the brother of Roman Reigns’ father, Sika. Sika was one half of the Wild Samoans, a legendary tag team that won the WWF Tag Team Championship three times.
Umaga and Roman Reigns were not the only cousins in the family. Umaga was also related to The Rock, Rikishi, The Usos, Yokozuna, Rosey, and many others. The Anoa’i family is one of the most influential and successful wrestling dynasties in history.
Umaga inspired Roman Reigns to pursue wrestling
Roman Reigns was born into pro-wrestling royalty, but he did not start his career in WWE right away. He first played college football at Georgia Tech and then tried to make it in the NFL. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings and the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he was released before playing a single game.
Reigns then decided to follow his family’s footsteps and pursue wrestling. He signed with WWE’s developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) in 2010 and made his debut under the ring name Leakee. He later changed his name to Roman Reigns and joined The Shield, a faction that also included Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.
Reigns has credited Umaga as one of his main inspirations for becoming a wrestler. In an interview with Super Luchas, he said:
Everything revolves around my cousin Umaga. At that time, when I was in college, he was a great WWE Superstar. He passed away too soon, but he was the fuel for all of us.
Umaga was a mentor and a role model for Reigns and many other young wrestlers in the family. He helped them train and gave them advice on how to succeed in WWE.
Umaga never faced Roman Reigns in the ring
Unfortunately, we never got to see Umaga vs. Roman Reigns in a WWE ring. Umaga passed away on December 4th, 2009, due to a heart attack caused by a drug overdose. He was only 36 years old.
Umaga had been released by WWE six months earlier for violating their Wellness Policy. He had refused to enter a rehabilitation program after failing two drug tests. He had also suffered several injuries during his career that affected his health.
Umaga’s death was a huge loss for WWE and the wrestling world. He was one of the most talented and charismatic performers of his generation. He had memorable feuds with John Cena, Triple H, Jeff Hardy, Batista, Bobby Lashley, and many others.
Roman Reigns was just starting his wrestling career when Umaga died. He never got to share the ring with his cousin or learn from him directly. However, he has honored Umaga’s legacy by carrying on the Anoa’i family tradition of excellence and dominance in WWE.
Conclusion
Umaga and Roman Reigns were cousins who shared a passion for wrestling. Umaga inspired Reigns to follow his dream and become a WWE superstar. They never faced each other in the ring, but they have both left their mark on WWE history.
Umaga was a powerhouse who entertained millions of fans with his unique style and personality. Roman Reigns is a leader who commands respect and loyalty from his peers and rivals. They are both part of the Anoa’i family legacy that will live on forever.
