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Who Trained Roman Reigns?

Published in Professional Wrestling Training 2 mins read

Roman Reigns received training from multiple notable figures throughout his early career, including his father and uncle, followed by renowned coaches within WWE's developmental system.

Upon signing with WWE in 2010, Roman Reigns, whose birth name is Leati Joseph Anoaʻi, began his professional wrestling journey. His initial training roots were deeply embedded within his legendary wrestling family.

Key Trainers of Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns' training can be broken down into two distinct phases:

  • Family Mentorship: Before his official WWE contract, Reigns was trained by close family members who are giants in professional wrestling.
  • WWE Developmental System: After signing with WWE, he continued his development under experienced coaches at their developmental territories.

Here's a breakdown of his trainers:

Initial Family Training:

  • His Father: Sika Anoa'i (also known as Sika), a WWE Hall of Famer and one half of the legendary Wild Samoans tag team.
  • His Uncle: Afa Anoa'i (also known as Afa), another WWE Hall of Famer and the other half of The Wild Samoans.

This initial training provided him with a strong foundation rooted in the Anoa'i family's rich wrestling heritage.

WWE Developmental Training:

After signing his contract, Roman Reigns was assigned to WWE's developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which later evolved into NXT. During his time there, he received training from:

  • Dusty Rhodes: "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes was a wrestling icon and a highly respected trainer and creative mind within WWE's developmental system. He played a crucial role in shaping many future WWE Superstars.
  • Steve Keirn: Known as one half of The Fabulous Ones tag team, Steve Keirn also had a significant role as a trainer and administrator in FCW, helping to refine the skills of new talent.

This comprehensive training regimen, blending family tradition with professional developmental coaching, prepared Roman Reigns for his eventual rise to become one of WWE's most dominant and recognized Superstars.

Evolution of Roman Reigns' Training Journey

Training Phase Key Trainers Period/Context Impact
Family Foundation Sika Anoa'i (Father) Pre-WWE Contract (Early 2010) Instilled fundamental wrestling techniques and family tradition
Afa Anoa'i (Uncle)
Developmental System Dusty Rhodes Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) / Early WWE career (2010-2012) Refined ring psychology, promo skills, and character development
Steve Keirn

This combination of familial mentorship and professional guidance from experienced coaches ensured that Roman Reigns was well-equipped to navigate the demanding world of professional wrestling, ultimately leading to his significant achievements in WWE.