Reigns was ready to leave the WWE behind four years ago.
Roman Reigns will headline WrestleMania once again next weekend, but WWE’s Tribal Chief was ready to leave the wrestling ring behind him four years ago.
Next weekend, Reigns will compete on both nights of WrestleMania 40. On the first night, he will team with The Rock to face Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. The following night, he will put his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship on the line against Rhodes. This will be the American Nightmare’s last opportunity to win the gold from Reigns, an edict made by TKO board member/Bloodline member The Rock.
Roman Reigns in 2020
In the run-up to WrestleMania 36, Reigns was poised to challenge Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship. Goldberg had won the title from ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt at WWE Super Showdown in February that same year.
In the days running up to WrestleMania though, Reigns pulled out of the show, thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. As someone who was immunocompromised due to his past battles with leukemia, Reigns opted to prioritize his health over the risk of being infected at the WrestleMania taping.