1
00:00:08,216 --> 00:00:11,256
- What a display
of dominance and power.
2
00:00:11,302 --> 00:00:14,312
Roman continues to reign.
3
00:00:15,015 --> 00:00:18,765
- At this point there's
no smoke and mirrors with me.
4
00:00:18,810 --> 00:00:20,150
I don't costume myself.
5
00:00:20,186 --> 00:00:21,936
I'm not running around
with a snake.
6
00:00:21,980 --> 00:00:23,480
- Look at this.
7
00:00:23,523 --> 00:00:24,903
- The Mouth is fighting
for his life in there.
8
00:00:24,941 --> 00:00:26,401
- Great respect to him,
9
00:00:26,443 --> 00:00:29,203
but Hulk Hogan
doesn't work in 2022.
10
00:00:30,405 --> 00:00:32,065
Even The Undertaker,
11
00:00:32,115 --> 00:00:35,785
it's not the same as it was
back in the early '90s.
12
00:00:35,827 --> 00:00:37,997
- Roman Reigns is so good
at being a bad guy
13
00:00:38,038 --> 00:00:40,618
'cause he seems to enjoy it.
He seems to revel in it.
14
00:00:40,665 --> 00:00:42,785
He seems to get energy from it.
15
00:00:43,752 --> 00:00:45,382
- I'll whoop
all y'all's asses.
16
00:00:45,420 --> 00:00:47,210
Come on, suckers.
Come on.
17
00:00:47,255 --> 00:00:49,545
- He indulges in it.
18
00:00:49,591 --> 00:00:51,721
You can just see it
in his posture
19
00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:53,640
and the tone of voice
that he uses...
20
00:00:53,678 --> 00:00:56,848
- In all that I do
for our family.
21
00:00:56,890 --> 00:00:58,310
- It's so authentic.
22
00:00:58,350 --> 00:01:01,730
He's not purely evil,
23
00:01:01,770 --> 00:01:02,980
he's purely who he is.
24
00:01:03,021 --> 00:01:05,321
- Oh, God, are you kidding me?
- [groans]
25
00:01:05,357 --> 00:01:06,227
- Roman, no.
- No.
26
00:01:06,274 --> 00:01:07,904
[groans]
27
00:01:07,942 --> 00:01:10,782
- His performance as a villain
is above all others.
28
00:01:10,820 --> 00:01:13,200
* *
29
00:01:13,239 --> 00:01:15,489
- He's being the worst
he's ever been.
30
00:01:15,533 --> 00:01:18,243
The most disrespectful.
31
00:01:18,286 --> 00:01:20,746
The most absurd.
The most cocky.
32
00:01:20,789 --> 00:01:22,459
- I told you.
33
00:01:22,499 --> 00:01:24,959
Everything that I've ever done,
up until this point
34
00:01:25,001 --> 00:01:29,261
has been a part of making this
performance 100% authentic.
35
00:01:29,297 --> 00:01:30,967
- [screams]
36
00:01:31,007 --> 00:01:34,637
- He's the most ruthless,
the most violent,
37
00:01:34,678 --> 00:01:38,178
a desire to be the best
that has ever done this.
38
00:01:38,223 --> 00:01:42,813
- Who, if anyone, can stop
the Head of the Table?
39
00:01:42,852 --> 00:01:45,812
- I'm not playing a character.
I am the character.
40
00:01:45,855 --> 00:01:48,815
[eerie music]
41
00:01:48,858 --> 00:01:54,698
* *
42
00:02:07,043 --> 00:02:10,963
[crowd cheering]
43
00:02:11,006 --> 00:02:13,046
- Roman Reigns is one
of the most accomplished
44
00:02:13,091 --> 00:02:16,971
WWE Superstars of all time.
45
00:02:17,012 --> 00:02:19,722
But unlike
most great champions,
46
00:02:19,764 --> 00:02:24,354
the WWE Universe has not
always embraced the Big Dog.
47
00:02:24,394 --> 00:02:28,984
[crowd chanting "Roman sucks!"]
48
00:02:29,024 --> 00:02:32,074
[crowd chanting "Go away!"]
49
00:02:32,110 --> 00:02:35,360
[crowd chanting "You suck!"]
50
00:02:35,405 --> 00:02:37,985
After nearly a decade,
51
00:02:38,033 --> 00:02:41,243
has his love/hate relationship
with the WWE Universe...
52
00:02:41,286 --> 00:02:44,576
[crowd chanting
"Roman Reigns!"]
53
00:02:44,622 --> 00:02:47,672
Finally released
the demon within?
54
00:02:47,709 --> 00:02:49,419
- Bryan is through the table.
55
00:02:49,461 --> 00:02:51,251
* *
56
00:02:51,296 --> 00:02:52,876
And just like that,
57
00:02:52,922 --> 00:02:56,762
Roman Reigns
will retain the championship.
58
00:02:57,844 --> 00:03:00,894
- I've always known
I'm supposed to be somebody.
59
00:03:01,931 --> 00:03:04,731
I knew that,
like, I had something
60
00:03:04,768 --> 00:03:07,728
big that was destined for me.
61
00:03:07,771 --> 00:03:09,941
It's not one of those
just shot out of the cannon,
62
00:03:09,981 --> 00:03:11,521
right to the moon stories.
63
00:03:11,566 --> 00:03:15,486
This has been a very
in the trenches,
64
00:03:15,528 --> 00:03:18,618
day in, day out,
year after year
65
00:03:18,656 --> 00:03:20,616
critical journey
that I had to take
66
00:03:20,658 --> 00:03:23,038
in order to take on
this responsibility
67
00:03:23,078 --> 00:03:24,448
of the family business.
68
00:03:24,496 --> 00:03:25,576
- They've got to be
the toughest tag team.
69
00:03:25,622 --> 00:03:27,622
- The Bloodline
refers to the fact
70
00:03:27,665 --> 00:03:29,535
that Roman Reigns
is a part of this
71
00:03:29,584 --> 00:03:33,304
incredibly successful
wrestling family
72
00:03:33,338 --> 00:03:34,878
with tons of big names
73
00:03:34,923 --> 00:03:37,433
who have been massive stars
over the years.
74
00:03:37,467 --> 00:03:39,387
- The branches on
the family tree are crazy.
75
00:03:39,427 --> 00:03:41,007
So you got Sika, his father.
76
00:03:41,054 --> 00:03:43,144
- Sika is bigger
than Hogan is now.
77
00:03:43,181 --> 00:03:46,811
- You got Afa
who is Sika's brother.
78
00:03:46,851 --> 00:03:48,811
Probably one of the greatest
tag teams of all time.
79
00:03:48,853 --> 00:03:52,443
And then you got Rikishi
who is Roman's cousin.
80
00:03:52,482 --> 00:03:55,782
And Rikishi is the dad
of Jimmy and Jey.
81
00:03:55,819 --> 00:03:57,399
And they're a part
of the Bloodline.
82
00:03:57,445 --> 00:04:00,695
You got Yokozuna who's
the cousin through marriage.
83
00:04:00,740 --> 00:04:02,620
You got Tamina who's a cousin.
84
00:04:02,659 --> 00:04:04,489
You got
Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson
85
00:04:04,536 --> 00:04:05,826
who's a cousin
through marriage.
86
00:04:05,870 --> 00:04:08,870
How deep does the bloodline go?
87
00:04:08,915 --> 00:04:11,455
- Our legacy
is such a thick web.
88
00:04:11,501 --> 00:04:13,881
It wasn't just my dad.
It wasn't just my uncle.
89
00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:16,670
I mean,
I had a dozen cousins do it.
90
00:04:16,715 --> 00:04:20,545
Some of my very first memories
is watching my dad...
91
00:04:20,593 --> 00:04:22,973
- Here comes Sika again
with another headbutt.
92
00:04:23,013 --> 00:04:24,683
- Smash his opponents.
93
00:04:25,515 --> 00:04:29,345
I mean, you know, I was born
and raised in this business.
94
00:04:29,394 --> 00:04:30,944
It's a very physical
lifestyle.
95
00:04:30,979 --> 00:04:34,519
What I grew up around,
watching my dad set that tone
96
00:04:34,566 --> 00:04:35,936
for being a savage out there.
97
00:04:35,984 --> 00:04:39,204
It's hard not
to picture yourself
98
00:04:39,237 --> 00:04:40,857
in this form of entertainment.
99
00:04:40,905 --> 00:04:43,945
Like, I can do that too.
This is how we've always
100
00:04:43,992 --> 00:04:46,332
provided for our family
is in that ring.
101
00:04:46,369 --> 00:04:48,249
It's just all we've ever known.
102
00:04:48,288 --> 00:04:50,208
It's who we are.
103
00:04:50,248 --> 00:04:51,958
* *
104
00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,840
- As a kid,
Joe was very confident
105
00:04:54,878 --> 00:04:57,258
and it's exactly what
Roman is today.
106
00:04:57,297 --> 00:04:59,337
Growing up, man,
he always tried
107
00:04:59,382 --> 00:05:01,842
to one up me and my brother.
108
00:05:01,885 --> 00:05:05,255
- We was competing in drawing,
board games,
109
00:05:05,305 --> 00:05:07,215
football games,
in the classroom,
110
00:05:07,265 --> 00:05:08,475
even with girls, man.
111
00:05:08,516 --> 00:05:10,306
I think that's where
the Big Dog was created.
112
00:05:10,352 --> 00:05:11,732
* *
113
00:05:11,770 --> 00:05:12,980
- He's always been playing
114
00:05:13,021 --> 00:05:15,361
the mind games
when we was kids.
115
00:05:15,398 --> 00:05:16,858
"Yo, man, you want
that last slice?
116
00:05:16,900 --> 00:05:18,280
"You don't want that
last slice of pizza, man.
117
00:05:18,318 --> 00:05:20,528
"'Cause you ate--you already
ate all the pizza, right?
118
00:05:20,570 --> 00:05:21,950
"'Cause let me get--I'm sure.
Yeah, all right.
119
00:05:21,988 --> 00:05:23,158
Go ahead, dog.
You can have it."
120
00:05:23,198 --> 00:05:24,448
You know, he do them things.
121
00:05:24,491 --> 00:05:26,081
Say we running
a basketball game or something.
122
00:05:26,117 --> 00:05:29,447
If he got there too late and
we already started the game,
123
00:05:29,496 --> 00:05:30,866
he'd be like,
"Yo, let me jump in."
124
00:05:30,914 --> 00:05:32,004
"Sorry, bro,
we already started."
125
00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:33,420
He'd grab the ball.
126
00:05:33,458 --> 00:05:34,668
He'd chuck it over in
the next door neighbor's yard.
127
00:05:34,709 --> 00:05:36,959
Ain't nobody playing.
128
00:05:37,003 --> 00:05:40,513
- While many in the family
were wrestling superstars,
129
00:05:40,548 --> 00:05:43,678
Roman's first passion
was football.
130
00:05:43,718 --> 00:05:46,348
- Joe was like 6'1",
225 in high school.
131
00:05:46,388 --> 00:05:47,848
You know, he was a beast.
132
00:05:47,889 --> 00:05:50,559
Definitely thought football
would be his calling.
133
00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:53,810
- I signed with
Georgia Tech.
134
00:05:53,853 --> 00:05:56,233
Playing Division I
college football,
135
00:05:56,272 --> 00:06:00,652
it really pushed me to want to
be able carve out my own path
136
00:06:00,694 --> 00:06:03,574
and really define myself
in my own light.
137
00:06:03,613 --> 00:06:05,073
I was really good.
138
00:06:05,115 --> 00:06:08,785
[birds chirruping]
139
00:06:08,827 --> 00:06:10,157
Well, I signed
with the Vikings,
140
00:06:10,203 --> 00:06:13,423
and I went up there
for rookie camp.
141
00:06:13,456 --> 00:06:15,956
Went through all my physicals.
142
00:06:16,001 --> 00:06:17,711
And by the time I was done
with my practice
143
00:06:17,752 --> 00:06:20,922
that first practice...
144
00:06:21,673 --> 00:06:23,933
All the test results
for my bloodwork came back,
145
00:06:23,967 --> 00:06:27,097
and that's when I was
introduced to leukemia.
146
00:06:27,137 --> 00:06:30,137
* *
147
00:06:30,181 --> 00:06:33,271
My mind was blown.
148
00:06:33,309 --> 00:06:35,899
My heart was broken.
149
00:06:35,937 --> 00:06:38,567
I was scared for my life.
150
00:06:39,983 --> 00:06:43,153
When you have something
that you can't control,
151
00:06:43,194 --> 00:06:44,784
it affects you
all the way around.
152
00:06:44,821 --> 00:06:49,201
Mentally, emotionally.
It effects everything.
153
00:06:49,242 --> 00:06:50,542
It wasn't easy.
154
00:06:51,828 --> 00:06:54,078
- I remember feeling
just as shocked as everyone.
155
00:06:54,122 --> 00:06:56,752
Like, not my family.
Like, no, not Joe.
156
00:06:56,791 --> 00:06:58,341
He can't go out like that.
157
00:06:58,376 --> 00:07:01,336
- The last place I want to
like, just let my dream
158
00:07:01,379 --> 00:07:03,549
fall through or everything
that I've worked for
159
00:07:03,590 --> 00:07:05,590
is in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
160
00:07:05,633 --> 00:07:06,973
Like, so the first thing
was to get home,
161
00:07:07,010 --> 00:07:08,640
get back down
to Pensacola, Florida.
162
00:07:08,678 --> 00:07:10,638
Get around my loved ones,
my mom.
163
00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:13,850
Once we got to about a year
and a half or so,
164
00:07:13,892 --> 00:07:16,102
when we really started
to see significant movement
165
00:07:16,144 --> 00:07:18,864
in my bloodwork,
that's when, you know,
166
00:07:18,897 --> 00:07:20,397
I started to feel like,
167
00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:24,900
"Okay, I might be able
to live a normal life."
168
00:07:24,944 --> 00:07:27,704
As far as chasing dreams
and being an athlete,
169
00:07:27,739 --> 00:07:29,369
that was completely
up in the air.
170
00:07:29,407 --> 00:07:31,117
* *
171
00:07:31,159 --> 00:07:35,659
- With his cancer in remission
and his football dreams over,
172
00:07:35,705 --> 00:07:38,825
Roman contemplated his future.
173
00:07:38,875 --> 00:07:40,495
- I talked to my cousins.
174
00:07:40,543 --> 00:07:41,673
They had already
started working
175
00:07:41,711 --> 00:07:43,001
on the independent scene.
176
00:07:43,046 --> 00:07:46,676
- Making their debut
as a tandem here at FCW,
177
00:07:46,716 --> 00:07:49,386
Jimmy and Jules Uso.
178
00:07:49,427 --> 00:07:51,757
- When me and my brother,
we was down in Tampa, Florida
179
00:07:51,805 --> 00:07:54,885
with the FCW doing our thing.
180
00:07:54,933 --> 00:07:57,353
- Jimmy and Jules Uso.
181
00:07:57,394 --> 00:07:58,774
- I remember we had
the conversation.
182
00:07:58,812 --> 00:08:01,362
"How is it wrestling?"
"Yo, you gotta come.
183
00:08:01,398 --> 00:08:03,858
"You gotta come down here, bro.
You gotta be here.
184
00:08:03,900 --> 00:08:05,400
This is where
we supposed to be at."
185
00:08:05,443 --> 00:08:07,403
* *
186
00:08:07,445 --> 00:08:10,655
- When I got to FCW,
I was just so focused on
187
00:08:10,699 --> 00:08:12,029
trying to learn
how to wrestle.
188
00:08:12,075 --> 00:08:13,485
I was addicted
to going out there.
189
00:08:13,535 --> 00:08:15,115
I was addicted to going
through the curtain
190
00:08:15,161 --> 00:08:17,331
and getting better, growing,
and working on my craft.
191
00:08:17,372 --> 00:08:19,292
I like to figure things out
for myself.
192
00:08:19,332 --> 00:08:21,922
I like to experience it.
I like to be in the moment.
193
00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:24,590
I like to take it on,
digest it.
194
00:08:24,629 --> 00:08:26,209
It was always just about reps.
195
00:08:26,256 --> 00:08:28,676
- Stumbling to his feet.
A big flying forearm.
196
00:08:28,717 --> 00:08:30,677
Ricardo turned inside out.
197
00:08:30,719 --> 00:08:33,049
- This is what it's all about
here in developmental.
198
00:08:33,096 --> 00:08:35,096
This is what it's all about...
- [screams]
199
00:08:35,140 --> 00:08:36,890
- To make sure you stand out.
200
00:08:36,933 --> 00:08:38,813
To be the next person
to leave here
201
00:08:38,852 --> 00:08:40,692
and to go to the WWE.
202
00:08:40,729 --> 00:08:42,979
- I'm just a hardheaded
alpha male.
203
00:08:43,023 --> 00:08:45,823
I don't try to be influenced
too heavily by anyone
204
00:08:45,859 --> 00:08:46,779
because I need to be me.
205
00:08:46,818 --> 00:08:49,988
* *
206
00:08:50,030 --> 00:08:52,620
- In the beginning,
the pressure on him is immense
207
00:08:52,657 --> 00:08:53,907
because he's a part of one of
208
00:08:53,950 --> 00:08:56,450
the greatest lineages
of all time.
209
00:08:57,078 --> 00:08:59,498
He's from a family where
they won't give you that.
210
00:08:59,539 --> 00:09:00,869
They'll give you
an opportunity,
211
00:09:00,915 --> 00:09:02,785
but you have
to earn everything.
212
00:09:02,834 --> 00:09:05,424
- Roman Reigns!
213
00:09:05,462 --> 00:09:07,382
* *
214
00:09:07,422 --> 00:09:10,092
- Roman Reigns
with tremendous power.
215
00:09:10,133 --> 00:09:12,053
There's the first strike.
- [screams]
216
00:09:12,093 --> 00:09:14,223
- What an arm
to the neck area.
217
00:09:14,262 --> 00:09:16,602
- When Roman was coming up
in NXT,
218
00:09:16,639 --> 00:09:19,559
we often joked that if Vince
could go into a laboratory
219
00:09:19,601 --> 00:09:22,191
and just dial up exactly what
a WWE Superstar looks like,
220
00:09:22,228 --> 00:09:24,398
that's Roman Reigns.
- WWE officials
221
00:09:24,439 --> 00:09:26,859
know what they have
when they see Roman Reigns.
222
00:09:26,900 --> 00:09:28,230
They know they have
a potential
223
00:09:28,276 --> 00:09:30,276
mega-superstar
in their midst.
224
00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:32,490
- Big, kind of looked like
he was like
225
00:09:32,530 --> 00:09:34,700
a "Game of Thrones" character.
You know what I mean?
226
00:09:34,741 --> 00:09:36,951
Like, the tattoos
and the muscles.
227
00:09:36,993 --> 00:09:38,873
- One thing that I notice
more than anything--
228
00:09:38,912 --> 00:09:41,162
his incredible footwork
and agility.
229
00:09:41,206 --> 00:09:43,076
- He looked the part,
he acted the part.
230
00:09:43,124 --> 00:09:44,834
You can see the power.
231
00:09:44,876 --> 00:09:46,286
You see magic there.
232
00:09:46,336 --> 00:09:49,296
- Winds him up
for a powerful throwdown.
233
00:09:49,339 --> 00:09:51,629
* *
234
00:09:51,675 --> 00:09:53,045
For the win.
[match bell dings]
235
00:09:53,093 --> 00:09:56,643
Roman Reigns!
- Here is your winner,
236
00:09:56,680 --> 00:09:59,890
Roman Reigns!
237
00:09:59,933 --> 00:10:01,483
[crowd booing]
238
00:10:01,518 --> 00:10:04,398
- A natural in the ring
from day one,
239
00:10:04,437 --> 00:10:07,317
the cocky, self-absorbed
Roman Reigns
240
00:10:07,357 --> 00:10:10,437
knew he was always destined
for greatness.
241
00:10:10,485 --> 00:10:12,645
- Up and coming,
high rising superstar,
242
00:10:12,696 --> 00:10:13,856
Roman Reigns.
243
00:10:13,905 --> 00:10:15,365
Finally we have a chance
to talk with--
244
00:10:15,407 --> 00:10:16,367
- Finally?
245
00:10:16,408 --> 00:10:17,948
What you talking about
"finally"?
246
00:10:17,992 --> 00:10:19,952
You got a problem?
247
00:10:21,788 --> 00:10:23,618
You're jealous of me,
ain't you?
248
00:10:23,665 --> 00:10:25,745
What time is it?
Tell me what time it is.
249
00:10:25,792 --> 00:10:28,632
[stutters]
What, you can't read clocks?
250
00:10:28,670 --> 00:10:32,010
- Coming across as a bad guy,
251
00:10:32,048 --> 00:10:34,968
it's always something
that came natural for Joe.
252
00:10:35,010 --> 00:10:36,590
He knows what to say out there.
253
00:10:36,636 --> 00:10:38,296
- It's Roman Reigns' time,
254
00:10:38,346 --> 00:10:39,886
and you should feel
very fortunate right now.
255
00:10:39,931 --> 00:10:41,561
Get out of here.
256
00:10:41,599 --> 00:10:43,809
- You're very important
and we have questions...
257
00:10:43,852 --> 00:10:46,062
[phone rings]
that we want to ask you...
258
00:10:46,104 --> 00:10:48,114
- That's what makes
a good heel
259
00:10:48,148 --> 00:10:50,028
is to be able
to get out there...
260
00:10:50,066 --> 00:10:51,776
- His animosity
still not spent.
261
00:10:51,818 --> 00:10:53,238
- Get out.
262
00:10:53,278 --> 00:10:56,608
- And have all those fans
want to jump through the TV
263
00:10:56,656 --> 00:10:58,986
to pretty much
strangle your ass
264
00:10:59,034 --> 00:11:02,334
from being so pissed off.
[chuckles]
265
00:11:02,370 --> 00:11:03,870
- While at NXT,
266
00:11:03,913 --> 00:11:06,043
Roman combined
his natural athleticism
267
00:11:06,082 --> 00:11:08,252
with his real life swagger.
268
00:11:08,293 --> 00:11:12,093
The seeds were planted
for what was to come.
269
00:11:12,130 --> 00:11:15,550
When Roman finally made
his way to the main roster,
270
00:11:15,592 --> 00:11:21,142
it was a debut that changed
the course of WWE history.
271
00:11:21,181 --> 00:11:23,481
- Ryback is unstoppable.
- Oh, my God.
272
00:11:23,516 --> 00:11:25,056
- Ryback's unbelievable.
- Oh, my God.
273
00:11:25,101 --> 00:11:26,561
- What in the world?
What is this?
274
00:11:26,603 --> 00:11:28,563
These three guys just came
rushing through the crowd.
275
00:11:28,605 --> 00:11:30,855
This is an absolute mauling
of Ryback.
276
00:11:30,899 --> 00:11:32,569
What is this?
277
00:11:32,609 --> 00:11:34,279
That--that's Roman Reigns.
278
00:11:34,319 --> 00:11:37,069
Roman Reigns from NXT.
What is he doing here?
279
00:11:37,113 --> 00:11:38,243
- Look out!
Wait!
280
00:11:38,281 --> 00:11:40,951
Ryback's down.
- Oh, my God.
281
00:11:44,662 --> 00:11:46,042
- What in the world?
What is this?
282
00:11:46,081 --> 00:11:47,581
- Ryback's down.
- Oh, my God.
283
00:11:47,624 --> 00:11:49,214
- That's Roman Reigns
from NXT.
284
00:11:49,250 --> 00:11:51,670
What is he doing here?
285
00:11:51,711 --> 00:11:53,881
- In 2012,
286
00:11:53,922 --> 00:11:57,052
Roman was the muscle
behind a new renegade faction
287
00:11:57,092 --> 00:11:59,262
known as The Shield.
288
00:12:01,221 --> 00:12:03,351
Roman made
an immediate impact.
289
00:12:03,390 --> 00:12:04,680
- [groans]
290
00:12:04,724 --> 00:12:06,524
- When The Shield
first debuted,
291
00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:09,559
it was one of
the coolest mysteries
292
00:12:09,604 --> 00:12:11,114
you could ask for
in pro wrestling.
293
00:12:11,147 --> 00:12:14,277
Who are these guys?
What's their goal?
294
00:12:14,317 --> 00:12:17,197
- They were the people that
you could hire for a price
295
00:12:17,237 --> 00:12:19,737
to do your dirty work.
They were enforcers.
296
00:12:19,781 --> 00:12:21,701
- [groans]
297
00:12:21,741 --> 00:12:22,831
- They was looking hungry.
298
00:12:22,867 --> 00:12:24,987
- [roars]
299
00:12:25,036 --> 00:12:27,656
- I knew they was
gonna make noise, man.
300
00:12:27,706 --> 00:12:30,456
- The show was just a vehicle
to the main roster.
301
00:12:30,500 --> 00:12:33,170
That was the vehicle
out of the warehouse.
302
00:12:33,962 --> 00:12:36,012
It was simple.
303
00:12:36,047 --> 00:12:38,167
Come in and smash people.
304
00:12:38,216 --> 00:12:40,676
- Shield bomb at the table!
305
00:12:40,719 --> 00:12:43,299
- [screams]
306
00:12:43,346 --> 00:12:45,136
- Unbelievable
that they continue
307
00:12:45,181 --> 00:12:46,601
to just decimate people.
308
00:12:46,641 --> 00:12:48,441
- Those guys are incredible.
309
00:12:48,476 --> 00:12:50,186
* *
310
00:12:50,228 --> 00:12:52,478
- They were just mopping
the floor with people
311
00:12:52,522 --> 00:12:53,772
every single week.
312
00:12:53,815 --> 00:12:55,895
Every trio, every star,
313
00:12:55,942 --> 00:12:58,032
every champion, every legend.
314
00:12:58,069 --> 00:12:59,779
- They attacked the Rock.
315
00:12:59,821 --> 00:13:01,991
- [groans]
316
00:13:02,032 --> 00:13:04,832
- Not just anyone
gets to take out the Rock.
317
00:13:04,868 --> 00:13:06,408
- [roars]
318
00:13:06,453 --> 00:13:09,083
- If you're someone who's able
to powerbomb the Rock--
319
00:13:09,122 --> 00:13:10,962
we know, as fans, he's evil.
320
00:13:10,999 --> 00:13:13,079
We know, as fans,
he's a bad guy.
321
00:13:13,126 --> 00:13:16,246
* *
322
00:13:16,296 --> 00:13:17,876
- They're getting cheered
by the crowd,
323
00:13:17,922 --> 00:13:20,592
but they're still doing
villainous acts.
324
00:13:20,633 --> 00:13:22,013
They're putting people
through tables
325
00:13:22,052 --> 00:13:23,472
that might not
really deserve it.
326
00:13:23,511 --> 00:13:26,391
These are the things you do
to build a heel persona,
327
00:13:26,431 --> 00:13:28,391
and the fans loved watching
every second of it.
328
00:13:28,433 --> 00:13:30,603
[crowd cheering]
329
00:13:30,643 --> 00:13:32,103
All three look different
330
00:13:32,145 --> 00:13:33,685
and they all represented
different things.
331
00:13:33,730 --> 00:13:36,270
Dean Ambrose,
the ruthless guy.
332
00:13:36,316 --> 00:13:38,856
Seth Rollins, the brains
behind the whole equation.
333
00:13:38,902 --> 00:13:40,702
Roman Reigns, the power guy.
334
00:13:40,737 --> 00:13:43,447
- [screams]
335
00:13:43,490 --> 00:13:46,370
- All three of those
were good workers.
336
00:13:46,409 --> 00:13:49,039
But there was one
out of that three
337
00:13:49,079 --> 00:13:51,119
was gonna be the guy,
338
00:13:51,164 --> 00:13:52,674
and that was Joe.
339
00:13:52,707 --> 00:13:54,497
[crowd cheering]
340
00:13:54,542 --> 00:13:57,632
He has, what we call,
the "it" factor.
341
00:13:57,671 --> 00:13:59,051
He's handsome,
342
00:13:59,089 --> 00:14:02,089
he looks like a superhero.
343
00:14:02,133 --> 00:14:05,973
And when you see this kid
here's face on the marquee,
344
00:14:06,012 --> 00:14:08,772
that's what we call
asses in seats.
345
00:14:08,807 --> 00:14:10,927
- With Roman Reigns,
346
00:14:10,975 --> 00:14:14,305
I think we all kind of saw
from a looks standpoint,
347
00:14:14,354 --> 00:14:16,274
a body standpoint,
a pedigree standpoint,
348
00:14:16,314 --> 00:14:18,824
he had all the makings
of a guy who could be
349
00:14:18,858 --> 00:14:20,818
the next top WWE Superstar.
350
00:14:21,569 --> 00:14:26,699
- In WWE, the top superstar
is the face of the company.
351
00:14:26,741 --> 00:14:29,411
It's not just
about championships,
352
00:14:29,452 --> 00:14:32,792
it means you represent
the company wherever you are,
353
00:14:32,831 --> 00:14:34,461
whenever you are needed.
354
00:14:34,499 --> 00:14:37,749
To love America
is to love all Americans.
355
00:14:37,794 --> 00:14:40,514
- We all felt Roman
could be believable
356
00:14:40,547 --> 00:14:42,717
as kind of
"face of the company."
357
00:14:42,757 --> 00:14:46,467
- We're not asking
for your approval.
358
00:14:47,262 --> 00:14:50,852
- He very quickly got pegged
as the next John Cena,
359
00:14:50,890 --> 00:14:53,310
the next Hulk Hogan,
the next top guy.
360
00:14:53,351 --> 00:14:56,481
- The Big Dog here is gonna
headline "WrestleMania."
361
00:14:56,521 --> 00:14:58,401
Believe that.
362
00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:00,150
- We all felt that
we know where we want to go
363
00:15:00,191 --> 00:15:02,491
with this person
and so, the time came
364
00:15:02,527 --> 00:15:03,697
that we were gonna
break The Shield up
365
00:15:03,737 --> 00:15:06,527
to push Roman
in that direction.
366
00:15:06,573 --> 00:15:09,583
- Sierra, Hotel, India,
Echo, Lima, Delta.
367
00:15:09,617 --> 00:15:11,327
- Randy Orton,
bring your ass out here
368
00:15:11,369 --> 00:15:14,499
and let me break your jaw
with the symbol of excellence.
369
00:15:14,539 --> 00:15:17,209
[crowd cheering]
370
00:15:17,250 --> 00:15:21,590
[crowd booing]
371
00:15:21,629 --> 00:15:25,049
- Triple H comes out
with that sledgehammer of his
372
00:15:25,091 --> 00:15:27,471
and Seth Rollins
picks up a chair.
373
00:15:27,510 --> 00:15:29,390
And if you watch the clip,
you can hear
374
00:15:29,429 --> 00:15:33,519
there's one person in the crowd
who screams "No!"
375
00:15:33,558 --> 00:15:35,228
- No!
376
00:15:35,268 --> 00:15:42,398
* *
377
00:15:44,402 --> 00:15:46,202
- When Seth Rollins
did what he did,
378
00:15:46,237 --> 00:15:48,317
Roman Reigns,
kind of by default,
379
00:15:48,365 --> 00:15:51,025
became a sympathetic figure.
380
00:15:51,076 --> 00:15:53,036
- The Shield was no more.
381
00:15:53,078 --> 00:15:54,288
Roman was on his own,
382
00:15:54,329 --> 00:15:57,369
and his star
was clearly on the rise.
383
00:15:57,415 --> 00:16:00,035
But to some
in the WWE Universe,
384
00:16:00,085 --> 00:16:01,415
the Roman Reigns
who was becoming
385
00:16:01,461 --> 00:16:03,461
the face of the company
386
00:16:03,505 --> 00:16:06,795
wasn't the same Roman Reigns
from The Shield.
387
00:16:06,841 --> 00:16:10,511
Something was different
and they didn't like it.
388
00:16:10,553 --> 00:16:15,063
[upbeat pop music
and laughter]
389
00:16:15,100 --> 00:16:17,520
- I'm here about the pig.
390
00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:20,940
- He was just being presented
as this white meat baby face
391
00:16:20,980 --> 00:16:22,650
when you just literally
came from
392
00:16:22,691 --> 00:16:25,071
the Big Dog
from The Shield, right?
393
00:16:25,110 --> 00:16:27,450
- Take time to be a dad.
Cheers.
394
00:16:27,487 --> 00:16:29,407
- Now we're over here
kissing babies and stuff,
395
00:16:29,447 --> 00:16:32,407
which is cool but
when you're transitioning
396
00:16:32,450 --> 00:16:36,250
from a villain to, like,
the good guy,
397
00:16:36,287 --> 00:16:38,287
that stuff has
to come naturally, right?
398
00:16:38,331 --> 00:16:41,921
You just can't--here.
Here is a good guy.
399
00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:44,340
- I think you're gonna
win the "Royal Rumble" match.
400
00:16:44,379 --> 00:16:47,339
- [gasps]
Thank you.
401
00:16:47,382 --> 00:16:49,682
- Joe's a heel too
in real life.
402
00:16:49,718 --> 00:16:53,258
Can't let those pearly whites
fool you, right?
403
00:16:53,304 --> 00:16:55,814
- That persona
of good guy Roman,
404
00:16:55,849 --> 00:16:57,269
nice guy Roman,
405
00:16:57,308 --> 00:16:59,598
very sweet and jovial Joe
406
00:16:59,644 --> 00:17:02,274
didn't really feel like
Roman Reigns.
407
00:17:03,398 --> 00:17:04,568
- This guy's
such a natural heel.
408
00:17:04,607 --> 00:17:08,947
Why are they shoving
this handsome, athletic,
409
00:17:08,987 --> 00:17:11,907
well-groomed,
pedigreed wrestler at my face
410
00:17:11,948 --> 00:17:14,778
as somebody who's a good guy?
He's never gonna lose.
411
00:17:14,826 --> 00:17:16,536
What's the point of cheering
for this guy?
412
00:17:16,578 --> 00:17:18,618
- That's what it's all about,
413
00:17:18,663 --> 00:17:22,503
becoming the next
world heavyweight champion.
414
00:17:22,542 --> 00:17:25,132
- He was suddenly finding
himself in main event
415
00:17:25,170 --> 00:17:27,630
pay-per-view matches against
some of the biggest stars.
416
00:17:27,672 --> 00:17:29,632
- Roman Reigns
is taking out everybody.
417
00:17:29,674 --> 00:17:31,384
Look out, guys.
Look out.
418
00:17:31,426 --> 00:17:33,676
- It was very clear
he was going to have
419
00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:37,890
a significant run as a singles
competitor in the WWE.
420
00:17:37,932 --> 00:17:40,312
[crowd cheering]
421
00:17:40,352 --> 00:17:42,522
- [groans]
422
00:17:44,481 --> 00:17:45,901
- Roman Reigns counters.
423
00:17:45,940 --> 00:17:49,150
Reigns with a spear to Cena.
Oh, spear to Cena!
424
00:17:49,194 --> 00:17:52,074
* *
425
00:17:52,113 --> 00:17:54,663
- He got a push early
because Vince McMahon
426
00:17:54,699 --> 00:17:57,289
saw the physical potential
and the talent
427
00:17:57,327 --> 00:18:00,537
that would make Roman Reigns
the face role of the WWE.
428
00:18:00,580 --> 00:18:02,460
- And now I'm about
to ride their jet.
429
00:18:02,499 --> 00:18:03,789
We're gonna go
to the Big Apple.
430
00:18:03,833 --> 00:18:06,423
We're doing "The Today Show."
Have a little fun.
431
00:18:06,461 --> 00:18:08,711
Show off our hardware.
- Cheers, brother.
432
00:18:08,755 --> 00:18:10,505
- Let's go.
- Bye, guys!
433
00:18:10,548 --> 00:18:12,968
- It became clear
that this is who
434
00:18:13,009 --> 00:18:16,349
Vince McMahon wants
to be the champion.
435
00:18:16,388 --> 00:18:17,758
- At "WrestleMania,"
436
00:18:17,806 --> 00:18:19,516
there's gonna be
a new champion crowned.
437
00:18:19,557 --> 00:18:22,187
- I feel like you have
some psychic ability.
438
00:18:22,227 --> 00:18:23,687
- As fans, we see this,
439
00:18:23,728 --> 00:18:27,018
and he feels more and more
like a corporate champion.
440
00:18:27,065 --> 00:18:28,525
Like Vince's champion.
441
00:18:28,566 --> 00:18:30,106
- So when Roman Reigns
would win,
442
00:18:30,151 --> 00:18:31,281
when Roman Reigns would be put
443
00:18:31,319 --> 00:18:32,449
in the main event
at "WrestleMania,"
444
00:18:32,487 --> 00:18:34,357
it felt like entitlement.
445
00:18:34,406 --> 00:18:36,986
[crowd cheering]
446
00:18:37,033 --> 00:18:39,543
- Real fans, our age,
447
00:18:39,577 --> 00:18:41,537
just don't like that dude.
I'm sorry.
448
00:18:41,579 --> 00:18:43,829
They keep pushing him
to the damn roof.
449
00:18:43,873 --> 00:18:46,423
- If nobody wants him there,
why keep him there?
450
00:18:46,459 --> 00:18:48,549
* *
451
00:18:48,586 --> 00:18:51,456
- A lot of people had like
a preconceived notion of
452
00:18:51,506 --> 00:18:53,506
I'm like a favored performer
or something
453
00:18:53,550 --> 00:18:55,390
because of Vince McMahon.
454
00:18:55,427 --> 00:18:57,257
But I've simply made
different choices
455
00:18:57,303 --> 00:18:59,473
that not everybody
can understand
456
00:18:59,514 --> 00:19:01,184
because they're not
in this position.
457
00:19:01,224 --> 00:19:05,404
- Joining us now, the man.
Give it up for Roman Reigns.
458
00:19:05,437 --> 00:19:08,397
- Every generation
has an American hero
459
00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:10,610
to kind of carry the show,
460
00:19:10,650 --> 00:19:14,070
but that ascent to the top
is not easy.
461
00:19:14,112 --> 00:19:17,162
- Within the WWE Universe,
462
00:19:17,198 --> 00:19:19,528
there was an undercurrent
of resentment building
463
00:19:19,576 --> 00:19:22,326
towards Roman Reigns
464
00:19:22,370 --> 00:19:24,660
- You can make all the plans
in the world,
465
00:19:24,706 --> 00:19:26,536
but the WWE Universe is gonna
466
00:19:26,583 --> 00:19:28,213
voice their feelings
one way or the other.
467
00:19:28,251 --> 00:19:29,711
[crowd booing]
468
00:19:29,753 --> 00:19:32,593
The point of critical mass
with Roman
469
00:19:32,630 --> 00:19:34,670
came at the 2015
"Royal Rumble."
470
00:19:34,716 --> 00:19:37,296
[match bell dings]
- The last man in the ring
471
00:19:37,344 --> 00:19:43,104
will advance to the main event
at "WrestleMania."
472
00:19:43,141 --> 00:19:45,481
* *
473
00:19:45,518 --> 00:19:47,148
- Say what you want
about Roman Reigns,
474
00:19:47,187 --> 00:19:48,397
he's a warrior.
475
00:19:48,438 --> 00:19:50,438
Roman Reigns with a spear.
476
00:19:50,482 --> 00:19:53,992
[crowd booing]
- [roars]
477
00:19:58,406 --> 00:19:59,816
- [screams]
478
00:19:59,866 --> 00:20:01,576
[crowd booing]
479
00:20:01,618 --> 00:20:03,498
[match bell dings]
480
00:20:03,536 --> 00:20:08,956
[crowd booing]
481
00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:11,960
- This guy who was
always getting cheered
482
00:20:12,003 --> 00:20:14,133
started to get booed.
483
00:20:14,172 --> 00:20:18,472
[crowd booing]
484
00:20:18,510 --> 00:20:20,970
- Roman Reigns
got booed so bad
485
00:20:21,012 --> 00:20:24,812
that when the Rock came down
to lift up his arm in victory
486
00:20:24,849 --> 00:20:27,269
to say "respect this man,"
487
00:20:27,310 --> 00:20:29,650
everyone cheered for the Rock,
488
00:20:29,688 --> 00:20:31,518
and when he touched Roman,
they booed.
489
00:20:31,564 --> 00:20:33,654
[crowd booing]
490
00:20:33,692 --> 00:20:36,112
That's how much
the WWE Universe
491
00:20:36,152 --> 00:20:38,152
turned on Roman Reigns.
492
00:20:38,196 --> 00:20:41,446
- He was in a position
that was impossible.
493
00:20:47,497 --> 00:20:50,417
[crowd booing]
494
00:20:50,458 --> 00:20:52,708
- The 2015 "Royal Rumble,"
495
00:20:52,752 --> 00:20:56,342
I think the audience felt
"the push" was happening
496
00:20:56,381 --> 00:20:58,631
and rejected Roman
in that moment.
497
00:20:58,675 --> 00:21:03,885
[crowd booing]
498
00:21:03,930 --> 00:21:07,980
- Every bit of who I am
has gone into this character.
499
00:21:08,018 --> 00:21:11,268
[crowd booing]
500
00:21:11,312 --> 00:21:15,032
They booed me louder
than I've ever heard before.
501
00:21:15,066 --> 00:21:16,606
I've never
been booed like that.
502
00:21:16,651 --> 00:21:20,321
[crowd booing]
503
00:21:20,363 --> 00:21:21,493
It hurt my feelings.
It did.
504
00:21:21,531 --> 00:21:26,581
[crowd booing]
505
00:21:26,619 --> 00:21:28,409
Because at the end of the day
we're all humans.
506
00:21:28,455 --> 00:21:32,205
[crowd booing]
507
00:21:32,250 --> 00:21:36,000
- In a business where
fan perception is reality,
508
00:21:36,046 --> 00:21:39,546
how fans perceive you
within the WWE
509
00:21:39,591 --> 00:21:42,051
has a lot of power.
510
00:21:42,093 --> 00:21:43,763
- Nothing in the world
511
00:21:43,803 --> 00:21:46,773
is more dictated
by the fans than WWE.
512
00:21:46,806 --> 00:21:52,846
[crowd chanting "You suck!"]
513
00:21:52,896 --> 00:21:54,856
- When it comes
to Roman Reigns,
514
00:21:54,898 --> 00:21:57,778
wrestling fans totally
bought into our own narrative
515
00:21:57,817 --> 00:21:59,437
that he was being
shoved down our throat.
516
00:21:59,486 --> 00:22:01,146
It doesn't matter
if that was true or not,
517
00:22:01,196 --> 00:22:02,446
but we all believe that.
518
00:22:02,489 --> 00:22:03,989
[crowd booing]
519
00:22:04,032 --> 00:22:06,622
- For years, Roman would win
match after match.
520
00:22:06,659 --> 00:22:10,749
[crowd booing]
521
00:22:10,789 --> 00:22:12,709
And championship
after championship
522
00:22:12,749 --> 00:22:14,959
after championship
after championship.
523
00:22:15,001 --> 00:22:16,921
Once fans get a sense of,
524
00:22:16,961 --> 00:22:19,381
oh, you're
a propped up champion,
525
00:22:19,422 --> 00:22:20,472
it's hard to recover.
526
00:22:20,507 --> 00:22:23,427
- Roman Reigns.
527
00:22:23,468 --> 00:22:25,848
- For decades,
"WrestleMania" was considered
528
00:22:25,887 --> 00:22:27,967
The Undertaker's yard.
529
00:22:28,014 --> 00:22:32,484
In 2017, Roman Reigns
was still the face of WWE,
530
00:22:32,519 --> 00:22:35,519
but taking on one of the most
highly revered superstars
531
00:22:35,563 --> 00:22:37,733
of all time at "WrestleMania"
532
00:22:37,774 --> 00:22:40,284
was a no-win scenario
for Roman Reigns.
533
00:22:40,318 --> 00:22:42,648
- One of the controversial
figures perhaps
534
00:22:42,696 --> 00:22:45,066
in WWE history, Roman Reigns.
535
00:22:45,115 --> 00:22:46,405
- Look out here.
536
00:22:46,449 --> 00:22:47,489
The momentum, the momentum!
537
00:22:47,534 --> 00:22:48,994
Oh, man.
- Wow.
538
00:22:49,035 --> 00:22:52,825
- Got a huge spear into
the heart of The Undertaker.
539
00:22:52,872 --> 00:22:56,002
And Roman Reigns
has defeated The Undertaker
540
00:22:56,042 --> 00:22:59,092
at "WrestleMania"
with a thunderous spear.
541
00:22:59,129 --> 00:23:01,209
- Here's your winner,
Roman Reigns!
542
00:23:01,256 --> 00:23:02,916
- My God,
what a physical match up.
543
00:23:02,966 --> 00:23:06,586
- With great respect to
who The Undertaker is,
544
00:23:06,636 --> 00:23:09,636
[bleep] is changing.
Like, it's happening.
545
00:23:09,681 --> 00:23:12,681
[crowd booing]
546
00:23:12,726 --> 00:23:16,016
This guy in front of us,
Roman Reigns, is doing it.
547
00:23:16,062 --> 00:23:18,062
[crowd booing]
548
00:23:18,106 --> 00:23:21,646
But people don't like change.
549
00:23:21,693 --> 00:23:24,243
They were angry.
550
00:23:24,279 --> 00:23:27,989
It's so transcending that
people are still chewing on it.
551
00:23:28,033 --> 00:23:30,373
They haven't even swallowed it
and digested it at this point.
552
00:23:30,410 --> 00:23:37,330
* *
553
00:23:43,715 --> 00:23:45,755
- We knew there were
gonna be boos.
554
00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:48,430
We knew there were
gonna be very loud boos,
555
00:23:48,470 --> 00:23:52,520
but we had seen this before
with John Cena.
556
00:23:53,266 --> 00:23:56,436
There was a time when he was
getting booed by the audience.
557
00:23:56,478 --> 00:23:59,518
- John Cena!
558
00:23:59,564 --> 00:24:01,074
[crowd booing]
559
00:24:01,107 --> 00:24:03,437
- The feeling was
was that John had played out.
560
00:24:03,485 --> 00:24:05,525
Vince was particularly
steadfast in that
561
00:24:05,570 --> 00:24:07,490
as far as keeping John
in that position.
562
00:24:07,530 --> 00:24:09,410
And it paid off ultimately.
563
00:24:09,449 --> 00:24:13,079
Vince was looking at that same
long-term process with Roman
564
00:24:13,119 --> 00:24:16,079
in that we could ride this out
and Roman's talent
565
00:24:16,122 --> 00:24:18,002
would ultimately win out
as we move forward.
566
00:24:18,041 --> 00:24:20,711
- Monday night "RAW."
567
00:24:20,752 --> 00:24:22,632
- The following night
on "RAW,"
568
00:24:22,671 --> 00:24:25,841
Reigns was greeted with
a universal chorus of hate.
569
00:24:25,882 --> 00:24:28,302
Roman stood tall
570
00:24:28,343 --> 00:24:30,263
and delivered
a message of his own.
571
00:24:30,303 --> 00:24:33,433
- One of the reasons
that WWE Universe
572
00:24:33,473 --> 00:24:36,523
is booing Roman Reigns
is because last night's match
573
00:24:36,559 --> 00:24:41,649
was indeed the last ride
for The Undertaker.
574
00:24:41,690 --> 00:24:48,780
[crowd chanting "Undertaker!"]
575
00:24:49,864 --> 00:24:56,834
[crowd booing]
576
00:24:56,871 --> 00:25:01,541
* *
577
00:25:01,584 --> 00:25:08,514
[crowd chanting "Delete!"]
578
00:25:08,550 --> 00:25:14,310
* *
579
00:25:14,347 --> 00:25:17,267
[crowd booing]
580
00:25:17,308 --> 00:25:18,808
- People booed him
581
00:25:18,852 --> 00:25:22,362
for almost
ten minutes straight.
582
00:25:22,397 --> 00:25:27,817
[crowd chanting "You suck!"]
583
00:25:27,861 --> 00:25:30,411
- To be able to get out there
and boo,
584
00:25:30,447 --> 00:25:32,317
for us in our family,
585
00:25:32,365 --> 00:25:33,735
that pisses us off.
586
00:25:33,783 --> 00:25:38,003
[crowd booing]
587
00:25:38,038 --> 00:25:40,708
When we all come out there
to perform,
588
00:25:40,749 --> 00:25:42,669
and you're trying
to do the best you can,
589
00:25:42,709 --> 00:25:45,629
because that's all we got when
we come through those curtains.
590
00:25:45,670 --> 00:25:48,050
I come out here and you boo me,
591
00:25:48,089 --> 00:25:50,049
that tells me
that I gotta come back--
592
00:25:50,091 --> 00:25:51,971
I'm gonna come back
with some [bleep],
593
00:25:52,010 --> 00:25:53,890
some stuff that's gonna
make you respect me.
594
00:25:53,928 --> 00:25:57,138
[crowd booing]
595
00:25:57,182 --> 00:25:59,732
- You can see that evil side.
596
00:25:59,768 --> 00:26:01,518
You can see the wheels turning.
597
00:26:01,561 --> 00:26:04,441
You can see his mannerisms and
he's doing it with a smirk.
598
00:26:04,481 --> 00:26:09,991
[crowd chanting "You suck!"]
599
00:26:10,028 --> 00:26:12,238
- This is my yard now.
600
00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:19,120
[crowd booing]
601
00:26:19,162 --> 00:26:21,042
- The hostility toward Reigns
602
00:26:21,081 --> 00:26:24,541
from the WWE Universe
continued...
603
00:26:24,584 --> 00:26:27,844
- Here comes the Big Dog!
604
00:26:27,879 --> 00:26:31,839
- Especially after winning his
first Universal Championship.
605
00:26:31,883 --> 00:26:34,553
- Here's the cover--
hook of the leg.
606
00:26:34,594 --> 00:26:37,104
Reigns did it!
Roman Reigns did it!
607
00:26:37,138 --> 00:26:38,808
Reigns is the champion.
608
00:26:38,848 --> 00:26:45,148
[crowd booing]
609
00:26:45,188 --> 00:26:49,398
- The new Universal Champion,
610
00:26:49,442 --> 00:26:51,742
Roman Reigns!
611
00:26:51,778 --> 00:26:56,068
- Bad blood between Roman
and the WWE Universe ran deep.
612
00:26:56,116 --> 00:26:57,486
There was seemingly nothing
613
00:26:57,534 --> 00:26:59,794
that could be done
to ever bridge the divide.
614
00:26:59,828 --> 00:27:02,708
- Now for the wrestling
superstar who stunned his fans
615
00:27:02,747 --> 00:27:05,787
with an emotional announcement
on live television.
616
00:27:05,834 --> 00:27:09,424
Roman Reigns, one of
the biggest stars in the WWE,
617
00:27:09,462 --> 00:27:11,462
going public
with a private battle
618
00:27:11,506 --> 00:27:14,216
and stepping away
from the ring.
619
00:27:14,259 --> 00:27:16,339
- My real name is Joe.
620
00:27:18,430 --> 00:27:22,350
And I've been living
with leukemia for 11 years.
621
00:27:22,392 --> 00:27:27,612
* *
622
00:27:27,647 --> 00:27:30,317
And unfortunately it's back.
623
00:27:38,825 --> 00:27:40,615
- At the peak of his career,
624
00:27:40,660 --> 00:27:43,580
the reigning
WWE Universal Champion
625
00:27:43,621 --> 00:27:46,961
was once again
in a fight for his very life.
626
00:27:48,168 --> 00:27:50,298
- My real name is Joe.
627
00:27:50,337 --> 00:27:54,087
* *
628
00:27:54,132 --> 00:27:57,932
And I've been living
with leukemia for 11 years.
629
00:27:57,969 --> 00:28:03,179
* *
630
00:28:03,224 --> 00:28:05,894
And unfortunately it's back.
631
00:28:05,935 --> 00:28:07,765
* *
632
00:28:07,812 --> 00:28:09,522
And because the leukemia
is back,
633
00:28:09,564 --> 00:28:11,444
I cannot fulfill my role,
634
00:28:11,483 --> 00:28:13,153
and I'm gonna
have to relinquish
635
00:28:13,193 --> 00:28:14,903
the Universal Championship.
636
00:28:14,944 --> 00:28:18,164
* *
637
00:28:18,198 --> 00:28:20,078
- Everybody was shocked.
638
00:28:21,284 --> 00:28:24,414
- By no means is this
a retirement speech.
639
00:28:24,454 --> 00:28:27,334
[crowd cheering]
640
00:28:27,374 --> 00:28:31,044
Because after I'm done whooping
leukemia's ass once again,
641
00:28:31,086 --> 00:28:32,996
I'm coming back home.
642
00:28:33,046 --> 00:28:37,216
[crowd cheering]
643
00:28:37,258 --> 00:28:40,178
- It was a sad moment,
but he was confident about it.
644
00:28:40,220 --> 00:28:42,510
He was honest about it.
He was upfront about it.
645
00:28:42,555 --> 00:28:44,515
He did it on his terms.
646
00:28:44,557 --> 00:28:47,187
At that moment in time,
we all were with Roman Reigns.
647
00:28:47,227 --> 00:28:49,687
We were all with Joe.
We all sat back and said
648
00:28:49,729 --> 00:28:50,939
this is bigger than wrestling.
649
00:28:50,980 --> 00:28:52,480
And the only thing
we wanted for him to do
650
00:28:52,524 --> 00:28:54,364
was get healthy and get better
and come back.
651
00:28:54,401 --> 00:28:57,651
[crowd chanting
"Thank you, Roman!"]
652
00:28:57,696 --> 00:28:59,446
- Reality intervenes, right?
653
00:28:59,489 --> 00:29:00,819
At that point,
you have to kind of like
654
00:29:00,865 --> 00:29:03,195
set aside
your petty grievances.
655
00:29:03,243 --> 00:29:05,663
- We come out here every
Monday night to entertain.
656
00:29:05,704 --> 00:29:08,374
We live in this alternate
reality sometimes.
657
00:29:08,415 --> 00:29:10,075
And I think we all forget
658
00:29:10,125 --> 00:29:12,205
the superstars in the
locker room are real people.
659
00:29:12,252 --> 00:29:15,962
And reality came up
and bit us here tonight.
660
00:29:16,006 --> 00:29:18,046
- My whole life,
all the way back
661
00:29:18,091 --> 00:29:20,011
to when I was
just a little boy,
662
00:29:20,051 --> 00:29:21,221
everything that
I've worked for,
663
00:29:21,261 --> 00:29:24,601
as long as I hyperfocus on it,
664
00:29:24,639 --> 00:29:26,889
I should be able to do it.
665
00:29:26,933 --> 00:29:28,733
That's why I am where I am.
666
00:29:28,768 --> 00:29:32,728
But when you have something
that you can't control
667
00:29:32,772 --> 00:29:37,402
completely disrupt
that whole narrative...
668
00:29:37,444 --> 00:29:38,494
[sighs]
669
00:29:38,528 --> 00:29:41,908
That's the toughest part
to deal with.
670
00:29:41,948 --> 00:29:45,698
- With the love and support
of his friends and family,
671
00:29:45,744 --> 00:29:48,964
Joe was battling
for his very life.
672
00:29:48,997 --> 00:29:50,417
Six months later,
673
00:29:50,457 --> 00:29:52,957
he stood before
the WWE Universe
674
00:29:53,001 --> 00:29:54,961
to share some incredible news.
675
00:29:55,003 --> 00:30:01,593
[crowd chanting "Roman!"]
676
00:30:01,634 --> 00:30:04,224
- The good news is
677
00:30:04,262 --> 00:30:05,762
I'm in remission, y'all.
678
00:30:05,805 --> 00:30:11,635
[crowd cheering]
679
00:30:11,686 --> 00:30:13,056
- That night,
680
00:30:13,104 --> 00:30:15,274
everyone joyously celebrated
with Joe
681
00:30:15,315 --> 00:30:19,775
in his victory over cancer.
682
00:30:19,819 --> 00:30:22,909
But were they finally
ready to embrace Roman?
683
00:30:22,947 --> 00:30:28,237
* *
684
00:30:28,286 --> 00:30:30,616
- 80,000 plus here tonight,
685
00:30:30,663 --> 00:30:33,833
and it marks the return
of the Big Dog
686
00:30:33,875 --> 00:30:35,665
after the battle of his life.
687
00:30:35,710 --> 00:30:36,960
- It's gonna be big.
688
00:30:37,003 --> 00:30:39,963
* *
689
00:30:40,006 --> 00:30:42,336
- I haven't been in there
for a singles match
690
00:30:42,384 --> 00:30:43,514
and I haven't been in there,
you know,
691
00:30:43,551 --> 00:30:44,841
for the full duration
of a match.
692
00:30:44,886 --> 00:30:47,306
So it's--
693
00:30:47,347 --> 00:30:48,807
we won't know
until we go do it.
694
00:30:48,848 --> 00:30:50,678
So let's go do it.
695
00:30:50,725 --> 00:30:52,305
* *
696
00:30:52,352 --> 00:30:56,522
- And here comes the Big Dog.
697
00:30:56,564 --> 00:31:03,534
* *
698
00:31:05,573 --> 00:31:08,283
- I remember thinking that
this is that big moment
699
00:31:08,326 --> 00:31:11,656
that everybody will accept him.
700
00:31:11,705 --> 00:31:15,325
But once he came back
from his leukemia battle,
701
00:31:15,375 --> 00:31:17,415
I thought it'd be
impossible to boo him.
702
00:31:17,460 --> 00:31:20,550
It's gonna be impossible
to boo a guy who beat cancer.
703
00:31:20,588 --> 00:31:23,798
[match bell dings]
- [groans]
704
00:31:23,842 --> 00:31:25,722
- I can tell you one thing.
Tonight, it's not just about
705
00:31:25,760 --> 00:31:28,890
Roman fighting for himself
or even just his family.
706
00:31:28,930 --> 00:31:30,970
It's about anybody
who's ever been ill,
707
00:31:31,016 --> 00:31:33,346
who's ever struggled,
who's ever suffered
708
00:31:33,393 --> 00:31:36,193
and had to overcome.
Roman Reigns...
709
00:31:36,229 --> 00:31:38,609
is fighting
for the world tonight.
710
00:31:38,648 --> 00:31:45,568
[crowd booing]
711
00:31:49,743 --> 00:31:53,083
- Roman came back,
and he was getting boos.
712
00:31:53,121 --> 00:31:54,711
I looked at my man.
I said, bro--
713
00:31:54,748 --> 00:31:58,078
I said,
"Roman Reigns beat leukemia
714
00:31:58,126 --> 00:31:59,126
and he still getting booed?"
715
00:31:59,169 --> 00:32:03,259
[crowd booing]
716
00:32:03,298 --> 00:32:06,298
- That was
complete disrespect.
717
00:32:06,343 --> 00:32:08,553
A slap across the face
of Reigns.
718
00:32:08,595 --> 00:32:10,095
- Might've been
what Reigns needed.
719
00:32:10,138 --> 00:32:12,678
- [screams]
- Oh, and a clothesline.
720
00:32:12,724 --> 00:32:14,604
- [groans]
721
00:32:14,642 --> 00:32:17,652
- And Roman Reigns
starting to fire back now.
722
00:32:17,687 --> 00:32:21,857
[crowd booing]
723
00:32:21,900 --> 00:32:26,530
- We were so used to Roman
eliciting this feeling from us
724
00:32:26,571 --> 00:32:28,821
that it's so easy to
slide right back into it.
725
00:32:28,865 --> 00:32:30,775
And you would imagine
the human side,
726
00:32:30,825 --> 00:32:32,075
we would have more empathy,
727
00:32:32,118 --> 00:32:34,448
but it's almost our ability
to go, okay, cool.
728
00:32:34,496 --> 00:32:38,916
We're back into what
I'm used to and what I know.
729
00:32:38,958 --> 00:32:43,168
Those old emotions came right
back up again for the fans.
730
00:32:43,213 --> 00:32:44,763
- They were like,
"Man, please."
731
00:32:44,798 --> 00:32:47,378
"Oh, he's healthy? He's good?
He's in remission?
732
00:32:47,425 --> 00:32:48,505
We booing this dude again."
733
00:32:48,551 --> 00:32:49,801
I was like,
"Are you serious?"
734
00:32:49,844 --> 00:32:51,304
[crowd booing]
735
00:32:51,346 --> 00:32:54,636
- It's been a while since
we heard the Big Dog roar.
736
00:32:54,683 --> 00:32:57,813
Spear by Reigns.
737
00:32:57,852 --> 00:32:59,942
Reigns with the win.
738
00:32:59,979 --> 00:33:06,949
[crowd booing]
739
00:33:06,986 --> 00:33:11,366
And tonight at "WrestleMania"
the Big Dog is back.
740
00:33:11,408 --> 00:33:14,698
[crowd booing]
741
00:33:14,744 --> 00:33:17,164
- That was, uh...
742
00:33:19,165 --> 00:33:20,495
That was a tough pill
to swallow.
743
00:33:22,419 --> 00:33:26,299
With the toxicity
and all the negativity
744
00:33:26,339 --> 00:33:28,759
that can come
with this type of lifestyle,
745
00:33:28,800 --> 00:33:33,760
all of that has been
just balled up and used.
746
00:33:33,805 --> 00:33:36,885
[crowd booing]
747
00:33:36,933 --> 00:33:39,103
- It's heartbreaking.
748
00:33:39,144 --> 00:33:42,154
The competitive mind
and competitive spirit of Joe,
749
00:33:42,188 --> 00:33:43,818
he never forgot that.
750
00:33:43,857 --> 00:33:48,357
- I would sit in the back
and I would think, too, like,
751
00:33:48,403 --> 00:33:50,113
damn, that was a reaction
out there.
752
00:33:50,155 --> 00:33:54,325
Like they legit don't like Joe.
Like they legit don't like him.
753
00:33:55,118 --> 00:33:58,828
- I remember him saying that
he wanted to do something.
754
00:33:58,872 --> 00:34:01,502
I was like, man,
if you feel it in your gut
755
00:34:01,541 --> 00:34:04,091
it's time for you to change,
go.
756
00:34:04,878 --> 00:34:07,668
But be careful, 'cause the
timing is everything, right?
757
00:34:07,714 --> 00:34:08,924
* *
758
00:34:08,965 --> 00:34:11,045
- Just as Roman
was beginning to question
759
00:34:11,092 --> 00:34:13,472
his role in the WWE,
760
00:34:13,511 --> 00:34:16,601
the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
761
00:34:16,639 --> 00:34:20,559
As a cancer survivor,
he was forced to take a leave.
762
00:34:20,602 --> 00:34:25,362
He began to reflect
on his life and his career.
763
00:34:25,398 --> 00:34:26,858
- He was kind of quiet
for a little minute.
764
00:34:26,900 --> 00:34:29,070
I think he was
back in the lab doing work,
765
00:34:29,110 --> 00:34:31,610
you know,
trying to find himself.
766
00:34:34,657 --> 00:34:37,537
- When you're working out
by yourself in your own gym
767
00:34:37,577 --> 00:34:39,787
through a quarantine,
and you spend about
768
00:34:39,829 --> 00:34:41,749
two to three hours
in the gym every day,
769
00:34:41,790 --> 00:34:43,710
you start to think
of these things.
770
00:34:43,750 --> 00:34:46,250
What I want to do,
who I want to be,
771
00:34:46,294 --> 00:34:48,384
how I want to present it.
772
00:34:50,757 --> 00:34:53,337
Then I started to realize
if they want me
773
00:34:53,385 --> 00:34:57,135
to do my job
to the best of its ability
774
00:34:57,180 --> 00:35:00,390
with the weight and burden
of being the face of WWE,
775
00:35:00,433 --> 00:35:03,193
I have to do it my way.
776
00:35:03,937 --> 00:35:07,017
- Ladies and gentlemen,
"SummerSlam."
777
00:35:07,065 --> 00:35:10,485
The Fiend is champion.
- You know the hell that is?
778
00:35:10,527 --> 00:35:11,897
- Oh, my God,
it's Roman Reigns!
779
00:35:11,945 --> 00:35:15,405
Roman Reigns,
the Big Dog is here.
780
00:35:15,448 --> 00:35:17,078
Roman Reigns is back.
781
00:35:17,117 --> 00:35:20,247
- When Roman showed up
at "SummerSlam,"
782
00:35:20,286 --> 00:35:21,746
it was a shock.
783
00:35:21,788 --> 00:35:24,368
It was a great jolt
to the audience.
784
00:35:24,416 --> 00:35:29,456
- The Big Dog, Roman Reigns,
with an emphatic statement.
785
00:35:29,504 --> 00:35:32,134
- I automatically knew
when I saw him on screen,
786
00:35:32,173 --> 00:35:34,933
this is a different Roman.
787
00:35:34,968 --> 00:35:37,758
This Roman Reigns right here
is the one we know,
788
00:35:37,804 --> 00:35:40,064
but they about to know
who he is.
789
00:35:40,098 --> 00:35:43,308
- We never saw this coming.
790
00:35:47,564 --> 00:35:48,864
- Oh, my God,
it's Roman Reigns!
791
00:35:48,898 --> 00:35:52,278
- The Big Dog
with an emphatic statement.
792
00:35:52,318 --> 00:35:54,148
- A sneak attack
on the champion
793
00:35:54,195 --> 00:35:58,655
sent a clear message
to the WWE Universe.
794
00:35:58,700 --> 00:36:02,910
Roman Reigns was back
and doing things his way.
795
00:36:02,954 --> 00:36:04,914
* *
796
00:36:10,211 --> 00:36:12,011
* *
797
00:36:12,047 --> 00:36:15,337
- I automatically knew
when I saw him on screen,
798
00:36:15,383 --> 00:36:18,093
this is a different Roman.
799
00:36:18,136 --> 00:36:20,716
The way he was acting,
the way he looked.
800
00:36:20,764 --> 00:36:22,394
You know,
the vibes he was giving off
801
00:36:22,432 --> 00:36:24,022
was radiating
through the TV screen.
802
00:36:28,605 --> 00:36:30,315
- Okay, hold on.
This is different.
803
00:36:30,357 --> 00:36:33,487
He's being a jerk.
He's being rude.
804
00:36:42,619 --> 00:36:45,959
And I will win back
my Universal Championship
805
00:36:45,997 --> 00:36:48,577
that I never lost
in the first place.
806
00:36:50,627 --> 00:36:52,587
That's a spoiler.
807
00:36:52,629 --> 00:36:57,339
* *
808
00:36:57,384 --> 00:37:02,894
- Believe...that.
809
00:37:02,931 --> 00:37:06,021
- You see him sitting next to
Paul Heyman on the couch.
810
00:37:06,059 --> 00:37:08,729
You're like,
Roman Reigns is a bad guy.
811
00:37:08,770 --> 00:37:10,360
This is--this--
there's no turning back
812
00:37:10,397 --> 00:37:12,437
'cause they know
no matter what,
813
00:37:12,482 --> 00:37:13,652
Paul Heyman ain't no good guy.
814
00:37:13,692 --> 00:37:17,032
- I exploit historical facts
815
00:37:17,070 --> 00:37:20,410
to shove my points
down your throats.
816
00:37:20,448 --> 00:37:22,118
* *
817
00:37:22,158 --> 00:37:27,038
- Paul Heyman
is a slimy, backstabbing,
818
00:37:27,080 --> 00:37:29,370
weaselly, annoying...
819
00:37:29,416 --> 00:37:33,376
- He's a combination of every
scummy lawyer, businessman,
820
00:37:33,420 --> 00:37:35,920
shady car salesman
you've ever known in your life.
821
00:37:35,964 --> 00:37:42,104
- He always has his clients
in the focal point of the WWE.
822
00:37:42,137 --> 00:37:45,517
He's someone that will use
every single
823
00:37:45,557 --> 00:37:49,097
trick in the book
to get his way.
824
00:37:49,144 --> 00:37:51,524
- When you saw Roman Reigns
and Paul Heyman together,
825
00:37:51,563 --> 00:37:55,033
it solidified that he's really
gone to the dark side.
826
00:37:55,066 --> 00:37:59,316
- Here comes the Big Dog.
He just signed the contract.
827
00:38:00,030 --> 00:38:03,700
- I think everyone always knew
that Roman Reigns
828
00:38:03,742 --> 00:38:05,452
and Paul Heyman would end up
829
00:38:05,493 --> 00:38:08,623
being side by side
at some point.
830
00:38:08,663 --> 00:38:11,463
I think it was inevitable.
831
00:38:11,499 --> 00:38:15,549
I broke in to this industry
when I was a teenager.
832
00:38:15,587 --> 00:38:18,797
I bull[bleep] my way into
Madison Square Garden
833
00:38:18,840 --> 00:38:21,090
when the Garden
was still being run
834
00:38:21,134 --> 00:38:22,804
by Vincent Kennedy,
McMahon's father,
835
00:38:22,844 --> 00:38:25,604
Vincent James McMahon.
836
00:38:25,638 --> 00:38:31,058
Two of the people that looked
after me from the beginning
837
00:38:31,102 --> 00:38:34,312
were Roman's uncle, Afa,
and Roman's father, Sika.
838
00:38:34,356 --> 00:38:36,356
- The Samoan SWAT team.
839
00:38:36,399 --> 00:38:39,649
- I've been with
Roman's family...
840
00:38:39,694 --> 00:38:42,164
before Roman
was with Roman's family.
841
00:38:43,698 --> 00:38:44,818
- When Roman revealed that
842
00:38:44,866 --> 00:38:46,866
he was associated now
with Paul Heyman,
843
00:38:46,910 --> 00:38:49,620
it just kind of put out
this whole new dynamic.
844
00:38:49,662 --> 00:38:51,332
- There will be consequences.
845
00:38:51,373 --> 00:38:53,333
* *
846
00:38:53,375 --> 00:38:56,535
- The fans ate up--
847
00:38:56,586 --> 00:38:58,376
ate up Roman Reigns as a heel.
848
00:38:58,421 --> 00:39:00,301
- Get your ass down here.
Let's go.
849
00:39:00,340 --> 00:39:02,010
- And a new official
heading down to the ring.
850
00:39:02,050 --> 00:39:05,800
- They felt like they won
when he went heel.
851
00:39:05,845 --> 00:39:08,885
- Oh, low blow. Legal though.
No holds barred.
852
00:39:08,932 --> 00:39:11,352
- And Reigns with a spear
to Strowman.
853
00:39:11,393 --> 00:39:13,653
- And the cover by Reigns.
854
00:39:13,687 --> 00:39:17,017
Roman Reigns has won
the Universal Championship.
855
00:39:17,065 --> 00:39:20,935
- Immediately, it clicked
with the audience
856
00:39:20,985 --> 00:39:24,155
because this was the Roman that
they had been waiting to see,
857
00:39:24,197 --> 00:39:26,067
just that confidence
and arrogance,
858
00:39:26,116 --> 00:39:28,696
that feeling of
"I am the top guy.
859
00:39:28,743 --> 00:39:30,873
"I've always been the top guy.
860
00:39:30,912 --> 00:39:33,082
"And for all of you
who didn't recognize that
861
00:39:33,123 --> 00:39:36,213
and acknowledge me as that are
now going to pay and suffer."
862
00:39:36,251 --> 00:39:39,341
- This is a different
human being fundamentally.
863
00:39:39,379 --> 00:39:42,169
Everything about his aura
is completely different.
864
00:39:42,215 --> 00:39:43,965
- Then I'm just doing
the same thing.
865
00:39:44,009 --> 00:39:45,929
So now, when I came back,
866
00:39:45,969 --> 00:39:49,559
I set a whole new tone
and put on a whole different
867
00:39:49,597 --> 00:39:52,927
paint job of the character,
you know.
868
00:39:52,976 --> 00:39:54,726
From a creative standpoint,
869
00:39:54,769 --> 00:39:56,939
there was no conversation.
870
00:39:56,980 --> 00:39:59,690
I said what I wanted to do
and I did it.
871
00:40:00,608 --> 00:40:01,898
That's the beauty of
872
00:40:01,943 --> 00:40:04,243
being the one with
your finger on the trigger.
873
00:40:04,279 --> 00:40:05,989
I don't care who I face.
874
00:40:06,031 --> 00:40:08,741
Feed 'em in and watch 'em all
get slaughtered
875
00:40:08,783 --> 00:40:11,373
because this is my island.
876
00:40:11,411 --> 00:40:14,211
I left and I literally
gave the whole company
877
00:40:14,247 --> 00:40:16,457
an opportunity to step up
and take it from me,
878
00:40:16,499 --> 00:40:17,919
and they couldn't.
879
00:40:17,959 --> 00:40:20,379
And it just showcased
why I'm needed.
880
00:40:20,420 --> 00:40:22,130
And that's the power.
881
00:40:22,172 --> 00:40:25,762
And when you have
this kind of power,
882
00:40:25,800 --> 00:40:28,970
all you gotta do
is show up and win.
883
00:40:31,306 --> 00:40:32,636
Believe that.
884
00:40:35,060 --> 00:40:38,690
- Roman tapped into the power
of his Samoan roots.
885
00:40:38,730 --> 00:40:40,940
The sacred role of high chief
886
00:40:40,982 --> 00:40:43,402
is reserved
for the tribal leader.
887
00:40:43,443 --> 00:40:46,453
Roman declared himself
as the tribal chief,
888
00:40:46,488 --> 00:40:48,158
and by default,
889
00:40:48,198 --> 00:40:50,488
the Head of the Family Table.
890
00:40:50,533 --> 00:40:53,373
Roman ordered his cousins
to fall in line,
891
00:40:53,411 --> 00:40:55,961
starting with Jey Uso.
892
00:40:55,997 --> 00:40:58,747
- Big Usman, throwing his
weight around
893
00:40:58,792 --> 00:41:00,502
since we was little.
894
00:41:00,543 --> 00:41:01,963
But we not little
no more, okay?
895
00:41:02,003 --> 00:41:03,463
- Not only is it
his first defense
896
00:41:03,505 --> 00:41:05,585
of the Universal Championship,
it's against family.
897
00:41:05,632 --> 00:41:08,842
It's against Roman's
very own blood, Jey Uso.
898
00:41:08,885 --> 00:41:10,385
- We're blood.
899
00:41:10,428 --> 00:41:12,258
Family, man.
900
00:41:12,305 --> 00:41:14,465
I'm proud of you.
But the truth is,
901
00:41:14,516 --> 00:41:17,056
like when we were kids,
I'm gonna whoop your ass.
902
00:41:17,102 --> 00:41:22,322
- They had this storyline,
and it's so close to home.
903
00:41:22,357 --> 00:41:26,027
It's like brothers
that are actually fighting.
904
00:41:26,069 --> 00:41:28,319
- Just like
when they were kids,
905
00:41:28,363 --> 00:41:30,823
Roman assured his cousin
that he was doing everything
906
00:41:30,865 --> 00:41:33,785
in the best interests
of the family.
907
00:41:33,827 --> 00:41:37,787
- All I wanted to do
was raise you up.
908
00:41:37,831 --> 00:41:40,001
- Every time I see Roman Reigns
and the Usos
909
00:41:40,041 --> 00:41:43,171
I think, man,
that's not far from real life.
910
00:41:43,211 --> 00:41:45,171
They're always kind of
at each other's throats.
911
00:41:45,213 --> 00:41:46,593
You wonder how tight they are.
912
00:41:46,631 --> 00:41:48,591
If they really like
one another, if they don't.
913
00:41:48,633 --> 00:41:50,893
- This has to stay
on my shoulder
914
00:41:50,927 --> 00:41:53,257
for our family to stay
where it is.
915
00:41:53,304 --> 00:41:54,434
You understand?
916
00:41:54,472 --> 00:41:56,892
- This new version
of Roman Reigns
917
00:41:56,933 --> 00:41:59,233
is very much like a mob boss.
918
00:41:59,269 --> 00:42:03,899
- You will respect me
for who I am in the WWE
919
00:42:03,940 --> 00:42:07,030
and all that I do
for our family.
920
00:42:07,068 --> 00:42:10,948
- The idea that you would want
to challenge me
921
00:42:10,989 --> 00:42:13,409
is offensive to who I am.
922
00:42:13,450 --> 00:42:16,700
And so he didn't want
to just beat Jey Uso,
923
00:42:16,745 --> 00:42:20,365
he wanted to show that
Jey Uso is below him.
924
00:42:20,415 --> 00:42:23,285
His own cousin,
his own flesh and blood,
925
00:42:23,335 --> 00:42:24,585
below him.
926
00:42:24,627 --> 00:42:28,917
And he beat him down
until he acknowledged
927
00:42:28,965 --> 00:42:31,965
Roman Reigns as
the Head of the Table,
928
00:42:32,010 --> 00:42:33,890
the head of the family
929
00:42:33,928 --> 00:42:35,638
and now, Jey Uso,
930
00:42:35,680 --> 00:42:38,560
and his brother, Jimmy Uso,
931
00:42:38,600 --> 00:42:40,140
they are the guys
932
00:42:40,185 --> 00:42:44,265
that do the enforcing for him
when he can't be there.
933
00:42:44,314 --> 00:42:46,234
- Oh, wait a minute--
from behind.
934
00:42:46,274 --> 00:42:48,994
Jimmy and Jey Uso,
Reign's cousins,
935
00:42:49,027 --> 00:42:53,067
the tag team champions,
ambushing Balor.
936
00:42:53,114 --> 00:42:56,454
- All of us working together,
can't nobody touch us.
937
00:42:56,493 --> 00:42:58,243
Can't nobody touch us...
938
00:42:59,120 --> 00:43:02,120
If we do it my way.
939
00:43:02,165 --> 00:43:04,495
- At first I was against it.
940
00:43:04,542 --> 00:43:06,382
but Roman being Roman...
941
00:43:07,462 --> 00:43:10,092
Had a bigger plan.
942
00:43:10,131 --> 00:43:12,591
Told me we were
stronger together.
943
00:43:12,634 --> 00:43:14,644
Bloodline.
944
00:43:14,678 --> 00:43:18,258
- He's the Head of the Table
of his family.
945
00:43:18,306 --> 00:43:20,926
He feeds his father
and his uncles
946
00:43:20,975 --> 00:43:22,685
and his cousins,
947
00:43:22,727 --> 00:43:27,647
and every member of his family
survives and indeed thrives
948
00:43:27,691 --> 00:43:30,991
off of the living
that is made by Roman Reigns.
949
00:43:31,027 --> 00:43:33,737
- You can call this place
whatever you like,
950
00:43:33,780 --> 00:43:35,740
but this is my yard.
951
00:43:35,782 --> 00:43:39,622
This is my island.
This is my ring.
952
00:43:39,661 --> 00:43:42,501
This is my WWE.
953
00:43:42,539 --> 00:43:45,289
- He is there not only
to protect
954
00:43:45,333 --> 00:43:50,713
but to move into the future
the legacy of a dynasty.
955
00:43:50,755 --> 00:43:51,915
- The tribal chief,
956
00:43:51,965 --> 00:43:53,215
he's the boss of everything
957
00:43:53,258 --> 00:43:55,178
that takes care of the family.
958
00:43:55,218 --> 00:43:57,178
They all respect him
as our leader,
959
00:43:57,220 --> 00:43:59,350
as our high talking chief,
960
00:43:59,389 --> 00:44:01,979
that anything
that this chief says
961
00:44:02,017 --> 00:44:03,177
that we are to follow.
962
00:44:03,226 --> 00:44:05,896
It's out of respect
of the culture.
963
00:44:05,937 --> 00:44:07,897
- I love that every time
he talks
964
00:44:07,939 --> 00:44:09,819
it feels like
he's trying to help you.
965
00:44:09,858 --> 00:44:12,898
Come on, you can do better.
966
00:44:12,944 --> 00:44:16,034
- You're here for one hour.
One hour.
967
00:44:16,072 --> 00:44:18,072
I do you a favor.
968
00:44:18,116 --> 00:44:20,116
I put the spotlight on you.
969
00:44:20,160 --> 00:44:23,460
I bring you back,
I put you with us,
970
00:44:23,496 --> 00:44:25,666
and what happens?
971
00:44:25,707 --> 00:44:27,497
You screw it up.
972
00:44:27,542 --> 00:44:31,342
- He really has a way
of talking to the audience
973
00:44:31,379 --> 00:44:33,839
and to his friends and family
in a way--
974
00:44:33,882 --> 00:44:35,432
he gaslights all of us.
975
00:44:35,467 --> 00:44:38,257
He makes you feel like
you're--wait--
976
00:44:38,303 --> 00:44:40,433
no, I hate you for a reason.
Don't I?
977
00:44:40,472 --> 00:44:42,722
"No, no, no.
Why would you hate me?
978
00:44:42,766 --> 00:44:44,516
I'm here for you."
979
00:44:44,559 --> 00:44:47,599
- When it comes to
lifting our legacy up,
980
00:44:47,645 --> 00:44:49,765
our history,
what we're known for,
981
00:44:49,814 --> 00:44:53,324
to continually be
the very best in this business,
982
00:44:53,360 --> 00:44:56,320
I think that my family
heavily depends on me.
983
00:44:56,363 --> 00:44:59,373
- The undisputed tribal chief
984
00:44:59,407 --> 00:45:02,947
was creating a version of WWE
in his own image.
985
00:45:02,994 --> 00:45:06,624
There would be no ceremonial
passing of the torch.
986
00:45:06,664 --> 00:45:09,464
Roman was at "SummerSlam"
to seize it.
987
00:45:09,501 --> 00:45:14,671
- Tonight marks day number 356
988
00:45:14,714 --> 00:45:17,134
in the Universal
Championship reign
989
00:45:17,175 --> 00:45:19,045
of the Head of the Table.
990
00:45:19,094 --> 00:45:20,934
* *
991
00:45:20,970 --> 00:45:24,560
- Roman Reigns had been
building a resume
992
00:45:24,599 --> 00:45:29,649
that was undeniably making him
the face of the company.
993
00:45:29,688 --> 00:45:33,358
But there was always
that voice in the back
994
00:45:33,400 --> 00:45:37,030
of everyone's head that said
John Cena's the guy.
995
00:45:37,070 --> 00:45:39,570
- You know, we talk about Cena
being the greatest of all time
996
00:45:39,614 --> 00:45:42,284
but an argument can be made
that the past year
997
00:45:42,325 --> 00:45:45,035
has been one of the most
dominant years
998
00:45:45,078 --> 00:45:47,908
in history of WWE.
999
00:45:47,956 --> 00:45:52,246
- Every bit of who I am
has gone into this character.
1000
00:45:52,293 --> 00:45:54,423
Every little speed bump,
the adversities,
1001
00:45:54,462 --> 00:45:57,382
the growing pains,
the transitions,
1002
00:45:57,424 --> 00:46:02,934
all of that has been
just balled up and used
1003
00:46:02,971 --> 00:46:04,971
into what you see today.
1004
00:46:05,015 --> 00:46:09,225
- There are 51,326
1005
00:46:09,269 --> 00:46:11,859
WWE fans on hand
1006
00:46:11,896 --> 00:46:14,106
to witness one of
the greatest main events
1007
00:46:14,149 --> 00:46:16,229
in "SummerSlam" history.
1008
00:46:21,072 --> 00:46:23,782
- "SummerSlam" 2021,
1009
00:46:23,825 --> 00:46:29,155
we saw Roman Reigns in the ring
with John Cena...
1010
00:46:30,749 --> 00:46:34,749
This generation's champion
taking on
1011
00:46:34,794 --> 00:46:37,424
the previous
generation's champion.
1012
00:46:37,464 --> 00:46:41,184
- The opportunity for Reigns
to cement his legacy.
1013
00:46:41,217 --> 00:46:42,887
- [groans]
1014
00:46:42,927 --> 00:46:45,467
* *
1015
00:46:45,513 --> 00:46:47,603
- When it comes to
an arena full
1016
00:46:47,640 --> 00:46:50,390
of sold out to capacity
crowd...
1017
00:46:52,187 --> 00:46:54,227
I don't think there's really
gonna be anybody
1018
00:46:54,272 --> 00:46:57,532
that can get 100% of them
at all times.
1019
00:46:57,567 --> 00:46:58,987
- [groans]
1020
00:46:59,027 --> 00:47:01,697
- Roman with a right hand
dropping John.
1021
00:47:01,738 --> 00:47:03,238
[crowd booing]
1022
00:47:03,281 --> 00:47:06,661
Now Roman mocking
the WWE Universe.
1023
00:47:06,701 --> 00:47:09,371
* *
1024
00:47:09,412 --> 00:47:13,042
- But to keep 100% of them
invested
1025
00:47:13,083 --> 00:47:15,213
one way or the other...
1026
00:47:15,752 --> 00:47:17,802
To make them do
what I want them to do...
1027
00:47:17,837 --> 00:47:19,877
* *
1028
00:47:19,923 --> 00:47:23,053
That's the key.
1029
00:47:23,093 --> 00:47:25,723
I'll whoop all
y'all's asses too.
1030
00:47:25,762 --> 00:47:27,432
I'll whoop
all y'all's asses too.
1031
00:47:27,472 --> 00:47:29,312
Come on, sucker.
Come on.
1032
00:47:29,349 --> 00:47:31,269
- Roman Reigns is so good
at being a bad guy
1033
00:47:31,309 --> 00:47:33,769
'cause from whatever
negativity's coming at him
1034
00:47:33,812 --> 00:47:35,232
and the boos and--
1035
00:47:35,271 --> 00:47:39,031
he seems to really enjoy
what it gives to him.
1036
00:47:39,067 --> 00:47:40,937
* *
1037
00:47:40,985 --> 00:47:44,605
The combination that makes
Roman Reigns work is
1038
00:47:44,656 --> 00:47:48,156
you don't like him but
you kind of want to be him.
1039
00:47:48,201 --> 00:47:50,331
He's good-looking
and there's envy.
1040
00:47:50,370 --> 00:47:52,460
You want to be in his shoes
1041
00:47:52,497 --> 00:47:54,747
and yet you can't stand
that he's in that position.
1042
00:47:54,791 --> 00:47:58,421
- Roman Reigns is the character
everyone loves to hate.
1043
00:47:58,461 --> 00:48:01,341
He's the quarterback
that steals your girlfriend,
1044
00:48:01,381 --> 00:48:04,261
and there's not a damn thing
you can do about it.
1045
00:48:04,300 --> 00:48:05,720
- [groans]
1046
00:48:05,760 --> 00:48:07,760
- And again,
a right drops John.
1047
00:48:07,804 --> 00:48:10,314
- It feels like a lot
of Allegiant Stadium
1048
00:48:10,348 --> 00:48:13,438
is on Team Cena.
- Acknowledge me.
1049
00:48:13,476 --> 00:48:15,686
- "Acknowledge me"
1050
00:48:15,729 --> 00:48:18,609
is the perfect catchphrase
for Roman Reigns.
1051
00:48:18,648 --> 00:48:22,238
When he says "acknowledge me,"
that's a contradiction
1052
00:48:22,277 --> 00:48:25,357
because a champ doesn't need to
ask people to acknowledge him.
1053
00:48:25,405 --> 00:48:27,655
But he does
because he doesn't get
1054
00:48:27,699 --> 00:48:32,329
the fan love that
other champions get.
1055
00:48:32,370 --> 00:48:35,540
- I view Roman Reigns
as a righteous man
1056
00:48:35,582 --> 00:48:38,792
driven to villainous
circumstances to survive.
1057
00:48:38,835 --> 00:48:41,245
- Hollywood, I apologize,
1058
00:48:41,296 --> 00:48:43,166
but I'm gonna hurt this man.
1059
00:48:43,214 --> 00:48:45,134
I'm gonna hurt--
I'm gonna whoop his ass
1060
00:48:45,175 --> 00:48:48,135
and we're gonna send him to--
he ain't gonna be able to work.
1061
00:48:48,178 --> 00:48:50,808
He ain't gonna be able to--
don't bring him back here.
1062
00:48:50,847 --> 00:48:52,467
I'm WWE.
1063
00:48:52,515 --> 00:48:54,515
- When we think about
Roman Reigns
1064
00:48:54,559 --> 00:48:57,899
becoming a villain,
embodying that evil persona,
1065
00:48:57,937 --> 00:48:59,977
leaning in to that hate,
1066
00:49:00,023 --> 00:49:02,693
I think that gave him power
and gave him strength.
1067
00:49:02,734 --> 00:49:05,364
[crowd booing]
1068
00:49:05,403 --> 00:49:09,323
- He is guy who was sick
of everyone coming after him
1069
00:49:09,366 --> 00:49:11,696
for no good reason.
1070
00:49:11,743 --> 00:49:14,163
Showed no respect
for his skill, his talent,
1071
00:49:14,204 --> 00:49:16,004
and frankly, his lineage.
1072
00:49:16,039 --> 00:49:17,829
And he stood up for it.
1073
00:49:17,874 --> 00:49:23,804
It totally changed
the landscape of the business.
1074
00:49:23,838 --> 00:49:27,298
- All me!
I am WWE!
1075
00:49:27,342 --> 00:49:29,592
- The Head of the Table.
1076
00:49:29,636 --> 00:49:32,176
Roman Reigns with a spear.
1077
00:49:32,222 --> 00:49:34,682
- One, two, three.
1078
00:49:34,724 --> 00:49:37,444
[match bell dings]
- And just like that,
1079
00:49:37,477 --> 00:49:40,807
Roman Reigns
will retain the championship.
1080
00:49:40,855 --> 00:49:42,855
* *
1081
00:49:42,899 --> 00:49:44,779
- When Roman Reigns
beat John Cena,
1082
00:49:44,818 --> 00:49:47,108
he did not just
retain his title,
1083
00:49:47,153 --> 00:49:51,203
he became officially
the man of the company,
1084
00:49:51,241 --> 00:49:52,871
the face of the company,
1085
00:49:52,909 --> 00:49:56,039
and the champion
of this generation.
1086
00:49:56,079 --> 00:49:59,709
- Nobody in this generation
that came up like me.
1087
00:49:59,749 --> 00:50:02,129
I'm the only one
that really came in
1088
00:50:02,168 --> 00:50:04,338
and removed these legends
1089
00:50:04,379 --> 00:50:07,719
that made way
for the new generation.
1090
00:50:07,757 --> 00:50:10,297
In 20 years,
there might be more people
1091
00:50:10,343 --> 00:50:12,893
molded after me
opposed to, like,
1092
00:50:12,929 --> 00:50:15,349
the parallels of John Cena
to Hulk Hogan.
1093
00:50:15,390 --> 00:50:18,770
Like, you target the kids.
Hustle, loyalty, respect.
1094
00:50:18,810 --> 00:50:20,980
Doing the same old schtick.
You know what I mean?
1095
00:50:21,021 --> 00:50:24,521
It's the same format
just on a different dude.
1096
00:50:24,566 --> 00:50:26,186
And nobody's done it like me,
1097
00:50:26,234 --> 00:50:28,454
but maybe
in like, 20 or 30 years,
1098
00:50:28,486 --> 00:50:30,606
if there's someone out there
with the ability,
1099
00:50:30,655 --> 00:50:33,905
we might be able
to see this mold again.
1100
00:50:34,659 --> 00:50:37,579
- Roman is entering
the peak of his career
1101
00:50:37,620 --> 00:50:39,460
and is already
one of the greatest superstars
1102
00:50:39,497 --> 00:50:41,037
of this era.
1103
00:50:41,082 --> 00:50:44,882
So is the undisputed
tribal chief
1104
00:50:44,919 --> 00:50:47,839
and Head of the Samoan
Family Table
1105
00:50:47,881 --> 00:50:50,261
destined to be one
of the greatest superstars
1106
00:50:50,300 --> 00:50:52,640
of all time?
1107
00:50:52,677 --> 00:50:56,007
- Obviously, when you think
about all-time great
1108
00:50:56,056 --> 00:50:58,676
Samoan superstars,
1109
00:50:58,725 --> 00:51:00,385
no one's bigger than the Rock.
1110
00:51:00,435 --> 00:51:03,475
* *
1111
00:51:03,521 --> 00:51:05,821
And Roman knows
that shadow's there.
1112
00:51:05,857 --> 00:51:08,567
And I'm sure that's something
that drives him.
1113
00:51:08,610 --> 00:51:11,490
- Would you ever
fight the Rock?
1114
00:51:11,529 --> 00:51:13,199
- I would, yes.
I don't know if--
1115
00:51:13,239 --> 00:51:15,079
I don't know if he wants it.
1116
00:51:15,116 --> 00:51:17,366
- Roman Reigns
beating your hero?
1117
00:51:17,410 --> 00:51:20,750
He beats Dwayne Johnson
as a villain?
1118
00:51:20,789 --> 00:51:22,539
No one will be able to deny
1119
00:51:22,582 --> 00:51:24,712
Roman Reigns is the greatest
villain of all time.
1120
00:51:24,751 --> 00:51:26,801
No one.
1121
00:51:28,213 --> 00:51:29,803
- We haven't even begun yet.
1122
00:51:29,839 --> 00:51:31,419
* *
1123
00:51:31,466 --> 00:51:33,296
There's so much
greatness to chase.
1124
00:51:33,343 --> 00:51:37,393
The moments can get bigger.
1125
00:51:37,430 --> 00:51:39,970
We're not even
scratching the surface.
1126
00:51:40,016 --> 00:51:42,636
I think the legacy that
Roman Reigns will leave
1127
00:51:42,686 --> 00:51:46,306
is being the best of all time
1128
00:51:46,356 --> 00:51:49,436
and doing it my way.
1129
00:51:50,402 --> 00:51:53,572
So everything I've ever done
is to get into the position
1130
00:51:53,613 --> 00:51:56,993
to where I have the power.
1131
00:51:57,033 --> 00:51:58,583
And now I have the power.
1132
00:51:58,618 --> 00:52:02,868
- Roman Reigns!