1 00:00:08,259 --> 00:00:11,304 - What a display of dominance and power. 2 00:00:11,345 --> 00:00:14,348 Roman continues to reign. 3 00:00:15,058 --> 00:00:18,811 - At this point there's no smoke and mirrors with me. 4 00:00:18,853 --> 00:00:20,188 I don't costume myself. 5 00:00:20,229 --> 00:00:21,981 I'm not running around with a snake. 6 00:00:22,023 --> 00:00:23,524 - Look at this. 7 00:00:23,566 --> 00:00:24,942 - The Mouth is fighting for his life in there. 8 00:00:24,984 --> 00:00:26,444 - Great respect to him, 9 00:00:26,486 --> 00:00:29,238 but Hulk Hogan doesn't work in 2022. 10 00:00:30,448 --> 00:00:32,116 Even The Undertaker, 11 00:00:32,158 --> 00:00:35,828 it's not the same as it was back in the early '90s. 12 00:00:35,870 --> 00:00:38,039 - Roman Reigns is so good at being a bad guy 13 00:00:38,081 --> 00:00:40,666 'cause he seems to enjoy it. He seems to revel in it. 14 00:00:40,708 --> 00:00:42,835 He seems to get energy from it. 15 00:00:43,795 --> 00:00:45,421 - I'll whoop all y'all's asses. 16 00:00:45,463 --> 00:00:47,256 Come on, suckers. Come on. 17 00:00:47,298 --> 00:00:49,592 - He indulges in it. 18 00:00:49,634 --> 00:00:51,761 You can just see it in his posture 19 00:00:51,803 --> 00:00:53,679 and the tone of voice that he uses... 20 00:00:53,721 --> 00:00:56,891 - In all that I do for our family. 21 00:00:56,933 --> 00:00:58,351 - It's so authentic. 22 00:00:58,393 --> 00:01:01,771 He's not purely evil, 23 00:01:01,813 --> 00:01:03,022 he's purely who he is. 24 00:01:03,064 --> 00:01:05,358 - Oh, God, are you kidding me? - [groans] 25 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:06,275 - Roman, no. - No. 26 00:01:06,317 --> 00:01:07,944 [groans] 27 00:01:07,985 --> 00:01:10,822 - His performance as a villain is above all others. 28 00:01:10,863 --> 00:01:13,241 * * 29 00:01:13,282 --> 00:01:15,535 - He's being the worst he's ever been. 30 00:01:15,576 --> 00:01:18,287 The most disrespectful. 31 00:01:18,329 --> 00:01:20,790 The most absurd. The most cocky. 32 00:01:20,832 --> 00:01:22,500 - I told you. 33 00:01:22,542 --> 00:01:25,002 Everything that I've ever done, up until this point 34 00:01:25,044 --> 00:01:29,298 has been a part of making this performance 100% authentic. 35 00:01:29,340 --> 00:01:31,008 - [screams] 36 00:01:31,050 --> 00:01:34,679 - He's the most ruthless, the most violent, 37 00:01:34,721 --> 00:01:38,224 a desire to be the best that has ever done this. 38 00:01:38,266 --> 00:01:42,854 - Who, if anyone, can stop the Head of the Table? 39 00:01:42,895 --> 00:01:45,857 - I'm not playing a character. I am the character. 40 00:01:45,898 --> 00:01:48,860 [eerie music] 41 00:01:48,901 --> 00:01:54,741 * * 42 00:02:07,086 --> 00:02:11,007 [crowd cheering] 43 00:02:11,049 --> 00:02:13,092 - Roman Reigns is one of the most accomplished 44 00:02:13,134 --> 00:02:17,013 WWE Superstars of all time. 45 00:02:17,055 --> 00:02:19,766 But unlike most great champions, 46 00:02:19,807 --> 00:02:24,395 the WWE Universe has not always embraced the Big Dog. 47 00:02:24,437 --> 00:02:29,025 [crowd chanting "Roman sucks!"] 48 00:02:29,067 --> 00:02:32,111 [crowd chanting "Go away!"] 49 00:02:32,153 --> 00:02:35,406 [crowd chanting "You suck!"] 50 00:02:35,448 --> 00:02:38,034 After nearly a decade, 51 00:02:38,076 --> 00:02:41,287 has his love/hate relationship with the WWE Universe... 52 00:02:41,329 --> 00:02:44,624 [crowd chanting "Roman Reigns!"] 53 00:02:44,665 --> 00:02:47,710 Finally released the demon within? 54 00:02:47,752 --> 00:02:49,462 - Bryan is through the table. 55 00:02:49,504 --> 00:02:51,297 * * 56 00:02:51,339 --> 00:02:52,924 And just like that, 57 00:02:52,965 --> 00:02:56,803 Roman Reigns will retain the championship. 58 00:02:57,887 --> 00:03:00,932 - I've always known I'm supposed to be somebody. 59 00:03:01,974 --> 00:03:04,769 I knew that, like, I had something 60 00:03:04,811 --> 00:03:07,772 big that was destined for me. 61 00:03:07,814 --> 00:03:09,982 It's not one of those just shot out of the cannon, 62 00:03:10,024 --> 00:03:11,567 right to the moon stories. 63 00:03:11,609 --> 00:03:15,530 This has been a very in the trenches, 64 00:03:15,571 --> 00:03:18,658 day in, day out, year after year 65 00:03:18,699 --> 00:03:20,660 critical journey that I had to take 66 00:03:20,701 --> 00:03:23,079 in order to take on this responsibility 67 00:03:23,121 --> 00:03:24,497 of the family business. 68 00:03:24,539 --> 00:03:25,623 - They've got to be the toughest tag team. 69 00:03:25,665 --> 00:03:27,667 - The Bloodline refers to the fact 70 00:03:27,708 --> 00:03:29,585 that Roman Reigns is a part of this 71 00:03:29,627 --> 00:03:33,339 incredibly successful wrestling family 72 00:03:33,381 --> 00:03:34,924 with tons of big names 73 00:03:34,966 --> 00:03:37,468 who have been massive stars over the years. 74 00:03:37,510 --> 00:03:39,429 - The branches on the family tree are crazy. 75 00:03:39,470 --> 00:03:41,055 So you got Sika, his father. 76 00:03:41,097 --> 00:03:43,182 - Sika is bigger than Hogan is now. 77 00:03:43,224 --> 00:03:46,853 - You got Afa who is Sika's brother. 78 00:03:46,894 --> 00:03:48,855 Probably one of the greatest tag teams of all time. 79 00:03:48,896 --> 00:03:52,483 And then you got Rikishi who is Roman's cousin. 80 00:03:52,525 --> 00:03:55,820 And Rikishi is the dad of Jimmy and Jey. 81 00:03:55,862 --> 00:03:57,447 And they're a part of the Bloodline. 82 00:03:57,488 --> 00:04:00,742 You got Yokozuna who's the cousin through marriage. 83 00:04:00,783 --> 00:04:02,660 You got Tamina who's a cousin. 84 00:04:02,702 --> 00:04:04,537 You got Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson 85 00:04:04,579 --> 00:04:05,872 who's a cousin through marriage. 86 00:04:05,913 --> 00:04:08,916 How deep does the bloodline go? 87 00:04:08,958 --> 00:04:11,502 - Our legacy is such a thick web. 88 00:04:11,544 --> 00:04:13,921 It wasn't just my dad. It wasn't just my uncle. 89 00:04:13,963 --> 00:04:16,716 I mean, I had a dozen cousins do it. 90 00:04:16,758 --> 00:04:20,595 Some of my very first memories is watching my dad... 91 00:04:20,636 --> 00:04:23,014 - Here comes Sika again with another headbutt. 92 00:04:23,056 --> 00:04:24,724 - Smash his opponents. 93 00:04:25,558 --> 00:04:29,395 I mean, you know, I was born and raised in this business. 94 00:04:29,437 --> 00:04:30,980 It's a very physical lifestyle. 95 00:04:31,022 --> 00:04:34,567 What I grew up around, watching my dad set that tone 96 00:04:34,609 --> 00:04:35,985 for being a savage out there. 97 00:04:36,027 --> 00:04:39,238 It's hard not to picture yourself 98 00:04:39,280 --> 00:04:40,907 in this form of entertainment. 99 00:04:40,948 --> 00:04:43,993 Like, I can do that too. This is how we've always 100 00:04:44,035 --> 00:04:46,370 provided for our family is in that ring. 101 00:04:46,412 --> 00:04:48,289 It's just all we've ever known. 102 00:04:48,331 --> 00:04:50,249 It's who we are. 103 00:04:50,291 --> 00:04:52,001 * * 104 00:04:52,043 --> 00:04:54,879 - As a kid, Joe was very confident 105 00:04:54,921 --> 00:04:57,298 and it's exactly what Roman is today. 106 00:04:57,340 --> 00:04:59,384 Growing up, man, he always tried 107 00:04:59,425 --> 00:05:01,886 to one up me and my brother. 108 00:05:01,928 --> 00:05:05,306 - We was competing in drawing, board games, 109 00:05:05,348 --> 00:05:07,266 football games, in the classroom, 110 00:05:07,308 --> 00:05:08,518 even with girls, man. 111 00:05:08,559 --> 00:05:10,353 I think that's where the Big Dog was created. 112 00:05:10,395 --> 00:05:11,771 * * 113 00:05:11,813 --> 00:05:13,022 - He's always been playing 114 00:05:13,064 --> 00:05:15,400 the mind games when we was kids. 115 00:05:15,441 --> 00:05:16,901 "Yo, man, you want that last slice? 116 00:05:16,943 --> 00:05:18,319 "You don't want that last slice of pizza, man. 117 00:05:18,361 --> 00:05:20,571 "'Cause you ate--you already ate all the pizza, right? 118 00:05:20,613 --> 00:05:21,989 "'Cause let me get--I'm sure. Yeah, all right. 119 00:05:22,031 --> 00:05:23,199 Go ahead, dog. You can have it." 120 00:05:23,241 --> 00:05:24,492 You know, he do them things. 121 00:05:24,534 --> 00:05:26,119 Say we running a basketball game or something. 122 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:29,497 If he got there too late and we already started the game, 123 00:05:29,539 --> 00:05:30,915 he'd be like, "Yo, let me jump in." 124 00:05:30,957 --> 00:05:32,041 "Sorry, bro, we already started." 125 00:05:32,083 --> 00:05:33,459 He'd grab the ball. 126 00:05:33,501 --> 00:05:34,711 He'd chuck it over in the next door neighbor's yard. 127 00:05:34,752 --> 00:05:37,004 Ain't nobody playing. 128 00:05:37,046 --> 00:05:40,550 - While many in the family were wrestling superstars, 129 00:05:40,591 --> 00:05:43,720 Roman's first passion was football. 130 00:05:43,761 --> 00:05:46,389 - Joe was like 6'1", 225 in high school. 131 00:05:46,431 --> 00:05:47,890 You know, he was a beast. 132 00:05:47,932 --> 00:05:50,601 Definitely thought football would be his calling. 133 00:05:50,643 --> 00:05:53,855 - I signed with Georgia Tech. 134 00:05:53,896 --> 00:05:56,274 Playing Division I college football, 135 00:05:56,315 --> 00:06:00,695 it really pushed me to want to be able carve out my own path 136 00:06:00,737 --> 00:06:03,614 and really define myself in my own light. 137 00:06:03,656 --> 00:06:05,116 I was really good. 138 00:06:05,158 --> 00:06:08,828 [birds chirruping] 139 00:06:08,870 --> 00:06:10,204 Well, I signed with the Vikings, 140 00:06:10,246 --> 00:06:13,458 and I went up there for rookie camp. 141 00:06:13,499 --> 00:06:16,002 Went through all my physicals. 142 00:06:16,044 --> 00:06:17,754 And by the time I was done with my practice 143 00:06:17,795 --> 00:06:20,965 that first practice... 144 00:06:21,716 --> 00:06:23,968 All the test results for my bloodwork came back, 145 00:06:24,010 --> 00:06:27,138 and that's when I was introduced to leukemia. 146 00:06:27,180 --> 00:06:30,183 * * 147 00:06:30,224 --> 00:06:33,311 My mind was blown. 148 00:06:33,352 --> 00:06:35,938 My heart was broken. 149 00:06:35,980 --> 00:06:38,608 I was scared for my life. 150 00:06:40,026 --> 00:06:43,196 When you have something that you can't control, 151 00:06:43,237 --> 00:06:44,822 it affects you all the way around. 152 00:06:44,864 --> 00:06:49,243 Mentally, emotionally. It effects everything. 153 00:06:49,285 --> 00:06:50,578 It wasn't easy. 154 00:06:51,871 --> 00:06:54,123 - I remember feeling just as shocked as everyone. 155 00:06:54,165 --> 00:06:56,793 Like, not my family. Like, no, not Joe. 156 00:06:56,834 --> 00:06:58,378 He can't go out like that. 157 00:06:58,419 --> 00:07:01,381 - The last place I want to like, just let my dream 158 00:07:01,422 --> 00:07:03,591 fall through or everything that I've worked for 159 00:07:03,633 --> 00:07:05,635 is in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 160 00:07:05,676 --> 00:07:07,011 Like, so the first thing was to get home, 161 00:07:07,053 --> 00:07:08,679 get back down to Pensacola, Florida. 162 00:07:08,721 --> 00:07:10,681 Get around my loved ones, my mom. 163 00:07:10,723 --> 00:07:13,893 Once we got to about a year and a half or so, 164 00:07:13,935 --> 00:07:16,145 when we really started to see significant movement 165 00:07:16,187 --> 00:07:18,898 in my bloodwork, that's when, you know, 166 00:07:18,940 --> 00:07:20,441 I started to feel like, 167 00:07:20,483 --> 00:07:24,946 "Okay, I might be able to live a normal life." 168 00:07:24,987 --> 00:07:27,740 As far as chasing dreams and being an athlete, 169 00:07:27,782 --> 00:07:29,409 that was completely up in the air. 170 00:07:29,450 --> 00:07:31,160 * * 171 00:07:31,202 --> 00:07:35,706 - With his cancer in remission and his football dreams over, 172 00:07:35,748 --> 00:07:38,876 Roman contemplated his future. 173 00:07:38,918 --> 00:07:40,545 - I talked to my cousins. 174 00:07:40,586 --> 00:07:41,713 They had already started working 175 00:07:41,754 --> 00:07:43,047 on the independent scene. 176 00:07:43,089 --> 00:07:46,718 - Making their debut as a tandem here at FCW, 177 00:07:46,759 --> 00:07:49,429 Jimmy and Jules Uso. 178 00:07:49,470 --> 00:07:51,806 - When me and my brother, we was down in Tampa, Florida 179 00:07:51,848 --> 00:07:54,934 with the FCW doing our thing. 180 00:07:54,976 --> 00:07:57,395 - Jimmy and Jules Uso. 181 00:07:57,437 --> 00:07:58,813 - I remember we had the conversation. 182 00:07:58,855 --> 00:08:01,399 "How is it wrestling?" "Yo, you gotta come. 183 00:08:01,441 --> 00:08:03,901 "You gotta come down here, bro. You gotta be here. 184 00:08:03,943 --> 00:08:05,445 This is where we supposed to be at." 185 00:08:05,486 --> 00:08:07,447 * * 186 00:08:07,488 --> 00:08:10,700 - When I got to FCW, I was just so focused on 187 00:08:10,742 --> 00:08:12,076 trying to learn how to wrestle. 188 00:08:12,118 --> 00:08:13,536 I was addicted to going out there. 189 00:08:13,578 --> 00:08:15,163 I was addicted to going through the curtain 190 00:08:15,204 --> 00:08:17,373 and getting better, growing, and working on my craft. 191 00:08:17,415 --> 00:08:19,333 I like to figure things out for myself. 192 00:08:19,375 --> 00:08:21,961 I like to experience it. I like to be in the moment. 193 00:08:22,003 --> 00:08:24,630 I like to take it on, digest it. 194 00:08:24,672 --> 00:08:26,257 It was always just about reps. 195 00:08:26,299 --> 00:08:28,718 - Stumbling to his feet. A big flying forearm. 196 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:30,720 Ricardo turned inside out. 197 00:08:30,762 --> 00:08:33,097 - This is what it's all about here in developmental. 198 00:08:33,139 --> 00:08:35,141 This is what it's all about... - [screams] 199 00:08:35,183 --> 00:08:36,934 - To make sure you stand out. 200 00:08:36,976 --> 00:08:38,853 To be the next person to leave here 201 00:08:38,895 --> 00:08:40,730 and to go to the WWE. 202 00:08:40,772 --> 00:08:43,024 - I'm just a hardheaded alpha male. 203 00:08:43,066 --> 00:08:45,860 I don't try to be influenced too heavily by anyone 204 00:08:45,902 --> 00:08:46,819 because I need to be me. 205 00:08:46,861 --> 00:08:50,031 * * 206 00:08:50,073 --> 00:08:52,658 - In the beginning, the pressure on him is immense 207 00:08:52,700 --> 00:08:53,951 because he's a part of one of 208 00:08:53,993 --> 00:08:56,496 the greatest lineages of all time. 209 00:08:57,121 --> 00:08:59,540 He's from a family where they won't give you that. 210 00:08:59,582 --> 00:09:00,917 They'll give you an opportunity, 211 00:09:00,958 --> 00:09:02,835 but you have to earn everything. 212 00:09:02,877 --> 00:09:05,463 - Roman Reigns! 213 00:09:05,505 --> 00:09:07,423 * * 214 00:09:07,465 --> 00:09:10,134 - Roman Reigns with tremendous power. 215 00:09:10,176 --> 00:09:12,095 There's the first strike. - [screams] 216 00:09:12,136 --> 00:09:14,263 - What an arm to the neck area. 217 00:09:14,305 --> 00:09:16,641 - When Roman was coming up in NXT, 218 00:09:16,682 --> 00:09:19,602 we often joked that if Vince could go into a laboratory 219 00:09:19,644 --> 00:09:22,230 and just dial up exactly what a WWE Superstar looks like, 220 00:09:22,271 --> 00:09:24,440 that's Roman Reigns. - WWE officials 221 00:09:24,482 --> 00:09:26,901 know what they have when they see Roman Reigns. 222 00:09:26,943 --> 00:09:28,277 They know they have a potential 223 00:09:28,319 --> 00:09:30,321 mega-superstar in their midst. 224 00:09:30,363 --> 00:09:32,532 - Big, kind of looked like he was like 225 00:09:32,573 --> 00:09:34,742 a "Game of Thrones" character. You know what I mean? 226 00:09:34,784 --> 00:09:36,994 Like, the tattoos and the muscles. 227 00:09:37,036 --> 00:09:38,913 - One thing that I notice more than anything-- 228 00:09:38,955 --> 00:09:41,207 his incredible footwork and agility. 229 00:09:41,249 --> 00:09:43,126 - He looked the part, he acted the part. 230 00:09:43,167 --> 00:09:44,877 You can see the power. 231 00:09:44,919 --> 00:09:46,337 You see magic there. 232 00:09:46,379 --> 00:09:49,340 - Winds him up for a powerful throwdown. 233 00:09:49,382 --> 00:09:51,676 * * 234 00:09:51,718 --> 00:09:53,094 For the win. [match bell dings] 235 00:09:53,136 --> 00:09:56,681 Roman Reigns! - Here is your winner, 236 00:09:56,723 --> 00:09:59,934 Roman Reigns! 237 00:09:59,976 --> 00:10:01,519 [crowd booing] 238 00:10:01,561 --> 00:10:04,439 - A natural in the ring from day one, 239 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,358 the cocky, self-absorbed Roman Reigns 240 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:10,486 knew he was always destined for greatness. 241 00:10:10,528 --> 00:10:12,697 - Up and coming, high rising superstar, 242 00:10:12,739 --> 00:10:13,906 Roman Reigns. 243 00:10:13,948 --> 00:10:15,408 Finally we have a chance to talk with-- 244 00:10:15,450 --> 00:10:16,409 - Finally? 245 00:10:16,451 --> 00:10:17,994 What you talking about "finally"? 246 00:10:18,035 --> 00:10:19,996 You got a problem? 247 00:10:21,831 --> 00:10:23,666 You're jealous of me, ain't you? 248 00:10:23,708 --> 00:10:25,793 What time is it? Tell me what time it is. 249 00:10:25,835 --> 00:10:28,671 [stutters] What, you can't read clocks? 250 00:10:28,713 --> 00:10:32,050 - Coming across as a bad guy, 251 00:10:32,091 --> 00:10:35,011 it's always something that came natural for Joe. 252 00:10:35,053 --> 00:10:36,637 He knows what to say out there. 253 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:38,347 - It's Roman Reigns' time, 254 00:10:38,389 --> 00:10:39,932 and you should feel very fortunate right now. 255 00:10:39,974 --> 00:10:41,601 Get out of here. 256 00:10:41,642 --> 00:10:43,853 - You're very important and we have questions... 257 00:10:43,895 --> 00:10:46,105 [phone rings] that we want to ask you... 258 00:10:46,147 --> 00:10:48,149 - That's what makes a good heel 259 00:10:48,191 --> 00:10:50,068 is to be able to get out there... 260 00:10:50,109 --> 00:10:51,819 - His animosity still not spent. 261 00:10:51,861 --> 00:10:53,279 - Get out. 262 00:10:53,321 --> 00:10:56,657 - And have all those fans want to jump through the TV 263 00:10:56,699 --> 00:10:59,035 to pretty much strangle your ass 264 00:10:59,077 --> 00:11:02,371 from being so pissed off. [chuckles] 265 00:11:02,413 --> 00:11:03,915 - While at NXT, 266 00:11:03,956 --> 00:11:06,084 Roman combined his natural athleticism 267 00:11:06,125 --> 00:11:08,294 with his real life swagger. 268 00:11:08,336 --> 00:11:12,131 The seeds were planted for what was to come. 269 00:11:12,173 --> 00:11:15,593 When Roman finally made his way to the main roster, 270 00:11:15,635 --> 00:11:21,182 it was a debut that changed the course of WWE history. 271 00:11:21,224 --> 00:11:23,518 - Ryback is unstoppable. - Oh, my God. 272 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:25,103 - Ryback's unbelievable. - Oh, my God. 273 00:11:25,144 --> 00:11:26,604 - What in the world? What is this? 274 00:11:26,646 --> 00:11:28,606 These three guys just came rushing through the crowd. 275 00:11:28,648 --> 00:11:30,900 This is an absolute mauling of Ryback. 276 00:11:30,942 --> 00:11:32,610 What is this? 277 00:11:32,652 --> 00:11:34,320 That--that's Roman Reigns. 278 00:11:34,362 --> 00:11:37,115 Roman Reigns from NXT. What is he doing here? 279 00:11:37,156 --> 00:11:38,282 - Look out! Wait! 280 00:11:38,324 --> 00:11:40,993 Ryback's down. - Oh, my God. 281 00:11:44,705 --> 00:11:46,082 - What in the world? What is this? 282 00:11:46,124 --> 00:11:47,625 - Ryback's down. - Oh, my God. 283 00:11:47,667 --> 00:11:49,252 - That's Roman Reigns from NXT. 284 00:11:49,293 --> 00:11:51,713 What is he doing here? 285 00:11:51,754 --> 00:11:53,923 - In 2012, 286 00:11:53,965 --> 00:11:57,093 Roman was the muscle behind a new renegade faction 287 00:11:57,135 --> 00:11:59,303 known as The Shield. 288 00:12:01,264 --> 00:12:03,391 Roman made an immediate impact. 289 00:12:03,433 --> 00:12:04,726 - [groans] 290 00:12:04,767 --> 00:12:06,561 - When The Shield first debuted, 291 00:12:06,602 --> 00:12:09,605 it was one of the coolest mysteries 292 00:12:09,647 --> 00:12:11,149 you could ask for in pro wrestling. 293 00:12:11,190 --> 00:12:14,318 Who are these guys? What's their goal? 294 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:17,238 - They were the people that you could hire for a price 295 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:19,782 to do your dirty work. They were enforcers. 296 00:12:19,824 --> 00:12:21,743 - [groans] 297 00:12:21,784 --> 00:12:22,869 - They was looking hungry. 298 00:12:22,910 --> 00:12:25,037 - [roars] 299 00:12:25,079 --> 00:12:27,707 - I knew they was gonna make noise, man. 300 00:12:27,749 --> 00:12:30,501 - The show was just a vehicle to the main roster. 301 00:12:30,543 --> 00:12:33,212 That was the vehicle out of the warehouse. 302 00:12:34,005 --> 00:12:36,049 It was simple. 303 00:12:36,090 --> 00:12:38,217 Come in and smash people. 304 00:12:38,259 --> 00:12:40,720 - Shield bomb at the table! 305 00:12:40,762 --> 00:12:43,347 - [screams] 306 00:12:43,389 --> 00:12:45,183 - Unbelievable that they continue 307 00:12:45,224 --> 00:12:46,642 to just decimate people. 308 00:12:46,684 --> 00:12:48,478 - Those guys are incredible. 309 00:12:48,519 --> 00:12:50,229 * * 310 00:12:50,271 --> 00:12:52,523 - They were just mopping the floor with people 311 00:12:52,565 --> 00:12:53,816 every single week. 312 00:12:53,858 --> 00:12:55,943 Every trio, every star, 313 00:12:55,985 --> 00:12:58,071 every champion, every legend. 314 00:12:58,112 --> 00:12:59,822 - They attacked the Rock. 315 00:12:59,864 --> 00:13:02,033 - [groans] 316 00:13:02,075 --> 00:13:04,869 - Not just anyone gets to take out the Rock. 317 00:13:04,911 --> 00:13:06,454 - [roars] 318 00:13:06,496 --> 00:13:09,123 - If you're someone who's able to powerbomb the Rock-- 319 00:13:09,165 --> 00:13:11,000 we know, as fans, he's evil. 320 00:13:11,042 --> 00:13:13,127 We know, as fans, he's a bad guy. 321 00:13:13,169 --> 00:13:16,297 * * 322 00:13:16,339 --> 00:13:17,924 - They're getting cheered by the crowd, 323 00:13:17,965 --> 00:13:20,635 but they're still doing villainous acts. 324 00:13:20,676 --> 00:13:22,053 They're putting people through tables 325 00:13:22,095 --> 00:13:23,513 that might not really deserve it. 326 00:13:23,554 --> 00:13:26,432 These are the things you do to build a heel persona, 327 00:13:26,474 --> 00:13:28,434 and the fans loved watching every second of it. 328 00:13:28,476 --> 00:13:30,645 [crowd cheering] 329 00:13:30,686 --> 00:13:32,146 All three look different 330 00:13:32,188 --> 00:13:33,731 and they all represented different things. 331 00:13:33,773 --> 00:13:36,317 Dean Ambrose, the ruthless guy. 332 00:13:36,359 --> 00:13:38,903 Seth Rollins, the brains behind the whole equation. 333 00:13:38,945 --> 00:13:40,738 Roman Reigns, the power guy. 334 00:13:40,780 --> 00:13:43,491 - [screams] 335 00:13:43,533 --> 00:13:46,411 - All three of those were good workers. 336 00:13:46,452 --> 00:13:49,080 But there was one out of that three 337 00:13:49,122 --> 00:13:51,165 was gonna be the guy, 338 00:13:51,207 --> 00:13:52,708 and that was Joe. 339 00:13:52,750 --> 00:13:54,544 [crowd cheering] 340 00:13:54,585 --> 00:13:57,672 He has, what we call, the "it" factor. 341 00:13:57,714 --> 00:13:59,090 He's handsome, 342 00:13:59,132 --> 00:14:02,135 he looks like a superhero. 343 00:14:02,176 --> 00:14:06,013 And when you see this kid here's face on the marquee, 344 00:14:06,055 --> 00:14:08,808 that's what we call asses in seats. 345 00:14:08,850 --> 00:14:10,977 - With Roman Reigns, 346 00:14:11,018 --> 00:14:14,355 I think we all kind of saw from a looks standpoint, 347 00:14:14,397 --> 00:14:16,315 a body standpoint, a pedigree standpoint, 348 00:14:16,357 --> 00:14:18,860 he had all the makings of a guy who could be 349 00:14:18,901 --> 00:14:20,862 the next top WWE Superstar. 350 00:14:21,612 --> 00:14:26,743 - In WWE, the top superstar is the face of the company. 351 00:14:26,784 --> 00:14:29,454 It's not just about championships, 352 00:14:29,495 --> 00:14:32,832 it means you represent the company wherever you are, 353 00:14:32,874 --> 00:14:34,500 whenever you are needed. 354 00:14:34,542 --> 00:14:37,795 To love America is to love all Americans. 355 00:14:37,837 --> 00:14:40,548 - We all felt Roman could be believable 356 00:14:40,590 --> 00:14:42,759 as kind of "face of the company." 357 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:46,512 - We're not asking for your approval. 358 00:14:47,305 --> 00:14:50,892 - He very quickly got pegged as the next John Cena, 359 00:14:50,933 --> 00:14:53,352 the next Hulk Hogan, the next top guy. 360 00:14:53,394 --> 00:14:56,522 - The Big Dog here is gonna headline "WrestleMania." 361 00:14:56,564 --> 00:14:58,441 Believe that. 362 00:14:58,483 --> 00:15:00,193 - We all felt that we know where we want to go 363 00:15:00,234 --> 00:15:02,528 with this person and so, the time came 364 00:15:02,570 --> 00:15:03,738 that we were gonna break The Shield up 365 00:15:03,780 --> 00:15:06,574 to push Roman in that direction. 366 00:15:06,616 --> 00:15:09,619 - Sierra, Hotel, India, Echo, Lima, Delta. 367 00:15:09,660 --> 00:15:11,370 - Randy Orton, bring your ass out here 368 00:15:11,412 --> 00:15:14,540 and let me break your jaw with the symbol of excellence. 369 00:15:14,582 --> 00:15:17,251 [crowd cheering] 370 00:15:17,293 --> 00:15:21,631 [crowd booing] 371 00:15:21,672 --> 00:15:25,093 - Triple H comes out with that sledgehammer of his 372 00:15:25,134 --> 00:15:27,512 and Seth Rollins picks up a chair. 373 00:15:27,553 --> 00:15:29,430 And if you watch the clip, you can hear 374 00:15:29,472 --> 00:15:33,559 there's one person in the crowd who screams "No!" 375 00:15:33,601 --> 00:15:35,269 - No! 376 00:15:35,311 --> 00:15:42,443 * * 377 00:15:44,445 --> 00:15:46,239 - When Seth Rollins did what he did, 378 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:48,366 Roman Reigns, kind of by default, 379 00:15:48,408 --> 00:15:51,077 became a sympathetic figure. 380 00:15:51,119 --> 00:15:53,079 - The Shield was no more. 381 00:15:53,121 --> 00:15:54,330 Roman was on his own, 382 00:15:54,372 --> 00:15:57,417 and his star was clearly on the rise. 383 00:15:57,458 --> 00:16:00,086 But to some in the WWE Universe, 384 00:16:00,128 --> 00:16:01,462 the Roman Reigns who was becoming 385 00:16:01,504 --> 00:16:03,506 the face of the company 386 00:16:03,548 --> 00:16:06,843 wasn't the same Roman Reigns from The Shield. 387 00:16:06,884 --> 00:16:10,555 Something was different and they didn't like it. 388 00:16:10,596 --> 00:16:15,101 [upbeat pop music and laughter] 389 00:16:15,143 --> 00:16:17,562 - I'm here about the pig. 390 00:16:17,603 --> 00:16:20,982 - He was just being presented as this white meat baby face 391 00:16:21,023 --> 00:16:22,692 when you just literally came from 392 00:16:22,734 --> 00:16:25,111 the Big Dog from The Shield, right? 393 00:16:25,153 --> 00:16:27,488 - Take time to be a dad. Cheers. 394 00:16:27,530 --> 00:16:29,449 - Now we're over here kissing babies and stuff, 395 00:16:29,490 --> 00:16:32,452 which is cool but when you're transitioning 396 00:16:32,493 --> 00:16:36,289 from a villain to, like, the good guy, 397 00:16:36,330 --> 00:16:38,332 that stuff has to come naturally, right? 398 00:16:38,374 --> 00:16:41,961 You just can't--here. Here is a good guy. 399 00:16:42,003 --> 00:16:44,380 - I think you're gonna win the "Royal Rumble" match. 400 00:16:44,422 --> 00:16:47,383 - [gasps] Thank you. 401 00:16:47,425 --> 00:16:49,719 - Joe's a heel too in real life. 402 00:16:49,761 --> 00:16:53,306 Can't let those pearly whites fool you, right? 403 00:16:53,347 --> 00:16:55,850 - That persona of good guy Roman, 404 00:16:55,892 --> 00:16:57,310 nice guy Roman, 405 00:16:57,351 --> 00:16:59,645 very sweet and jovial Joe 406 00:16:59,687 --> 00:17:02,315 didn't really feel like Roman Reigns. 407 00:17:03,441 --> 00:17:04,609 - This guy's such a natural heel. 408 00:17:04,650 --> 00:17:08,988 Why are they shoving this handsome, athletic, 409 00:17:09,030 --> 00:17:11,949 well-groomed, pedigreed wrestler at my face 410 00:17:11,991 --> 00:17:14,827 as somebody who's a good guy? He's never gonna lose. 411 00:17:14,869 --> 00:17:16,579 What's the point of cheering for this guy? 412 00:17:16,621 --> 00:17:18,664 - That's what it's all about, 413 00:17:18,706 --> 00:17:22,543 becoming the next world heavyweight champion. 414 00:17:22,585 --> 00:17:25,171 - He was suddenly finding himself in main event 415 00:17:25,213 --> 00:17:27,673 pay-per-view matches against some of the biggest stars. 416 00:17:27,715 --> 00:17:29,675 - Roman Reigns is taking out everybody. 417 00:17:29,717 --> 00:17:31,427 Look out, guys. Look out. 418 00:17:31,469 --> 00:17:33,721 - It was very clear he was going to have 419 00:17:33,763 --> 00:17:37,934 a significant run as a singles competitor in the WWE. 420 00:17:37,975 --> 00:17:40,353 [crowd cheering] 421 00:17:40,395 --> 00:17:42,563 - [groans] 422 00:17:44,524 --> 00:17:45,942 - Roman Reigns counters. 423 00:17:45,983 --> 00:17:49,195 Reigns with a spear to Cena. Oh, spear to Cena! 424 00:17:49,237 --> 00:17:52,115 * * 425 00:17:52,156 --> 00:17:54,700 - He got a push early because Vince McMahon 426 00:17:54,742 --> 00:17:57,328 saw the physical potential and the talent 427 00:17:57,370 --> 00:18:00,581 that would make Roman Reigns the face role of the WWE. 428 00:18:00,623 --> 00:18:02,500 - And now I'm about to ride their jet. 429 00:18:02,542 --> 00:18:03,835 We're gonna go to the Big Apple. 430 00:18:03,876 --> 00:18:06,462 We're doing "The Today Show." Have a little fun. 431 00:18:06,504 --> 00:18:08,756 Show off our hardware. - Cheers, brother. 432 00:18:08,798 --> 00:18:10,550 - Let's go. - Bye, guys! 433 00:18:10,591 --> 00:18:13,010 - It became clear that this is who 434 00:18:13,052 --> 00:18:16,389 Vince McMahon wants to be the champion. 435 00:18:16,431 --> 00:18:17,807 - At "WrestleMania," 436 00:18:17,849 --> 00:18:19,559 there's gonna be a new champion crowned. 437 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:22,228 - I feel like you have some psychic ability. 438 00:18:22,270 --> 00:18:23,730 - As fans, we see this, 439 00:18:23,771 --> 00:18:27,066 and he feels more and more like a corporate champion. 440 00:18:27,108 --> 00:18:28,568 Like Vince's champion. 441 00:18:28,609 --> 00:18:30,153 - So when Roman Reigns would win, 442 00:18:30,194 --> 00:18:31,320 when Roman Reigns would be put 443 00:18:31,362 --> 00:18:32,488 in the main event at "WrestleMania," 444 00:18:32,530 --> 00:18:34,407 it felt like entitlement. 445 00:18:34,449 --> 00:18:37,034 [crowd cheering] 446 00:18:37,076 --> 00:18:39,579 - Real fans, our age, 447 00:18:39,620 --> 00:18:41,581 just don't like that dude. I'm sorry. 448 00:18:41,622 --> 00:18:43,875 They keep pushing him to the damn roof. 449 00:18:43,916 --> 00:18:46,461 - If nobody wants him there, why keep him there? 450 00:18:46,502 --> 00:18:48,588 * * 451 00:18:48,629 --> 00:18:51,507 - A lot of people had like a preconceived notion of 452 00:18:51,549 --> 00:18:53,551 I'm like a favored performer or something 453 00:18:53,593 --> 00:18:55,428 because of Vince McMahon. 454 00:18:55,470 --> 00:18:57,305 But I've simply made different choices 455 00:18:57,346 --> 00:18:59,515 that not everybody can understand 456 00:18:59,557 --> 00:19:01,225 because they're not in this position. 457 00:19:01,267 --> 00:19:05,438 - Joining us now, the man. Give it up for Roman Reigns. 458 00:19:05,480 --> 00:19:08,441 - Every generation has an American hero 459 00:19:08,483 --> 00:19:10,651 to kind of carry the show, 460 00:19:10,693 --> 00:19:14,113 but that ascent to the top is not easy. 461 00:19:14,155 --> 00:19:17,200 - Within the WWE Universe, 462 00:19:17,241 --> 00:19:19,577 there was an undercurrent of resentment building 463 00:19:19,619 --> 00:19:22,371 towards Roman Reigns 464 00:19:22,413 --> 00:19:24,707 - You can make all the plans in the world, 465 00:19:24,749 --> 00:19:26,584 but the WWE Universe is gonna 466 00:19:26,626 --> 00:19:28,252 voice their feelings one way or the other. 467 00:19:28,294 --> 00:19:29,754 [crowd booing] 468 00:19:29,796 --> 00:19:32,632 The point of critical mass with Roman 469 00:19:32,673 --> 00:19:34,717 came at the 2015 "Royal Rumble." 470 00:19:34,759 --> 00:19:37,345 [match bell dings] - The last man in the ring 471 00:19:37,387 --> 00:19:43,142 will advance to the main event at "WrestleMania." 472 00:19:43,184 --> 00:19:45,520 * * 473 00:19:45,561 --> 00:19:47,188 - Say what you want about Roman Reigns, 474 00:19:47,230 --> 00:19:48,439 he's a warrior. 475 00:19:48,481 --> 00:19:50,483 Roman Reigns with a spear. 476 00:19:50,525 --> 00:19:54,028 [crowd booing] - [roars] 477 00:19:58,449 --> 00:19:59,867 - [screams] 478 00:19:59,909 --> 00:20:01,619 [crowd booing] 479 00:20:01,661 --> 00:20:03,538 [match bell dings] 480 00:20:03,579 --> 00:20:09,001 [crowd booing] 481 00:20:09,043 --> 00:20:12,004 - This guy who was always getting cheered 482 00:20:12,046 --> 00:20:14,173 started to get booed. 483 00:20:14,215 --> 00:20:18,511 [crowd booing] 484 00:20:18,553 --> 00:20:21,013 - Roman Reigns got booed so bad 485 00:20:21,055 --> 00:20:24,851 that when the Rock came down to lift up his arm in victory 486 00:20:24,892 --> 00:20:27,311 to say "respect this man," 487 00:20:27,353 --> 00:20:29,689 everyone cheered for the Rock, 488 00:20:29,731 --> 00:20:31,566 and when he touched Roman, they booed. 489 00:20:31,607 --> 00:20:33,693 [crowd booing] 490 00:20:33,735 --> 00:20:36,154 That's how much the WWE Universe 491 00:20:36,195 --> 00:20:38,197 turned on Roman Reigns. 492 00:20:38,239 --> 00:20:41,492 - He was in a position that was impossible. 493 00:20:47,540 --> 00:20:50,460 [crowd booing] 494 00:20:50,501 --> 00:20:52,754 - The 2015 "Royal Rumble," 495 00:20:52,795 --> 00:20:56,382 I think the audience felt "the push" was happening 496 00:20:56,424 --> 00:20:58,676 and rejected Roman in that moment. 497 00:20:58,718 --> 00:21:03,931 [crowd booing] 498 00:21:03,973 --> 00:21:08,019 - Every bit of who I am has gone into this character. 499 00:21:08,061 --> 00:21:11,314 [crowd booing] 500 00:21:11,355 --> 00:21:15,068 They booed me louder than I've ever heard before. 501 00:21:15,109 --> 00:21:16,652 I've never been booed like that. 502 00:21:16,694 --> 00:21:20,364 [crowd booing] 503 00:21:20,406 --> 00:21:21,532 It hurt my feelings. It did. 504 00:21:21,574 --> 00:21:26,621 [crowd booing] 505 00:21:26,662 --> 00:21:28,456 Because at the end of the day we're all humans. 506 00:21:28,498 --> 00:21:32,251 [crowd booing] 507 00:21:32,293 --> 00:21:36,047 - In a business where fan perception is reality, 508 00:21:36,089 --> 00:21:39,592 how fans perceive you within the WWE 509 00:21:39,634 --> 00:21:42,095 has a lot of power. 510 00:21:42,136 --> 00:21:43,805 - Nothing in the world 511 00:21:43,846 --> 00:21:46,808 is more dictated by the fans than WWE. 512 00:21:46,849 --> 00:21:52,897 [crowd chanting "You suck!"] 513 00:21:52,939 --> 00:21:54,899 - When it comes to Roman Reigns, 514 00:21:54,941 --> 00:21:57,819 wrestling fans totally bought into our own narrative 515 00:21:57,860 --> 00:21:59,487 that he was being shoved down our throat. 516 00:21:59,529 --> 00:22:01,197 It doesn't matter if that was true or not, 517 00:22:01,239 --> 00:22:02,490 but we all believe that. 518 00:22:02,532 --> 00:22:04,033 [crowd booing] 519 00:22:04,075 --> 00:22:06,661 - For years, Roman would win match after match. 520 00:22:06,702 --> 00:22:10,790 [crowd booing] 521 00:22:10,832 --> 00:22:12,750 And championship after championship 522 00:22:12,792 --> 00:22:15,002 after championship after championship. 523 00:22:15,044 --> 00:22:16,963 Once fans get a sense of, 524 00:22:17,004 --> 00:22:19,424 oh, you're a propped up champion, 525 00:22:19,465 --> 00:22:20,508 it's hard to recover. 526 00:22:20,550 --> 00:22:23,469 - Roman Reigns. 527 00:22:23,511 --> 00:22:25,888 - For decades, "WrestleMania" was considered 528 00:22:25,930 --> 00:22:28,015 The Undertaker's yard. 529 00:22:28,057 --> 00:22:32,520 In 2017, Roman Reigns was still the face of WWE, 530 00:22:32,562 --> 00:22:35,565 but taking on one of the most highly revered superstars 531 00:22:35,606 --> 00:22:37,775 of all time at "WrestleMania" 532 00:22:37,817 --> 00:22:40,319 was a no-win scenario for Roman Reigns. 533 00:22:40,361 --> 00:22:42,697 - One of the controversial figures perhaps 534 00:22:42,739 --> 00:22:45,116 in WWE history, Roman Reigns. 535 00:22:45,158 --> 00:22:46,451 - Look out here. 536 00:22:46,492 --> 00:22:47,535 The momentum, the momentum! 537 00:22:47,577 --> 00:22:49,036 Oh, man. - Wow. 538 00:22:49,078 --> 00:22:52,874 - Got a huge spear into the heart of The Undertaker. 539 00:22:52,915 --> 00:22:56,044 And Roman Reigns has defeated The Undertaker 540 00:22:56,085 --> 00:22:59,130 at "WrestleMania" with a thunderous spear. 541 00:22:59,172 --> 00:23:01,257 - Here's your winner, Roman Reigns! 542 00:23:01,299 --> 00:23:02,967 - My God, what a physical match up. 543 00:23:03,009 --> 00:23:06,637 - With great respect to who The Undertaker is, 544 00:23:06,679 --> 00:23:09,682 [bleep] is changing. Like, it's happening. 545 00:23:09,724 --> 00:23:12,727 [crowd booing] 546 00:23:12,769 --> 00:23:16,064 This guy in front of us, Roman Reigns, is doing it. 547 00:23:16,105 --> 00:23:18,107 [crowd booing] 548 00:23:18,149 --> 00:23:21,694 But people don't like change. 549 00:23:21,736 --> 00:23:24,280 They were angry. 550 00:23:24,322 --> 00:23:28,034 It's so transcending that people are still chewing on it. 551 00:23:28,076 --> 00:23:30,411 They haven't even swallowed it and digested it at this point. 552 00:23:30,453 --> 00:23:37,377 * * 553 00:23:43,758 --> 00:23:45,802 - We knew there were gonna be boos. 554 00:23:45,843 --> 00:23:48,471 We knew there were gonna be very loud boos, 555 00:23:48,513 --> 00:23:52,558 but we had seen this before with John Cena. 556 00:23:53,309 --> 00:23:56,479 There was a time when he was getting booed by the audience. 557 00:23:56,521 --> 00:23:59,565 - John Cena! 558 00:23:59,607 --> 00:24:01,109 [crowd booing] 559 00:24:01,150 --> 00:24:03,486 - The feeling was was that John had played out. 560 00:24:03,528 --> 00:24:05,571 Vince was particularly steadfast in that 561 00:24:05,613 --> 00:24:07,532 as far as keeping John in that position. 562 00:24:07,573 --> 00:24:09,450 And it paid off ultimately. 563 00:24:09,492 --> 00:24:13,121 Vince was looking at that same long-term process with Roman 564 00:24:13,162 --> 00:24:16,124 in that we could ride this out and Roman's talent 565 00:24:16,165 --> 00:24:18,042 would ultimately win out as we move forward. 566 00:24:18,084 --> 00:24:20,753 - Monday night "RAW." 567 00:24:20,795 --> 00:24:22,672 - The following night on "RAW," 568 00:24:22,714 --> 00:24:25,883 Reigns was greeted with a universal chorus of hate. 569 00:24:25,925 --> 00:24:28,344 Roman stood tall 570 00:24:28,386 --> 00:24:30,304 and delivered a message of his own. 571 00:24:30,346 --> 00:24:33,474 - One of the reasons that WWE Universe 572 00:24:33,516 --> 00:24:36,561 is booing Roman Reigns is because last night's match 573 00:24:36,602 --> 00:24:41,691 was indeed the last ride for The Undertaker. 574 00:24:41,733 --> 00:24:48,823 [crowd chanting "Undertaker!"] 575 00:24:49,907 --> 00:24:56,873 [crowd booing] 576 00:24:56,914 --> 00:25:01,586 * * 577 00:25:01,627 --> 00:25:08,551 [crowd chanting "Delete!"] 578 00:25:08,593 --> 00:25:14,348 * * 579 00:25:14,390 --> 00:25:17,310 [crowd booing] 580 00:25:17,351 --> 00:25:18,853 - People booed him 581 00:25:18,895 --> 00:25:22,398 for almost ten minutes straight. 582 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:27,862 [crowd chanting "You suck!"] 583 00:25:27,904 --> 00:25:30,448 - To be able to get out there and boo, 584 00:25:30,490 --> 00:25:32,366 for us in our family, 585 00:25:32,408 --> 00:25:33,785 that pisses us off. 586 00:25:33,826 --> 00:25:38,039 [crowd booing] 587 00:25:38,081 --> 00:25:40,750 When we all come out there to perform, 588 00:25:40,792 --> 00:25:42,710 and you're trying to do the best you can, 589 00:25:42,752 --> 00:25:45,671 because that's all we got when we come through those curtains. 590 00:25:45,713 --> 00:25:48,091 I come out here and you boo me, 591 00:25:48,132 --> 00:25:50,093 that tells me that I gotta come back-- 592 00:25:50,134 --> 00:25:52,011 I'm gonna come back with some [bleep], 593 00:25:52,053 --> 00:25:53,930 some stuff that's gonna make you respect me. 594 00:25:53,971 --> 00:25:57,183 [crowd booing] 595 00:25:57,225 --> 00:25:59,769 - You can see that evil side. 596 00:25:59,811 --> 00:26:01,562 You can see the wheels turning. 597 00:26:01,604 --> 00:26:04,482 You can see his mannerisms and he's doing it with a smirk. 598 00:26:04,524 --> 00:26:10,029 [crowd chanting "You suck!"] 599 00:26:10,071 --> 00:26:12,281 - This is my yard now. 600 00:26:12,323 --> 00:26:19,163 [crowd booing] 601 00:26:19,205 --> 00:26:21,082 - The hostility toward Reigns 602 00:26:21,124 --> 00:26:24,585 from the WWE Universe continued... 603 00:26:24,627 --> 00:26:27,880 - Here comes the Big Dog! 604 00:26:27,922 --> 00:26:31,884 - Especially after winning his first Universal Championship. 605 00:26:31,926 --> 00:26:34,595 - Here's the cover-- hook of the leg. 606 00:26:34,637 --> 00:26:37,140 Reigns did it! Roman Reigns did it! 607 00:26:37,181 --> 00:26:38,850 Reigns is the champion. 608 00:26:38,891 --> 00:26:45,189 [crowd booing] 609 00:26:45,231 --> 00:26:49,444 - The new Universal Champion, 610 00:26:49,485 --> 00:26:51,779 Roman Reigns! 611 00:26:51,821 --> 00:26:56,117 - Bad blood between Roman and the WWE Universe ran deep. 612 00:26:56,159 --> 00:26:57,535 There was seemingly nothing 613 00:26:57,577 --> 00:26:59,829 that could be done to ever bridge the divide. 614 00:26:59,871 --> 00:27:02,749 - Now for the wrestling superstar who stunned his fans 615 00:27:02,790 --> 00:27:05,835 with an emotional announcement on live television. 616 00:27:05,877 --> 00:27:09,464 Roman Reigns, one of the biggest stars in the WWE, 617 00:27:09,505 --> 00:27:11,507 going public with a private battle 618 00:27:11,549 --> 00:27:14,260 and stepping away from the ring. 619 00:27:14,302 --> 00:27:16,387 - My real name is Joe. 620 00:27:18,473 --> 00:27:22,393 And I've been living with leukemia for 11 years. 621 00:27:22,435 --> 00:27:27,648 * * 622 00:27:27,690 --> 00:27:30,359 And unfortunately it's back. 623 00:27:38,868 --> 00:27:40,661 - At the peak of his career, 624 00:27:40,703 --> 00:27:43,623 the reigning WWE Universal Champion 625 00:27:43,664 --> 00:27:47,001 was once again in a fight for his very life. 626 00:27:48,211 --> 00:27:50,338 - My real name is Joe. 627 00:27:50,380 --> 00:27:54,133 * * 628 00:27:54,175 --> 00:27:57,970 And I've been living with leukemia for 11 years. 629 00:27:58,012 --> 00:28:03,226 * * 630 00:28:03,267 --> 00:28:05,937 And unfortunately it's back. 631 00:28:05,978 --> 00:28:07,814 * * 632 00:28:07,855 --> 00:28:09,565 And because the leukemia is back, 633 00:28:09,607 --> 00:28:11,484 I cannot fulfill my role, 634 00:28:11,526 --> 00:28:13,194 and I'm gonna have to relinquish 635 00:28:13,236 --> 00:28:14,946 the Universal Championship. 636 00:28:14,987 --> 00:28:18,199 * * 637 00:28:18,241 --> 00:28:20,118 - Everybody was shocked. 638 00:28:21,327 --> 00:28:24,455 - By no means is this a retirement speech. 639 00:28:24,497 --> 00:28:27,375 [crowd cheering] 640 00:28:27,417 --> 00:28:31,087 Because after I'm done whooping leukemia's ass once again, 641 00:28:31,129 --> 00:28:33,047 I'm coming back home. 642 00:28:33,089 --> 00:28:37,260 [crowd cheering] 643 00:28:37,301 --> 00:28:40,221 - It was a sad moment, but he was confident about it. 644 00:28:40,263 --> 00:28:42,557 He was honest about it. He was upfront about it. 645 00:28:42,598 --> 00:28:44,559 He did it on his terms. 646 00:28:44,600 --> 00:28:47,228 At that moment in time, we all were with Roman Reigns. 647 00:28:47,270 --> 00:28:49,731 We were all with Joe. We all sat back and said 648 00:28:49,772 --> 00:28:50,982 this is bigger than wrestling. 649 00:28:51,023 --> 00:28:52,525 And the only thing we wanted for him to do 650 00:28:52,567 --> 00:28:54,402 was get healthy and get better and come back. 651 00:28:54,444 --> 00:28:57,697 [crowd chanting "Thank you, Roman!"] 652 00:28:57,739 --> 00:28:59,490 - Reality intervenes, right? 653 00:28:59,532 --> 00:29:00,867 At that point, you have to kind of like 654 00:29:00,908 --> 00:29:03,244 set aside your petty grievances. 655 00:29:03,286 --> 00:29:05,705 - We come out here every Monday night to entertain. 656 00:29:05,747 --> 00:29:08,416 We live in this alternate reality sometimes. 657 00:29:08,458 --> 00:29:10,126 And I think we all forget 658 00:29:10,168 --> 00:29:12,253 the superstars in the locker room are real people. 659 00:29:12,295 --> 00:29:16,007 And reality came up and bit us here tonight. 660 00:29:16,049 --> 00:29:18,092 - My whole life, all the way back 661 00:29:18,134 --> 00:29:20,053 to when I was just a little boy, 662 00:29:20,094 --> 00:29:21,262 everything that I've worked for, 663 00:29:21,304 --> 00:29:24,640 as long as I hyperfocus on it, 664 00:29:24,682 --> 00:29:26,934 I should be able to do it. 665 00:29:26,976 --> 00:29:28,770 That's why I am where I am. 666 00:29:28,811 --> 00:29:32,774 But when you have something that you can't control 667 00:29:32,815 --> 00:29:37,445 completely disrupt that whole narrative... 668 00:29:37,487 --> 00:29:38,529 [sighs] 669 00:29:38,571 --> 00:29:41,949 That's the toughest part to deal with. 670 00:29:41,991 --> 00:29:45,745 - With the love and support of his friends and family, 671 00:29:45,787 --> 00:29:48,998 Joe was battling for his very life. 672 00:29:49,040 --> 00:29:50,458 Six months later, 673 00:29:50,500 --> 00:29:53,002 he stood before the WWE Universe 674 00:29:53,044 --> 00:29:55,004 to share some incredible news. 675 00:29:55,046 --> 00:30:01,636 [crowd chanting "Roman!"] 676 00:30:01,677 --> 00:30:04,263 - The good news is 677 00:30:04,305 --> 00:30:05,807 I'm in remission, y'all. 678 00:30:05,848 --> 00:30:11,687 [crowd cheering] 679 00:30:11,729 --> 00:30:13,106 - That night, 680 00:30:13,147 --> 00:30:15,316 everyone joyously celebrated with Joe 681 00:30:15,358 --> 00:30:19,821 in his victory over cancer. 682 00:30:19,862 --> 00:30:22,949 But were they finally ready to embrace Roman? 683 00:30:22,990 --> 00:30:28,287 * * 684 00:30:28,329 --> 00:30:30,665 - 80,000 plus here tonight, 685 00:30:30,706 --> 00:30:33,876 and it marks the return of the Big Dog 686 00:30:33,918 --> 00:30:35,712 after the battle of his life. 687 00:30:35,753 --> 00:30:37,004 - It's gonna be big. 688 00:30:37,046 --> 00:30:40,007 * * 689 00:30:40,049 --> 00:30:42,385 - I haven't been in there for a singles match 690 00:30:42,427 --> 00:30:43,553 and I haven't been in there, you know, 691 00:30:43,594 --> 00:30:44,887 for the full duration of a match. 692 00:30:44,929 --> 00:30:47,348 So it's-- 693 00:30:47,390 --> 00:30:48,850 we won't know until we go do it. 694 00:30:48,891 --> 00:30:50,727 So let's go do it. 695 00:30:50,768 --> 00:30:52,353 * * 696 00:30:52,395 --> 00:30:56,566 - And here comes the Big Dog. 697 00:30:56,607 --> 00:31:03,573 * * 698 00:31:05,616 --> 00:31:08,327 - I remember thinking that this is that big moment 699 00:31:08,369 --> 00:31:11,706 that everybody will accept him. 700 00:31:11,748 --> 00:31:15,376 But once he came back from his leukemia battle, 701 00:31:15,418 --> 00:31:17,462 I thought it'd be impossible to boo him. 702 00:31:17,503 --> 00:31:20,590 It's gonna be impossible to boo a guy who beat cancer. 703 00:31:20,631 --> 00:31:23,843 [match bell dings] - [groans] 704 00:31:23,885 --> 00:31:25,762 - I can tell you one thing. Tonight, it's not just about 705 00:31:25,803 --> 00:31:28,931 Roman fighting for himself or even just his family. 706 00:31:28,973 --> 00:31:31,017 It's about anybody who's ever been ill, 707 00:31:31,059 --> 00:31:33,394 who's ever struggled, who's ever suffered 708 00:31:33,436 --> 00:31:36,230 and had to overcome. Roman Reigns... 709 00:31:36,272 --> 00:31:38,649 is fighting for the world tonight. 710 00:31:38,691 --> 00:31:45,615 [crowd booing] 711 00:31:49,786 --> 00:31:53,122 - Roman came back, and he was getting boos. 712 00:31:53,164 --> 00:31:54,749 I looked at my man. I said, bro-- 713 00:31:54,791 --> 00:31:58,127 I said, "Roman Reigns beat leukemia 714 00:31:58,169 --> 00:31:59,170 and he still getting booed?" 715 00:31:59,212 --> 00:32:03,299 [crowd booing] 716 00:32:03,341 --> 00:32:06,344 - That was complete disrespect. 717 00:32:06,386 --> 00:32:08,596 A slap across the face of Reigns. 718 00:32:08,638 --> 00:32:10,139 - Might've been what Reigns needed. 719 00:32:10,181 --> 00:32:12,725 - [screams] - Oh, and a clothesline. 720 00:32:12,767 --> 00:32:14,644 - [groans] 721 00:32:14,685 --> 00:32:17,688 - And Roman Reigns starting to fire back now. 722 00:32:17,730 --> 00:32:21,901 [crowd booing] 723 00:32:21,943 --> 00:32:26,572 - We were so used to Roman eliciting this feeling from us 724 00:32:26,614 --> 00:32:28,866 that it's so easy to slide right back into it. 725 00:32:28,908 --> 00:32:30,827 And you would imagine the human side, 726 00:32:30,868 --> 00:32:32,120 we would have more empathy, 727 00:32:32,161 --> 00:32:34,497 but it's almost our ability to go, okay, cool. 728 00:32:34,539 --> 00:32:38,960 We're back into what I'm used to and what I know. 729 00:32:39,001 --> 00:32:43,214 Those old emotions came right back up again for the fans. 730 00:32:43,256 --> 00:32:44,799 - They were like, "Man, please." 731 00:32:44,841 --> 00:32:47,427 "Oh, he's healthy? He's good? He's in remission? 732 00:32:47,468 --> 00:32:48,553 We booing this dude again." 733 00:32:48,594 --> 00:32:49,846 I was like, "Are you serious?" 734 00:32:49,887 --> 00:32:51,347 [crowd booing] 735 00:32:51,389 --> 00:32:54,684 - It's been a while since we heard the Big Dog roar. 736 00:32:54,726 --> 00:32:57,854 Spear by Reigns. 737 00:32:57,895 --> 00:32:59,981 Reigns with the win. 738 00:33:00,022 --> 00:33:06,988 [crowd booing] 739 00:33:07,029 --> 00:33:11,409 And tonight at "WrestleMania" the Big Dog is back. 740 00:33:11,451 --> 00:33:14,746 [crowd booing] 741 00:33:14,787 --> 00:33:17,206 - That was, uh... 742 00:33:19,208 --> 00:33:20,543 That was a tough pill to swallow. 743 00:33:22,462 --> 00:33:26,340 With the toxicity and all the negativity 744 00:33:26,382 --> 00:33:28,801 that can come with this type of lifestyle, 745 00:33:28,843 --> 00:33:33,806 all of that has been just balled up and used. 746 00:33:33,848 --> 00:33:36,934 [crowd booing] 747 00:33:36,976 --> 00:33:39,145 - It's heartbreaking. 748 00:33:39,187 --> 00:33:42,190 The competitive mind and competitive spirit of Joe, 749 00:33:42,231 --> 00:33:43,858 he never forgot that. 750 00:33:43,900 --> 00:33:48,404 - I would sit in the back and I would think, too, like, 751 00:33:48,446 --> 00:33:50,156 damn, that was a reaction out there. 752 00:33:50,198 --> 00:33:54,368 Like they legit don't like Joe. Like they legit don't like him. 753 00:33:55,161 --> 00:33:58,873 - I remember him saying that he wanted to do something. 754 00:33:58,915 --> 00:34:01,542 I was like, man, if you feel it in your gut 755 00:34:01,584 --> 00:34:04,128 it's time for you to change, go. 756 00:34:04,921 --> 00:34:07,715 But be careful, 'cause the timing is everything, right? 757 00:34:07,757 --> 00:34:08,966 * * 758 00:34:09,008 --> 00:34:11,094 - Just as Roman was beginning to question 759 00:34:11,135 --> 00:34:13,513 his role in the WWE, 760 00:34:13,554 --> 00:34:16,641 the Covid-19 pandemic hit. 761 00:34:16,682 --> 00:34:20,603 As a cancer survivor, he was forced to take a leave. 762 00:34:20,645 --> 00:34:25,400 He began to reflect on his life and his career. 763 00:34:25,441 --> 00:34:26,901 - He was kind of quiet for a little minute. 764 00:34:26,943 --> 00:34:29,112 I think he was back in the lab doing work, 765 00:34:29,153 --> 00:34:31,656 you know, trying to find himself. 766 00:34:34,700 --> 00:34:37,578 - When you're working out by yourself in your own gym 767 00:34:37,620 --> 00:34:39,831 through a quarantine, and you spend about 768 00:34:39,872 --> 00:34:41,791 two to three hours in the gym every day, 769 00:34:41,833 --> 00:34:43,751 you start to think of these things. 770 00:34:43,793 --> 00:34:46,295 What I want to do, who I want to be, 771 00:34:46,337 --> 00:34:48,423 how I want to present it. 772 00:34:50,800 --> 00:34:53,386 Then I started to realize if they want me 773 00:34:53,428 --> 00:34:57,181 to do my job to the best of its ability 774 00:34:57,223 --> 00:35:00,435 with the weight and burden of being the face of WWE, 775 00:35:00,476 --> 00:35:03,229 I have to do it my way. 776 00:35:03,980 --> 00:35:07,066 - Ladies and gentlemen, "SummerSlam." 777 00:35:07,108 --> 00:35:10,528 The Fiend is champion. - You know the hell that is? 778 00:35:10,570 --> 00:35:11,946 - Oh, my God, it's Roman Reigns! 779 00:35:11,988 --> 00:35:15,450 Roman Reigns, the Big Dog is here. 780 00:35:15,491 --> 00:35:17,118 Roman Reigns is back. 781 00:35:17,160 --> 00:35:20,288 - When Roman showed up at "SummerSlam," 782 00:35:20,329 --> 00:35:21,789 it was a shock. 783 00:35:21,831 --> 00:35:24,417 It was a great jolt to the audience. 784 00:35:24,459 --> 00:35:29,505 - The Big Dog, Roman Reigns, with an emphatic statement. 785 00:35:29,547 --> 00:35:32,175 - I automatically knew when I saw him on screen, 786 00:35:32,216 --> 00:35:34,969 this is a different Roman. 787 00:35:35,011 --> 00:35:37,805 This Roman Reigns right here is the one we know, 788 00:35:37,847 --> 00:35:40,099 but they about to know who he is. 789 00:35:40,141 --> 00:35:43,352 - We never saw this coming. 790 00:35:47,607 --> 00:35:48,900 - Oh, my God, it's Roman Reigns! 791 00:35:48,941 --> 00:35:52,320 - The Big Dog with an emphatic statement. 792 00:35:52,361 --> 00:35:54,197 - A sneak attack on the champion 793 00:35:54,238 --> 00:35:58,701 sent a clear message to the WWE Universe. 794 00:35:58,743 --> 00:36:02,955 Roman Reigns was back and doing things his way. 795 00:36:02,997 --> 00:36:04,957 * * 796 00:36:10,254 --> 00:36:12,048 * * 797 00:36:12,090 --> 00:36:15,385 - I automatically knew when I saw him on screen, 798 00:36:15,426 --> 00:36:18,137 this is a different Roman. 799 00:36:18,179 --> 00:36:20,765 The way he was acting, the way he looked. 800 00:36:20,807 --> 00:36:22,433 You know, the vibes he was giving off 801 00:36:22,475 --> 00:36:24,060 was radiating through the TV screen. 802 00:36:28,648 --> 00:36:30,358 - Okay, hold on. This is different. 803 00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:33,528 He's being a jerk. He's being rude. 804 00:36:42,662 --> 00:36:45,998 And I will win back my Universal Championship 805 00:36:46,040 --> 00:36:48,626 that I never lost in the first place. 806 00:36:50,670 --> 00:36:52,630 That's a spoiler. 807 00:36:52,672 --> 00:36:57,385 * * 808 00:36:57,427 --> 00:37:02,932 - Believe...that. 809 00:37:02,974 --> 00:37:06,060 - You see him sitting next to Paul Heyman on the couch. 810 00:37:06,102 --> 00:37:08,771 You're like, Roman Reigns is a bad guy. 811 00:37:08,813 --> 00:37:10,398 This is--this-- there's no turning back 812 00:37:10,440 --> 00:37:12,483 'cause they know no matter what, 813 00:37:12,525 --> 00:37:13,693 Paul Heyman ain't no good guy. 814 00:37:13,735 --> 00:37:17,071 - I exploit historical facts 815 00:37:17,113 --> 00:37:20,450 to shove my points down your throats. 816 00:37:20,491 --> 00:37:22,160 * * 817 00:37:22,201 --> 00:37:27,081 - Paul Heyman is a slimy, backstabbing, 818 00:37:27,123 --> 00:37:29,417 weaselly, annoying... 819 00:37:29,459 --> 00:37:33,421 - He's a combination of every scummy lawyer, businessman, 820 00:37:33,463 --> 00:37:35,965 shady car salesman you've ever known in your life. 821 00:37:36,007 --> 00:37:42,138 - He always has his clients in the focal point of the WWE. 822 00:37:42,180 --> 00:37:45,558 He's someone that will use every single 823 00:37:45,600 --> 00:37:49,145 trick in the book to get his way. 824 00:37:49,187 --> 00:37:51,564 - When you saw Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman together, 825 00:37:51,606 --> 00:37:55,068 it solidified that he's really gone to the dark side. 826 00:37:55,109 --> 00:37:59,363 - Here comes the Big Dog. He just signed the contract. 827 00:38:00,073 --> 00:38:03,743 - I think everyone always knew that Roman Reigns 828 00:38:03,785 --> 00:38:05,495 and Paul Heyman would end up 829 00:38:05,536 --> 00:38:08,664 being side by side at some point. 830 00:38:08,706 --> 00:38:11,501 I think it was inevitable. 831 00:38:11,542 --> 00:38:15,588 I broke in to this industry when I was a teenager. 832 00:38:15,630 --> 00:38:18,841 I bull[bleep] my way into Madison Square Garden 833 00:38:18,883 --> 00:38:21,135 when the Garden was still being run 834 00:38:21,177 --> 00:38:22,845 by Vincent Kennedy, McMahon's father, 835 00:38:22,887 --> 00:38:25,640 Vincent James McMahon. 836 00:38:25,681 --> 00:38:31,104 Two of the people that looked after me from the beginning 837 00:38:31,145 --> 00:38:34,357 were Roman's uncle, Afa, and Roman's father, Sika. 838 00:38:34,399 --> 00:38:36,401 - The Samoan SWAT team. 839 00:38:36,442 --> 00:38:39,695 - I've been with Roman's family... 840 00:38:39,737 --> 00:38:42,198 before Roman was with Roman's family. 841 00:38:43,741 --> 00:38:44,867 - When Roman revealed that 842 00:38:44,909 --> 00:38:46,911 he was associated now with Paul Heyman, 843 00:38:46,953 --> 00:38:49,664 it just kind of put out this whole new dynamic. 844 00:38:49,705 --> 00:38:51,374 - There will be consequences. 845 00:38:51,416 --> 00:38:53,376 * * 846 00:38:53,418 --> 00:38:56,587 - The fans ate up-- 847 00:38:56,629 --> 00:38:58,423 ate up Roman Reigns as a heel. 848 00:38:58,464 --> 00:39:00,341 - Get your ass down here. Let's go. 849 00:39:00,383 --> 00:39:02,051 - And a new official heading down to the ring. 850 00:39:02,093 --> 00:39:05,847 - They felt like they won when he went heel. 851 00:39:05,888 --> 00:39:08,933 - Oh, low blow. Legal though. No holds barred. 852 00:39:08,975 --> 00:39:11,394 - And Reigns with a spear to Strowman. 853 00:39:11,436 --> 00:39:13,688 - And the cover by Reigns. 854 00:39:13,730 --> 00:39:17,066 Roman Reigns has won the Universal Championship. 855 00:39:17,108 --> 00:39:20,987 - Immediately, it clicked with the audience 856 00:39:21,028 --> 00:39:24,198 because this was the Roman that they had been waiting to see, 857 00:39:24,240 --> 00:39:26,117 just that confidence and arrogance, 858 00:39:26,159 --> 00:39:28,745 that feeling of "I am the top guy. 859 00:39:28,786 --> 00:39:30,913 "I've always been the top guy. 860 00:39:30,955 --> 00:39:33,124 "And for all of you who didn't recognize that 861 00:39:33,166 --> 00:39:36,252 and acknowledge me as that are now going to pay and suffer." 862 00:39:36,294 --> 00:39:39,380 - This is a different human being fundamentally. 863 00:39:39,422 --> 00:39:42,216 Everything about his aura is completely different. 864 00:39:42,258 --> 00:39:44,010 - Then I'm just doing the same thing. 865 00:39:44,052 --> 00:39:45,970 So now, when I came back, 866 00:39:46,012 --> 00:39:49,599 I set a whole new tone and put on a whole different 867 00:39:49,640 --> 00:39:52,977 paint job of the character, you know. 868 00:39:53,019 --> 00:39:54,771 From a creative standpoint, 869 00:39:54,812 --> 00:39:56,981 there was no conversation. 870 00:39:57,023 --> 00:39:59,734 I said what I wanted to do and I did it. 871 00:40:00,651 --> 00:40:01,944 That's the beauty of 872 00:40:01,986 --> 00:40:04,280 being the one with your finger on the trigger. 873 00:40:04,322 --> 00:40:06,032 I don't care who I face. 874 00:40:06,074 --> 00:40:08,785 Feed 'em in and watch 'em all get slaughtered 875 00:40:08,826 --> 00:40:11,412 because this is my island. 876 00:40:11,454 --> 00:40:14,248 I left and I literally gave the whole company 877 00:40:14,290 --> 00:40:16,501 an opportunity to step up and take it from me, 878 00:40:16,542 --> 00:40:17,960 and they couldn't. 879 00:40:18,002 --> 00:40:20,421 And it just showcased why I'm needed. 880 00:40:20,463 --> 00:40:22,173 And that's the power. 881 00:40:22,215 --> 00:40:25,802 And when you have this kind of power, 882 00:40:25,843 --> 00:40:29,013 all you gotta do is show up and win. 883 00:40:31,349 --> 00:40:32,683 Believe that. 884 00:40:35,103 --> 00:40:38,731 - Roman tapped into the power of his Samoan roots. 885 00:40:38,773 --> 00:40:40,983 The sacred role of high chief 886 00:40:41,025 --> 00:40:43,444 is reserved for the tribal leader. 887 00:40:43,486 --> 00:40:46,489 Roman declared himself as the tribal chief, 888 00:40:46,531 --> 00:40:48,199 and by default, 889 00:40:48,241 --> 00:40:50,535 the Head of the Family Table. 890 00:40:50,576 --> 00:40:53,413 Roman ordered his cousins to fall in line, 891 00:40:53,454 --> 00:40:55,998 starting with Jey Uso. 892 00:40:56,040 --> 00:40:58,793 - Big Usman, throwing his weight around 893 00:40:58,835 --> 00:41:00,545 since we was little. 894 00:41:00,586 --> 00:41:02,004 But we not little no more, okay? 895 00:41:02,046 --> 00:41:03,506 - Not only is it his first defense 896 00:41:03,548 --> 00:41:05,633 of the Universal Championship, it's against family. 897 00:41:05,675 --> 00:41:08,886 It's against Roman's very own blood, Jey Uso. 898 00:41:08,928 --> 00:41:10,430 - We're blood. 899 00:41:10,471 --> 00:41:12,306 Family, man. 900 00:41:12,348 --> 00:41:14,517 I'm proud of you. But the truth is, 901 00:41:14,559 --> 00:41:17,103 like when we were kids, I'm gonna whoop your ass. 902 00:41:17,145 --> 00:41:22,358 - They had this storyline, and it's so close to home. 903 00:41:22,400 --> 00:41:26,070 It's like brothers that are actually fighting. 904 00:41:26,112 --> 00:41:28,364 - Just like when they were kids, 905 00:41:28,406 --> 00:41:30,867 Roman assured his cousin that he was doing everything 906 00:41:30,908 --> 00:41:33,828 in the best interests of the family. 907 00:41:33,870 --> 00:41:37,832 - All I wanted to do was raise you up. 908 00:41:37,874 --> 00:41:40,043 - Every time I see Roman Reigns and the Usos 909 00:41:40,084 --> 00:41:43,212 I think, man, that's not far from real life. 910 00:41:43,254 --> 00:41:45,214 They're always kind of at each other's throats. 911 00:41:45,256 --> 00:41:46,632 You wonder how tight they are. 912 00:41:46,674 --> 00:41:48,634 If they really like one another, if they don't. 913 00:41:48,676 --> 00:41:50,928 - This has to stay on my shoulder 914 00:41:50,970 --> 00:41:53,306 for our family to stay where it is. 915 00:41:53,347 --> 00:41:54,474 You understand? 916 00:41:54,515 --> 00:41:56,934 - This new version of Roman Reigns 917 00:41:56,976 --> 00:41:59,270 is very much like a mob boss. 918 00:41:59,312 --> 00:42:03,941 - You will respect me for who I am in the WWE 919 00:42:03,983 --> 00:42:07,070 and all that I do for our family. 920 00:42:07,111 --> 00:42:10,990 - The idea that you would want to challenge me 921 00:42:11,032 --> 00:42:13,451 is offensive to who I am. 922 00:42:13,493 --> 00:42:16,746 And so he didn't want to just beat Jey Uso, 923 00:42:16,788 --> 00:42:20,416 he wanted to show that Jey Uso is below him. 924 00:42:20,458 --> 00:42:23,336 His own cousin, his own flesh and blood, 925 00:42:23,378 --> 00:42:24,629 below him. 926 00:42:24,670 --> 00:42:28,966 And he beat him down until he acknowledged 927 00:42:29,008 --> 00:42:32,011 Roman Reigns as the Head of the Table, 928 00:42:32,053 --> 00:42:33,930 the head of the family 929 00:42:33,971 --> 00:42:35,681 and now, Jey Uso, 930 00:42:35,723 --> 00:42:38,601 and his brother, Jimmy Uso, 931 00:42:38,643 --> 00:42:40,186 they are the guys 932 00:42:40,228 --> 00:42:44,315 that do the enforcing for him when he can't be there. 933 00:42:44,357 --> 00:42:46,275 - Oh, wait a minute-- from behind. 934 00:42:46,317 --> 00:42:49,028 Jimmy and Jey Uso, Reign's cousins, 935 00:42:49,070 --> 00:42:53,116 the tag team champions, ambushing Balor. 936 00:42:53,157 --> 00:42:56,494 - All of us working together, can't nobody touch us. 937 00:42:56,536 --> 00:42:58,287 Can't nobody touch us... 938 00:42:59,163 --> 00:43:02,166 If we do it my way. 939 00:43:02,208 --> 00:43:04,544 - At first I was against it. 940 00:43:04,585 --> 00:43:06,421 but Roman being Roman... 941 00:43:07,505 --> 00:43:10,133 Had a bigger plan. 942 00:43:10,174 --> 00:43:12,635 Told me we were stronger together. 943 00:43:12,677 --> 00:43:14,679 Bloodline. 944 00:43:14,721 --> 00:43:18,307 - He's the Head of the Table of his family. 945 00:43:18,349 --> 00:43:20,977 He feeds his father and his uncles 946 00:43:21,018 --> 00:43:22,729 and his cousins, 947 00:43:22,770 --> 00:43:27,692 and every member of his family survives and indeed thrives 948 00:43:27,734 --> 00:43:31,028 off of the living that is made by Roman Reigns. 949 00:43:31,070 --> 00:43:33,781 - You can call this place whatever you like, 950 00:43:33,823 --> 00:43:35,783 but this is my yard. 951 00:43:35,825 --> 00:43:39,662 This is my island. This is my ring. 952 00:43:39,704 --> 00:43:42,540 This is my WWE. 953 00:43:42,582 --> 00:43:45,334 - He is there not only to protect 954 00:43:45,376 --> 00:43:50,757 but to move into the future the legacy of a dynasty. 955 00:43:50,798 --> 00:43:51,966 - The tribal chief, 956 00:43:52,008 --> 00:43:53,259 he's the boss of everything 957 00:43:53,301 --> 00:43:55,219 that takes care of the family. 958 00:43:55,261 --> 00:43:57,221 They all respect him as our leader, 959 00:43:57,263 --> 00:43:59,390 as our high talking chief, 960 00:43:59,432 --> 00:44:02,018 that anything that this chief says 961 00:44:02,060 --> 00:44:03,227 that we are to follow. 962 00:44:03,269 --> 00:44:05,938 It's out of respect of the culture. 963 00:44:05,980 --> 00:44:07,940 - I love that every time he talks 964 00:44:07,982 --> 00:44:09,859 it feels like he's trying to help you. 965 00:44:09,901 --> 00:44:12,945 Come on, you can do better. 966 00:44:12,987 --> 00:44:16,074 - You're here for one hour. One hour. 967 00:44:16,115 --> 00:44:18,117 I do you a favor. 968 00:44:18,159 --> 00:44:20,161 I put the spotlight on you. 969 00:44:20,203 --> 00:44:23,498 I bring you back, I put you with us, 970 00:44:23,539 --> 00:44:25,708 and what happens? 971 00:44:25,750 --> 00:44:27,543 You screw it up. 972 00:44:27,585 --> 00:44:31,381 - He really has a way of talking to the audience 973 00:44:31,422 --> 00:44:33,883 and to his friends and family in a way-- 974 00:44:33,925 --> 00:44:35,468 he gaslights all of us. 975 00:44:35,510 --> 00:44:38,304 He makes you feel like you're--wait-- 976 00:44:38,346 --> 00:44:40,473 no, I hate you for a reason. Don't I? 977 00:44:40,515 --> 00:44:42,767 "No, no, no. Why would you hate me? 978 00:44:42,809 --> 00:44:44,560 I'm here for you." 979 00:44:44,602 --> 00:44:47,647 - When it comes to lifting our legacy up, 980 00:44:47,688 --> 00:44:49,816 our history, what we're known for, 981 00:44:49,857 --> 00:44:53,361 to continually be the very best in this business, 982 00:44:53,403 --> 00:44:56,364 I think that my family heavily depends on me. 983 00:44:56,406 --> 00:44:59,409 - The undisputed tribal chief 984 00:44:59,450 --> 00:45:02,995 was creating a version of WWE in his own image. 985 00:45:03,037 --> 00:45:06,666 There would be no ceremonial passing of the torch. 986 00:45:06,707 --> 00:45:09,502 Roman was at "SummerSlam" to seize it. 987 00:45:09,544 --> 00:45:14,716 - Tonight marks day number 356 988 00:45:14,757 --> 00:45:17,176 in the Universal Championship reign 989 00:45:17,218 --> 00:45:19,095 of the Head of the Table. 990 00:45:19,137 --> 00:45:20,972 * * 991 00:45:21,013 --> 00:45:24,600 - Roman Reigns had been building a resume 992 00:45:24,642 --> 00:45:29,689 that was undeniably making him the face of the company. 993 00:45:29,731 --> 00:45:33,401 But there was always that voice in the back 994 00:45:33,443 --> 00:45:37,071 of everyone's head that said John Cena's the guy. 995 00:45:37,113 --> 00:45:39,615 - You know, we talk about Cena being the greatest of all time 996 00:45:39,657 --> 00:45:42,326 but an argument can be made that the past year 997 00:45:42,368 --> 00:45:45,079 has been one of the most dominant years 998 00:45:45,121 --> 00:45:47,957 in history of WWE. 999 00:45:47,999 --> 00:45:52,295 - Every bit of who I am has gone into this character. 1000 00:45:52,336 --> 00:45:54,464 Every little speed bump, the adversities, 1001 00:45:54,505 --> 00:45:57,425 the growing pains, the transitions, 1002 00:45:57,467 --> 00:46:02,972 all of that has been just balled up and used 1003 00:46:03,014 --> 00:46:05,016 into what you see today. 1004 00:46:05,058 --> 00:46:09,270 - There are 51,326 1005 00:46:09,312 --> 00:46:11,898 WWE fans on hand 1006 00:46:11,939 --> 00:46:14,150 to witness one of the greatest main events 1007 00:46:14,192 --> 00:46:16,277 in "SummerSlam" history. 1008 00:46:21,115 --> 00:46:23,826 - "SummerSlam" 2021, 1009 00:46:23,868 --> 00:46:29,207 we saw Roman Reigns in the ring with John Cena... 1010 00:46:30,792 --> 00:46:34,796 This generation's champion taking on 1011 00:46:34,837 --> 00:46:37,465 the previous generation's champion. 1012 00:46:37,507 --> 00:46:41,219 - The opportunity for Reigns to cement his legacy. 1013 00:46:41,260 --> 00:46:42,929 - [groans] 1014 00:46:42,970 --> 00:46:45,515 * * 1015 00:46:45,556 --> 00:46:47,642 - When it comes to an arena full 1016 00:46:47,683 --> 00:46:50,436 of sold out to capacity crowd... 1017 00:46:52,230 --> 00:46:54,273 I don't think there's really gonna be anybody 1018 00:46:54,315 --> 00:46:57,568 that can get 100% of them at all times. 1019 00:46:57,610 --> 00:46:59,028 - [groans] 1020 00:46:59,070 --> 00:47:01,739 - Roman with a right hand dropping John. 1021 00:47:01,781 --> 00:47:03,282 [crowd booing] 1022 00:47:03,324 --> 00:47:06,702 Now Roman mocking the WWE Universe. 1023 00:47:06,744 --> 00:47:09,414 * * 1024 00:47:09,455 --> 00:47:13,084 - But to keep 100% of them invested 1025 00:47:13,126 --> 00:47:15,253 one way or the other... 1026 00:47:15,795 --> 00:47:17,839 To make them do what I want them to do... 1027 00:47:17,880 --> 00:47:19,924 * * 1028 00:47:19,966 --> 00:47:23,094 That's the key. 1029 00:47:23,136 --> 00:47:25,763 I'll whoop all y'all's asses too. 1030 00:47:25,805 --> 00:47:27,473 I'll whoop all y'all's asses too. 1031 00:47:27,515 --> 00:47:29,350 Come on, sucker. Come on. 1032 00:47:29,392 --> 00:47:31,310 - Roman Reigns is so good at being a bad guy 1033 00:47:31,352 --> 00:47:33,813 'cause from whatever negativity's coming at him 1034 00:47:33,855 --> 00:47:35,273 and the boos and-- 1035 00:47:35,314 --> 00:47:39,068 he seems to really enjoy what it gives to him. 1036 00:47:39,110 --> 00:47:40,987 * * 1037 00:47:41,028 --> 00:47:44,657 The combination that makes Roman Reigns work is 1038 00:47:44,699 --> 00:47:48,202 you don't like him but you kind of want to be him. 1039 00:47:48,244 --> 00:47:50,371 He's good-looking and there's envy. 1040 00:47:50,413 --> 00:47:52,498 You want to be in his shoes 1041 00:47:52,540 --> 00:47:54,792 and yet you can't stand that he's in that position. 1042 00:47:54,834 --> 00:47:58,463 - Roman Reigns is the character everyone loves to hate. 1043 00:47:58,504 --> 00:48:01,382 He's the quarterback that steals your girlfriend, 1044 00:48:01,424 --> 00:48:04,302 and there's not a damn thing you can do about it. 1045 00:48:04,343 --> 00:48:05,762 - [groans] 1046 00:48:05,803 --> 00:48:07,805 - And again, a right drops John. 1047 00:48:07,847 --> 00:48:10,349 - It feels like a lot of Allegiant Stadium 1048 00:48:10,391 --> 00:48:13,478 is on Team Cena. - Acknowledge me. 1049 00:48:13,519 --> 00:48:15,730 - "Acknowledge me" 1050 00:48:15,772 --> 00:48:18,649 is the perfect catchphrase for Roman Reigns. 1051 00:48:18,691 --> 00:48:22,278 When he says "acknowledge me," that's a contradiction 1052 00:48:22,320 --> 00:48:25,406 because a champ doesn't need to ask people to acknowledge him. 1053 00:48:25,448 --> 00:48:27,700 But he does because he doesn't get 1054 00:48:27,742 --> 00:48:32,371 the fan love that other champions get. 1055 00:48:32,413 --> 00:48:35,583 - I view Roman Reigns as a righteous man 1056 00:48:35,625 --> 00:48:38,836 driven to villainous circumstances to survive. 1057 00:48:38,878 --> 00:48:41,297 - Hollywood, I apologize, 1058 00:48:41,339 --> 00:48:43,216 but I'm gonna hurt this man. 1059 00:48:43,257 --> 00:48:45,176 I'm gonna hurt-- I'm gonna whoop his ass 1060 00:48:45,218 --> 00:48:48,179 and we're gonna send him to-- he ain't gonna be able to work. 1061 00:48:48,221 --> 00:48:50,848 He ain't gonna be able to-- don't bring him back here. 1062 00:48:50,890 --> 00:48:52,517 I'm WWE. 1063 00:48:52,558 --> 00:48:54,560 - When we think about Roman Reigns 1064 00:48:54,602 --> 00:48:57,939 becoming a villain, embodying that evil persona, 1065 00:48:57,980 --> 00:49:00,024 leaning in to that hate, 1066 00:49:00,066 --> 00:49:02,735 I think that gave him power and gave him strength. 1067 00:49:02,777 --> 00:49:05,405 [crowd booing] 1068 00:49:05,446 --> 00:49:09,367 - He is guy who was sick of everyone coming after him 1069 00:49:09,409 --> 00:49:11,744 for no good reason. 1070 00:49:11,786 --> 00:49:14,205 Showed no respect for his skill, his talent, 1071 00:49:14,247 --> 00:49:16,040 and frankly, his lineage. 1072 00:49:16,082 --> 00:49:17,875 And he stood up for it. 1073 00:49:17,917 --> 00:49:23,840 It totally changed the landscape of the business. 1074 00:49:23,881 --> 00:49:27,343 - All me! I am WWE! 1075 00:49:27,385 --> 00:49:29,637 - The Head of the Table. 1076 00:49:29,679 --> 00:49:32,223 Roman Reigns with a spear. 1077 00:49:32,265 --> 00:49:34,726 - One, two, three. 1078 00:49:34,767 --> 00:49:37,478 [match bell dings] - And just like that, 1079 00:49:37,520 --> 00:49:40,857 Roman Reigns will retain the championship. 1080 00:49:40,898 --> 00:49:42,900 * * 1081 00:49:42,942 --> 00:49:44,819 - When Roman Reigns beat John Cena, 1082 00:49:44,861 --> 00:49:47,155 he did not just retain his title, 1083 00:49:47,196 --> 00:49:51,242 he became officially the man of the company, 1084 00:49:51,284 --> 00:49:52,910 the face of the company, 1085 00:49:52,952 --> 00:49:56,080 and the champion of this generation. 1086 00:49:56,122 --> 00:49:59,751 - Nobody in this generation that came up like me. 1087 00:49:59,792 --> 00:50:02,170 I'm the only one that really came in 1088 00:50:02,211 --> 00:50:04,380 and removed these legends 1089 00:50:04,422 --> 00:50:07,759 that made way for the new generation. 1090 00:50:07,800 --> 00:50:10,344 In 20 years, there might be more people 1091 00:50:10,386 --> 00:50:12,930 molded after me opposed to, like, 1092 00:50:12,972 --> 00:50:15,391 the parallels of John Cena to Hulk Hogan. 1093 00:50:15,433 --> 00:50:18,811 Like, you target the kids. Hustle, loyalty, respect. 1094 00:50:18,853 --> 00:50:21,022 Doing the same old schtick. You know what I mean? 1095 00:50:21,064 --> 00:50:24,567 It's the same format just on a different dude. 1096 00:50:24,609 --> 00:50:26,235 And nobody's done it like me, 1097 00:50:26,277 --> 00:50:28,488 but maybe in like, 20 or 30 years, 1098 00:50:28,529 --> 00:50:30,656 if there's someone out there with the ability, 1099 00:50:30,698 --> 00:50:33,951 we might be able to see this mold again. 1100 00:50:34,702 --> 00:50:37,622 - Roman is entering the peak of his career 1101 00:50:37,663 --> 00:50:39,499 and is already one of the greatest superstars 1102 00:50:39,540 --> 00:50:41,084 of this era. 1103 00:50:41,125 --> 00:50:44,921 So is the undisputed tribal chief 1104 00:50:44,962 --> 00:50:47,882 and Head of the Samoan Family Table 1105 00:50:47,924 --> 00:50:50,301 destined to be one of the greatest superstars 1106 00:50:50,343 --> 00:50:52,678 of all time? 1107 00:50:52,720 --> 00:50:56,057 - Obviously, when you think about all-time great 1108 00:50:56,099 --> 00:50:58,726 Samoan superstars, 1109 00:50:58,768 --> 00:51:00,436 no one's bigger than the Rock. 1110 00:51:00,478 --> 00:51:03,523 * * 1111 00:51:03,564 --> 00:51:05,858 And Roman knows that shadow's there. 1112 00:51:05,900 --> 00:51:08,611 And I'm sure that's something that drives him. 1113 00:51:08,653 --> 00:51:11,531 - Would you ever fight the Rock? 1114 00:51:11,572 --> 00:51:13,241 - I would, yes. I don't know if-- 1115 00:51:13,282 --> 00:51:15,118 I don't know if he wants it. 1116 00:51:15,159 --> 00:51:17,412 - Roman Reigns beating your hero? 1117 00:51:17,453 --> 00:51:20,790 He beats Dwayne Johnson as a villain? 1118 00:51:20,832 --> 00:51:22,583 No one will be able to deny 1119 00:51:22,625 --> 00:51:24,752 Roman Reigns is the greatest villain of all time. 1120 00:51:24,794 --> 00:51:26,838 No one. 1121 00:51:28,256 --> 00:51:29,841 - We haven't even begun yet. 1122 00:51:29,882 --> 00:51:31,467 * * 1123 00:51:31,509 --> 00:51:33,344 There's so much greatness to chase. 1124 00:51:33,386 --> 00:51:37,432 The moments can get bigger. 1125 00:51:37,473 --> 00:51:40,017 We're not even scratching the surface. 1126 00:51:40,059 --> 00:51:42,687 I think the legacy that Roman Reigns will leave 1127 00:51:42,729 --> 00:51:46,357 is being the best of all time 1128 00:51:46,399 --> 00:51:49,485 and doing it my way. 1129 00:51:50,445 --> 00:51:53,614 So everything I've ever done is to get into the position 1130 00:51:53,656 --> 00:51:57,034 to where I have the power. 1131 00:51:57,076 --> 00:51:58,619 And now I have the power. 1132 00:51:58,661 --> 00:52:02,915 - Roman Reigns!