'Look, athleticism and family advice have got me this far...'
Sunday 29 March 2015 13:03, UK
Roman’s reign could very well begin at WrestleMania.
Former Shield powerhouse Roman Reigns will try to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for the first time on Sunday when he faces Brock Lesnar inside Levi’s Stadium, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
And the Floridian told Sky Sports that fans should expect an almighty battle as he attempts to inflict a first defeat on Lesnar in almost two years in Santa Clara, California.
The Floridian will have fellow members of the Anoaʻi wrestling dynasty watching his high-stakes match and also feels words of wisdom from them helped him reach the peak of his profession.
So read on for Reigns’ thoughts on his family, his rise up the WWE ranks, his footballing background, his mixed standing among grappling fans and more…
Will Sunday night be the biggest moment in your professional life?
There are a lot of moments that men remember in life – your wedding day, your kids being born – but on a professional scale this is as big as it gets. I’m so buzzing to be taking on Lesnar. I’m ready to go.
As you come from an esteemed wrestling family, did you always expect to headline WrestleMania?
Wrestling has been a part of my life forever and I always pretty much knew that I would be following in the footsteps of all my family members. But it’s one thing being a WWE Superstar, travelling the world and appearing on Raw and another thinking about main eventing WrestleMania. It’s one of those bucket-list things that I never dreamed could really happen so for it to be right here, right now is an amazing feeling.
What traits did your family instil in you about how to thrive in the wrestling business?
Toughness and that you have to be able to take on the daily occurrences of road life and being away from your loved ones. Wrestling is awesome and most of the guys would do that bit for free but it’s the sections in between where you have to get to venues and travel that you need a thick skin.
I focus on being who I am, where I come from and where I want to go. I can’t go wrong doing that.
There are plenty of young guys who have fought to main event WrestleMania and not yet managed it. What sets you apart?
I’m just me. I try not to care about what everybody else is doing and just focus on being who I am, where I come from and where I want to go. I can’t go wrong doing that. I think I have a decent look, an intensity about me and that I’m extremely athletic, so my goal is just to continue to get better. I have only just scratched the surface of my potential and when you consider what level I am at in this early part of my career, then I can’t even tell you where I will be in five years.
Wrestling is your job now but you were once an American Footballer. Was the NFL ever a serious option for you?
It was. It didn’t really take flight until my sophomore year in college, when I wasn’t happy just being in the team and wanted to perform, be a top guy and help win games. When I became a full-time starter and pulled my weight the NFL became a real prospect, but only for a brief moment, as I knew my path was wrestling. It’s what I’m supposed to do.
It’s Lesnar this weekend, then. What sort of match are you expecting?
Brock’s style has paid dividends so if it ain’t broke don’t fit it. He has been suplexing everybody for the past year now and done some incredible things. They don’t call him The Conqueror for no reason! I want nothing other than Brock’s best, though, in what should be a brutal, painful, physical match-up that has one hell of an aggressive story behind it. You are going to see a tussle you don’t see every day between two very large human beings. I hope people enjoy it.
And what sort of reaction are you expecting from the Levi’s Stadium crowd? It was mixed, shall we say, at the Royal Rumble…
I think ‘mixed’ is being generous, I received heavy boos! I'm not going to shy away from that. Some days people feel you and others they don’t and that mix of opinion among the WWE Universe is great. It keeps you on your toes, keeps things fresh and makes you a better performer. There’s nothing more boring than getting the same thing over and over again, so I love how the crowds switch it up.
What other WrestleMania matches are you most looking forward to seeing?
WrestleMania is always great as almost every match is a main event and there’s something for everyone but I am really looking forward to seeing Sting face Triple H and especially the Intercontinental Title Ladder Match. There are so many young, hungry guys in that match trying to build a foundation for the future and I know they are going to blow the roof off with all the toys they can use in that bout. Scrap that, there is no roof, they are going to blow the clouds out of the sky!
You also need to keep your eye on Mr Money in the Bank, Seth Rollins…
I do. If I am up to the task – and I know I am – and I beat Brock, there is a very real chance Seth could try to cash in his contract on me. That’s awesome, though, and proof that you never know what to expect in WWE. The whole landscape can change in a matter of moments.
WrestleMania 31 will be shown on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 743) and Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 752) at midnight on Sunday, March 29 (Monday morning).
WrestleMania 31 will be repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 743) BUT NOT Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 752) between 10am, Monday, March 30 and 10pm, Saturday, April 4. Repeat showings will last for four hours.
The event is priced at £19.95 for UK customers, €24.95 for viewers in the Republic of Ireland.
Viewers can call 08442 410 888 from Tuesday, March 17 to book WrestleMania 31. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).
You can also book WrestleMania 31 online from Tuesday, March 17 by visiting this link: https://my.sky.com/orderboxoffice/
Cable customers should contact their local cable operator.
