WWE's Roman Reigns talks WrestleMania 31, Brock Lesnar and more
WWE superstar Roman Reigns will headline WrestleMania 31 at Levi's Stadium on Sunday when he faces Brock Lesnar for the WWE world heavyweight title.
Reigns recently spoke to the Buzzer about the big match, his football career, his "Who Are You When You're Hungry" campaign with Snickers and much more.
FOX Sports: You spent some time with the Vikings and Jaguars several years ago. What was the experience like for you?
Roman Reigns: It was awesome. I played four years at Georgia Tech. I went into Georgia Tech not even considering the NFL. I was just happy to have a scholarship and the opportunity to play Division I college football. It was a hiccup of a professional career, but it was a great experience and I'd like to think I made a lot of awesome relationships and met some really cool people along the way in football.
FS: Which players impressed you?
RR: When I initially signed with the Vikings, it was the same year they drafted Adrian Peterson, so you could tell he was that first rounder, very high-caliber pick. Just seeing him was very impressive and what he's done on the field has been phenomenal. The time I spent with the Jaguars, it was really neat to see Marcus Stroud and John Henderson. Those two defensive tackles were just massive monsters, mountains of men and they controlled that defensive line and line of scrimmage. As a defensive lineman it was really neat to be around those guys.
FS: I know the WWE schedule is crazy, but do you get to watch NFL these days?
RR: It's a bit of a hit and run when I watch football nowadays just because we're traveling, and the majority of the time on Sundays we have shows. I'm a huge 49ers fans, so that's something that's been awesome about WrestleMania. Just yesterday, I was at Levi's Stadium training in the actual 49ers weight room, so that was a bucket list check off for me. It was pretty cool to say the least.
FS: What was your reaction when you found out you would be headlining WrestleMania 31?
RR: It was great. Sometimes, it's indescribable. It's such an awesome opportunity. So many things go with it. I have an opportunity to secure a future with my family, provide a future for my daughter. Build home for her. So many great things I can do for my family. Represent my family. It's an awesome moment and I couldn't be prouder.
FS: You're a professional, but the fan reaction to you the past few months has been rough. Does that ever get to you?
RR: No. That's a part of it. And that's the awesome part of the WWE universe. They're so opinionated and care so much. I think that goes to speak for the roster we have. We have a very competitive roster. Cheer for whoever you want. But I'm gonna go out there and do my job I'm gonna go out there and compete. I'm gonna do what I do best and that's hit hard and hit often.
FS: Brock Lesnar re-signed with the WWE earlier this week. What was your reaction when you heard the news?
RR: I thought it was great. Brock Lesnar is the WWE world heavyweight champion for now. So where he belongs is in the WWE. He doesn't belong anywhere else. I'm proud, as a part of WWE, to say that we have Brock Lesnar for years to come and he's gonna be a part of the future. My job is to make his future a little bit lighter. To take that title off of him. To take it out of his gear bag and that's my intention.
FS: We recently did a piece on FoxSports.com about the 15 greatest ring entrances in WWE history. Who would you say has the greatest ring entrance of all time?
RR: I'd have to say the Undertaker. There's so much pageantry behind his entrance and such a mystique behind everything he does and he's done a great job over the years to protect it and make it special. I also have to give a shout out to my family, the Usos. Their entrance is phenomenal. It gets the crowd going and they're able to pay tribute to our family.
FS: You have a unique entrance yourself in that you come to the ring through the crowd. You've been doing that for a while. Do you still enjoy it? Or would you rather just have a normal entrance?
RR: Sometimes it's a situation where it would be easier to come out the normal stage, as far as preparation and having a little extra time because I do have to go up to the concourse. But once that music hits and you get into the crowd, even if there's a bit of groping, which occasionally there is, it's still such a great moment. It's such a great interaction. It's something that I really enjoy doing. I think it makes the show special and it's a part of the show now.
FS: Did you ever have an incident where you thought you wouldn't make it to the ring?
RR: No. There have been situations here and there that ranges all the way from a little girl bear-hugging my waist all the way to a grown woman smacking me on the butt. But the fans have been great. You have to think about how long they've been at the shows and how rowdy they get, so they've been awesome about just letting me get to the ring and let me do my job.
FS: Tell us about the "Who Are You When You're Hungry" campaign for Snickers.
RR: It's a great thing. If you think about it, anything can happen when you're hungry. Your alter ego can come out. We want to see who you are when you're hungry and the crazy side of you, so if you can make a video and check out the Snickers Facebook page and you'll find out all the details and you'll ge to see my alter ego when I'm hungry and the commercial I shot with Renee Young. It's a pretty cool deal.
FS: Which WWE Superstar has the biggest appetite?
RR: Ryback.
FS: You mentioned you're a big 49ers fan. If you look at Colin Kaepernick's Instagram page, it does not look like he ever eats a Snickers bar.
RR: As a high-caliber athlete and someone who trains every single day, I can tell you moderation is key. It's always nice to treat yourself. When you work hard, there's nothing like a treat. I would say a Snickers is an awesome treat for the body.
