10 Things You Didn't Know About Roman Reigns
5. He's Been Earmarked As The Top Guy For A Long Time
Reigns made his main roster debut in 2012 alongside Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose as The Shield. The trio immediately shook up WWE's main-event scene and became one of the most impactful stables of all time.
Even in those early days, though, it was clear that Reigns was being groomed for greatness. Unlike "The Big Dog," Rollins and Ambrose were veterans of the independent scene who (as Tyler Black and Jon Moxley, respectively) had been gathering experience and earning praise for years. Reigns had yet to prove anything to anybody, but his association with his expert teammates made him part of a true force in the company. Cynical fans predicted that, despite his inexperience, Reigns's size and look would lead to him eventually achieving more than his partners.
By 2013, those predictions were borne out. Reigns set a record by eliminating four men in a Survivor Series match, and CM Punk later detailed how in a handicap match against The Shield, he was repeatedly told to make "The Enforcer" look strong. By the year's end, it was clear that Vince McMahon had found his elusive next big thing.