Roman Reigns’ Retirement Contemplated by WWE

Unveiling the Untold: The Journey of Roman Reigns’ Return to Wrestling

The resurgence of Roman Reigns in WWE since his comeback at SummerSlam in August 2020 has been nothing short of spectacular. His swift ascension to the Universal Championship, followed by the unification of titles and the establishment of his Tribal Chief persona, has captivated audiences worldwide. However, what many might not know is that this triumphant return almost never happened.

In an exclusive interview with Uproxx, Paul Heyman shed light on a pivotal moment when Reigns contemplated retirement during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Heyman, Reigns had mentally prepared himself for retirement and was resolute in his decision to step away from the ring:

“He considered himself retired. He wasn’t coming back.”

At the time, Heyman was serving as the executive director of Monday Night Raw, while Reigns was assigned to SmackDown. Despite the fervent desire of SmackDown’s creative team to see Reigns return, the wrestler remained steadfast in his decision to retire.

Heyman recalled the conversations surrounding Reigns’ absence:

“Every week I heard all the SmackDown writers and producers and personnel saying, ‘God, I just wish Roman would come back.’ And I would ask, has anybody talked to him? Yeah, he says he’s retired. He’s not coming back.”

The revelation of Reigns’ retirement mindset adds depth to his eventual comeback, making his subsequent accomplishments even more remarkable. Despite his conviction that he was done with wrestling, Reigns embarked on a historic journey that has defined his legacy in WWE.

Roman Reigns took a hiatus from wrestling in early 2020, citing health concerns due to his immunocompromised state from battling leukemia. However, his return marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career, one that has seen him reign as champion for over 1300 days.

As WrestleMania 40 approaches, Reigns prepares for two monumental matches across the April 6-7 event. On Saturday, he teams up with The Rock to take on Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, followed by defending his title against Cody Rhodes the next night.

The story of Roman Reigns’ return serves as a testament to resilience and determination, proving that even in the face of uncertainty, greatness can prevail.