Without a doubt, Roman Reigns is the biggest name in professional wrestling in the world today. For the better part of the past four years, Reigns dominated WWE as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. He beat any and everyone in his path who stepped up to him. It was not until WrestleMania 40 that Reigns was finally dethroned and beaten by Cody Rhodes. It was the end of over 1,000 days of a once in a generation championship reign.

While it might be difficult to think of Reigns as anything other than “The Tribal Chief”, the origins of this character can be seen in the very beginning of his career. Back when Reigns was in NXT, he was exploring a heel character that showed the very early origins of the character that fans know and love today.

Roman Reigns Used To Be Called Leakee

Roman Reigns Signed With WWE In 2010

• Reigns was a former FCW Florida Tag Team Champion.
• Leakee gained the first name Roman in NXT.
• Roman Leakee was called “The Boss”.

In 2010, Reigns signed with WWE’s developmental territory of FCW. Under the name Leakee, he was getting his start in the professional wrestling business. It even saw him team with an eventual foe, The Bloodline’s Tanga Loa. He also gave glimpses of a new persona as “The Boss.” However, the FCW rebranding was Reigns’ true opportunity to shine.

In 2012, WWE rebranded FCW. It was the start of the brand new NXT. Gone was the goofy reality show format that had initially been used. WWE was instead using the brand to focus on building the next generation of talent that would carry the company into the future. With a new home for Leakee, now called Roman Leakee, he also debuted a new persona. And little did anyone know, they were getting a glimpse into the future with this character. Leakee was given a brand-new name and was redubbed as Roman Reigns. He was braggadocious about how good he was. He donned suits and spoke about how his time was the most valuable. He wanted fans to know that they were paying to see him, but that character did not get full time to shine, or evolve, until nearly a decade later.

Roman Reigns Struggled As A Babyface

The Big Dog Did Not Connect With Fans

• Reigns’ singles heel persona was put on hold when he joined The SHIELD.
• Many fans resisted Roman Reigns as a top babyface.
• Roman Reigns was booed at the Royal Rumble in 2015.

This heel Roman Reigns persona was put on the shelf when he was recruited as a member of The SHIELD. Instead of being very open about how he was the best, Reigns was instead the powerhouse of the trio of himself, Seth Rollins, and Dean Amborse. The SHIELD dominated until Rollins destroyed them from the inside. This was the point where Reigns really and truly struggled to get over fans.

WWE tried very hard to push Reigns as the top face of the company for a very long time. It did not feel like a genuine connection with the fans was being made. His character at this time felt too corporate and forced. Eventually, his character would warm up to fans more and more, but after being gone for a few months in 2020, Reigns returned with a vengeance. This unleashed the most popular version of the character up to this point.

“The Boss” Became “The Tribal Chief”

Being A Heel Felt Natural For Roman Reigns

• Reigns returned to WWE in 2020.
• Roman Reigns was the leader of The Bloodline.
• The Tribal Chief had a historic WWE Title reign.

Reigns’ run as the “Tribal Chief” achieved for him the success and popularity that WWE wanted for him as a babyface. When looking back at his time in FCW and NXT, it is apparent that Reigns had what it took to be a successful heel. His promos then were the early script for the polished version fans got later on. It felt like an organic growth for Reigns, and despite him not being that character for years, he tapped into something that had seemingly never left him. With the aid of Paul Heyman and The Bloodline, Reigns achieved the new evolution of “The Boss” in “The Tribal Chief.”

The rest, as they say, is history. Everyone knows what Reigns ended up becoming in WWE. He has easily established himself as one of the greatest of all-time. Reigns showed what the right character can do for someone. Even if they have the look or the talent in the ring, character work is just as important. For Reigns, this was evident in the evolution of his character. In fact, Reigns was such a good heel that he ended up becoming beloved by the fans. They loved their “Tribal Chief.” It was an organic connection with the fans when they acknowledged him. And it all traced back to that early work that he did in FCW and NXT. Looking back at it, Reigns had it in him all along. It just took the right time and place.