Roman Reigns Declares ‘The Big Dog’ Persona Is Dead

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2025 — Roman Reigns has officially put his former wrestling persona, ‘The Big Dog,’ to rest. In a recent interview with IGN, Reigns proclaimed, ‘There is no Big Dog. He’s dead now. I don’t even see the other guy. He doesn’t even exist. It didn’t happen.’ This statement comes as he prepares for his return to WWE leading up to WrestleMania 41.

Reigns, who initially gained fame in WWE as the ‘Big Dog,’ was known for winning multiple championships and being positioned as the company’s top face. However, he faced significant backlash from fans during this phase. The character was perceived as artificial, contrasting sharply with the success of his subsequent persona, the ‘Tribal Chief,’ which he introduced in 2020 after taking a hiatus from the ring.

The ‘Tribal Chief’ character has resonated with fans and has been characterized as a powerful, manipulative leader, emphasizing Reigns’ Samoan heritage and his dynamics within his family, known as The Bloodline. This evolution followed his return at SummerSlam in August 2020, where he allied with WWE executive Paul Heyman.

In his interview, Reigns reflected on his journey, saying, ‘I’m a sick man. I got that thing, that drive. I want more, always want more. Goal posts go back. We’re in the end zone. Move them back again.’ This relentless ambition has been a driving force behind his dramatic character transformation.

Reigns has been absent from WWE programming since being sidelined by Seth Rollins during the Royal Rumble. His absence has been part of a deliberate storyline, designed to build anticipation for his expected WrestleMania 41 match against Rollins and CM Punk.

While fans have eagerly awaited his return, WWE has confirmed that Reigns will appear on two episodes of SmackDown in March, ramping up excitement as the WrestleMania date approaches.

In a world where WWE fans often reminisce about past characters, Reigns’ bold declaration underscores his intention to focus on his current trajectory as the ‘Tribal Chief’ rather than lamenting his earlier persona.