WWE: “Then. Now. Forever,” has been their slogan for a number of years now. Throughout the company's history, there have been amazing WWE Superstars in the past, there are amazing superstars at the present, and there will always be amazing WWE superstars long after the current roster is gone. Before WWE fans could witness opponents of Braun Strowman “getting these hands” or watch Seth Rollins “burn it down” or take in Alexa Bliss’ “Moment(s) of Bliss,” the WWE was ruled by John Cena, Randy Orton, Edge and Batista. So where were the stars of the current roster while the Cenas and Ortons were running WWE, and what were they doing before they became WWE Superstars?
Like all of the WWE Universe, most of the current roster was a fan of WWE, watching the superstars of The Attitude Era, Ruthless Aggression Era and the unofficially dubbed “PG Era.” While fans of the WWE before even signing with the company, many of these future superstars possessed a history of either sports or entertainment, making them perfect for WWE’s “Sports Entertainment” brand. Whether these male and female superstars were natural athletes, possessed a marketable look or both, this article explores what some of the current WWE superstars were doing before they made their big break in WWE. Here we look at 10 current male and female WWE superstars and what they did before WWE.
20 The Bella Twins: Reality TV
Like them or not, the Bella Twins are no stranger to television, which is why, despite their limited knowledge and abilities in wrestling, Vince McMahon has a soft spot in his heart for them. Not only do the Bellas have television experience, they are also adept in reality television. While that doesn’t give them much wrestling experience, a resume in television definitely gives them a leg up in the world of sports entertainment.
Even before “Brie Mode” and “Fearless” were famous Bella catchphrases, Nikki and Brie already had a taste of fame. Both Bellas were already establishing themselves as models, and both received their big break, appearing on the FOX reality show, Meet My Folks. From there, The Bellas’ modeling career gained steam and were hired to do promotional work for Budweiser as the "World Cup Twins."
In 2006, The Bellas would participate in the “International Body Doubles twins search” before entering into the famous WWE Diva Search.
Ironically, The Bella Twins, despite their past promotional work, reality TV appearance, model worthy good looks and strong athletic background, Nikki and Brie would be cut from the Diva’s Search. Nikki and Brie would eventually be hired by WWE and garner very successful careers. Both Bellas would be WWE Divas Champion, with Nikki becoming the longest reigning WWE Divas Champion of all-time before the belt was retired.
19 Braun Strowman: Strongman Competitor
Braun Strowman hasn’t been in WWE very long, but he has already laid waste to multiple WWE superstars in his path, and he’s “not finished with them yet!” Strowman is very popular among the fans, and it’s a forgone conclusion that he will one day become champion. Strowman was made to be a WWE superstar, with the look and strength that pleases Vince McMahon more than any skills in the ring. Even more importantly, Braun is actually extremely over with the crowd. While currently Strowman’s opponents are“getting these hands,” before WWE, Strowman was getting those weights and hitting them hard.
In WWE, Braun Strowman is a “Monster Among Men,” so it should be no surprise that he possesses superhuman strength. Before WWE, Strowman was a natural strongman competitor and won several Arnold Amateur Strongman Championships between 2010 and 2012. While Strowman’s success in Strongman Competitions shouldn’t be a huge shock, it’s Strowman’s athleticism that impresses fans and WWE announcers alike.
Strowman isn’t your typical monster with all strength and no speed. Strowman played football for the Hickory Hornets for four years and attended an NFL Scouting Combine. Oddly enough, Strowman didn’t make the cut. When Strowman wasn’t trampling opponents on the gridiron, he worked as a mechanic as well as a doorman before finally getting signed by WWE to slam opponents over and over again.
18 Alexa Bliss: Cheerleader, Bodybuilder
Alexa Bliss may be using her “Moment(s) of Bliss” to mock Nia Jax’s “bullying,” but the truth is, Alex has been making moments in wrestling ever since she came to WWE. Bliss was often overlooked in WWE due to her lack of an extensive wrestling resume, and yet she has exceeded all expectations. Bliss won one Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championship each (the first woman to do so) and has become one of the most popular female superstars in all of WWE. Of course, not everything Bliss touches is gold. Her “Bayley: This Is Your Life” segment bombed, and that's okay, because in this entry we take a look at the life of Alexa.
Despite having no wrestling background, Alexa Bliss was still a “Goddess” in almost every other sport she attempted. She participated in softball, track, kickboxing, and gymnastics throughout her childhood and competed in NCAA Division I cheerleading in college. Bliss even turned to competitive bodybuilding, which actually saved her life from a life-threatening eating disorder, and competed in the Arnold Classic.
Despite her lack of experience, Bliss turned her interest towards professional wrestling, to her parents’ chagrin. However, with her extensive athletic experience and competitive nature, Bliss was signed by WWE, hasn’t looked back since and has succeeded in wrestling much like every other sport she has tackled.
17 John Cena: Bodybuilder
“The Champ is here!” Well, at least that’s what he used to say when he was here. Now, John Cena has become the part-timer wrestler that he criticized others for being in the past and is slowly transitioning towards Hollywood. For better or worse, “U Can’t See” John Cena as much these days, but when The Doctor of Thuganomics was a full-time WWE Superstar, Cena was the franchise of the WWE. Cena was the face of WWE and of the PG-Era, winning sixteen World Championships, and this doesn’t include other championships, Royal Rumble wins and Slammys. However, before Cena became "Big Match John" and one of the most decorated WWE superstars ever, he started, much the same way other wrestlers got their start in pro wrestling.
In college, Cena participated in NCAA Division III football and graduated with hopes of becoming a professional bodybuilder.
During his bodybuilding pursuit, believe it or not, Cena also worked as a limousine driver, according to WWE.com, until he entered the world of professional wrestling. Cena worked for Ultimate Pro Wrestling under his original gimmick of The Prototype, and his bodybuilding physique helped him exude that professional wrestler look. Eventually, he caught the eye of WWE and was signed to their developmental system, Ohio Valley Wrestling, and "hustled" his way to becoming a future WWE megastar.
16 Carmella: Cheerleader, Laker Girl
Much in the same vein as Alexa Bliss, Carmella didn’t have the extensive wrestling background that many others in the WWE have, but she is still making her mark in wrestling lore. She’s won the first (and technically second) Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match, and used the contract to cash-in and win the SmackDown Women’s Title. Carmella has taken WWE by storm as if she’d been wrestling for years prior, but her path to WWE didn’t start in a wrestling ring. It started on the sidelines of the basketball court and of the football field.
Before she was F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S in a WWE ring, Carmella was a cheerleader for the New England Patriots for three seasons. Afterwards, she took her cheerleading to basketball, where she became a Laker Girl. Carmella clearly has an extensive background in dancing, but fitness is a strong passion of hers as well. Before she joined WWE, Carmella became a nationally accredited fitness instructor and personal trainer at Gold’s Gym and Boot Fitness, helping her clients look “fabulous” through group exercises and individual training.
Cheerleading has given Carmella the entertaining experience while her passion for fitness has kept her in tremendous shape. However, wrestling wasn't totally foreign to her. Her father was former jobber Paul Van Dale, who wrestled for WWE in the '90s under his real name and a few variations of it, giving "The Princess of Staten Island" an added window into the WWE.
15 Randy Orton: Marine
Some wrestlers are simply destined to be WWE Superstars, and Randy Orton was one of them. He’s a third generation superstar, following his father, Cowboy Bob Orton, his uncle, Barry Orton, and his grandfather Bob Orton Sr. into professional wrestling, and has exceeded both generations by winning the Royal Rumble twice, Money in the Bank once and capturing thirteen WWE World Championships, not to mention his Intercontinental, United States and Tag Team Championships. Randy Orton was known as The Legend Killer and became a legend in the process.
With all of Randy Orton’s accolades and the bloodline, one would think professional wrestling would have been the first choice for The Apex Predator, but that was seemingly not the case. Orton didn’t follow in his family’s footsteps right away. Before starting his wrestling career, Orton first enlisted into the U.S. Marines. Apparently, the discipline wasn't for him as Orton was dishonorably discharged for misconduct. He was court-martialed, tried and convicted of going AWOL by disobeying his commanding officer. Orton would slither into a brig and spend 38 days at Camp Pendleton.
Upon Orton’s release, The Viper would train to become a professional wrestler, working in St. Louis for the Mid-Missouri Wrestling Association-Southern Illinois Conference Wrestling as well as his uncle’s wrestling promotion, World Organized Wrestling. Love him or hate him, Randy Orton has definitely paid his dues.
14 Lana: Model, Actress
Manager of “The Bulgarian Brute” and her husband, Rusev, “The Ravishing Russian” known as Lana has caught the attention of wrestling fans around the world. She started in WWE by unleashing Rusev onto American pigs while humiliating American values and promoting Vladimir Putin. Lana has since taken her ambitions to becoming a wrestler and CRUSHING opponents herself. After a winless start to her new singles career, Lana would finally earn her first official win during the Mixed Match Challenge, tagging with her husband. While Lana may have her first win, who knows if there will be any others considering how green she still is in the ring, but who can blame her? She lacks the experience of a professional wrestler and certainly hasn’t shown any indication of ever wanting to be one in the past.
Lana has had multiple jobs in the past with absolutely none of them having to do with professional wrestling.
However, Lana definitely aspires to be in entertainment in some capacity and has a nice resume for it. She became a dancer for many well-known theaters and companies and majored in acting and dance at FSU. While dancing, her ambitions to enter show business took her into modeling, singing and even acting. Lana has appeared in music videos, as a backup dancer for the likes of Pink, Nelly, Usher and Akon, and has even appeared in two Pitch Perfect films. While that resume might seem like excellent stepping stones for WWE, the truth is WWE may be just another stepping stone for Lana, or should we say, C.J. Perry's show business career.
13 Tino Sabbatelli: NFL
Not everybody has had a chance to see much of Tino Sabbatelli, as he's still plying his trade in NXT, but the tag team star is another wrestler with a background in football. Sabatino "Sabby" Piscitelli pursued a career in the NFL, where he managed to play for six years, including stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns. Sabbatelli's last professional season came in 2011 with the Chiefs. Joe Henderson of TBO.com wrote a few years ago that Sabbatelli's luck in Tampa Bay ran out because: “The guy the previous regime touted as the next John Lynch was sent packing because his play never matched the opinion he had of himself.”
Three years later, he signed a developmental deal with the WWE, which was quite the leap to make, considering her was already in his 30s.
Sabbatelli's career is looking promising at the age of 34, and he's recently found a new spark in his life, as it was recently revealed he's dating Mandy Rose. Overall, things have worked out for him and with Sabbatelli finding success in WWE, we could see more NFL players decide to hang up their cleats by 30 to pursue a second career in professional wrestling.
12 Asuka: Nintendo Graphic Designer, Video Game Journalist
Asuka owns the longest undefeated streak in WWE history and has held the NXT Women’s Title for 510 days which is the longest reign in WWE’s post-national expansion era. While nobody was ready for Asuka for over two years, no one even really knew who Asuka was before she entered the WWE. Asuka started wrestling in 2004 and has a long resume of experience in wrestling. However, Asuka has worked on other projects besides wrestling long before she made it mainstream in the WWE.
Before her wrestling debut, Asuka worked as a freelance graphic designer as well as a video game journalist, having written for Xbox Magazine. Her past work in video games has caught the attention of Microsoft, who sponsors Asuka, as seen by the Xbox 360 logo on her wrestling gear. Although she had no wrestling experience prior to her wrestling training and debut, Asuka possessed an athletic background, participating in badminton and figure skating.
Asuka debuted in 2004 but actually retired for a year and a half and opened her own graphic design company. Asuka would return to wrestling and even opened her own hair salon during her long wrestling career in the indies. Asuka may be "The Empress of Tomorrow" in wrestling, but she sure has a loaded past of side projects to keep her busy well after her wrestling career.
11 Mojo Rawley: NFL Player
Much like other wrestlers, Mojo Rawley’s professional wrestling career started with football. After playing football throughout high school and college, Rawley (real name Dean Muhtadi) became one of three players out of a group of 20 signed as an undrafted free agent after a tryout for the Green Bay Packers. Rawley actually played during a preseason game for the Packers, forcing a fumble with five tackles, one for a loss. Unfortunately, Rawley did not make the regular season roster, but he was then signed for the Arizona Cardinals. Rawley was to play defensive line when an injury placed him on the injury reserve.
Although injured, the NFL seemingly still wanted Rawley around. Rawley had several offers to stay in the NFL's financial services.
Mojo actually has an excellent academic standing, making the Dean’s List three times and receiving an MBA from the Smith Business School. Mojo worked for the Morgan Stanley firm as an intern in their financial department and continued to work there after high school, making him a shoo-in for the NFL’s financial services department. However, Rawley choose the career of a professional wrestler instead, thus closing the door to his NFL career.
As Rawley closed the door to the NFL, his door to professional wrestling opened. Rawley rehabbed his NFL ending injury, “stayed hyped” and eventually joined the main roster of WWE. Winning the Andre The Giant Battle Royal in 2017 after real life friend and New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski shoved Jinder Mahal out, allowing Rawley to win, is his crowning achievement so far. However, his young career in wrestling is just getting started.
10 Sonya Deville: MMA Fighter
Sonya Deville arrived on Raw as one of the members of Paige’s stable, Absolution. After their initial debut and weeks of destroying opponents, a lot has changed. Paige retired, Sonya got destroyed by her MMA counterpart, Ronda Rousey, all before being shipped over to SmackDown, where Absolution disbanded. Unlike Mandy Rose, there’s plenty of upside to a singles career for Sonya Deville, who has some solid ringwork despite her short WWE tenure. Her grappling experience in a WWE ring may not be very extensive, but her grappling experience in Mixed Martial Arts definitely gives Sonya an added advantage in the ring over her former Absolution partner, Mandy Rose.
Before becoming a wrestler “professionally,” Deville (real name Daria Berenato) trained for MMA since she was sixteen. In 2014, Deville competed in MMA and became known as "The Jersey Devil" with a record of 2-1. In addition to actually performing in MMA, Deville co-hosted a YouTube show called UFC Afterbuzz, which discusses the aftermath of UFC shows and fights.
Following her first loss, Deville pursued professional wrestling and was a contestant on the sixth season of WWE’s Tough Enough. While her MMA career helped, her sports entertainment character was lacking. Deville did not make the cut and was eliminated in the third round before signing onto NXT anyway.
9 Baron Corbin: NFL Player
You may be sensing a theme here because like so many others before, Baron Corbin started his professional career in the NFL. The 6’8” Corbin, then known by his real name of Tom Pestock, signed with the Indianapolis Colts but was released from the team less than five months later. Corbin would then sign with the Arizona Cardinals in January 2010 and in 2011 but would be released at the end of each year. Corbin never played in an actual NFL game, though he did make the news for getting into a scuffle with his teammates. Corbin held his own in the fight but that shouldn’t be any real surprised as Corbin was a two-time Golden Gloves regional champion.
Corbin’s history in boxing and experience in football, not to mention his height, were all huge factors that helped turn Corbin into “The Lone Wolf” of the WWE. However, it wasn’t WWE that contacted Corbin, despite having plenty of wrestlers in the company with football and boxing backgrounds before, it was the other way around. Corbin contacted the WWE and attended a one week tryout at the WWE’s Performance Center. His knack for competition served him well, as Corbin was granted a WWE contract which would eventually lead to him earning a main roster spot, a United States Title, a Money in the Bank contract and an Andre The Giant Memorial Trophy.
8 Liv Morgan: Cheerleader, Hooters Model
Liv Morgan is the beautiful third member of the Riott Squad, who debuted on SmackDown and laid waste to most of the blue brand's women's roster. Now, The Riott Squad is doing the same on Raw. Morgan may seem like a beautiful no-talent model who got the job in WWE because of her good looks. While she does have good looks, that’s not entirely accurate. Sure, before WWE, Morgan worked at and modeled for the Hooters franchise and was a former competitive cheerleader, but Morgan certainly wasn’t a stranger to wrestling.
No, Liv Morgan didn’t work on the independent circuit before her three-year stint in NXT before making the main roster.
Instead, Morgan had four older brothers who all loved wrestling and participated in backyard wrestling. This unofficial wrestling with her brothers was the catalyst that led Liv to pursue a career in wrestling. “I would literally take pedigrees and powerbombs like it was my job,” Morgan told WWE.com. Despite her incredible good looks, Morgan says she’s definitely a tomboy and looked up to superstars like Lita. “When I saw Lita come out in baggy pants and sneaker, wrestling the boys, I thought she was the coolest thing ever. I related to her.” No more lawn chairs and cushions for Liv Morgan’s makeshift ring back home. Liv Morgan is living the real thing in WWE.
7 Big E: Powerlifter
Can you “feel the powah” of Big E? How can you not? Big E is a member of The New Day with fellow members Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston. As a member of New Day, Big E has not only become a four-time WWE Tag Team Champion, but he has also become an Intercontinental Champion, an NXT Champion and, with Kofi and Xavier, holds the records for the longest Tag Team Championship reign in WWE history. While fans can feel the power of Big E’s accolades and opponents can feel the power of Big E’s suplexes, viewers can witness of the power of Big E at the gym through his tremendous powerlifting videos.
Big E is simply massive, and fans shouldn’t be surprised that he had a successful powerlifting career prior to being signed by WWE. Big E (aka Ettore Ewen in real life) placed first in the USAPL (USA Powerlifting) U.S. Open Powerlifting Championships back in 2010, breaking Florida state raw powerlifting records in the process. Big E also placed first in the USAPL Raw National Powerlifting Championships at the time breaking all national and American records as well.
Prior to both professional wrestling and powerlifting, in college, Big E participated in football (big surprise) but only played in his sophomore year due to injury. Big E did wrestle in high school and won a state championship as well, so, “Don’t you dare be sour” of Big E’s credentials. He is truly a freak athlete.
6 Mandy Rose: Fitness Model
WWE and the “Women’s Evolution” is definitely moving away from the models and “Divas” of yesteryear and has shifted towards women who can work in the ring. However, Mandy Rose fits more of the mold of a “Diva” that wrestling fans have seen in the company’s not-so-prosperous Diva Era of the Women’s Division. That’s because Rose has that fitness model background that gives her that made-for-television look albeit while lacking the in-ring skills many other women on the roster possess.
Mandy Rose doesn’t have a professional wrestling background with the exception of WWE’s Tough Enough where she had the fortune of finishing second.
Despite not winning, Rose signed a contract with WWE where she was sent to NXT and began appearing immediately in Total Divas.
Even though Mandy Rose lacked professional wrestling experience, Rose exceeds in the character department and definitely has the marketable WWE superstar look. Her fitness model background helped her with that, having appeared in Fitness Gurls, Fit & Firm and FitFemme fitness publications. In addition to appearing in fitness magazines, Rose took first place in the 2013 World Bodybuilding Fitness & Fashion Boston Show. She was also crowned the 2014 World Beauty Fitness & Fashion Bikini Champion, making "The Golden Goddess" an appropriate moniker.
5 Bobby Lashley: TNA, MMA Fighter
After being away from WWE for over ten years, Bobby Lashley made his shocking return to the company attacking Elias on the Raw after WrestleMania 34. Lashley wrestled in WWE before and had a memorable feud with Donald Trump in his corner against Umaga and Vince McMahon. However, Lashley’s relationship with WWE management soured and Lashley would leave the company in 2007, but that didn’t stop Lashley’s wrestling career one bit. Lashley dabbled in mixed martial arts while working off and on with WWE's top rival, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
He doesn’t have your typical “indie darling” look, but Lashley actually has a pretty long resume of wrestling especially outside of WWE. Before Lashley became a well-known professional wrestler and mixed martial artist, he joined the Army like his father before him and continued his amateur wrestling career that started when he was in the seventh grade. While in the Army, Lashley competed in the World Class Athlete Program and won a gold and silver medal in the International Military Sports Council. Lashley had hopes to join the 2004 Olympic Games and wrestle for Team USA when a severe knee injury caused during an armed robbery at a bank Lashley was currently at ended his amateur career. While Team USA may have lost a great athlete, Lashley turned to professional wrestling where he has “dominated,” winning six world championships between WWE and TNA.
4 Naomi: Magic Cheerleader, Backup Dancer
Considering her limited experience in professional wrestling, Naomi in WWE has been pretty “Amazing.” She’s extremely athletic and has caught on to the business a lot quicker than others. She’s hasn’t been just a flash in the pan either, winning the SmackDown Women’s Championship twice. Despite her successful career so far, fans had wondered just how far Naomi would go in WWE considering her first gimmick when joining the main roster.
Naomi had a successful career in WWE’s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling, and won the FCW Divas Title. Naomi also participated in the third, all-women's season of NXT, finishing second behind Kaitlyn and right ahead of AJ Lee. However, when Naomi came to the main roster as a Funkadactyl, fans could have never imagined there was more to Naomi than just dancing like a cheerleader. Fans were pleasantly surprised at Naomi’s abilities despite the goofy opening gimmick, but in actuality, the Funkadactyl gimmick was perfect for Naomi, considering her past experience before WWE.
Naomi was no stranger to dancing or cheerleading. For almost two years, Naomi was a dancer and a cheerleader for the NBA’s Orlando Magic franchise. Naomi was also a background dancer for Flo Rida. This dancing background set Naomi up perfectly for her main roster debut and gave her an opportunity to show fans more than just dance moves.
3 Titus O’Neil: Football Player
Titus O’Neil may have embarrassed himself “Worldwide!” at the Greatest Royal Rumble event, but Titus has had a professional career most people can only dream of. Titus is living the dream as a professional wrestler with a WWE Tag Team Title under his belt. At 41, Titus is showing no signs of slowing down (although falling down is a different story). Titus is a tremendous athlete who has received accolades and renown, but he's been doing this his whole professional career even before he started making “millions of dollars” in WWE.
When he was still in high school, O'Neil (b. Thaddeus Bullard) was already building up the Titus Brand, becoming an All-American football player and was recognized in USA Today and Parade Magazine.
These accolades gave Titus a full scholarship to University of Florida where he played in 44 games (started in three) and recorded a sack against a young quarterback named Peyton Manning in 1997. Titus continued his football endeavors to the Arena Football League, where Titus played for the Utah Blaze, Tampa Bay Storm, Las Vegas Gladiators and the Carolina Cobras from 2003 through 2007. After his AFL career came to an end, Titus O’Neil’s neighbor and real life friend, Dave Batista, convinced Titus to pursue professional wrestling. Titus started training and made his televised appearance only seven months later.
2 Shayna Baszler: MMA Fighter
Like Ronda Rousey and Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler is another woman in a line of Mixed Martial Artists that WWE is trying to capitalize on, in a clear attempt to legitimize professional wresting and capitalize on the popularity of MMA. This wave of signings is Baszler’s gain as she has won the NXT Women’s Championship and made it to the finals of the Mae Young Classic. However, WWE isn’t Baszler’s first taste of grappling or even professional wrestling.
Baszler has participated in World Wonder Ring Stardom and has appeared in other independent promotions such as Ring of Honor and Shimmer between 2015 and 2017. Baszler certainly is no rookie when it comes to professional wrestling, but Baszler has taken on opponents in MMA as well.
Baszler is a Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt and has incorporated her knowledge into her MMA training. She holds a record of 15-11 and after about nine years fighting in UFC, Invicta Fighting Championships, Strikeforce and other promotions, Baszler’s MMA career came to an end. However, “The Queen of Spades” has moved onto professional wrestling but remains an outspoken supporter of combat sports, speaking publicly at events in support. In addition to professional wrestling, Baszler also coaches roller derby and is a certified EMT.
1 Roman Reigns: Football Player
There’s no question that “The Big Dog” Roman Reigns truly is a big guy. In fact, he’s a very large guy, standing at 6’3” and weighing at 265 pounds. Love him or hate him, Roman has the look of a WWE superstar. Sure, his questionable booking makes him a polarizing (to put it nicely) character, but fans cannot question Roman’s size, strength and championship demeanor. Roman’s athletic background gives him the look of a professional wrestler, but before he was “The Guy,” Reigns, like almost every superstar, especially those of Samoan decent, at least has some history in professional football.
After being named defensive player of the year in high school, Reigns, then known by his real name of Joseph Anoa'i, attended Georgia Tech and played football for the Yellow Jackets. Despite being a three-year starter and captain, Reigns went undrafted for the NFL. However, he was still able to make brief stints in pro football, being signed for a short time with the Minnesota Vikings and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Unfortunately, he was released before the regular season, but Reigns was unwilling to let football go.
Reigns tried his luck with the Canadian Football League, signing with the Edmonton Eskimos.
After a year with Edmonton, Reigns was released by the Eskimos and his professional football career came to an end.
Reigns then decided to follow in his family’s footsteps and pursue a career in professional wrestling. In doing so, Reigns has become the most controversial/hated superstar on the roster, and he is profiting greatly off of it. To his haters chagrin, Reigns isn’t going anywhere in WWE, “Believe that!”