Paul Heyman unveiled the real inspiration behind ‘The Tribal Chief’ moniker.

Roman Reigns is the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion and he has been on top of the world for well over three years now. That is why it comes as no surprise that he is viewed as the biggest star in professional wrestling. In fact, Paul Heyman has now revealed the actual origin of Roman Reigns’ Tribal Chief gimmick and it’s not connected to The Rock whatsoever.

Roman Reigns, source: WWE

Fans have long awaited a potential clash between The Rock and Roman Reigns, yet concerns arose regarding its potential overshadowing of Cody Rhodes’ storyline. Initially, it seemed the narrative was leaning in that direction. However, a collective decision was made to ensure balance prevailed. Consequently, fans now look forward to Cody Rhodes facing off against Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40.

Paul Heyman Reveals The Actual Origin of Roman Reigns’ Tribal Chief

Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman, source: WWE

The Rock hails from a prestigious wrestling lineage, with his father being the legendary Rocky Johnson and his maternal grandfather, Peter Maivia, known as the Samoan High Chief. An intriguing aspect about Maivia is that his title of ”High Chief” wasn’t merely a wrestling persona but also reflected his status outside the ring. Descending from a royal Samoan family, Maivia held the esteemed position of head of the clan, making him the High Chief in real life as well.

Some speculated that Roman Reigns’ ”Tribal Chief” gimmick was a tribute to Johnson’s grandfather due to their shared Samoan heritage. However, Paul Heyman recently dispelled this myth while shedding light on the origins of Reigns’ moniker.

In a podcast appearance on ‘Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin,’ Heyman clarified that the concept of ”The Tribal Chief” was an original idea, with Reigns representing the entire WWE Universe as its chief. Heyman emphasized that Reigns’ role as the Tribal Chief extended beyond his Samoan roots, portraying him as the leader of the WWE Universe rather than just the Samoan Islands.

“The idea was, the tribe is the WWE universe and he [Roman Reigns] is the tribal chief of the entire WWE. Not of the Samoan Islands, he’s the tribal chief of the WWE universe.”

“It’s not just a play on the Polynesian Islands where the Samoan tribal chief — I know a lot of people suspected at first that was an homage to Peter Maivia. You know, the paramount Samoan High Chief. It’s not.”

While acknowledging the association between Reigns’ gimmick and Peter Maivia’s legacy, Heyman clarified that it wasn’t solely an homage to the paramount Samoan High Chief. Instead, Reigns’ character embodies leadership and authority on a grand scale within the WWE Universe.

The Possibility of Roman Reigns vs. The Rock Was Also Revealed

The Rock, Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, source: WWE

WWE, although not categorized as competitive combat sports like others, impose significant physical demands on participants. This necessitates rigorous training for wrestlers, regardless of their experience level. Even seasoned veterans like The Rock must undergo thorough preparation before each match to ensure they are physically and mentally ready for the challenges ahead.

Following a four-year hiatus, The Rock made his return to WWE in September 2023, but he has yet to compete in a match. In a past interview with Jimmy Traina from Sports Illustrated, WWE’s newest Hall of Fame inductee, Paul Heyman, discussed The Rock’s conditioning for a potential match.

Initially, upon his return, The Rock aimed to challenge Roman Reigns for the ”Head of the Table” title, deviating from fans’ expectations of Cody Rhodes concluding his storyline. However, a sudden heel-turn led to Johnson teaming up with his cousin instead.

Discussing the potential for a dream match between The Rock and Reigns without the heel-turn, Paul Heyman expressed optimism, stating,

“Could Dwayne Johnson have returned and put together a classic, memorable 15-minute match with Roman Reigns for this year’s WrestleMania without undergoing training? I believe he could.”

Heyman conveyed confidence in the possibility of a fifteen-minute bout between the two superstars. Nevertheless, The Great One and Roman Reigns will be squaring off against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, so they are more focused on that right now.