The Head of the Table Makes a Stunning Admission
In a bombshell interview with WWE After the Bell, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns sent shockwaves through the wrestling world by declaring Brock Lesnar as his all-time favorite opponent.
“People ask me, ‘Who pushed you the most? Who made you?’ And the answer is Brock Lesnar. My whole career changed when I got into the ring with him,” Reigns revealed.
This admission is particularly striking given their brutal, years-long rivalry, which included:
✔ WrestleMania 31’s iconic heist (Seth Rollins’ cash-in)
✔ WrestleMania 34’s disastrous main event (fan backlash)
✔ Their 2022 trilogy (SummerSlam, Crown Jewel, WrestleMania 38)
How Lesnar Forged “The Tribal Chief”
Reigns elaborated on how facing Lesnar transformed him from “The Guy” to “The GOD Mode” version of himself:
The Early Lessons (2015-2017)
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WrestleMania 31 (2015): Lesnar’s suplex barrage exposed Reigns’ stamina limits.
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Their 2017 feud: Reigns admitted “I wasn’t ready for his physicality. He exposed weaknesses I didn’t know I had.”
The Redemption Arc (2021-2022)
After returning from leukemia remission, Reigns adopted his “Tribal Chief” persona—and his matches with Lesnar reached new heights:
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SummerSlam 2021: Reigns won via interference (Paul Heyman’s betrayal).
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WrestleMania 38: Their “Champion vs. Champion” match solidified Reigns as WWE’s top star.
“Brock doesn’t give you anything. You have to EARN it. And once you do? That’s when you know you belong,” Reigns said.
Behind the Scenes – Mutual Respect Between Enemies
Despite their on-screen hatred, Reigns and Lesnar share deep professional respect:
✔ Lesnar’s Influence: Reigns credited Lesnar for teaching him how to protect his body during matches.
✔ Paul Heyman’s Role: The “Wiseman” helped craft their storylines to maximize drama.
✔ Real-Life Bond: Both are former NCAA athletes who understand elite competition.
“People don’t realize how smart Brock is. He knows exactly what he’s doing every second,” Reigns added.
Fan & Peer Reactions
The wrestling world erupted after Reigns’ comments:
WWE Superstars Respond
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Seth Rollins: “Those two brought out a darkness in each other we hadn’t seen before.”
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Paul Heyman (on Twitter): “Two alphas. One ring. History made.”
Fan Debate: Reigns/Lesnar vs. Other Iconic Rivalries
Fans are now comparing their feud to:
🔥 The Rock vs. Steve Austin
🔥 John Cena vs. CM Punk
🔥 Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
Could We See Reigns vs. Lesnar ONE MORE TIME?
With Reigns holding the Undisputed Title and Lesnar currently off TV, speculation is running wild:
Possible Scenarios
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WrestleMania 40: A career vs. title retirement match.
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SummerSlam 2024: A No Holds Barred finale.
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Survivor Series: One last Champion vs. Champion clash.
“Never say never in WWE,” Reigns teased.
A Rivalry for the Ages
Reigns’ admission cements Lesnar as his career-defining foil—a rivalry that:
✔ Tested his limits
✔ Elevated his character
✔ Produced WWE’s most must-see matches
As Reigns put it: “Brock made me. And I wouldn’t be ‘The Tribal Chief’ without him.”
🔥 BONUS: Top 5 Most Brutal Reigns vs. Lesnar Moments
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WrestleMania 31: Lesnar’s 10 German suplexes in 5 minutes.
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SummerSlam 2022: The last-second table spot through the announce desk.
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Crown Jewel 2021: Reigns’ guillotine choke to retain.
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WrestleMania 34: The disastrous 15-minute finisher spam.
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SummerSlam 2018: Lesnar’s brutal post-match assault with a chair.
