In the late 2010s, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was a dominant force in Hollywood, regularly starring in major films like “Jumanji,” “Baywatch,” and “Rampage.” As the “Fast & Furious” franchise prepared for its next installment, Johnson aimed to bring his cousin and WWE superstar Roman Reigns into the spotlight.
In 2019, Johnson starred as Hobbs and Jason Statham as Shaw in “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.” Roman Reigns appeared in a significant scene during the Battle of Samoa, a fierce fight showcasing Hobbs’ family ties. Johnson wanted to authentically represent Samoan culture in the movie, so he enlisted Reigns to highlight their shared heritage and off-screen bond. Although his role was minor, Reigns got to showcase some of his signature WWE moves, like Samoan drops and spears, during the battle. The scene concludes with Johnson and Reigns standing together, sharing the iconic “OTC” hand gesture from wrestling.
“Hobbs & Shaw” remains one of Reigns’ biggest film appearances to date. Now in his 40s, Reigns might consider following Johnson’s path into Hollywood post-WWE. Last year, Reigns mentioned that even if another film opportunity didn’t come through immediately after wrestling, the skills they’ve developed in WWE could easily translate into filmmaking.
Fan Take: This cameo highlights the growing crossover between WWE superstars and mainstream entertainment, which can elevate the profile of wrestling stars beyond the ring. For WWE fans, Roman Reigns’ involvement in a major Hollywood franchise signals exciting potential for future multi-platform storytelling and broader exposure for the sport.
