WWE’s Bronson Reed has shared insights about his “tribal thief” persona, including the inspiration behind his act of stealing Roman Reigns’ shoes. The character, known as “The Tribe Thief,” has played a significant role on WWE Raw recently, highlighted by Reed’s win over Reigns at WWE Crown Jewel in Perth. Earlier this year, Reed famously took Roman Reigns’ shoes before SummerSlam, a move rooted in his experiences growing up in Adelaide, Australia. Reed recalls how, in his rough neighborhood, it was common for people to have their shoes stolen, which influenced his decision to incorporate shoe-stealing into his wrestling persona.
He believes this angle connects with fans on a deeper level, blending wrestling tradition with relatable street culture. Over time, the act of stealing shoes has become so popular that fans, including kids, adopt it as a symbol, often wearing shoes around their necks without knowing its original context. Reed sees this gimmick as a way to make superstar Roman Reigns more relatable, likening it to turning Superman into Clark Kent. Although he intended to keep the shoes, Reigns broke them during an event in Paris, where some lucky fans got to keep the pieces. Looking ahead, Reed hinted at continuing this theme in WWE, teasing that fans might see him pull off more “robberies” involving other wrestlers.
Fan Take: This storyline adds a fresh and personal layer to Bronson Reed’s character, making his feud with Roman Reigns more engaging and relatable. For WWE fans, it’s exciting to see creative storytelling that humanizes top stars while giving emerging talents like Reed a memorable edge in the sport.
