Roman Reigns debuted his ‘Head of the Table’ character in WWE in 2020, but new footage has revealed that the seeds were planted several years beforehand.
Reigns turned around his career in 2020, returning to WWE after a five-month hiatus as a heel, calling himself ‘The Tribal Chief’.
The week after his return, Roman became the Universal Champion, and such has been his dominance in WWE that he remains the champion to this day.
The return was a defining moment in Roman’s WWE run, with many people believing it outright saved his career after years of fans rejecting him as the company’s top star.
While the ‘Head of the Table’ character and catchphrase was introduced properly in 2020, footage has shown that Reigns seemingly had the idea six years beforehand.
Reigns predicted being Head of Table in 2014 pic.twitter.com/Eh6W65uRmH
— 𝙒𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙖 (@wrestlelamia) August 28, 2022
In a 2014 promo with Renee Paquette (formerly Renee Young), Roman said that he’d win the WWE Championship and take his rightful place at the ‘Head of the Table’, as you can see below.
When I win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship I take my rightful place at the Head of the Table.
Of course, this could all just be a coincidence, but the fact that Roman came up with the line six years before it made it to TV could show that it was something he was considering for quite some time.
Fans were quick to point out how cool it was to see Roman, who fans outrighted rejected at the time, using a catchphrase that would lead to him being universally beloved just six years later.
And they say the WWE doesn’t do long term booking….pffff
— Yanked (@yanked2012) August 28, 2022
Roman Reigns really Long term booked himself as the Head Of The Table. Everything comes full circle
— Public Enemies Podcast (@TheEnemiesPE3) August 24, 2022
He always knew he would be the Head Of The Table pic.twitter.com/8tAbWrs5Xz
— 𝙎𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖙 𝗪𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖌 ✟ 💫 (@Saintwrestling1) August 24, 2022
Upon watching the promo, fans also have pointed out how awkward Roman was on the mic back then, using it as evidence that he wasn’t ready for a big WWE push following the break-up of The Shield.
Thankfully, Roman has now come into his own in the role, but fans were quick to point out how uncomfortable he felt when cutting the promo eight years ago, which you can read more about by clicking here.
Roman will be in action at Clash at the Castle this weekend, defending his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against the UK’s own, Drew McIntyre.
In a surprising report, it’s been claimed that WWE is considering having Reigns drop that title this weekend in what would be one of the most unexpected booking decisions in recent memory, which out can also find out more about by clicking here.