Roman Reigns on Fans Being Rough on Him, Not Winning Title at WrestleMania 31

WWE Superstar Roman Reigns was recently interviewed by SportingNews’ Brian Fritz, which Reigns used to promote the “Answer the Call” online charity auction, with proceeds going to the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund.

The former Shield member also discussed the negative reactions he’s received from the WWE Universe in the past, as well as how it felt not leaving Levi’s Stadium without the World Heavyweight Championship following his physical match with Brock Lesnar.

Fritz: “You talk about social media and how much it can help with our lifestyles but it also gives the audience more of an opportunity to be closer to celebrities like yourself and also have their voice be heard. What was it like earlier this year when the crowd response was what it was and some people were coming down hard on you?”

Reigns: “It was kind of rough to be honest. Someone my age, we didn’t go through the Internet like how it is now. When I was a kid, I was outside sweating and running around. Me and the Uso’s were tearing up the yard or doing yard work for that matter. We didn’t have all these video games and these social media outlets. There weren’t cameras on every single device that you could think of. So it’s a little bit different. As an adult, I’ve always tried to be a good person my whole life so I’ve made good friends and I’ve always built great relationships and been friendly with people. I always think what you do to others will come to you so that’s how I treat people. When you deal with an Internet situation where all these people are attacking you for no real reason at all. You’re just going out there trying to entertain them, trying to give them something to get outside of their life, to get outside their reality and suspend belief for them. And then for them to attack you for no real reason. It’s not like I was trying to hurt anybody. I was just trying to do my thing, make my art the way I want it and have a good time and hopefully it reflects that. It’s just one of those things that once it’s opened up it’s eye-opening. It’s shocking, it’s hurtful but it’s just a part of the world. Just like anything else, any other form of bullying that the world’s dealt with, we’re going to get past it. Strong people are strong for a reason — they can hold that weight. God gave me broad shoulders because I can carry that load. It was a shock and awe factor at first but it’s a lot easier now for sure.”

Fritz: “When it came to WrestleMania, I think a lot of people thought you were going to leave that show as the World Heavyweight Champion. Was it a disappointment that it didn’t happen? What was your reaction after that show?”

Reigns: “Of course. To not leave WWE World Heavyweight Champion was an absolute disappointment. Yes. But in that same vein, it was the greatest opportunity God’s ever given me. I can’t explain to you how grateful and thankful I am to be favored like that. I come from a wrestling family. When I’m with my family, I’m with workers, people who know this business and have been on the road. To be able to say I main-evented WrestleMania. Within our family tree, to be able to say that at the table, that’s big boy stuff. I thank God every single day. Every day I look at my daughter and my wife and the house that we live in and the opportunities we’ve been afforded. It was the best day of my life but at the same time, that’s how important the WWE Championship is. To have the best day happen and still have pain for not winning that, I think it speaks volumes.”

To read the interview in its entirety, including how Reigns feels teaming with Dean Ambrose, click here.

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