In the high-voltage world of WWE, one question often piques fans’ curiosity: Are The Rock and Roman Reigns related? The answer is Yes, but it is more complicated than just sharing last names or direct cousins.
It began with the legendary “High Chief” Peter Maivia—The Rock’s maternal grandfather—and Reverend Amituana’i Anoa’i, Roman Reigns’ grandfather.
While not biological siblings, the two Samoan icons performed a sacred blood-brother ritual, binding the Maivia and Anoa’i families forever.
This traditional Samoan ceremony elevated their bond beyond friendship—it created a cultural and spiritual family tie. So, while The Rock and Roman Reigns aren’t cousins by blood, in Samoan culture and WWE canon, they absolutely are cousins.
Breaking Down the Anoa’i Family Tree
The Anoa’i wrestling family isn’t just deep—it’s generational royalty. Let’s explore the powerhouse roots:
- Roman Reigns is the son of Sika Anoa’i, one-half of the legendary tag team “The Wild Samoans.”
- His cousins include:
- The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) – Sons of WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi
- Solo Sikoa – Rising Bloodline enforcer
- The late Umaga, Yokozuna, and Rosey (Roman’s real-life brother)
On the other side:
- The Rock’s father, Rocky Johnson, was a trailblazer in his own right, but not Samoan by blood.
- His link to the family came through marriage and adoption:
- His mother, Ata Maivia, was adopted by High Chief Peter Maivia.
- That makes The Rock the adopted grandson of Peter Maivia.
The Rock once said during a 2020 Instagram Q&A,
“We’re not blood-related, but we’re family. Always have been. That’s the Samoan way.”
So, while Reigns and Rock don’t share direct ancestry, they’re deeply embedded in the same wrestling bloodline.
Brotherhood Beyond Blood: Inside Their WWE Connection
Although the two stars didn’t rise to fame at the same time, their paths are intricately linked.
During the Attitude Era, The Rock brought Samoan wrestling to prominence in WWE and later became a multi-time WWE Champion and eventually a global movie star.
Roman Reigns, often hailed as “The Tribal Chief,” or “OTC,” took over the arena in a more dominant, modern fashion, leading The Bloodline faction and reigning as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
The Rock himself has acknowledged Roman as his cousin on multiple occasions, publicly showing respect for Roman’s success.
In an interview with ESPN, Roman Reigns addressed their family connection, saying,
“The Rock is family. Whether we’re close day-to-day or not, the respect is always there. We’re both representing our bloodline at the highest level.”
Even WWE has leaned into their connection, teasing dream matches and family feuds. Whether scripted or real, their relationship serves as a powerful narrative that fuses tradition with modern wrestling dominance.
Have The Rock and Roman Reigns Done a Movie Together?
Yes, in 2019, Roman made his big-screen debut alongside his real-life cousin in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. Reigns played Mateo, the brother of Dwayne Johnson’s character, Luke Hobbs.
Although he had very few lines, Roman wowed fans with his strength, good looks, and easy screen presence. Their scenes at the Samoan showdown felt like genuine family moments—and that’s because they were.
The Rock later praised Roman for his performance and strength during filming, especially since Roman was battling leukemia at the time. This collaboration not only highlighted their off-screen bond but also opened the door for Roman’s potential crossover into Hollywood in the future.
