Roman Reigns faces the biggest WWE match of his career on March 29 when he goes up against WWE World Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar in the main event at WrestleMania 31. Reigns took time out of his preparations to talk to The National about being in the main event, facing Lesnar, mixed crowd reactions, and who he would ideally like to face in a singles match that he has yet to face.
How does it feel to be main eventing WrestleMania?
“It is awesome and it is one of those situations where you want time to fast forward to the match already as I am raring to go and really cannot wait. It is such a huge event and there are so many things going on. We have a whole week of Axxess ahead. I have never been so busy in my life, but I am super excited and I just cannot wait for it to come around.”
How are you feeling about facing Brock Lesnar?
“I am feeling good about it and I think I am going to be the toughest opponents he has run into in a while. We match up well in terms of height, explosiveness and strength. I think it is going to be a hard hitting, super aggressive match that will be exciting for everyone.”
This is your third WrestleMania, but first as a singles star after being part of The Shield for the first two. What are your memories of the past WrestleManias you have been in?
“It is an awesome experience being on the WrestleMania card, but the moment you are told it is one minute before you go out there is when it really hits home and the butterflies kick in. For me that is a good thing. I know that if I am nervous that I am ready to go and with the right kind of energy when I am out there. Going out first in 2013 was great, and we had a good match with the Outlaws last year. This year will be different, being later on the show so I will have to alter my preparations around that, but I am looking forward to it and can’t wait.
Would it be fair to call the Royal Rumble your favourite event? You won it this year and broke the record for most eliminations in one match in 2014.
The first Rumble [in 2014] I was just glad to be in it. Dean [Ambrose], Seth [Rollins] and myself had wanted to be in the 2013 one, but we had just powerbombed the Rock through a table. So firstly to be part of it in 2014 I was just happy to be in, then I just wanted to do really good, but I didn’t think I’d break any records. It got to the stage where I was in the last two, and I thought ‘I could win this’ but then I didn’t, but it was a really good learning experience and I think that experience helped me for this year.
What was it like having the Rock, who is your cousin, out there in the ring with you when you won the Royal Rumble?
“There are lots of time when you are on the road when it gets lonely when you are going from town to town. So to be able to share a really cool moment with someone who is family and blood made it more special for sure.”
How do you deal with getting mixed reactions from crowds?
“As a performer I care 100 per cent about the reaction. It is not something I am going to beat myself up over as being negative about it [being booed] is not going to help. Positivity is the key. It is all about understanding each town and crowd as each one is different. You have to remember there is no ticket tree dropping WWE tickets down for people to pick up. Our fans are hard working and spend their money to buy tickets to come and watch us perform. People pay their money and have every right to boo, cheer or react however they want to.”
Who is the opponent, other Lesnar, that you would most like to get in the ring with one-on-one that you have not yet faced?
“I have been fortunate enough to work with a bunch of superstars and Hall of Famers already. I have been in the ring with Triple H in a six-man situation and I would enjoy a lot more time with him with a lot less people in the ring. So a match with Triple H I guess is the one I would most like.”
