For years, WWE fans knew Roman Reigns as “The Big Dog,” a powerhouse babyface who headlined WrestleMania multiple times and dominated the ring with his signature Superman Punch and Spear. But in a recent interview with IGN to promote the release of WWE 2K25, Reigns made it clear: that version of him is gone for good.
“There is no Big Dog. He’s dead now… It didn’t happen.”
The remark came during a lighthearted segment where Reigns and his on-screen advisor, Paul Heyman, reviewed internet memes about himself. When presented with a meme contrasting his “Big Dog” era with his current “Tribal Chief” persona, Reigns dismissed it entirely, emphasizing that only one version of him matters now.
It’s a telling statement, considering Reigns’ massive transformation since returning to WWE in 2020. Under the guidance of Heyman, he rebranded himself as “The Tribal Chief,” a ruthless and calculating champion who has held the WWE Universal Championship for over 1,200 days. His reinvention turned him from a divisive figure into one of WWE’s most compelling characters.
This wasn’t the only time Reigns made headlines during his IGN appearance. While reviewing another meme about the NFL, he didn’t hesitate to take a shot at two major wrestling cities:
“Cleveland sucks. Pittsburgh sucks. Niner Gang.”
Given WWE’s deep ties to those cities—Pittsburgh is home to Kurt Angle, while Cleveland produced The Miz—his comment is sure to spark debate among wrestling and football fans alike.
Reigns also reacted to AI-generated memes, acknowledging the rise of artificial intelligence in online culture. Looking at an altered image of himself, he quipped:
“The advancements in AI… we were talking about that last night. This ain’t real. This is a five. An AI five.”
From erasing his past to dismissing entire cities, Reigns continues to embrace his role as WWE’s most dominant figure. One thing is clear—The Big Dog is gone, and The Tribal Chief isn’t letting anyone forget it.