For the past three years, Roman Reigns has asserted his dominance in WWE as The Tribal Chief, a title bestowed upon him by Afa and Sika at the 2020 Hell in a Cell Premium Live Event (PLE).
Reigns, also presented with the Ula Falu, often wears the prestigious necklace on significant occasions. Despite being hailed as the Tribal Chief, a recent revelation during the WrestleMania 40 kickoff press conference unveiled that The Rock holds the esteemed title of ‘Seiuli’ (High Chief) in the Samoan tradition.
The late King Malietoa Tanumafili II bestowed this honor upon The Rock in 2004, solidifying his status as a High Chief. A ceremonial event was conducted during The Rock’s visit to Samoa, and his contributions to promoting the island nation earned him immense respect from its residents.
Contrary to the assumption that Roman Reigns’ status as the Tribal Chief is linked to his Samoan heritage, Paul Heyman clarified that, in the context of WWE, it signifies Reigns as the Tribal Chief of the entire WWE Universe. Heyman explained that the term is not merely a nod to the Polynesian Islands or the Samoan Tribal Chief tradition; instead, it designates Reigns as the leader of the WWE tribe, with the WWE Universe being that tribe.
“If it’s not of the Samoan Islands. He’s the Tribal Chief of the WWE Universe and he operates out of the Island of Relevancy,” Heyman emphasized.
Despite the clarification, it’s evident that The Rock’s title of High Chief places him in a leadership position that outranks Reigns. The acknowledgment of The Rock’s title at the WrestleMania XL press conference, coupled with the absence of the term ‘Tribal Chief’ in Reigns’ association, suggests a distinction in their respective leadership roles within the Samoan heritage.
In the realm of storyline rivalries, LA Knight, who participated in the 2024 Royal Rumble, expressed his ambition to become the WWE Champion, a position currently held by Roman Reigns.
Knight, eyeing Reigns’ dominant streak, sees the WWE Championship as the key to being “THE guy” in WWE and aims to attain that status by defeating Reigns in the future, setting the stage for a potential rivalry. However, with Cody Rhodes set to face Reigns at WrestleMania 40, Knight’s aspirations may unfold in a post-WrestleMania landscape.
