Roman Reigns has offered a rare, candid look behind the curtain of his career, revealing in an interview with Men’s Health that he struggles with body dysmorphia despite being regarded as one of the most physically imposing stars in WWE history. Reigns said he remains his own harshest critic when it comes to how he looks, even after years at the top of the promotion.
Reigns also detailed the physical toll that Survivor Series: WarGames took on his body, telling Men’s Health that lingering injuries left his elbows “really beat up” in the months that followed. He said the wear and tear disrupted his normal training routine heading into the Royal Rumble, forcing him to adjust his approach. Reigns explained that his training regimen is not one-size-fits-all, calling it a “custom job” that differs for every individual depending on how their body is holding up.
Separately, Reigns discussed the physical preparation required for his role as Akuma in the upcoming live-action Street Fighter film, set for release in October 2026. He told Men’s Health that his WWE background gave him a head start heading into the role, but the martial arts training demanded a different kind of conditioning. Reigns said the work involved “so much isometric work,” pushing him to adapt physically in ways his usual training did not require. He also said he “got lucky” with Akuma’s physique matching his own build. The Street Fighter film also features fellow WWE talents Cody Rhodes and Yota Tsuji.
The interview comes as Reigns prepares for a high-profile in-ring showdown as well, with LA Knight set to challenge him for the WWE World Title at Money in the Bank. Knight has acknowledged that his history in the Money in the Bank ladder match, having competed in the men’s ladder match for three consecutive years without cashing in successfully, is on his mind as he enters this opportunity to win the title outright rather than by climbing a ladder.
Sources
- Ringside News: Roman Reigns Admits He Struggles With Body Dysmorphia
- Ringside News: Roman Reigns Details Injury Struggles Ahead of WWE Royal Rumble
- F4W Online: Roman Reigns says ‘really beat up’ elbows after Survivor Series left him struggling with Royal Rumble training
- F4W Online: Roman Reigns on martial arts training for Akuma: ‘There’s so much isometric work in that’
- Fightful: Roman Reigns Details Training For Akuma Role In Street Fighter, Says He ‘Got Lucky’
- WrestleZone: LA Knight Admits Past WWE MITB Record Is on His Mind Ahead of Roman Reigns Match
