Roman Reigns commented on the accusations of nepotism he constantly receives related to his family in WWE.
In an interview on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay, Reigns acknowledged that family ties can open doors in pro wrestling, but pointed out the importance of each person proving their worth.
Reigns had already responded to criticism of favoritism in a recent interview on NotSam Wrestling, when he cited his business results as justification for being among the company’s leading names. This time, he talked about the responsibility of preserving his family’s relationship with WWE.
“I mean, you know, that’s the way we look at it. This is our family business. We want to always be a part of it.”
Reigns said that sometimes a person can do that in a quick stint and a flash and become very popular, and sometimes a person has a different route, like Rikishi, going through a lot of different phases.
Reigns also explained what he intends to maintain throughout his time in WWE.
“But each one represented our family and kept us tied to the business. So, I just want to do my part, you know, and just continue to push our legacy, continue to keep us on stable ground as far as a family business and being connected to the WWE and being a good patron of that and that partnership.”
When directly addressing the accusations of nepotism, he said that every time he steps out there, he is representing so much, referring to the people who bring up nepotism.
“I have a lot on, you know, on the line. There’s a lot at stake when I step out there to perform, because I’m not just representing myself.”
The subject has, in fact, already been part of a Reigns storyline in WWE. During his recent rivalry with Jacob Fatu, he said that offering his own cousin a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship, without him having earned that right, would be an example of nepotism.