In the realm of rugby, there’s a constant push from authorities to expand its reach, often referred to as ‘growing the game’. Despite rugby union being played in numerous countries, its popularity remains limited to around ten nations globally.
Expanding the sport’s global presence is considered crucial for its continued growth, as evidenced by initiatives like the recent Six Nations documentary on Netflix. Unexpectedly, this effort took an unusual turn when an Irish rugby team, Leinster Rugby, made an appearance on WWE programming this week.
For those unfamiliar with WWE, Roman Reigns stands as one of its biggest stars. Known for his catchphrase “acknowledge me,” Reigns has recently become part of a TikTok trend, with major professional sports teams joining in, some even appearing on WWE broadcasts.
Before his wrestling career, Reigns, whose real name is Leati Joseph Anoaʻi, had success as an American football player, notably at Georgia Tech. He transitioned to WWE in 2010 and currently holds the WWE and WWE Universal championship titles.
While seeing Leinster on a WWE broadcast was unexpected, it highlights the unique intersections between sports and entertainment. And who knows, if wrestling ever loses its appeal for Reigns, he could always lend his skills to Leinster’s backrow.
