In a revealing recent interview with ESPN, WWE’s “Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns opened up about his favorite opponent in his storied wrestling career, naming none other than Brock Lesnar. During a rapid-fire Q&A session for ESPN, Reigns did not hesitate when asked who his all-time favorite opponent was. “Favorite all-time opponent? Brock Lesnar,” he stated clearly. Explaining further, he said, “My whole career changed once I got in the ring with him”[1][2].

This candid admission highlights the profound impact Lesnar has had on Reigns’ journey to becoming one of WWE’s top stars. The two superstars have shared an intense and storied rivalry, headlining WrestleMania three times. Their first WrestleMania clash was in 2015, where Reigns was dethroned when Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase. Their recent bout was a brutal Last Man Standing match at SummerSlam 2022, a match WWE ranked as 12th greatest in the event’s history[2][4].

Roman Reigns’ career trajectory truly shifted when facing Lesnar in the ring, according to the Tribal Chief himself. The battles against “The Beast Incarnate” pushed Reigns to new heights, both in ring performance and character development. Sources close to WWE have noted that the intensity and scale of their matches elevated Reigns’ status in the eyes of the company and fans alike, cementing him as a main-event cornerstone[4].

During the interview, Reigns was also asked about his favorite moment in WWE history. He did not single out one match or title win but instead pointed to his record-setting Universal Championship reign. “My 1,316-day title reign,” he reflected. “I can’t just pick one, there were so many moments in that. Just that reign alone is unprecedented”[1][3].

Roman Reigns’ monumental championship reign, which began in August 2020, highlighted his dominance and cemented his legacy as “The Tribal Chief,” the head of his family and the ruler of WWE’s top tier. This reign saw him defeat numerous top contenders and rivals, including Lesnar. Reigns’ consistency and storytelling during this era drew critical acclaim and broke several WWE records[1][2].

Reigns made these comments while promoting WWE’s new partnership with ESPN, which now serves as the home for many of WWE’s premium live events and programming. The wrestler was seen engaging with fans and media across ESPN’s digital platforms, marking a key media moment for WWE’s ongoing expansion into mainstream sports networks[1][3].

Looking ahead, Roman Reigns continues to be a central figure in WWE’s current storylines. As of August 2025, he is involved in a heated rivalry with Seth Rollins on Monday Night Raw, with appearances scheduled for the August 18 and 25 episodes. Additionally, Reigns is set to appear at WWE’s upcoming Clash in Paris premium live event on August 31[2]. Outside the ring, he is also preparing to film his role as Akuma for Legendary Entertainment’s upcoming Street Fighter movie, demonstrating his rising crossover appeal[2].

Meanwhile, Brock Lesnar made a surprise return to WWE at this year’s SummerSlam after a two-year hiatus. His return moment included a shock assault on WWE legend John Cena, injecting fresh buzz into WWE’s top-tier landscape and setting up potential new rivalries[2][3]. This comeback came amid ongoing legal proceedings involving WWE, marking a complex chapter for Lesnar and the company[2].

According to WWE insiders, the ongoing Lesnar-Reigns saga is expected to continue entertaining fans for the foreseeable future. Both superstars represent the peak of physicality and charisma in WWE, and their clashes generate massive worldwide attention. Sources close to Cody Rhodes and industry veterans have also expressed excitement about how this rivalry continues to evolve and impact WWE storytelling[4].

In summary, Roman Reigns naming Brock Lesnar as his favorite opponent underlines how pivotal their encounters have been for his career and WWE history. The respect between the two giants is evident from Reigns’ comments and their countless battles inside the squared circle. As WWE’s landscape evolves, fans can expect more epic moments between these two icons.

This interview with Roman Reigns can be watched in full on ESPN’s digital platforms under their “Rapid Fire With The Tribal Chief” segment, offering wrestling fans an intimate and insightful look into the mindset of one of WWE’s greatest champions.

Key Takeaways:

• Roman Reigns identified Brock Lesnar as his favorite all-time WWE opponent in an ESPN rapid-fire Q&A[1][2].
• Reigns credited Lesnar with changing his career once they stepped in the ring together[1][4].
• His favorite WWE moment remains his record 1,316-day Universal Championship reign[1][3].
• The two have headlined WrestleMania three times and faced off in multiple high-profile matches, including a Last Man Standing match at SummerSlam 2022[2][4].
• Reigns is currently feuding with Seth Rollins and set to appear on Raw and Clash in Paris later this August[2].
• Brock Lesnar recently returned to WWE with a huge surprise appearance at SummerSlam 2025[2][3].
• Both superstars remain central to WWE’s future top storylines, continuing a legendary rivalry that has defined an era[4].

Sources: WWE.com, ESPN, Fightful, PWMania, WrestlingNews.co, WrestlingHeadlines.com, TJRWrestling.net.