WWE entered a new era on January 6th, drawing 17,000 fans to the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles for the inaugural episode of Monday Night Raw on Netflix. The program was about as star-studded as they come, with fan favorites in The Rock, John Cena, and The Undertaker all appearing alongside the defining superstars of the modern day, none of whom shine brighter than Roman Reigns.
If you’re a pro wrestling fan as well as a sneakerhead, chance are that when the Roman’s music hits, your eyes automatically gravitate to his feet. Although Nike Inc. hasn’t officially announced a partnership, Reigns exclusively wears Nikes and Air Jordans during all his segments and always brings out his very best on the biggest stages. January 6th was no exception, with Reigns breaking out Nike Kobe 9 Protro customs designed by @CoesSneakers.
The one-of-one sneaker uses the Kobe 9 “Halo” as the base, embellished by a dyed red knit upper and a slew of athlete-specific detailing. The red, black, and white color scheme is tied to Roman’s association with The Bloodline, which in short is a WWE storyline centered around the legendary Anoaʻi family out of Samoa.
Roman Reigns defeated his cousin Solo Sikoa for the Ula Fala at Raw on Netflix, becoming the undisputed “Tribal Cheif” of the Anoaʻi family as a result. The Rock, also Roman’s cousin, draped the symbol of prestige over his neck as a sign of acknowledgement after the match.