The future of pro wrestling has a name, and that name is Roman Reigns.

Known behind the curtain as Joe Anoa’i, the 6-foot-3, 265-pound behemoth played defensive tackle for Georgia Tech and enjoyed a cup of coffee in the NFL before fulfilling his destiny in the squared circle.

The 28-year-old is a member of the legendary Anoa’i family, a dynasty with wrestling running through its veins. Anoa’i’s father, Sika, is one-half of the WWE Hall of Fame tag team The Wild Samoans, and a sampling of his cousins includes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the Uso brothers, Rikishi, Umaga, and Yokozuna.

“My whole life I’ve been fed by the WWE,” said Anoa’i. “My father was fortunate enough to provide for his family through wrestling. I’ve always been fortunate to have a seat at the table, but there’s a great deal of pride in being a provider. Now it’s my chance to sit at the head of the table.”

In addition to his place in one of the world’s most famous wrestling families, Anoa’i is also an integral piece of the most popular faction in wrestling, The Shield. Alongside Dean Ambose and Seth Rollins, the black-vested group has steamrolled all other competition in the WWE over the past 18 months.

“We didn’t know we would complement each other so well,” said Anoa’i. “Everything from what we wear, entering through the crowd, even the triple powerbomb in itself, it’s clicked and been so organic. That’s been the most exciting part.”

Due to the strains of the intense work schedule, the newly engaged Anoa’i only sees his fiancee roughly 90 days a year. He spends nearly 300 days a year traveling with Shield mates Ambrose and Rollins.

“We spend so much time together,” explained Anoa’i. “We’ve jumped the friend stage in the past year and a half and become brothers.”

The Shield is set to engage in a six-man tag battle WrestleMania XXX on April 6 against the team of Kane and The New Age Outlaws. Anoa’i predicts a painful night is ahead for his veteran opponents.

“The faces will always change, the styles will evolve,” said Anoa’i. “I respect what people before me have done, but my time is now.”

WWE fans witnessed Anoa’i break the Royal Rumble elimination record in January, as well as tie the elimination record in Boston at last November’s Survivor Series pay per view.

“Ever since the Survivor Series, any time we go to Boston, I feel like I own the place,” said Anoa’i. “I will never forget the fans in the TD Garden and the reaction they gave me that night.”

Rumors are floating that a breakup for The Shield is imminent and a singles career for Roman Reigns is looming. Anoa’i did not stutter when asked if he ever dreams of headlining a future WrestleMania.

“Every single day,” confirmed the ambitious Anoa’i. “Somebody just asked me if I would like to take on the Undertaker and beat his (WrestleMania) streak. I would rather retain the WWE world heavyweight championship while taking out the streak.

“My motivation is to be the best,” said Anoa’i. “I have a deep responsibility to leave things better than the way I found them. I don’t want to live off potential, so the first thing I have to do is capture the gold.”