Australian professional wrestler Steph De Lander, currently signed with TNA, revealed her intense admiration for WWE star Roman Reigns, recalling how she went to great lengths to meet him. As a dedicated fan in her early twenties, De Lander traveled across the country to attend WrestleMania events 30, 31, and 32, driven by her passion to meet her favorite wrestler in person.
During an interview on Wrestling Life With Ben Veal, De Lander shared the story behind her first encounter with Roman Reigns at the Fan Axxess area. She admitted to becoming quite emotional and even confrontational in order to gain access to Reigns, demonstrating the lengths she was willing to go for this experience.
The Determination Behind Securing a Meeting with Roman Reigns
De Lander recounted how she tried to meet Roman Reigns during a Fan Axxess event, but the line was closed before she could get in. Determined to meet The Big Dog, she purchased someone else’s spot in line, which led to a misunderstanding with security staff who thought she was cutting in.
“Basically, I wanted to meet Roman Reigns. He was my favorite wrestler at the time. They cut off the line at Axxess before I could I get in to meet him. So I gave someone a bunch of money to let me take their spot, then I took their spot. But then security thought that I was jumping the line, which I wasn’t. So I kind of got into it with security. I ended up convincing — I worked my way, I found the right people. I was honest, like, I didn’t lie, but I did lie and put on a bit of a performance. And then they put me to the very front of the line and I got to meet Roman.”
Despite the initial tension with security, De Lander managed to speak with the right people and gained permission to move to the front. Her honesty, combined with a little dramatic effort, helped her secure the moment she had long dreamed of.
Fans’ Reactions and De Lander’s Reflective Thoughts
The special treatment De Lander received did not go unnoticed by other fans in attendance, some of whom were displeased. However, she described her attitude toward the backlash as unapologetic and defiant.
“f**k you guys, I don’t care”
—Steph De Lander
She also reflected on her mindset during the encounter, humorously acknowledging that this episode might have revealed a new side of her personality.
“Okay, maybe I’m born to be a bad guy.”
—Steph De Lander
Roman Reigns’ Rise to Wrestling Prominence and Future Outlook
Since that first meeting, Roman Reigns has dramatically transformed his wrestling career, evolving into one of the industry’s most dominant figures. Adopting the persona of The Tribal Chief of The Bloodline has only expanded his fanbase and solidified his status as a leading WWE superstar.
Fans and commentators alike are anticipating his return to action, with many expecting him to appear at SummerSlam, scheduled for early August. This event could mark another significant chapter in Reigns’ ongoing wrestling legacy.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Roman Reigns’ illness?
A. After he came back, WWE released a documentary about one of their top stars. It was disclosed that Roman Reigns had been living with chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer that can be managed but not cured, for more than ten years.
