Roman Reigns made his WWE return on Monday, just one day after Mets pitcher Sean Manaea was activated from the injured list, sparking a humorous connection among fans linking the two “Tribal Chiefs.” This coincidence quickly evolved into a playful conspiracy theory within the MLB community, tying Reigns’ WWE comeback and Manaea’s return to the mound together in an unexpected way.
The confusion began when MLB shared news about the return of someone dubbed “tribal chief,” leading many to speculate that Roman Reigns might be stepping onto the baseball field. However, it was actually Sean Manaea, the Mets’ left-handed pitcher who shares the same nickname, making his way back to professional baseball after a lengthy absence due to injury.
Playful connection ignites on social media
Capitalizing on the amusing coincidence, the Mets’ official SNY Twitter account posted a tweet showing the parallel returns of Sean Manaea and Roman Reigns, captioned:
“Sean Manaea and Roman Reigns returned to their respective professions within a day of one another after not appearing for many weeks. Coincidence? ☝️” —SNY Mets
This lighthearted jab turned into an entertaining meme, capturing the imagination of fans who enjoyed linking the worlds of professional wrestling and Major League Baseball.
Sean Manaea’s comeback from injury
Sean Manaea ended his stint on the 60-day injured list on Sunday after recovering from elbow and oblique injuries that had sidelined him for weeks. Before rejoining the Mets’ bullpen, Manaea worked through two rehabilitation games with Triple-A Syracuse, posting a 4.00 ERA across nine innings pitched. The Mets view him as a valuable bullpen arm who can bolster their pitching staff as the season progresses.
Manaea’s performance upon return was strong, marked by control and strikeout ability that suggested a promising recovery. He appeared in a close game against the Kansas City Royals, pitching 3⅓ innings without allowing a walk and striking out seven batters.
Strong showing on the mound impresses Mets management
During his outing on July 13, Manaea was at his best in the middle innings, striking out five consecutive batters across the sixth and seventh frames. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza praised Manaea’s high-zone fastball and sharp “sweeper,” comparing them favorably to the best pitches he delivered during the 2024 season.
Although Manaea gave up a walk-off single to Nick Loftin in the ninth inning, which resulted in a loss for the Mets, he had not surrendered any runs through his three relief innings. His final pitching line included one run allowed on five hits, a 2.70 ERA after 3.1 innings, and a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 1.50. The combination of precise control and the ability to generate swinging strikes served as a positive sign for the team’s pitching depth.
Roman Reigns’ WWE return and crossover fun
Roman Reigns made his anticipated return to WWE television following an absence since his attack after WrestleMania 41. His comeback coinciding so closely with Manaea’s Mets return amused sports and wrestling fans alike, prompting references to their shared nickname, the “Tribal Chief.”
On the “Meet at the Apple” podcast, Sean Manaea was asked if he would adopt Roman Reigns’ iconic WWE entrance theme as his own pre-game music. Although he did not say yes outright, he smiled and nodded, hinting at an endorsement of the playful crossover. This means fans at Citi Field can expect to hear the trademark chant, “We the ones ☝️,” delivered in a celebratory manner.
Significance of the simultaneous returns
The near-simultaneous returns of Roman Reigns and Sean Manaea, both dubbed “Tribal Chief,” highlight an entertaining convergence between the worlds of entertainment and sports. While purely coincidental, the events have resonated with fans who appreciate the connection and the lighthearted conspiracy theory it inspired.
For the Mets, Manaea’s comeback adds a much-needed boost to their pitching staff as the season approaches critical stages. Meanwhile, Roman Reigns’ return marks an important moment in WWE storylines and programming, reinvigorating one of its most prominent figures.
As the Mets look to strengthen their rotation with Manaea’s innings and Roman Reigns continues his wrestling dominance, fans from both domains have something to celebrate—whether in the stadium seats or ringside chairs—making this unusual “Roman Reigns Mets Return Connection” all the more memorable.
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 the first time they shared that Reigns has been dealing with chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer that can be treated but not cured, for more than ten years.
