WWE superstar Roman Reigns, whose legal name is Joe Anoa'i, was suspended Tuesday for violating the company's talent wellness policy. The 30-day suspension, which is effective immediately, is Anoa'i's first violation of a policy that was implemented by the WWE in February 2006.
There was no mention of the specific violation by either the WWE or Anoa'i in their respective statements, though both parties commented on the matter via Twitter.
I apologize to my family, friends and fans for my mistake in violating WWE's wellness policy. No excuses. I own it.
- Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) June 21, 2016
BREAKING NEWS: WWE has suspended Roman Reigns. Details: https://t.co/cWY19ytRjc pic.twitter.com/hpQKGKksB2
- WWE (@WWE) June 21, 2016
This wellness suspension is the third penalty of its kind that WWE has issued in 2016. In April, the company suspended Raymond Leppan (Adam Rose) and Ryan Parmeter (Konnor) for 60 days each for their second violations of the policy. Leppan subsequently requested and was granted his release.
As Reigns, Anoa'i is a three-time WWE world heavyweight champion, a one-time WWE tag-team champion and the 2015 Royal Rumble winner. He also played college football at Georgia Tech from 2003 to 2006, where he was a three-year starter at defensive tackle.