Street Fighter Star Roman Reigns Says Gaming Has Replaced Some Of Wrestling’s Old “Extracurricular” Activities
Professional wrestlers Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes are starring in the upcoming Street Fighter movie, with Reigns playing Akuma and Rhodes as Guile. In an interview at the film’s premiere, Reigns discussed how gaming culture has become integral to the WWE roster’s daily life.
According to Reigns, video games have become the primary downtime activity for WWE wrestlers, replacing the “extracurricular” pursuits common among wrestlers from previous generations. This shift reflects a broader cultural change within professional wrestling, where gaming has emerged as a mainstream recreational activity. Despite acknowledging his own gaming skills have declined, Reigns highlighted gaming’s significance as a shared hobby throughout the WWE backstage community.
The casting of two prominent WWE stars in a major Street Fighter film demonstrates the growing convergence between professional wrestling and gaming entertainment. Both Reigns and Rhodes are passionate about video games, and their involvement in the Street Fighter movie showcases the increasing overlap between these entertainment industries. The interview underscores how modern wrestlers are embracing gaming as a central part of their lifestyle, contrasting sharply with entertainment practices from earlier eras.