Eddie Murphy’s latest, The Pickup, has all the ingredients you’d expect from a glossy action-comedy banter-heavy crooks, a high-stakes casino job, and a cast stacked with comic talent like Pete Davidson. But buried in the film’s late-game chaos is a moment that perks up even the most casual wrestling fan: the arrival of WWE megastar Roman Reigns.
It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance, but it lands hard partly because Reigns’ presence is impossible to ignore, and partly because the movie smartly leans into his in-ring persona.
Who Roman Reigns Plays in The Pickup
Reigns shows up near the end of the movie as an unnamed MMA fighter headlining a fight night at the very casino Murphy’s Russ, Davidson’s Travis, and their crew are trying to rob. His cameo works on two levels: it gives the heist a glitzy, high-profile backdrop, and it instantly raises the stakes.
This isn’t just any casino it’s a venue pulling in enough star power to book a WWE champ-turned-MMA brawler as the main event. That kind of detail sells the idea that this robbery isn’t a small-time operation; it’s a big swing.
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How the Scene Plays Out
In one of the movie’s sharper comedic beats, Zoe (played by the always-watchable [insert actress name if known]) distracts Reigns by telling him his opponent has been trash-talking him on stage. It’s a quick, cheeky nod to the kind of theatrical feuds that are bread and butter in pro wrestling and, true to form, Reigns takes the bait.
The moment is brief, but it’s fun precisely because it winks at his WWE persona without overplaying the joke. You can almost hear the crowd chanting if you close your eyes.
Reigns’ Growing Hollywood Playbook
While wrestling fans know him as “The Tribal Chief” and the man behind one of WWE’s longest title reigns since the ’80s, Reigns has been steadily flexing his acting muscles. He popped up in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, sparring on-screen with real-life cousin Dwayne Johnson, and showed off his comedy chops in The Wrong Missy.
He’s following a path blazed by wrestlers-turned-actors like Johnson, Dave Bautista, and John Cena each finding a sweet spot between action toughness and self-aware humor.
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Why This Cameo Works
In a movie that sometimes leans on familiar heist beats, Reigns’ cameo injects a jolt of personality. It’s the kind of casting choice that says, “We know this is a popcorn ride let’s have some fun with it.”
The Pickup doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but moments like this keep it rolling smoothly. It’s a reminder that a well-placed cameo isn’t just about surprise; it’s about giving the audience a quick burst of energy and a reason to lean in.
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