Prime Video’s The Pickup is the latest feature from acclaimed comedy actor Eddie Murphy, following two armored truck drivers who unwittingly get roped into a complex heist at a prestigious casino. The Pickup has a great cast, ranging from popular comedians like Murphy and Pete Davidson, to a handful of unexpected cameos.
Although The Pickup doesn’t always make the most of its cast, the actors typically do a great job of making this familiar action movie seem fresh and original. The formula is nothing that audiences haven’t seen before, and the jokes can sometimes feel worn out, but certain scenes definitely stand out from the crowd. One particular sequence featuring WWE star Roman Reigns is a clear example.
Who Roman Reigns Plays In The Pickup & Why He’s In It
Roman Reigns appears towards the end of The Pickup as an unnamed MMA fighter who’s performing at the casino that Russ, Travis, and Zoe are planning to rob. He’s the main event of the night, and he’s included in the film for several reasons. Primarily, though, it’s to raise the stakes of the heist even further by proving just how high-profile this casino really is.
Although Reigns has acted before on several occasions, he’s still best known for his extensive WWE career. He’s been signed to WWE since 2010 and still competes on a regular basis; he also holds the record for the longest WWE тιтle reign since 1988. His appearance in The Pickup is a really effective way of setting the stakes of the heist.
Although it’s only a brief appearance, Reigns totally makes the most of his screen time during his character’s interaction with Zoe. In order to distract him from the money they’re trying to steal, Zoe lies about Reigns’ opponent trash-talking him on the stage, knowing this will cause him to get angry and leave.
Despite The Pickup’s underwhelming reviews, this is a really fun moment that clearly references Roman Reigns’ WWE persona and lightly pokes fun at wrestling culture in general. WWE fighters are often known for their public feuds and brash personalities, which is part of what makes the sport so entertaining to watch, so it’s great to see Reigns leaning into that here.
As mentioned, The Pickup isn’t Roman Reigns’ first appearance outside the wrestling world. The performer has previously appeared in projects such as Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw and The Wrong Missy, both times playing characters somewhat inspired by his WWE persona. Several professional wrestlers have made the transition to acting over the decades, and Reigns seems to be the next in a long line.
