Roman Reigns kicked off this week’s episode of WWE Monday Night RAW announcing to the crowd that he dealt with leukemia for 11 years and it has returned. Because of his diagnosis, he is giving up the WWE Universal Championship.
Reigns said he was diagnosed at 22 years old and he quickly put it in remission. It was a hard time for him because he didn’t have a job and football was done with him. He thanked WWE for giving him a chance.
He thanked the fans for always reacting to him and “for that I have to say thank you so much.”
Reigns said he will go home to focus on his family and his health. He said this is not a retirement speech because when he is doing whopping leukemia’s ass he plans on returning home. Reigns said his return will show the whole world, family, friends, and wife that when life throws a curveball, he will swing for the fences every single time. “Because I will beat this and I will be back so you will see me very very soon.”
The announcement comes after rumors swirled today that he was dealing with an injury. Reigns was in the ring working out earlier today in Providence.
Consider Monday Night #RAW officially KICKED OFF on @USA_Network with none other than #UniversalChampion @WWERomanReigns! pic.twitter.com/LndnLPJEMt— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
There’s a LOT on #TheBigDog @WWERomanReigns‘ mind heading into #WWECrownJewel… #RAW pic.twitter.com/BPwaKhfd6D— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 23, 2018
“I’ve been living with leukemia for 11 years, and unfortunately it’s back…I’m going to have to relinquish the Universal Championship.” – @WWERomanReigns #RAW pic.twitter.com/WnT4qyBUSx— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 23, 2018
DON’T call it a retirement speech.@WWERomanReigns WILL beat this, and we will see him again VERY, VERY SOON! #RAW pic.twitter.com/2XZpkEA5rU— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
There’s no brotherhood greater.#Raw @WWERomanReigns @TheDeanAmbrose @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/QHFemFd9A5— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
.@WWERomanReigns has officially relinquished the Universal Championship on #RAW. pic.twitter.com/Dov281qW94— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 23, 2018
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