Roman Reigns opened tonight’s WWE RAW by announcing that he’s been living with leukemia for the past 11 years and it’s back.
Reigns said because of the diagnosis, he’s unable to fulfill his duties as champion and must relinquish the WWE Universal Title. Reigns added that it’s best for him to go home and be with family, to focus on his health for now.
Reigns made it clear that this was not a retirement speech and that he would be back once he’s done “kicking leukemia’s ass” again. He said we would see him very, very soon.
Stay tuned for updates on the WWE Universal Title and Reigns’ status. Below are shots from tonight’s opening segment:
.@WWERomanReigns has officially relinquished the Universal Championship on #RAW. pic.twitter.com/Dov281qW94
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 23, 2018
There's no brotherhood greater.#Raw @WWERomanReigns @TheDeanAmbrose @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/QHFemFd9A5
— WWE (@WWE) 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
THANK YOU, ROMAN.#RAW @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/Mm2z9vStgX
— 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
There's a LOT on #TheBigDog @WWERomanReigns' mind heading into #WWECrownJewel… #RAW pic.twitter.com/BPwaKhfd6D
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 23, 2018