As noted, Roman Reigns opened tonight’s WWE RAW in Providence, RI by announcing that he’s taking time off to once again fight leukemia, which he’s lived with for the past 11 years as it’s been in remission since late 2008. Reigns, who made it clear that this was not a retirement speech and that he will be back home at WWE “very, very soon”, also relinquished the WWE Universe Title as he’s going home to focus on his heath & family. The vacant title will be decided at WWE Crown Jewel with the Braun Strowman vs. Brock Lesnar singles match on November 2 in Saudi Arabia.
Above is backstage video of Reigns returning to the Gorilla Position after making his announcement. Reigns received support from WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Paul Heyman, Nia Jax, Braun Strowman, Finn Balor and many others. Reigns called for a group hug and continued making his way through the backstage area, greeting others before making his way out of the arena. Reigns noted that he came to RAW at the last minute and wasn’t prepared when joking about his rental car.
Several WWE Superstars took to Twitter and reacted to the news from Reigns, as seen below. John Cena, Stephanie McMahon, The Usos, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, Tyson Kidd and many others weighed-in with praise for The Big Dog.
♥️ THANKYOU, @WWERomanReigns. Praying for you and your family.
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) October 23, 2018
Thank you @WWERomanReigns ❤️
— Kayla Becker (@TheKaylaBecker) October 23, 2018
Thank you @WWERomanReigns, we are with you! #ThankYouRoman #RAW
— Booker T. Huffman (@BookerT5x) October 23, 2018
— Dean “Mojo” Muhtadi (@MojoMuhtadi) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/RicFlairNatrBoy/status/1054526629123407872
I just witnessed @WWERomanReigns give the most heart felt promo I’ve ever seen. Much respect to you Roman. #PrayforRoman #thankyouroman
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/1054535682050478081
Strongest thoughts and wishes with @WWERomanReigns – no one stronger and no one more capable of beating this. #ThankYouRoman
— Matthew Rehwoldt (@DramaKingMatt) October 23, 2018
Good luck and here is to seeing you soon #BigDog @WWERomanReigns https://t.co/x04mcBQN6T
— Athena is ROH and All Elite! (@AthenaPalmer_FG) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/_StarDESTROYER/status/1054527614986141696
https://twitter.com/SonyaDevilleWWE/status/1054528019178635264
— SUPERNOVA11 (@NoamDar) October 23, 2018
About to board my flight to Newark and hearing news about my #GoodBrother and one of the hardest working, strongest brothers I know @WWERomanReigns , got a pit in my stomach.
My family throwing so many prayers at you..
Love you bro.— Karl Anderson (@MachineGunKA) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/WWE_MandyRose/status/1054529956389249024
https://twitter.com/CarmellaWWE/status/1054531061118656512
https://twitter.com/KingRicochet/status/1054531826344251396
https://twitter.com/DashWilderWWE/status/1054531414480297984
You’re our Universal Champion. We are with you every step of the way brother.
— Shawn Spears™️ (@ShawnSpears) October 23, 2018
If there's anyone that can beat this, it's @WWERomanReigns. Thank you for everything. @WWE
— Mustafa Ali (@MustafaAli_X) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/RealMikeBennett/status/1054531269286076417
He’s our locker room leader.
He IS the business.
He’ll be back.
You got this, champ. #ThankYouRoman
— Bollywood Boyz (@BollywoodBoyz) October 23, 2018
An amazing human being, an incredible performer & a man I’m proud to be friends with. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. Get well soon, champ! #ThankYouRoman https://t.co/jL1Q5dVvzs
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) October 23, 2018
I’ve said it for a long time! @WWERomanReigns is the best wrestler on the planet! #ThankYouRoman #RAW
— Buddy Matthews (@SNM_Buddy) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/KalistoWWE/status/1054533670718070785
I'm overseas and I just heard the terrible news about @WWERomanReigns and his battle with Leukemia. Totally shocked. Uce, you are a tough bastard and a true fighter, and you will beat this.
Lots of love.— Sami Zayn (@SamiZayn) October 23, 2018
Our job gives us the ability to portray larger than life characters who possess super human qualities and characteristics.
After hearing his story it's very apparent that Joe Anoa'i is just as much of a superhero as "Roman Reigns" is.#ThankYouRoman
— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) October 23, 2018
Just saw the @WWERomanReigns news. Absolutely heartbreaking. Roman is one of nicest guys I have ever met in this business and was a pleasure every time I had the pleasure to work with him. My best wishes to him!
— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/BillieKayWWE/status/1054534283468115968
Wow…that's a lot to take in. Strength and well wishes. https://t.co/B7LOAvONK9
— Excellent Lee (@RealKeithLee) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/Zelina_VegaWWE/status/1054535189618192384
— Tony Nese (@TonyNese) October 23, 2018
We been here for u, and will stay here for u. Day one uce. We love you. @WWERomanReigns #ThankYouRoman pic.twitter.com/eszthQWPAC
— The Usos (@WWEUsos) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/MontezFordWWE/status/1054537693181476864
https://twitter.com/BiancaBelairWWE/status/1054537816938594304
‘Courage – strength in the face of pain or grief.’ You have given us your everything including a courageously vulnerable moment. We, your WWE family, give you all of our love and support. #ThankYouRoman #NeverGiveUp
— John Cena (@JohnCena) October 23, 2018
Fight on to victory my courageous brother! pic.twitter.com/wuYAoxa48p
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) October 23, 2018
Roman Reigns exemplifies everything I believe a true leader should be.
Proud to have shared a locker room with him, and I’ll be proud to share it with him again after he wins this battle.#ThankYouRoman
— Chad Gable (@WWEGable) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/CandiceLeRae/status/1054540748648050689
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Roman and his entire family. @WWERomanReigns you aren’t a Superstar falling but a Superhero that will continue to inspire those fighting illness alongside you.
— MariaKanellisBennett (@MariaLKanellis) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/BeckyLynchWWE/status/1054544006913449985
Love you @wweromanreigns You taught me so much about what it means to be a superstar here. Can’t wait to see you back ❤️
— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/1054545004352352256
https://twitter.com/WWEFandango/status/1054545770861510656
Sending so much love to @WWERomanReigns and his family. You’re one of the strongest dudes I know and I can’t wait to see you back inside that ring. ❤️ #thankyouRoman
— Renee Paquette (@ReneePaquette) October 23, 2018
My thoughts & prayers go out to @WWERomanReigns & his family. Breaks my heart but praying & believing for a speedy & full recovery.
— CJ Perry (@TheCJPerry) October 23, 2018
#ThankYouRoman for being a huge source of inspiration and wishing you a speedy recovery.
— Kyle O'Reilly (@KORcombat) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/RAYMONDxROWE/status/1054552227526926337
https://twitter.com/VickieGuerrero/status/1054552926926987269
There is no doubt you are going to beat this again! Wishing you a speedy recovery champ! @WWERomanReigns #thankyouroman https://t.co/LvZ2Osdlji
— Roderick Strong (@roderickstrong) October 23, 2018
His real name is Joe & he’s a stand up guy! Inside the ring one of the best I’ve battled with. Outside the ring one of the most genuine people I have ever met & learned from. See you soon good brother #ThankYouRoman ( ..and he smells great)
— Finn Bálor (@FinnBalor) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/WWEDozovic/status/1054556481964703744
@WWERomanReigns’ success was something I aspired for myself since he was an all-conference DT at Georgia Tech over a decade ago. I think of how much he’s achieved but far more importantly, I think of his family & loved ones. All the love and strength in beating this, Big Uce.
— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) October 23, 2018
#ThankYouRoman
My aunt also had Leukemia. I hope you get better soon, Roman!! https://t.co/YVrrijai7N— Kairi Sane (@KAIRI_official) October 23, 2018
— PRIME Alexander (@CedricAlexander) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/TJWilson/status/1054559339552366592
Thank you Roman for showing us what a real warrior looks like. Sending many prayers to you and your family!! We’ll all be waiting for you to come back home to #RAW -B
— Nikki & Brie (@NikkiAndBrie) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/BellaTwins/status/1054573324448268288
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpQkDLAB0ps/?utm_source=ig_embed
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpQjLLRhxWS/?utm_source=ig_embed
