WWE Roster, Legends Send Love and Support to Their ‘Superman’ Roman Reigns

Pro wrestler relinquished Universal Championship after revealing leukemia battle on Monday’s “Raw”

Monday’s “Raw” opened with an emotional moment that members of the WWE Universe — and the WWE locker rooms — were not ready for. Universal Champion Roman Reigns (real name Joe Anoa’i) surrendered his title after revealing an 11-year battle with leukemia.

Immediately, past and present members of the “Raw” and “SmackDown Live” locker rooms poured out their feelings and support on Twitter. Below is a mere sampling.

The one from tag-team The Usos, Reigns’ real-life cousins, will bring (more) tears to your eyes.

https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/1054545004352352256

https://twitter.com/RealMikeBennett/status/1054531269286076417

https://twitter.com/Zelina_VegaWWE/status/1054535189618192384

There were more tweets where those came from — we just can’t fit all of the love sent to Reigns in one post.

“For months now, maybe even a full year, I’ve come out here and spoke as Roman Reigns and I said a lot of things. I said that I’d be here every single week. I said I’d be a fighting champion, I said that I’d be consistent and I said that I’d be a workhorse but…that’s all lies,” Reigns said in the middle of the ring last night. “That’s a lie because the reality is…my real name is Joe…and I’ve been living with leukemia for 11 years. And unfortunately, it’s back.”

Reigns went on to discuss how he was first diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 22, when he had no money and after he had ended his brief pro football career.

“But you want to know who gave me a chance? The team that gave me a chance was WWE,” he said. “And when I finally made it to the main roster and I was on the road they put me in front of all of you…and to be honest, you have all made my dreams come true.”

“By no means is this a retirement speech,” Reigns promised. “I will beat this, I will be back, and you will see me very, very soon.”

Readers can watch the somber segment here.

WWE released the following statement to media last night:

Tonight on ‘Monday Night Raw,’ Roman Reigns (aka Joe Anoa’i) announced that he is relinquishing the WWE Universal Championship and taking a leave of absence from WWE as he once again fights leukemia, which had been in remission since late 2008. Reigns is taking his battle with leukemia public in an effort to raise awareness and funds for research in order to advance cures for the disease.

Reigns was scheduled to defend his Universal Championship against Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar at upcoming pay-per-view event “Crown Jewel,” which is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Get well soon, Big Dog.

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