WWE Star Roman Reigns Battling Leukemia

[The Last Outlaw]

WWE Superstar Roman Reigns (real name Joe Anoa'i) revealed Monday on RAW that he's been battling leukemia for 11 years. Unfortunately, the disease is back.

Per WWE, Reigns is "taking a leave of absence" to fight the disease, 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," WWE said in a Monday night media release.

The Universal Champion relinquished his title on the USA Network flagship show, coming to the ring in street clothes rather than the ring attire he is usually seen wearing on the show. He then gave a speech in which he broke character and revealed why he did not appear at WWE live shows this past weekend.

 

"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."

"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," he promised. "I will beat this, I will be back, and you will see me very, very soon."

After saying his (temporary) goodbyes to the WWE Universe, Reigns was joined on the entrance ramp by his brothers in wrestling faction The Shield. Reigns' partner, Seth Rollins, could be seen holding back tears as he embraced Reigns on stage.

Reigns' shocking announcement comes 11 days before he was scheduled to defend his Universal Championship against Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar at Crown Jewel, the second event WWE has held in Saudi Arabia this year. The event has been placed under intense scrutiny after the disappearance of Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, whom the Saudi government is suspected of killing.

As many American companies have reconsidered or outright withdrawn their partnerships with Saudi Arabia over the incident, WWE has moved forward with holding the event but has removed any mention of Riyadh as the event's host city from their programming. The main event match has changed to a one-on-one bout between Strowman and Lesnar for the vacated Universal Championship.

With John Cena transitioning to a part-time wrestling schedule, Reigns has been one of the top wrestlers in WWE over the past three years. Along with winning the Universal Championship, Reigns has become a three-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, won the 2015 Royal Rumble, and has competed in the main event of four consecutive WrestleManias, joining Hulk Hogan as only the second wrestler to do so in the history of the event. 

You want to talk about a fan's devotion to the wrestlers he has watched over the years?

I cried when I found out that Owen Hart had passed away in a tragic accident.

I cried when I found out that Eddie Guerrero had passed away just two days after "Lyin', Cheatin' and Stealin'" a victory over Mr. Kennedy and two days before he was to compete at that year's Survivor Series.

I was stunned when Edge had to retire due to injuries to his neck. I was equally stunned when Daniel Bryan had to retire for the same reasons.

Now it's Roman Reigns battling an enemy that I love to hate. CANCER.

Through the tears and the shock, I prayed for these men and their families. Not just them, I pray for each and every wrestler, male and female, who steps in that ring. I pray for them to be safe and for their "dance partners" to be safe. When they leave the ring, I pray for their families and their relationships. This is why I love the wrestling community. This is not the just the wrestlers, but their families and us, the fans. We know how to rally together and throw our support behind whomever when real life transcends the ring and the cameras. What I saw in Providence, Rhode Island last night on Monday Night RAW was an example of that. Those people were able to QUICKLY separate the character played by Joe Anoa'i from Joe Anoa'i himself. They booed the character, but the moment that "Roman Reigns" addressed his situation as Joe, they cheered the man and his fight. I stand beside this community and I pray for Joe Anoa'i that he beats this disease. In fact, I want him to channel Roman Reigns, load that fist and Superman Punch leukemia and knock it out for good. If it gets up again, Spear it for good measure!

Something else I've learned in that moment. This is my shoutout to everyone withing eyesight of this post. No matter what you are going through, physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, whatever the issue. DON'T BE AFRAID TO SPEAK OUT AND TELL SOMEBODY. Last night, Joe Anoa'i told thousands of people watching in Providence, Rhode Island, and millions watching worldwide that he was battling something he thought he had beat, but it came back and he has been fighting it for the past 11 years! Don't be scared to say something. It's your life and your truth. Keeping it bottled up inside is only prolonging the agony. Wanna fight? Get a team of WARRIORS on your side and fight together. A good support system can help.

[Beckea]

I don't watch, but still sad to know he is battling something like this My fil died from complications of Leukemia just awful.

[Kyng]

I don't watch either, but it's always very sad to hear that somebody is battling cancer. And it's especially tragic for Roman Reigns - not only because it's hit him at such a young age, but also because his battle has been so long and drawn-out. 

Best of luck to him in overcoming it. Whatever he goes on to achieve in the ring, beating cancer would no doubt be the greatest victory in his life!

[The Last Outlaw]

This is his 2nd battle with the disease.  He was diagnosed at age 22, and had put it in remission quickly.  He's been fighting it for 11 years now.  I hate all forms of cancer, but this makes me hate it more!