Roman Reigns opened this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw wearing casual clothing, the Universal championship over his shoulder. With reports going around that he was injured, it seemed he may be coming out to confirm as much.
Instead, he dropped a bombshell, announcing that for the past 11 years he’s been living with leukemia and it’s back. Because of that, he is relinquishing the Universal championship, going home, and focusing on his health.
“I will beat this, I will be back, and you will see me very, very soon,” he said.
He said this is not a retirement but after he’s done “whooping leukemia’s ass once again, I’m coming back home.”
After a rousing speech, he made his way up the entrance ramp, where he was greeted by Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. They all embraced, and each of them cried as they hugged each other disappearing backstage.
.@WWERomanReigns has to relinquish the Universal Championship due to a battle with leukemia. #Raw pic.twitter.com/EhomllNwjK
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018