In an Instagram video posted this afternoon (Mar. 30), Roman Reigns confirms that he will not being facing Goldberg for the Universal title at this weekend’s WrestleMania 36.
That news actually broke last Thursday, but WWE continued to promote the match. Reigns’ announcement comes before anyone in the company has officially said anything about a change to the card for April 4 - 5.
Much of Roman’s message is a call for everyone to stay positive, and consider others circumstances before judging them - especially online. His decision to talk about this at all was motivated by negative feedback he’s received since last week.
“It’s all over the news, the dirt sheets - whatever you want to call them, that I pulled out of WrestleMania. And it’s funny because like, for years now, man. Years. People are like ‘Don’t show up to WrestleMania. We don’t want you in it.’ You know what I mean? There’s a nice handful of dudes and haters that didn’t want me there, but the moment I make a choice for me and my family, I’m a coward, I’m a sissy. A lot of different things that I am now. But you don’t know the whole story. All you know is what you think. ‘Oh, well his health and this and that,’ but you don’t know what else is going on in my life. You don’t know if I have newborns. You don’t know if I have family in my household, older family. So yeah, just the old saying man. Go ahead and flip that cover over and read a few pages, get into a few chapters before you really start running your mouth. Take this time to better yourself.”
The Big Dog also apologized to his fans, and vowed to be back. It’s this part of his message that’s most open to interpretation. Reigns makes it clear he “made the town”, inferring he was ready to work at last week’s WrestleMania tapings in Orlando. One report says he opted out because his cousins The Usos were upset The Miz was sick at the Performance Center.
“For all my fans, I’m sorry I didn’t get to compete this year and put on a show and entertain. But sometimes things are more important, and I had to make a choice for me and my family. But no matter what, you already know the deal, man. I sho nuff made the town. I mean I made it to Orlando, and I had to make a decision for me. But it doesn’t take anything away from what I’ve done, and what I’m going to do. I still love this game, I still love pro wrestling, sports entertainment, I love being in the ring. It’s a little weird being in the ring with nobody watching, nobody in the arena. But, man, I’m ready to get back to work.”
Overall, it’s a positive message. Roman asks that everyone use the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in due to the coronavirus pandemic to treat each other with more kindness, and vows to do the same himself.
As for WrestleMania 36? We’ll wait to see when WWE acknowledges they’ll be without a four-time main eventer in 2020.