[ad_1]
by Brent Furdyk.
32 mins ago
Wrestling fans who tuned in to Monday's edition of WWE's "Monday Night Raw" were in for a shocking moment when Roman Reigns announced he was relinquishing the Universal Championship belt at this Summer's SummerSlam.
The reason: he has been living with leukemia for the past 11 years, and recently learned the disease had returned.
The former NFL player, whose real name is Joe Anoa'i, opened the sports entertainment show with a rare moment of candor, telling viewers that "the reality is my name is Joe and I've been living with leukemia for 11 years and unfortunately it's back. "
He continued: "Because the leukemia is back, I can not fulfill my role. I can not be defeated champion and I'm going to relinquish the universal championship. I'm not going to lie, I'm not looking for you, I'm not looking for you, I'm not looking for you.
RELATED: Shane McMahon Hospitalized After Hellish 20-Foot Fall At WWE Hell In A Cell
Anoa'i, 33, tried to be circumspect. "Sometimes life throws you a curveball and the best thing for me to do is go to home and focus on my health," he said. "But I want to make one thing clear: I'm doing whitening leukemia 's, I'm coming back home. And when I do, it's not going to be about titles and being on top, it's about a purpose. "
That purpose, he explained, is "to show you all at home and my children and my wife that when life throws a curveball at me, I will choke up and I will swing for the fences every single time. I will beat this and I will be back very soon. "
RELATED: Daniel Bryan, Returning To WWE After Brain Lesion, Delivers Emotional Speech
Shortly after the segment aired, WWE released a statement: "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 fights leukemia, which had been in remission since late 2008. Reigns is taking a battle with leukemia in an effort to raise awareness and funds for disease research. "
Anoa'i's fellow wrestlers and celebrity fans took to social media to let them know they're pulling for him, sending their thoughts and prayers via Twitter.
@WWERomanReigns you're a field for a reason. Much love uce, praying for and you and the fam.
– Tanga Loa (@TangaloaNJPW) October 23, 2018
Just saw the @WWERomanReigns News. Absolutely heartbreaking. Roman is one of the nicest guys I've ever been in this business. My best wishes to him!
– John Layfield (@JCLayfield) October 23, 2018
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
Roman Reigns exemplifies everything I believe a true leader should be.
Proud to have a shared room with him, and I'll be proud to share it with him.#ThankYouRoman
– Chad Gable (@WWEGable) October 23, 2018
[ad_2]
Source link
