WWE Wrestler Roman Reigns Reveals He Has Leukaemia On Monday Night Raw
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The Universal Champion of the WWE, Roman Reigns, has stunned crowds at Monday Night Raw by revealing he has leukaemia.
The 33-year-old, whose real name is, Leati Joseph Anoa'i, made the revelation during a speech to the crowds and said he has had the condition for 11 years.
He also said he would be giving up his current title due to a relapse of the illness.
Reigns, who has three children, was due to fight former UFC fighter Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman in a triple threat match at the Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia next month.
The WWE has since announced that this bout will now be a straight head to head between Lesnar and Braun.
Reigns, who hails from Florida, has been in the industry since 2010 and has previously won the Royal Rumble.
Long drive. Really can't get @WWERomanReigns off my mind. He's truly the backbone of the entire locker room. I can't wait to see you back Big Uce. #ThankYouRoman
- Brian Myers (@TheCurtHawkins) October 23, 2018
'Courage - strength in the face of pain or grief.' You have given us your everything including a courageously vulnerable moment. We, your WWE family, give you all of our love and support. #ThankYouRoman #NeverGiveUp
- John Cena (@JohnCena) October 23, 2018
Still in shock. Don't think I'll ever find the words. Just thank you for inspiring, motivating, and overall just being a good guy. #ThankYouRoman @WWERomanReigns
- Man Of The Hour :hourglass: (@itsLioRush) October 23, 2018
Revealing the news to the crowd, Reigns said: "I feel like I owe everyone an apology. For months, maybe even a whole year, I've come out here as Roman Reigns and said I'd come out here every week, that I'd be a fighting champion, that I was going to be consistent, that I was going to be a workhorse - but that's all lies.
"It's a lie because the reality is, my real name is Joe and I've been living with leukaemia for 11 years and unfortunately it's back.
"And because the leukaemia is back i cannot fulfil my role, I can't be that fighting champion and I'm going to have to relinquish my Universal Championship.
"I'm not going to lie, I'll take every prayer you can send my way, but I'm not looking for sympathy, I'm not looking for you to feel bad for me because I have faith."
Reigns went on to thank the WWE for making his 'dreams come true' before assuring fans that he would one day be back.
He said: "I want to make one thing clear - by no means is this a retirement speech.
"Because once I'm done whipping leukaemia's ass 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.
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"I'm coming back because I want to show all of you, the whole world, my family, my friends, my children and my wife, that when life throws a curveball at me, I am the type of man that will stand in that batter's box, I will crowd the plate, I will choke up and I will swing for the fences every single time.
"Because I will beat this, and I will be back and you will see me very, very soon. "Once again thank you so much, god bless you and I love you. Believe that."
