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ROMAN REIGNS DIAGNOSED WITH LEUKEMIA, RELINQUISHES WWE UNIVERSAL TITLE

By Mike Johnson on 2018-10-22 20:07:00

Monday Night Raw opened with WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, 33 years old, announcing that he has been diagnosed with a recurrence of Leukemia and that he was immediately relinquishing the WWE Universal Championship in order to battle the disease.  Reigns noted that he had been diagnosed with the disease when he was 22 and after 11 years of being in remission, the disease has returned.

The announcement comes after rumors swirled today that he was dealing with an injury.  Reigns was in the ring working out earlier today in Providence.  

Reigns was slated to defend the Universal title against Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman at the 11/2 Crown Jewel event.  He had missed the WWE live events over the weekend.  One source had told PWInsider.com that Reigns had been given the weekend off.  Sadly, we know now why.

Reigns, the son of WWE Hall of Famer Sika, made it clear he did not intend his announcement to be a retirement speech, but he was going home to focus on his family and his health.  He promised to return after he defeats the disease again.

"After I'm done whooping leukemia's ass once again, I'm coming back home," Reigns the audience. "And when I do, it's not going to just be about titles and being on top. No, it's about a purpose. I am coming back because I want to show all of you, the whole world. I want to show 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 come back and you will see me very, very soon." 

Everyone at PWInsider.com sends our best wishes to Reigns and his family during what is obviously an extremely trying time.

 

 

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