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The opening of Raw was one of the saddest things I have ever witnessed in my many years of following the wrestling business. Other than the night that Owen Hart died, I can’t remember ever feeling the way that I do right now, about the business that I love.
When Roman Reigns came through the curtain, I immediately noticed something was different. Obviously, he wasn’t wearing his usual gear.
But more than that, the look on his face was different.
The way he looked at the crowd and took in the moment? It was different.
He overall demeanor was just…..different.
And when he got to the ring, we found out why.
We weren’t seeing Roman Reigns, the character. We were seeing Joe Anoa’i, the man. And what I never knew was not only was Joe a cancer survivor, but he is now once again a man fighting the most vile, pernicious disease that I have personally witnessed in my lifetime.
And he made the very brave decision to share the fight he is about to engage in with millions of people everywhere. Imagine that, a person in the prime of their life gets devastating news and chooses to make the rough road ahead of him public when he could have just as easily not. I can’t even adequately say how much I respect the way that he handled such a horrible event that has been thrust on him.
I have seen cancer ravage people I love, and I hate it more than I can properly express. I can't even put into words how I feel that a guy like Joe, who I have never met but have heard nothing good things about, having to fight this battle. He shouldn't have to do it. But he does, and he will.
I will say this. It’s been years since I have had a “favorite wrestler”. I am way too old for that at this point in my life. Except, I am not.
Roman Reigns is now, and will be for the foreseeable future, my favorite wrestler. I am rooting for him every, single step of the way. Joe, you beat cancer once and dammit, you are going to do it again. You will be back in that ring you love so much, and every single wrestling fan will be waiting for your return. You are in for a fight, but you already know that, and you know how to beat it. You did it before, and you will do it again.
Godspeed.
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