By Daily Sports on October 24, 2018
WWE star Roman Reigns is giving up his Universal Championship title because he has leukaemia.
The four-time world champion told fans on Monday he had been diagnosed with the disease 11 years ago but was in remission.
But he says the leukaemia has returned which means he can no longer “be that fighting champion”.
Fans sent messages of support on social media and the hashtag #ThankYouRoman has been trending on Twitter.
Roman, a former American football player, made the announcement in the ring at Monday Night Raw.
Addressing the crowd, the 33-year-old said: “Y’all have made my dreams come true.
“It didn’t matter if you cheered me or you booed me, you’ve always reacted to me and that’s the most important thing and for that I have to say thank you so much.”
Roman, real name Joe Anoa’i, told fans he wanted to make it clear that his announcement wasn’t a “retirement speech”.
He said once he recovers from the leukaemia he will be “coming back home”.
“When I do it’s not going to be just about titles or being on top. It's about a purpose.”
He added: “I will beat this and I will be back so you will see me very, very soon.”
After his emotional address, he was given a hug by Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, his partners from The Shield wrestling group.
Reigns is a four-time world champion having held the WWE World Heavyweight Championship three times and the Universal Championship once. (BBC)
•Photo shows Roman Reigns
Source Daily Sports
Posted October 24, 2018
You may also like...
Gabriel Jesus’ Move To Arsenal Under Threat
Jun Cup Football Competition For Under-16 And Under-12...
Romario targets head of Brazilian football
Wilshere has held West Ham talks
BREAKING NEWS: Nigeria friendly with Burkina Faso cancelled...
De Bruyne Shines As Man City Thrash Arsenal...
Man City need to 'step up' as striker's goal run ends
'People are afraid' - why 'juggernaut' Arsenal are team to beat
Aspinall requires further tests on eye injury in UK
Real Madrid impress but Vinicius tension grows - Clasico talking points
Rooney says struggling Liverpool lack leadership
NOC To Host FinalIOC Advanced Sport Management Course Module
4 Teams Lock Horns For N10m Tiger 5-Aside Football Battle In Awka
Nezianya, Odikpo, Balepo, Ndukuba, Chukwuleta For SWAN @60 Veterans’ Awards
Anambra FA Crisis: Igbokwe, 61 Years Old Football Administrator Protests Arrest, Detention
Gala European record thrills Osimhen
La Liga: 'I am enjoying football at Barca', Rashford eyes permanent move
CAF nomination thrills Flying Eagles captain
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,273 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,476 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,428 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,036 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,015 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (51,988 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,818 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,397 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,512 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,052 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,491 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (46,953 views)