Roman Reigns Relinquishes Universal Title To Once Again Fight Leukemia

Roman Reigns (real name Joe Anoa’i) opened WWE Monday Night RAW in Providence, RI with the shocking news, that he would relinquish the Universal Championship, due to his leukemia that is coming out of its remission.

Reigns said he was first diagnosed with leukemia in 2008 at the age of 22.  The leukemia quickly went into remission but Reigns has still been fighting the disease for the past ten years.

Reigns apologized to the RAW crowd in Providence, RI for not being the fighting champion and workhorse he promised to be.

“That’s all lies and it’s a lie because the reality is my name is Joe and I’ve been living with leukemia for 11 years and unfortunately it’s back,” Reigns said.  “Because the leukemia is back, I can’t fulfill my role. I can’t be that fighting champion and I’m going to have to relinquish the 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 say, “Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and the best thing for me to do is to go home and focus on my health,  But I want to make one thing clear: By no means is this a retirement speech because after I’m done whupping leukemia’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.