Roman Reigns Diagnosed With Cancer…Relinguishes Title

It was an emotional evening for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) fans worldwide as the current WWE Universal Champion, Joseph Leati Anoa’I popularly known as Roman Reigns relinguished his chapionship and has taken a leave of absence as he battles Leukemia.

Reigns who spoke on Monday Night Raw to a bewildered crowd explained that he was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 22 but it had been in remission “unfortunately it is back I cannot fulfil my role. I can’t be that fighting champion and I’m going to have to relinguish the universal championship...I will beat this and I will be back, you you will see me very, very  soon.”

The 33- year - old former American football player fondly called ‘The Big Dog’ who made his first venture into wrestling in 2010 revealed that he has been living with leukemia for 11 years. Reigns who would have defended the title in a triple threat match against Brawn Strowman and Brock Lesnar at WWE Crown Jewel on November 2 in Saudi Arabia is a four time world champion.

Reigns is taking his battle with Leukemia public in an effort to raise awareness and funds for research in order to advance cures for the disease.

Reigns is the second universal champion to relinguish the belt for health reasons. Finn Balor who defeated Seth Rollins at the 2016 Summer Slam was the first to to become the first –ever universal champion but suffered a shioulder injury in the match that ended his title after one day.