World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) fans were gobsmacked when Roman Reigns announced, on the latest episode of Monday Night Raw, on October 23, that he has been diagnosed with leukaemia (blood cancer). Reigns informed that he has been diagnosed with leukaemia for the last 11 years, and he will be relinquishing his Universal Championship title.

Roman Reigns said, “I feel like I owe everybody an apology. For months, maybe even a whole year I have come out here, and spoke as Roman Reigns and said a lot of things. I said that I’d be here every single week; I said I’d be will be a fighting champion; I will be consistent, and I will be a workhorse. But, that’s all lies. It is a lie because the reality is my real name is Joe and I have been leukaemia for 11 years, and unfortunately, it is back.”

Speaking on relinquishing his Universal Championship, Roman Reigns said, “Because the leukaemia is back, I cannot fulfil my role; I can’t be that fighting champion, and I will have to relinquish the Universal Championship.” The Big Dog informed that he was diagnosed by the disease when he was 22-years-old.

Watch Video Highlights, Monday Night Raw (October 23, 2018): Roman Reigns Informs About Leukaemia (Blood Cancer), Relinquishes Universal Championship.

The expressions of the fans in the arena were a tell-o-tale in itself. The show began with Roman Reigns entering the ring without wearing his Shield gear and took his time in settling down, before delivering the emotional speech.

WWE superstars were seen getting emotional backstage to the news that left fans bemused. Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Paul Heyman, Nia Jax and score of other RAW superstars stood in support and showed solidarity with Roman Reigns.

Watch Video Highlights, Monday Night Raw (October 23, 2018): Here’s What Happened Backstage after Roman Reigns Announced About Leukaemia.

Reigns had recently defeated Brock Lesnar at WWE SummerSlam to win the WWE Universal Championship title for the first time in his career. Recently, he along with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins had reunited to reform their tag-team faction ‘The Shield’. WWE SmackDown LIVE Results & Video Highlights, October 16, 2018: Evolution Reunites, Rey Mysterio Returns on the Blue Brand’s Landmark 1000th Episode!

Roman Reigns has been a top babyface for the company for quite a long time now. It will be interesting to see how WWE carries forward the storylines in his absence. As for Roman Reigns, we wish him well and hope he recovers speedily!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2018 10:57 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).