Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in the pro wrestling world. The Tribal Chief has dominated his opponents, thanks to The Bloodline and his despicable heel antics. Reigns’ run with the Universal Title will see him encompass 1000 days as the Universal Champion on May 27, 2003. However, not everything has been smooth sailing for Reigns during his career.
Before signing with WWE in 2010, Roman Reigns was a professional football player and was a part of the NFL. In May 2007, he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings. However, as his NFL career was about to pick up, it went downhill. During his team physical, it was diagnosed that Reigns had leukemia. As a result, he was released from his NFL team and came back a few months later before quitting football in 2008.
Roman Reigns debuted on the WWE main roster as part of The SHIELD, a devastatingly dangerous group who would take out anyone in their sights. Reigns, along with Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, wreaked havoc on the main roster before parting ways.
In 2018, Reigns was the Universal Champion after defeating Brock Lesnar at Summerslam. While slated to defend the title at Crown Jewel in a Triple Threat match, Reigns announced on the October 22, 2018, episode of RAW that he had leukemia.
Reigns eventually relinquished the title to incredible support from the fans and his peers. After going on his way to get treatment, Roman returned on February 25, 2019, episode of Raw, stating that his leukemia was in remission. The Tribal Chief has since been a mainstay on WWE programming, winning several accolades.
How did Roman Reigns learn about his leukemia for the first time in WWE?
According to Roman Reigns, he has something called chronic myeloid leukemia, which is usually detected during routine bloodwork. However, during an episode of Chronicle on the WWE Network, he stated that it was prior to a live event that some irregularities in his blood work had emerged. Reigns also stated that instead of being called up to talent relations, he was called into the doctor’s office.
“I was at a live event, I believe it was either a Saturday or a Sunday, and I just remember one of our doctors telling me that something was going on with my blood tests. And they wanted to do another one because they thought something was off. So I went in and did another one, and then I remember going to TV on Monday,” added Roman.
He further elaborated, “I remember one of the refs coming up to me, and usually, they’ll be like, ‘You’re needed in TR [Talent Relations], Mark [Carrano] wants to see you.’ And I’m like, ‘ah yeah, whatever. I’ll be there when I get there.’ But this time they’re like, ‘Hey, Dr. Amann, the medical staff want to see you.'”
The Big Dog is BACK! #RomanReigns announces that he is in remission and back on #Raw! @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/yHQdiFH2Ty
— WWE (@WWE) February 26, 2019
Reigns added that the whole crew was there to break the news to him. They stated that his white blood cell count was abnormal, and with his history, they could tell what the matter was. The first thought that crossed Roman Reign’s mind at the time was that he would have to drop the Universal Title. However, the whole episode is behind him, and Reigns has turned himself as perhaps the most important part of the WWE roster.