Roman Reigns in cancer fight: WWE star reveals battle with leukaemia

WWE star Roman Reigns has stunned wrestling fans around the world after he revealed an ongoing battle with leukaemia has forced him to surrender his Universal Championship title.

The four-time world champion, real name Joe Anoa’i, explained he was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was just 22 years old and he had been in remission.

However, he said its return is now forcing him to step away from the ring effective immediately.

Mr Anoa’i, who made his first venture into wrestling in 2010, apologised to a crowd in Providence, Rhode Island, for not living up to the fighting champion his character is aimed to be.

The 33-year-old, who is a former American football player, told the crowd at Monday Night Raw: “My real name is Joe and I have been living with leukaemia for 11 years.

“Unfortunately it is back and because the leukaemia is back I cannot fulfil my role, I can’t be that fighting champion and I’m going to have to relinquish the Universal Championship.

“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, I have faith.

"When I was 22 years old I was diagnosed with this and very quickly I was able to put it in remission, but I’m not going to lie that was the hardest time of my life.

“I didn’t have job, I didn’t have any money, I didn’t have a home and I had the baby on the way. And football was done with me. But you want to know who gave me a chance?

“The team which gave me a chance was the WWE.”

Mr Anoa’i also told the audience that they have “made my dreams come true” before telling fans that this announcement wasn’t a retirement speech, promising he “will be back”.

Before getting a hug from his partners from The Shield wrestling group, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, he said: “I will beat this and I will be back so you will see me very, very soon.”

Emotional fans took to Twitter to support the wrestling star, who won WWE World Heavyweight Championship three times and the Universal Championship once.

Writer John Canton said: “Very emotional start to Raw with Roman Reigns announcing he has leukaemia and needs to obviously step away from wrestling.

“He gave a great speech, the fans chanted his name and supported him. He gave up the Universal Title. Then he got a hug from his Shield brothers. God bless.”

Others shared their prayers, while Finn Balor said: “He’s a stand-up guy. Inside the ring one of the best I’ve battled with.

“Outside the ring one of the most genuine people I have ever met and learned from. See you soon good brother” he added alongside the hashtag #ThankYouRoman.