Beneath the kayfabe, apart from the politics backstage, and away from the banners of collective promotions, there lies a community that all professional wrestlers belong too. And nothing in recent memory has encapsulated that sense of camaraderie like the overwhelming global support for WWE Superstar and former WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, who last night on Monday Night Raw, relinquished his Universal Championship following the bombshell announcement that not only had he been a cancer survivor for 11 years, but that his cancer – the bone marrow disease leukemia – had returned. While initially, it came from within the WWE Universe, the past 24 hours has seen wrestlers from all promotions and countries pouring their heartfelt support behind “The Big Dog” as he gets ready for the next big fight of his life.
Thank you to everyone who’s reached out…I can’t put into words what it means to me.
Your energy and positivity motivate me to get better quickly to get back in the ring, but for now I’m going to spend time with my family and focus on health.
Thank you – Joe/Roman
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) October 23, 2018
Here’s a sample of the hundreds of messages of support Reigns received in the past day from around the world, from more of his peers in the WWE, to talent from around the world.
A champion transcends any company. @WWERomanReigns, on behalf of NJPW we all wish you a speedy recovery.
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) October 23, 2018
Cheering for you from the opposite side of the globe. Nothing but respect for Roman.
— Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) October 23, 2018
All gimmicks aside, my prayers and thoughts are with you @WWERomanReigns . Much Ofas always Uce
— Tama Tonga (@Tama_Tonga) October 23, 2018
Fight on to victory my courageous brother! pic.twitter.com/wuYAoxa48p
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/RealMickFoley/status/1054588667002544129
A warrior, through and through. @WWERomanReigns, your entire #WWE family stands with you. #ThankYouRoman https://t.co/rJy3xYb1jo
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) October 23, 2018
.@WWERomanReigns The power of the Big Dog is in the heart. The hulkamaniacs, the #wweuniverse and I stand with you. We pray for you and we’ll all be waiting for you to hurry back in good health. Gods got you. Only Love HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) October 23, 2018
On behalf of everyone at ROH, we wish @WWERomanReigns our best and look forward to seeing him come back stronger than ever #ThankYouRoman
— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) October 23, 2018
Only met @WWERomanReigns once or twice in passing, and have only seen and heard of great things about him. Wishing health, strength, and a quick remission. #FuckCancer
— LA Knight (@RealLAKnight) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/WillOspreay/status/1054678615919640579
Hopped on Twitter and saw the news about Roman Reigns. All of professional wrestling is hoping for your good health & speedy recovery, @WWERomanReigns. Good luck, sir.
— Christopher Daniels (@facdaniels) October 23, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpQghizFwED/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=4nqepb1qvqxs
https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/1054535682050478081
I pass a billboard almost daily in Allentown with Roman encouraging passers by to be a great father.
Seeing friends and colleagues post about his character, one that matches that billboard gives me both hope and a hunch that he will beat this and come back better than ever. https://t.co/4vz9j3OY5y
— Ian Riccaboni (@IanRiccaboni) October 23, 2018
RESPECT THE ROMAN #ThankYouRoman
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) October 23, 2018
Please come back stronger … Maybe one day I'll get that dream match uce. @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/a6N2wARJwU
— BIG BRONSON REED (@BRONSONISHERE) October 23, 2018
You will beat this again my friend. All my love to you and your family. @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/4RmK9lf6pp
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) October 23, 2018
Love him or hate him that's some pretty shitty news from @WWERomanReigns and terrible to hear
— Brian Cage (@briancagegmsi) October 23, 2018
😡#FuckCancer https://t.co/seEsZlLvDz
— The Demon Assassin (@WeAreRosemary) October 23, 2018
You will defeat this again@WWERomanReigns
2 out of 3 falls
SuperMan Punch
& Spear
Squash FN Cancer
Much love to you & your family pic.twitter.com/Jao5cs6qy5— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) October 23, 2018
Love, good vibes and support to @WWERomanReigns. You got this. #FUCKCANCER https://t.co/3y7xvNjlWm
— LuFisto (@LuFisto) October 23, 2018
What @WWERomanReigns did on #Raw showed unbelievable grit, courage, and conviction…and he will “whoop it again.”
My thoughts are with you and your family, Joe.— Shane McMahon (@shanemcmahon) October 23, 2018
Aleister Black shares a Roman Reigns story via Facebook pic.twitter.com/qqYiYkUxqE
— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) October 23, 2018
Roman > Leukemia
💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/JordynneGrace/status/1054532400603164672
Devastating news coming from #raw last night, Roman Reigns is an inspiration and a role model for so many around the world inside and outside of this job, thoughts are with him and his family #ThankYouRoman
— Zack Gibson (@ZackGibsonGYV) October 23, 2018
Thoughts and well wishes to @WWERomanReigns and his family at this horrible time. Get well soon and come back stronger Big Dog, you got this! #ThankYouRoman
— JD McDonagh (@jd_mcdonagh) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/IPWUK/status/1054624105553633280
Sending out positive and healing vibes. If anyone can do this, you can. Stay strong #hugs #ThankYouRoman
— Leva Bates (@wrestlingleva) October 23, 2018
WHEN you beat and win this fight! I hope you & I can fight in future!!!Much respect! #thankyouroman https://t.co/4DmPgA37al
— “EL IDOLO” ANDRADE (@AndradeElIdolo) October 23, 2018
Long drive. Really can’t get @WWERomanReigns off my mind. He’s truly the backbone of the entire locker room. I can’t wait to see you back Big Uce. #ThankYouRoman
— Brian Myers (@Myers_Wrestling) October 23, 2018
We would like to wish @WWERomanReigns all of the best in his battle with leukemia.
It's never good news to hear but you've got this champ! https://t.co/VmeqcT709G— AAW Wrestling (@AAWPro) October 23, 2018
It’s so lovely to see the amount of support and love in this. Sending positive thoughts and warmest hugs to Roman and his family. Kick Leukemias’ ass! #ThankYouRoman https://t.co/DIMPPuHT8B
— Vic Haskins💋 (@VickyHaskins) October 23, 2018
Wishing @WWERomanReigns a speedy recovery and swift return.#ThankYouRoman pic.twitter.com/bxP1JwlXO8
— BOOM! Studios (@boomstudios) October 23, 2018
Get well soon, @WWERomanReigns 💪 #ThankYouRoman pic.twitter.com/YHNJB2N2IC
— MSG (@TheGarden) October 23, 2018
