Roman Reigns is cancer free and returning to WWE.
The 33-year-old Reigns, whose real name is Joe Anoaʻi, announced the news on “Monday Night Raw” at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. It is his first appearance in a WWE ring in a little more than four months since he broke the news his leukemia had returned, he was relinquishing the Universal Championship and stepping away from wrestling. He’s now healthy and ready to restart his wrestling career.
“The good news is I’m in remission, y’all,” said Reigns, dressed in a tank top that said “We fight. We overcome. We believe.” “So with that being said, the Big Dog is back.”
The crowd was loud and behind Reigns from the minutes his music hit. He went back up the ramp and around the ring to slap as many hands as possible — stopping at one point to hug his family and take it all in before entering the ring. He did not immediately address his status for WrestleMania 35 on April 7 at MetLife Stadium, just saying “we will get to that later.”
Reigns told the fans he missed them and thanked them for their support from the minute he announced his cancer had returned. He had been scared to initially tell the world about his condition, because he didn’t know how they would react. Reigns was touched by the overwhelming response and joked that God’s voicemail was full from all those who reached out.
“I truly believe he was in his head thinking like, ‘Man. What is going on down there, all for this one guy. All these people.’ That was how strong it was. That was the magnitude of being surrounded by y’all’s love and ya’ll’s grace.”
He said he returns to WWE with a new purpose and new mission. Being at the top and winning championships remains important, but he has a greater goal now.
“I’m going to use this platform, this giant WWE platform that is global and the whole world can see, I’m going to us it to raise awareness and I’m going to use it to support those in need just like I was.”
Reigns, who had previously been a polarizing figure with fans, had kept a low profile since revealing his 11-year battle with the disease to the world. There was news he was dabbling in acting during his time away from the ring. He is set to appear in in his cousin Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s new movie “Hobbs & Shaw” this summer and has a guest role on Nickelodeon’s “Cousins for Life” show in March.
Back in October, Reigns told WWE fans it wouldn’t be the last time they would see him and that he would ultimately return to the ring.
“By no means is this a retirement speech,” Reigns said. “Because after I’m done whooping leukemia’s a– once again, I’m coming back home.”
The WWE grand slam champion had struggled to win favor with the company’s audience despite main eventing the past four WrestleManias because they felt he was being forced on them. But his real life story appears to have struck a chord with fans, making him a figure of courage, strength and hope. The fans on Monday chanted “Welcome back!” and “This is your yard!”
