Stars Showed Support For Roman Reigns After His Leukemia Announcement

The world is still reeling after Roman Reigns broke character on Monday night and spoke from the heart on his decade-long battle with leukemia. He ensured his announcement wasn’t a retirement speech before sharing that leukemia had returned and he’d have to relinquish the WWE Universal championship.

Shortly after Reigns, with tears in his eyes, stood for one final Shield pose next to Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, the former champion was greeted backstage by the likes of Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Paul Heyman, Braun Strowman and Titus O’Neil.

As #ThankYouRoman took over Twitter, superstars, legends and the sports world took to social media to show support for Reigns.

Members of the WWE roster, including Vince McMahon, shared their support for Reigns immediately following his announcement:

A warrior, through and through. @WWERomanReigns, your entire #WWE family stands with you. #ThankYouRoman https://t.co/rJy3xYb1jo

— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) October 23, 2018

We been here for u, and will stay here for u. Day one uce. We love you. @WWERomanReigns #ThankYouRoman pic.twitter.com/eszthQWPAC

— The Usos (@WWEUsos) October 23, 2018

‘Courage – strength in the face of pain or grief.’ You have given us your everything including a courageously vulnerable moment. We, your WWE family, give you all of our love and support. #ThankYouRoman #NeverGiveUp

— John Cena (@JohnCena) October 23, 2018

@WWERomanReigns’ success was something I aspired for myself since he was an all-conference DT at Georgia Tech over a decade ago. I think of how much he’s achieved but far more importantly, I think of his family & loved ones. All the love and strength in beating this, Big Uce.

— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) October 23, 2018

Thank you Roman for showing us what a real warrior looks like. Sending many prayers to you and your family!! We’ll all be waiting for you to come back home to #RAW -B

— Nikki & Brie (@NikkiAndBrie) October 23, 2018

You’re in our thoughts & prayers Joe. You are our Superman! Forever and always! You have an army people standing behind you ready to support and fight with you!💛N

— Nikki & Brie (@NikkiAndBrie) October 23, 2018

Whether you bleed blue or bleed red, we are family. Whether you work in the United States or you work in Japan, we are all family.

Roman we stand next to you as we watch you give the… https://t.co/y4pXm54XIq

— The Miz (@mikethemiz) October 23, 2018

WWE legends, such as Jim Ross, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Ric Flair, Bret Hart and Mick Foley shared their best wishes as well:

https://twitter.com/real_steamboat/status/1054871824478158848

.@WWERomanReigns you were blessed with the DNA to defeat all enemies.

Including leukemia! 🙏 https://t.co/tYJYXKI200

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) October 23, 2018

@WWERomanReigns My Family And I Are Thinking Of You And Are Keeping You In Our Prayers! We Are Here For You! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) 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

Reigns’ alma mater Georgia Tech, the legendary Madison Square Garden, and wrestling companies Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling also sent a public display of support to Reigns:

Standing strong behind Yellow Jacket, Joe Anoa’i – also known as @WWERomanReigns. Keep fighting, champ. https://t.co/boFkHB0n3g

— Georgia Tech (@GeorgiaTech) 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

A champion transcends any company. @WWERomanReigns, on behalf of NJPW we all wish you a speedy recovery.

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) October 23, 2018

Get well soon, @WWERomanReigns 💪 #ThankYouRoman pic.twitter.com/YHNJB2N2IC

— MSG (@TheGarden) October 23, 2018

Reigns later took to Twitter to thank everyone for their well-wishes:

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

Fightful also shared an emotional story Aleister Black shared on his personal Facebook page detailing how Reigns helped him realize he belongs in WWE.