Roman Reigns Drops Out of WrestleMania 36, Replacement Buzz Ensues
Roman Reigns has dropped out of his WWE Universal Championship match at WrestleMania 36 due to concerns over the Coronavirus pandemic.
As reported by Pro Wrestling Sheet, “Sources with knowledge of the situation tell us Reigns expressed to WWE that he didn’t feel comfortable doing anymore of the Performance Center shows during the coronavirus pandemic because he’s immunocompromised from his battle with leukemia and didn’t want to risk his health.”
Reigns went public with his leukemia diagnosis in October 2018 on an episode of Monday Night RAW. He revealed he had previously battled leukemia when he was 22. That evening, he said the cancer had returned and vacated the Universal Championship which he then held. Reigns has since been in remission.
.@WWERomanReigns has to relinquish the Universal Championship due to a battle with leukemia. #Raw pic.twitter.com/EhomllNwjK
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
Reigns was set to face WWE Universal Champion Goldberg next weekend at WrestleMania 36. While a replacement has yet to be confirmed, a number of outlets including Bleacher Report, Forbes and Cultaholic are reporting Braun Strowman will likely be tapped as Goldberg’s new challenger for the Universal Championship.
WrestleMania 36 will be taking place over two nights on Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5. Both nights will begin at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT and be hosted by Rob Gronkowski.
