Roman Reigns: The Big Dog wins ESPY Award for emotional WWE return earlier in the year after his battle with Leukemia
Roman Reign’s heart-warming return to the WWE has won the Big Dog the Best WWE Moment at the ESPYs. The former Universal champion took to social media to express his gratitude to the fans for the outpour of support he received during the dark time.
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He wrote:
“Coming back meant more than just returning to the ring. It meant I was healthy enough to show my gratitude for those who sent their prayers, who continually thought about me, and that I was ready to raise awareness. Thank you for all those who voted, it is an honor.”
Hear what @WWERomanReigns had to say after learning that he won the first-ever Best WWE Moment award at the #ESPYS! @WWERollins @BeckyLynchWWE @StephMcMahon @TripleH https://t.co/UeTdXjrKsE
— WWE (@WWE) July 11, 2019
The #BigDog is humbled to be the recipient of the first-ever #ESPY for the #WWEMomentOfTheYear!
@WWERomanReigns @espn pic.twitter.com/5ZZxPGi4Iq
— WWE (@WWE) July 11, 2019
Coming back meant more than just returning to the ring. It meant I was healthy enough to show my gratitude for those who sent their prayers, who continually thought about me, and that I was ready to raise awareness. Thank you for all those who voted, it is an honor. #ESPYS @WWE pic.twitter.com/u2rGTZkVLf
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) July 11, 2019
It was a historic night for @WWE at the #ESPYS and @TripleH couldn’t be more proud for @WWERomanReigns winning the #WWEMomentOfTheYear! @espn pic.twitter.com/FtZGZMNJmT
— WWE (@WWE) July 11, 2019
The tragedy and the comeback
Roman Reigns, a hugely divisive figure in the WWE, walked out as Joe Anoa’I on a Monday night last October. He confessed that he was suffering from Leukemia. It was then that the fans let go of their annoyance at the booking of the Superstar and stood in unison as they empathized with his suffering. The fans finally realized that behind the mask of Roman Reigns, stood a man just like them.
While announcing his sickness Roman had said:
“Sometimes life throws you a curveball”
“But I want to make one thing clear. By no means is this a retirement speech because after I’m done whupping leukemia’s ass, I’m coming back home. And when I do, it’s not going to be about titles and being on top, it’s about a purpose.”
“I’m coming back because I want to show you all at home and my family and my children and my wife that when life throws a curveball at me, I will choke up and I will swing for the fences every single time. I will beat this and I will be back so you will see me very, very soon.”
True to his words, the Big Dog made a heroic return in February earlier this year. However, the former WWE champion has not eased his way in. Instead he has chosen to go through the rigors that every other superstar goes through. Which includes wrestling up to 4 times and travelling every week.
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