~ Get Well Soon Roman Reigns ~

The 33-year-old delivered the shock news to Monday Night Raw - with the crowd visibly moved by his emotional speech.

Reigns, real name Joe Anoa'i told Raw that he has suffered a relapse after battling the illness for 11 years.

Reigns said: "I've been living with leukaemia for 11 years, and unfortunately it's back... I'm going to have to relinquish the Universal Championship."

Reigns, a father of three, opened up the show to declare he must relinquish his Universal title and take time away from the ring.

In an emotional speech, Reigns declared: "I feel like I owe everyone an apology.

"For months, maybe even a whole year, I've come out here as Roman Reigns and said I'd come out here every week, that I'd be a fighting champion, that I was going to be consistent, that I was going to be a workhorse - but that's all lies.

"When I was 22 years old I was diagnosed with this. And very quickly I was able to put it in remission.

"But I'm not going to lie, that was the hardest time of my life. I didn't have a job, I didn't have any money, I didn't have a home and I had a baby on the way and football was done with me.

"But do you want to know who gave me a chance - the team that gave me a chance was the WWE.

"And when I finally made it to the main roster, I was on the road and they put me in front of you, the WWE Universe, and to be honest you all have made my dreams come true.

"And it didn't matter if you cheered me, it didn't matter if you booed me, you've always reacted to me and that is the most important thing and for that I have to say thank you so much.

"But you all know the deal and how life is. Life's not always fair, it's not all peaches and cream. Sometimes life throws you a curve ball.

"And right now, the best thing for me is to go home, focus on my family and my health.

A teary eyed Reigns was joined on the ramp by Shield partners Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose - with Rollins also in tears - before making his way backstage.