Roman Reigns may be out of action for WWE for a long time due to the coronavirus, according to a report by the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer.
Roman Reigns confirmed yesterday that he pulled out of the WrestleMania 36 tapings last week, which will air this weekend, a decision which he made not only for himself but for his family as well.
Reigns’ past battles with leukaemia mean he has a weaker immune system than most people, so he is more perceptible to the coronavirus. No one can fault him for not wanting to participate in wrestling during these unprecedented times.
Another superstar will now fill up his spot in the Universal Championship match against Goldberg at this year’s Showcase of Immortals, and that superstar will likely be revealed on Friday Night SmackDown later this week.
While no one should criticise Reigns for his decision, according to the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer, The Big Dog could miss more WWE shows than just WrestleMania. In fact, he could be out of ring action for some time.
Meltzer said, via WhatCulture, that The Big Dog could be absent from WWE for a ‘long time’, adding: "This is not about WrestleMania, this is about long after WrestleMania."
The Wrestling Observer also said Reigns' absence could last beyond the point where ‘we're going out to restaurants again’ and may not return until a vaccine to combat coronavirus is created, which could take as long as 18 months to develop according to medical experts.
While the news of Reigns possibly being absent from WWE for some time will be disappointing for many WWE fans, long-term health must come first for him since he is immunocompromising following his past battles with leukaemia.
Reigns said in an Instagram video on Monday where he confirmed he would be missing WrestleMania 36: “For all my fans, I’m sorry I didn’t get to compete this year and put on a show and entertain … but sometimes things are more important and I had to make a choice for me and my family.
“No matter what, you already know the deal, man. I made the town, you know what I mean? I made it to Orlando. And I had to make a decision for me. But it doesn’t take anything away from what I’ve done and what I’m going to do. I still love this game. I still love pro wrestling, sports entertainment. I love being in the ring.
“It’s a little weird being in the ring with nobody watching, nobody in the arena, but, man … I’m ready to get back to work. And I’m just taking these times, this little bit of time we have, to build up the outside … and come as close as possible to perfecting the inside.”
WWE will likely announce The Big Dog’s replacement in the Universal title match vs Goldberg at WrestleMania on Friday Night SmackDown, and most reports have stated his replacement will be Braun Strowman.