Wrestling star Roman Reigns has revealed that he is being forced to give up his Universal Championship title because he has leukaemia.
The four-time world champion stunned fans and fellow wrestlers on Monday Night Raw when he announced he was stepping away from the ring.
Reigns, whose real name is Joe Anoa'i, said he was diagnosed with the disease when he was just 22-years-old and that he had been in remission.
But the 33-year-old former American football player said it had returned, which meant he could not "be that fighting champion" his character is aimed to be.
The world of WWE took to social media to support the star, who made his first venture into wrestling in 2010.
John Cena wrote on Twitter: "‘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."
Bayley added: "Thank you @WWERomanReigns for always sharing your mind, passing along your knowledge, and opening up your heart to the entire locker room.
"Always reminding us that we are a family. We will all be waiting with open arms when you get back."
Tama Tonga put his Twitter spat with Reigns aside and said: "All gimmicks aside, my prayers and thoughts are with you @WWERomanReigns. Much Ofas always Uce."
Other emotional messages in support of Reigns, who won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship three times and the Universal Championship once, include English wrestler Joseph Conners who wrote: "Very sad to wake up to the news of @WWERomanReigns & his battle with illness.
"The man has been a Champion inside and out of the ring, know that everyone has your back and look forward to when you return. Best wishes."
Apollo Crews added: "Thank you for everything @WWERomanReigns. You are truly an inspiration to all of us. Can’t wait to have you back!"
Daniel Bryan wrote: "I’ve never seen the air sucked out of a locker room like it was tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with Roman and his family."
Who is Roman Reigns?
Roman Reigns, whose real name is Joe Anoa'i, has been wrestling since 2010 when he was signed by WWE to Florida Championship Wrestling.
Prior to his wrestling career he was a professional American football player with stints playing fo the Minnesota Vikings, Jackonsville Jaguars and the Edmonton Eskimos.
He made his WWE debut in November 2012 alongside Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins as The Shield wrestling group.
Mr Anoa'i, born in Florida,is a four-time world champion, having won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship title three times and the Universal Championship once.
The 33-year-old is part of the influential Anoa'i family wrestling dynasty, whose famous members include Rikishi and The Rock, while his father and brother were WWE wrestlers.
During his announcement he revealed that he has been battling leukaemia for the past 11 years.
He told the crowd at Monday Night Raw that he was first diagnosed with the disease when he was just 22-years-old but had been in remission.
