• OLD SCHOOL VIDEO HISTORY (October 22, 1983) – WWF Championship Wrestling
On this day in 1983, the World Wrestling Federation aired an episode of their weekly TV show ‘WWF Wrestling Challenge’.
This episode was pre-taped at the Agricultural Hall in Allentown, Pennsylvania and featured matches, interviews & storyline segments involving the 1983 WWF Superstars.
Here’s the card:
– Rocky Johnson vs. Butcher Vachon
– Tito Santana vs. Tony Colon
– Ivan Putski vs. Bill Dixon
– The Masked Superstar vs. Steve King
– Sgt. Slaughter vs. Rocco Verona
– The Invaders vs. Isreal Matia & Bill Berger
• Wrestling World Reacts To Roman Reigns’ Battle With Leukemia
As we noted earlier tonight, “The Big Dog” Roman Reigns relinquished the Universal Championship in the opening segment of RAW because he has been living with leukemia for 11 years and it’s back.
Below is what WWE posted regarding this:
“In the opening moments of Raw, Roman Reigns emerged to announce that he had been living with leukeimia for 11 years and the disease’s return would force him to relinquish the Universal Championship and take a leave of absence from WWE.
Dressed in street clothes, The Big Dog mingled briefly with fans at ringside before dropping the persona of Roman Reigns to address the WWE Universe as Joe and detail his history of living with leukemia.
In an emotional but optimistic address, Reigns recounted his initial diagnosis and remission in late 2008 and thanked the WWE Universe for making his dreams come true. He said he was going to go home to focus on his family and health, but made one thing clear on the way out: “This is by no means a retirement speech.”
Speaking of the “faith” that had carried him through his life, Reigns promised the WWE Universe that he would return to “swing for the fences” at whatever curveballs life threw at him, with a final sign-off before a tearful embrace with The Shield atop the ramp: “I will beat this, and I will be back, so you will see me very, very soon.””
Below is how the wrestling world reacted to this sad news:
@WWERomanReigns My Family And I Are Thinking Of You And Are Keeping You In Our Prayers! We Are Here For You! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) October 23, 2018
Fight on to victory my courageous brother! pic.twitter.com/wuYAoxa48p
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) October 23, 2018
Thank you @WWERomanReigns, we are with you! #ThankYouRoman #RAW
— Booker T. Huffman (@BookerT5x) October 23, 2018
An amazing human being, an incredible performer & a man I’m proud to be friends with. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. Get well soon, champ! #ThankYouRoman https://t.co/jL1Q5dVvzs
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) October 23, 2018
Just saw the @WWERomanReigns news. Absolutely heartbreaking. Roman is one of nicest guys I have ever met in this business and was a pleasure every time I had the pleasure to work with him. My best wishes to him!
— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) October 23, 2018
We been here for u, and will stay here for u. Day one uce. We love you. @WWERomanReigns #ThankYouRoman pic.twitter.com/eszthQWPAC
— The Usos (@WWEUsos) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/VickieGuerrero/status/1054552926926987269
♥️ THANKYOU, @WWERomanReigns. Praying for you and your family.
— THE LOWKEY LEGEND. NATTIE. (@NatbyNature) October 23, 2018
Nothing but love and respect for @WWERomanReigns
I’ve really enjoyed working together over the past year, I can’t wait till he’s back kicking ass where he belongs. Thoughts and prayers are with you 🙏 ❤️— TJ Wilson (@TJWilson) October 23, 2018
His real name is Joe & he’s a stand up guy! Inside the ring one of the best I’ve battled with. Outside the ring one of the most genuine people I have ever met & learned from. See you soon good brother #ThankYouRoman ( ..and he smells great)
— Finn Bálor (@FinnBalor) October 23, 2018
My heart right now …. Prayers for @WWERomanReigns 😞🙏🏻 https://t.co/9sqk0KfFnP
— Lexi (Kaufman) Cabrera (@AlexaBliss_WWE) October 23, 2018
— Dean “Mojo” Muhtadi (@MojoMuhtadi) October 23, 2018
There is no doubt you are going to beat this again! Wishing you a speedy recovery champ! @WWERomanReigns #thankyouroman https://t.co/LvZ2Osdlji
— Roderick Strong (@roderickstrong) October 23, 2018
@WWERomanReigns’ success was something I aspired for myself since he was an all-conference DT at Georgia Tech over a decade ago. I think of how much he’s achieved but far more importantly, I think of his family & loved ones. All the love and strength in beating this, Big Uce.
— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) October 23, 2018
Strongest thoughts and wishes with @WWERomanReigns – no one stronger and no one more capable of beating this. #ThankYouRoman
— Matthew Rehwoldt – TNA's The Drama King (@DramaKingMatt) October 23, 2018
Good luck and here is to seeing you soon #BigDog @WWERomanReigns https://t.co/x04mcBQN6T
— Athena is ROH & All Elite! (@AthenaPalmer_FG) October 23, 2018
#ThankYouRoman
My aunt also had Leukemia. I hope you get better soon, Roman!! https://t.co/YVrrijai7N— Kairi Sane (@KAIRI_official) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/_StarDESTROYER/status/1054527614986141696
Thank you Roman 🙌 my love and prayers go out to you and your family 💜 we are with you!
— Daria Rae Berenato (@TheDariaRae) October 23, 2018
About to board my flight to Newark and hearing news about my #GoodBrother and one of the hardest working, strongest brothers I know @WWERomanReigns , got a pit in my stomach.
My family throwing so many prayers at you..
Love you bro.— Karl Anderson (@MachineGunKA) October 23, 2018
Sending my thoughts and prayers your way @WWERomanReigns … Thank you and stay strong! 🙏🏻🙌🏼
— Mandy (@mandysacs) October 23, 2018
— Mella Is Money 🤑 (@CarmellaWWE) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/KingRicochet/status/1054531826344251396
https://twitter.com/DashWilderWWE/status/1054531414480297984
You’re our Universal Champion. We are with you every step of the way brother.
— Shawn Spears™️ (@ShawnSpears) October 23, 2018
If there's anyone that can beat this, it's @WWERomanReigns. Thank you for everything. @WWE
— Mustafa Ali (@MustafaAli_X) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/RealMikeBennett/status/1054531269286076417
He’s our locker room leader.
He IS the business.
He’ll be back.
You got this, champ. #ThankYouRoman
— Bollywood Boyz (@BollywoodBoyz) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/WWE_Murphy/status/1054533361807646720
You got this homie 🙏🏼 #ThankYouRoman
— Samuray Del Sol® “Manny $” (@gloat) October 23, 2018
I'm overseas and I just heard the terrible news about @WWERomanReigns and his battle with Leukemia. Totally shocked. Uce, you are a tough bastard and a true fighter, and you will beat this.
Lots of love.— Sami Zayn (@SamiZayn) October 23, 2018
Our job gives us the ability to portray larger than life characters who possess super human qualities and characteristics.
After hearing his story it's very apparent that Joe Anoa'i is just as much of a superhero as "Roman Reigns" is.#ThankYouRoman
— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) October 23, 2018
My prayers are with you & your family @WWERomanReigns ❤️🙏 #ThankYouRoman
— Jessica McKay (@JessicaMcKay) October 23, 2018
Wow…that's a lot to take in. Strength and well wishes. https://t.co/B7LOAvONK9
— Loving Lee (@RealKeithLee) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/Zelina_VegaWWE/status/1054535189618192384
https://twitter.com/CandiceLeRae/status/1054540748648050689
Roman Reigns exemplifies everything I believe a true leader should be.
Proud to have shared a locker room with him, and I’ll be proud to share it with him again after he wins this battle.#ThankYouRoman
— Chad Gable (@WWEGable) October 23, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Roman and his entire family. @WWERomanReigns you aren’t a Superstar falling but a Superhero that will continue to inspire those fighting illness alongside you.
— MariaKanellisBennett (@MariaLKanellis) October 23, 2018
Love ya Uce🙏
— Dango (@DirtyDangoCurty) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/1054545004352352256
Love you @wweromanreigns You taught me so much about what it means to be a superstar here. Can’t wait to see you back ❤️
— Último Moné (@MercedesVarnado) October 23, 2018
Thank you Roman for showing us what a real warrior looks like. Sending many prayers to you and your family!! We’ll all be waiting for you to come back home to #RAW -B
— Nikki & Brie (@NikkiAndBrie) October 23, 2018
You’re in our thoughts & prayers Joe. You are our Superman! Forever and always! You have an army people standing behind you ready to support and fight with you!💛N
— Nikki & Brie (@NikkiAndBrie) October 23, 2018
