WWE star Roman Reigns is set to compete in the UK for the first time since 2019. The Universal Champion was absent from the company’s mini tours late last year and has not travelled to Europe to compete since the start of the Covid pandemic.
The wrestling star has battled leukaemia on two separate occasions and tested positive for Covid at the start of the year. After the news broke last week that WWE would be heading back to British shores for the first time since November, a blockbuster announcement confirmed Reigns will be part of the travelling party.
Following his appearance at London’s O2 Arena on April 29, the Head of the Table will also appear at the live event in Paris the following day. He will headline the events which will feature the likes of Sasha Banks, Sheamus, Sasha banks and Drew McIntyre.
Fans attending WWE Live in London and Paris will also see “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey, Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura and many more. Tickets are available now and can be purchases from Ticketmaster, AXS and Bookings Direct.
Big E was also scheduled to be on WWE’s whistle-stop European tour next month, but he is unlikely to appear after suffering a broken neck on Friday’s episode of SmackDown. The former WWE champion was competing in a tag team match alongside Kofi Kingston against Sheamus and relative newcomer Ridge Holland.
The grappler, real name Ettore Ewen, was involved in a scuffle outside the ring with Holland. The former rugby player attempted to deliver a belly-to-belly suplex to the 2021 Money in the Bank winner, but unfortunately the move was not executed correctly.
Harrowing footage showed Big E land right on his head instead of his back and lay in a heap on the floor near the steel steps. Fans in attendance captured pictures and videos of the multi-time tag team champion being lifted onto a stretcher and carried backstage during an ad break.
The 36-year-old issued an update from the hospital, revealing he has two fractured vertebrae, but said he won't be needing surgery, before thanking everyone for the outpouring of love and support. "Everyone here at UAB (Hospital) has been great," he said.
"But for real, it's meant a ton to me that so many of you have been so kind and reached out, stopped in to see me, texted me.
"I know I sound like a broken record but I feel very grateful and I'm going to be alright."
The European tour will take place four weeks after WrestleMania 38, which will emanate from the AT&T stadium in Dallas, Texas on April 2 and 3.
On the show’s second night, Reigns is scheduled to compete in a champion vs champion match with Brock Lesnar in the main event, with the winner capturing both the WWE and Universal championships.
