In an interview with Comicbook.com in promotion for the Marine 6, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels spoke about Roman Reigns’ battle with leukemia. This battle forced him to drop the Universal Title and take time off from the WWE.

“It’s someone in your line work, a person that you know, a person that you understand is a leader of this locker room, a leader of this generation, a role that once you have played or have seen other people play and understanding that that guy is going through something tough. And for us, that’s when it gets real,” said Michaels.

HBK continued by stating that they live in a constant world of make-believe and that it’s the greatest thing in the world because it allows none of them to grow up and become adults. However, there are times where real life comes in an throws you something in your face that makes you understand that real life does happen. Thus, he thinks that it also teaches people to appreciate the time that we have with each other.

“To understand that that’s something he’s fought through before, that was a revelation I don’t think anyone knew about. It’s encouraging on one hand, but it helps you understand and get to know him. He could have used that to help in the wrestling business to help him get over.”

Michaels continued by stating that this battle is something the human being that he is didn’t want out in public as he just wanted to put that behind him. Instead, he wants to be himself, go on his own ability and be judged on that. HBK added that it speaks to the real character behind that young man.