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We all know the world of WWE is scripted from start to finish. Every inch of the show has a writer, producer and even the chairman behind it making sure everything is showcased how it should be.
Just like with any live programming, there are times when the real world takes hold. In WWE's case, it means they have a break from the kayfabe world of WWE and acknowledge real life scenarios. It doesn't happen often, but there have been rare occasions.
That being said, let's take a look at five times WWE was forced to break kayfabe.
#5 Roman Reigns reveals his battle with leukemia live on WWE RAW
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October 22, 2018 will be a date that no WWE fan will ever forget.
Then-Universal Champion Roman Reigns came to the ring on Monday Night RAW to make a major announcement. Reigns revealed that he had been privately battling leukemia for eleven years and it had, sadly, returned after being in remission.
WWE allowed Roman to go to the ring, break kayfabe, and speak as his true self, as Joe Anoaʻi. It was a heartbreaking moment for everyone involved, and it brought members of the WWE Universe in attendance to tears. It even brought fellow Shield member Seth Rollins to tears as he hugged Reigns on the entrance ramp.
It was a surreal night, and it was quite clear what it meant next for Roman Reigns. He relinquished his Universal Championship and went off to seek treatment. He spoke to Good Morning America the day after he gave the update to the WWE Universe:
"I was nervous last night, though. I don’t even get nervous. I’m fine right now. Main events at WrestleMania, all good. But last night, I think because it was so close to the vest, the perfectionist came out in me, the OCD came out. But everybody was so great. The love through this whole process, the support is what was really overwhelming." Roman Reigns said. (h/t Sports Illustrated)
Of course, just four months later, Roman Reigns returned to RAW to confirm he was once again in remission. It was a moment of relief for everyone involved. Roman was back. Hopefully this will be the last of it for The Tribal Chief and he can go on to continue having a fulfilled life.
#4 Vince McMahon broke kayfabe to cancel his own storyline
Monday Night RAW on June 25, 2007 opened with an empty arena, and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon stood in the ring. The show was supposed to be a memorial for Mr. McMahon's character, who had been last seen in an exploding limosine just a few weeks before.
The chairman looked into the hard camera and told everyone watching at home that Chris Benoit and his family had been found dead at their home. He confirmed that his storyline had been scrapped and that the show would proceed as a tribute to Benoit.
While the tragic event was not yet clear when WWE aired the tribute, the following night on WWE ECW, Vince McMahon made another statement to confirm there would never be mention of Chris Benoit's name again.
#3 A number of WWE superstars have broke kayfabe to confirm they are retiring from the ring
Many of the saddest moments as WWE fans have come when one of our favorite superstars has been forced to retire. The majority of the time, the announcements have come out nowhere, which has shocked the WWE Universe.
The Rated R Superstar Edge announced his in-ring retirement in 2011, Daniel Bryan announced his in 2016 and Paige in 2018. Edge and Bryan made a return to the ring years later, but Paige has yet to return as of this writing.
The speeches given during their segments were all from the heart, and WWE allowed the superstars involved to break character.
#2 WWE broke kayfabe to provide updates on Jerry Lawler following his on-screen heart attack
It was one of the scariest nights in WWE history on September 10, 2012. WWE color commentator Jerry Lawler suffered a near-fatal cardiac arrest whilst commentating with Michael Cole. Lawler had featured in a match earlier in the night, but began to wheeze and breathe heavily whilst sitting at the announce desk before collapsing. WWE medical personnel immediately attended to him.
WWE panned to Michael Cole after the incident and broke kayfabe to provide the news that "The King" had collapsed. He confirmed it was not part of the night's presentation and there was no further commentary for the rest of the show. Jerry Lawler later made a recovery and survived after suffering a cardiac arrest.
#1 WWE commentator broke kayfabe to announce Owen Hart had passed away
Tragedy struck at the Over the Edge pay-per-view in 1998. Whilst Owen Hart was due to make a grand entrance from the rafters, the safety latch gave way and Hart fell into the ring. The incident occurred just prior to his match and a video promo was being aired in the arena and to fans at home.
Despite the incident, Vince McMahon declared that the show must continue despite the heartbreaking situation.
Later in the show, the camera crossed to Jim Ross at the commentary table who announced that Owen Hart had died. Ross reiterated that this was a real-life incident and Owen Hart had tragically passed away.
