"Big E's Road to Recovery: Updates on His Neck Injury and Wrestling Comeback"

2023-03-11 08:00:00

Today marks 1 year since Big E suffered a broken neck while teaming with Kofi Kingston for a loss to Sheamus and Ridge Holland on March 11 on SmackDown in Birmingham, Alabama. The injury occurred during a belly-to-belly suplex from Holland at ringside. He hasn’t wrestled since and it was later revealed that he suffered a broken neck with fractures to the C1 and C6 vertebrae. There was no damage to Big E’s spinal cord or ligaments and he did not need surgery.

Big E said last summer he wasn’t sure he would wrestle again. He did work with WWE while injured, such as helping with tryouts, working with NIL athletes, and making personal appearances.

Big E noted in December that he would have scans on his neck at the 1-year-old mark, meaning he’s likely to see the doctors for an evaluation soon. He noted during that December interview that he felt fine and had no nerve issues, no strength issues, and no other impairments due to the injury.

As seen in the video below, TMZ Sports recently caught up with Big E at LAX in Los Angeles and asked him how he was feeling ahead of the upcoming judging.

Big E was asked if he was hesitant to return to the ring, even though he was medically cleared, or if he was ready to return to action.

“I just want to make the best decision,” he said. “I have to see what the scans say, then talk to the doctors, then go from there. »

“But for now, before I know anything, I’m not going to rush to judge or anything, I’m just going to see what everything looks like. »

Big E was then asked if he had any anxiety as he prepared for the upcoming scans. The interviewer pointed out how doctors can tell Big E whether he can wrestle again or not.

“No, no anxiety at all, man,” he said. “Not everything is permanent. So if this ends, cool. If not, cool. What will be will be. I’m good with anything.

Big E was asked if he had a message for people going through similar issues or dealing with uncertainty as he does.

“Yeah, man, I guess for me just… Life will always give you twists and turns that you don’t anticipate and it’s about, I think, doing the best you can with what you’ve got,” he said. he declares. “But man, life is a gift, man. If you’re here and you’re walking, if you’re healthy, you have your family and your friends, you’re blessed. So focus on what you have, not what you don’t have. »