In the world of professional wrestling, the risks and dangers of the sport are undeniable. WWE superstars put their bodies on the line every time they step into the ring, aiming to entertain the fans with their high-flying acrobatics and powerful moves.
But these stunts come with a price, and the history of WWE is marked by several severe injuries that have not only altered the careers of the wrestlers but also changed their lives forever.
1. Owen Hart: Blunt Force Trauma
In 1999, during the Over the Edge pay-per-view event, tragedy struck the WWE when Owen Hart, scheduled to face The Godfather for the Intercontinental Championship, fell to his death during an entrance stunt.
Harness malfunction caused Hart to fall 78 feet deep chest first into the ring, resulting in internal bleeding and blunt force trauma after his aorta was severed from the fall.
This rare case of a wrestler dying in a WWE ring stands as one of the worst injuries in the history of the sport, not only for its severity but also for the tragic loss of a beloved wrestler.
2. Droz: Paralyzing Neck Injury
During a SmackDown taping in 1999, Darren Drozdov, known as Droz in the ring, faced off against D'Lo Brown in a match that resulted in a horrendous injury.
Brown attempted a powerbomb that went horribly awry, leading Drozdov to fall onto his head and fracture two discs in his neck.
This injury not only derailed his career but left him paralyzed, showcasing the level of danger that wrestlers face in every match.
3. Seth Rollins: Torn ACL
In 2015, Seth Rollins, a prominent wrestler in WWE at the time, suffered a career-altering injury during a non-televised match against Kane.
Seth Rollins provides update on his injury: “Dodged a bullet the ACL is intact, the MCL will heal with time, I’m hoping to be back at full strength in around a month, [that’s] my kinda timeline. We’re gonna take it day-to-day, I’d like to be back in a month, I don’t wanna walk… pic.twitter.com/Sp12JgRpmU
— NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW news (@nodqdotcom) January 24, 2024
Rollins tore three of his ligaments, including his ACL, leading to an immediate sidelining and the subsequent vacation of his WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
This injury not only impacted Rollins' career but also disrupted the wrestling landscape, highlighting the physical toll that comes with performing at the highest level in the sport.
4. Shawn Michaels: Two Herniated Discs
During a casket match against The Undertaker at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view in 1998, Shawn Michaels suffered a seemingly innocuous blow when he was thrown outside the ring with a back body drop.
But this resulted in two herniated discs in his spine, forcing him to initially retire from wrestling.
The severity of the injury caused Michaels to miss a significant portion of his prime, leaving fans to ponder the potential classics and the overall impact he could have had on WWE during that period.
5. Joey Mercury: Broken Nose and Facial Injury
During a fatal four-way Tag Team Title Ladder Match at the Armageddon pay-per-view in 2006, Joey Mercury endured a gruesome injury when a ladder struck him in the face, causing a broken nose, four fractures in his nose and orbital bone, and significant blood loss.
This facial injury not only derailed Mercury's career but also led to his eventual release from WWE.
The incident stands as a sobering reminder of the physical toll and career-threatening risks that wrestlers face in ladder matches and extreme environments.
On the whole, the history of WWE is marked by several severe injuries that have had a profound impact on the professional wrestling industry.
From tragic fatalities to career-ending injuries and life-altering physical trauma, these incidents serve as a stark reminder of the risks and dangers that come with performing as a WWE superstar.
While the scripted nature of the sport may sometimes overshadow the real physical toll it takes on the wrestlers, these worst injuries in WWE history stand as a testament to the sacrifices and challenges faced by those who step into the squared circle.
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