On Tuesday’s episode of NXT, WWE did a storyline where Ridge Holland “injured” Ilja Dragunov.
This incident was a reference to the real-life injury Holland was part of when Big E suffered a neck injury in 2021 during their SmackDown match.
AEW’s Thunder Rosa shared her thoughts on the angle on Busted Open Radio.
She said: “When you have to run angles when it’s very close to reality … his opponent, of course, was the one who was in the ring when Big E got hurt, and he got hurt fairly badly to the point where it’s an ending career injury. It got intense (on X) because people were calling him [Holland] all kinds of stuff, probably even got death threats, who knows. For me, personally, there are certain things that … they have to have a big payoff and I think you have to be in the ring and you have to sign it with blood. When you’re playing with fire with someone who already has a bad ‘track record,’ it’s going to be difficult. If they label him as an unsafe worker and they then do this and it turns out to be true, what else are they gonna do?”
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In the world of professional wrestling, storylines and angles are a crucial part of the entertainment aspect. However, sometimes these storylines can blur the line between fiction and reality, leading to potential consequences for the wrestlers involved. This was evident in a recent incident on WWE’s NXT, where Ridge Holland “injured” Ilja Dragunov in a storyline that mirrored a real-life injury Holland was involved in.
The incident in question was a reference to a neck injury suffered by Big E during a SmackDown match in 2021, in which Holland was his opponent. The injury was severe enough to potentially end Big E’s career. This real-life injury added an intense layer to the storyline on NXT, with fans reacting strongly and even resorting to sending death threats to Holland.
AEW’s Thunder Rosa recently shared her thoughts on the angle during an interview on Busted Open Radio. She expressed her concerns about running storylines that closely resemble real-life incidents, especially when it involves a wrestler with a “bad track record.” Rosa emphasized the importance of having a big payoff and signing it with blood in the ring when playing with fire in such situations.
Rosa’s comments shed light on the potential risks and challenges that come with blurring the lines between fiction and reality in professional wrestling storylines. When a wrestler already has a reputation for being unsafe in the ring, it becomes even more crucial to handle such storylines carefully to avoid further damage to their image and career.
The incident involving Holland and Dragunov serves as a reminder of the fine line that professional wrestling companies must tread when creating storylines. While these storylines aim to entertain and engage the audience, they should not jeopardize the well-being and reputation of the wrestlers involved.
As fans, it is important to remember that professional wrestling is scripted entertainment, and the performers involved are skilled athletes who prioritize their safety. It is crucial to separate the fictional storylines from the real-life individuals behind them and to show respect and support for the wrestlers, regardless of their roles in the storylines.
In conclusion, the recent incident on WWE’s NXT involving Ridge Holland and Ilja Dragunov highlights the potential risks and challenges that come with blurring the lines between fiction and reality in professional wrestling storylines. Wrestlers like Thunder Rosa raise valid concerns about the impact these storylines can have on a wrestler’s career and reputation. As fans, it is important to remember to separate the fictional storylines from the real-life individuals involved and to support and respect the wrestlers in their craft.