While appearing on a recent episode of the “Sarah O’Connell Show,” Big E was asked about a potential return to the ring in WWE.
Big E has been on the sidelines after he suffered a neck injury when he landed on his head following a belly-to-belly suplex from Ridge Holland on an episode of WWE SmackDown in 2022.
The New Day member said, “It’s one of those things where I just want to make the right decision. I’m so thankful that I feel so good. In my day-to-day life, I have no restrictions. In my day-to-day life, I don’t even feel like someone who had a broken neck, but I broke my C1 in two places, and it’s something you often see in diving accidents, when people are diving into shallow pools or surfaces with no water, and they end up coming down on their head. Oftentimes, that is fatal for so many people. I talked to a few doctors, one who did the surgery for Tyson Kidd, who had a very severe neck injury. I also talked to the doctor they sent me to at USF. Both doctors were like, ‘Hey, please don’t wrestle.’ Almost begging.”
He continued, “So it’s just one of those things where I’m 37 now, I started wrestling when I was 23. I think about the long list of injuries that I’ve had, most of them from playing football. I’ve torn my left ACL, I’ve torn my right ACL, broken my right patella, torn my right patella, tore my left meniscus, tore my left pec, herniated disc in my back, a herniated disc in my neck, and broken my neck in three places. I’ve done a lot to my body over the years. It’s something that I’ve really loved. I’ve loved being in the ring, I’ve loved being an athlete. But at 37 now, I also think about what life is going to look like in 10 years, what life is going to look like at 50, at 60. I want to live a good life. I don’t want to be trapped in a broken vessel. So for me, it’s just making the right decision. No door has been permanently closed or permanently opened or any of those things. No decision has really officially been made yet. But we’ll see. I’m really thankful for health, for life, for being in such a good place, and I just want to make the best decision for myself, so we’ll see.”
Big E, a prominent WWE superstar and member of The New Day, recently discussed his potential return to the ring after suffering a neck injury in 2022. During an appearance on the “Sarah O’Connell Show,” Big E opened up about the severity of his injury and the considerations he is taking into account before making a decision.
The injury occurred when Big E landed on his head following a belly-to-belly suplex from Ridge Holland during an episode of WWE SmackDown. The impact resulted in a broken C1, a serious injury often seen in diving accidents. Big E emphasized the potential fatality of such injuries and shared that multiple doctors have advised him against returning to wrestling.
One of the doctors he consulted was the same surgeon who performed surgery on Tyson Kidd, who also suffered a severe neck injury. The other doctor was recommended by WWE and expressed similar concerns. Both medical professionals urged Big E not to wrestle, almost pleading with him to prioritize his long-term health and well-being.
At 37 years old, Big E has had an extensive list of injuries throughout his career, many of which were sustained during his time playing football. He has torn both ACLs, broken his patella, torn his meniscus, torn his pec, herniated discs in his back and neck, and now broken his neck in three places. Reflecting on these injuries and considering his age, Big E is contemplating what his life will look like in the future.
He expressed his desire to live a good life and not be trapped in a broken vessel. While he loves being in the ring and being an athlete, he is also concerned about the toll it may take on his body as he ages. Big E wants to make the best decision for himself and is carefully weighing the potential risks and rewards of returning to wrestling.
Despite the doctors’ recommendations and his own concerns, Big E has not made a final decision regarding his return to the ring. He emphasized that no door has been permanently closed or opened, leaving the possibility open for a comeback. Ultimately, he wants to prioritize his health and make a decision that will allow him to live a fulfilling life beyond wrestling.
Fans of Big E and the WWE will have to wait and see what the future holds for the talented superstar. In the meantime, Big E remains grateful for his health, life, and being in a good place. He is taking the necessary time to evaluate his options and make a decision that aligns with his long-term well-being.