Dante Martin was sidelined for eight months following ROH Supercard of Honor 2023, where he suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle.
Martin finally returned to AEW/ROH programming at the end of November.
On a recent edition of the “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, Martin revealed that he didn’t feel the injury when it happened due to the adrenaline rush.
He said, “Luckily, I had the adrenaline going. As soon as it happened, weirdly, I looked at it, and it felt like I was in a dream. I took a Canadian (destroyer) off the top rope through four stacked tables. My left leg hit the ground slightly before my right. I had a broken fibula and a dislocated ankle. Super weird because the first thing I did was look at it, and you can see me roll over to my butt and, I tried to put it back. Doc Sampson, luckily we had Doc come running over, ‘No, no. no, don’t touch it.’ It felt like I was in a dream because I wasn’t feeling anything, the adrenline was going. Originally, I thought of the Anderson Silva leg break. I thought, ‘he did that and fought for another seven or eight years. I think I can wrestle again.’ I go to the hospital and they were super good there. I was out of the hospital in three hours. They put my ankle back in and they hadn’t seen the broken fibula yet, it was just a crack. It was in a compound fracture. I went back and was chilling with everyone, ‘Hey guys, I’m okay.’ I had to wait five days because my leg was in a splint in LA and I ended up flying back, getting another x-ray, ‘Yeah, your fibula is broken as well.’ ‘Ah man, am I going to need surgery?’ ‘Yeah.’ I have a plate and eight screws in there now. Now, I’m feeling 100% and feeling maybe 110% because the titanium is really stronger. It’s almost stronger than my bone. It’s going to be hard to break it again.“
Dante Martin’s Road to Recovery: Overcoming Injury and Returning to the Ring
Professional wrestling is a physically demanding sport that often comes with its fair share of injuries. Athletes put their bodies on the line every time they step into the ring, and unfortunately, injuries are an inevitable part of the job. One wrestler who knows this all too well is Dante Martin.
Following a high-stakes match at the ROH Supercard of Honor 2023, Dante Martin suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle, sidelining him for a grueling eight months. It was a devastating blow for the young wrestler who had been gaining momentum and capturing the attention of fans with his incredible athleticism and high-flying moves.
Martin’s return to AEW/ROH programming at the end of November was met with excitement and anticipation from both fans and fellow wrestlers. However, what many people may not know is that Martin didn’t even realize the extent of his injury when it happened.
In a recent interview on the “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, Martin revealed that the adrenaline rush he experienced during the match masked the pain of his broken fibula and dislocated ankle. He described the surreal feeling he had when he looked at his leg after the injury, saying, “It felt like I was in a dream.”
Despite the severity of his injury, Martin initially believed he could continue wrestling, drawing inspiration from UFC fighter Anderson Silva, who famously broke his leg during a fight but continued to compete for several more years. However, medical professionals quickly intervened and advised against any further attempts to put his ankle back in place.
Martin’s journey to recovery began with a visit to the hospital, where doctors discovered not only a dislocated ankle but also a broken fibula. The injury was more serious than initially thought, requiring surgery to repair. A plate and eight screws were inserted into his leg to stabilize the fracture and aid in the healing process.
The road to recovery was not an easy one for Martin. He had to wait five days with his leg in a splint before he could undergo surgery. However, his positive attitude and determination to return to the ring kept him motivated throughout the process.
After successful surgery and a period of rehabilitation, Martin is now back in action and feeling better than ever. He even jokes that the titanium plate and screws in his leg make it stronger than before, saying, “It’s almost stronger than my bone. It’s going to be hard to break it again.”
Martin’s story serves as a reminder of the resilience and dedication required to succeed in the world of professional wrestling. Despite facing a major setback, he remained focused on his goal of returning to the ring and never lost faith in his ability to overcome adversity.
As fans, we can look forward to seeing Dante Martin continue to showcase his incredible talent and athleticism in the coming months. His story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of wrestlers who are willing to push their bodies to the limit for the love of their craft.