JD McDonagh is optimistic about his return to the wrestling ring at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas next month.
McDonagh was sidelined after sustaining a punctured lung and broken ribs due to a miscalculated moonsault in January.
On the “Insight” podcast recently, McDonagh updated fans on his recuperation, saying he plans to make a return to the ring in approximately a month.
Here are some of the key take-aways from his appearance on the podcast:
McDonagh on his thoughts during the injury: “The healing process takes time, but I’m feeling much better now. My lungs and ribs are recovering. Right now, it’s just a matter of waiting for my bones to knit back together. In the event of the injury, I was more focused on my next breath as it was pretty much an out-of-body experience. It wasn’t about finishing the match, it was about taking in the situation, assessing my abilities and moving to the next step. As long as I could move and breathe, I was ready to get back in the ring.”
McDonagh on his interaction with the medical team: “Initially, I thought it was just cracked ribs. I felt like my ribs on this side were crunching, like Rice Krispies under my skin. I knew something was off, but I assumed I was just winded from hitting the table. Adrenaline helped me power through. I was determined to continue participating in the match, especially since it was an important one for the Tag Team Titles and our first few weeks on Netflix. When the medic came to examine me, I assured them I was fine and ready to go.”
Focusing on his treatment: “My treatment involved inserting a tube between the ribs into the chest cavity, to help drain out the blood and air leaking from the punctured lung. I was on a suction pump for about a day, then moved to a machine with less suction. Eventually, the tubes were removed once my lung started staying inflated. Surprisingly enough, if the incident had happened in a different state, I’d still be on my way home as I wasn’t allowed to fly. WWE looked after me well, bringing my wife up and extending my hotel and transport facilities.”
Discussing his return plans: “I would have loved to be back already. Watching everyone else tour Europe while I stay at home has been tough. Ideally, I hope to be back within a month but that’s what we’re working towards and I hope that aligns with what the WWE doctors say.”
In another recent “Impaulsive” podcast episode, Logan Paul revealed his disappointment at being booed by fans in his hometown of Cleveland while he’s feuding with AJ Styles on the RAW brand. He expressed his frustrations backstage to Bruce Prichard and reflected on the power of audience manipulation. He also noted his preference for being a heel (villainous) rather than a babyface (heroic) in the wrestling narrative.