Recently on the “Insight With Chris Van Vliet” podcast, Lex Luger shared his experiences of becoming paralyzed in 2007 and how he was supported through the harrowing ordeal by none other than Diamond Dallas Page (DDP). Here are some notable moments from the discussion:
Luger recounted the moment he woke up to being immobilized: “I had this intense, unbearable pain between my shoulder blades – but in the world of football and wrestling, aches and pains are more common than uncommon. But this felt different. Stranded in my hotel room, I woke up in debilitating pain. Despite attempts to get to the phone for help, I crashed to the floor due to the excruciating pain.”
Recollecting the nightmarish episode, Luger spoke about how he felt paralyzed and suffocating: “I thought it was the end. But then, a wave of calm washed over me – something that felt like the Lord himself was guiding me. I was freshly beginning to chart a spiritual path, and a bible verse, Proverbs 3, 5, and 6 resonated with me.”
He praised DDP’s intervention when he found Luger the next morning, stating: “I somehow convinced myself that I was just suffering from dehydration, but DDP insisted that I needed medical help and it wasn’t as simple as dehydration.”
On another recent episode of the “Developmentally Speaking” podcast, TJ Wilson shed light on the conclusion of his in-ring career, following a neck injury in 2015. Some key highlights from the conversation include:
Wilson opened up about his career coming to an abrupt end: “I was in the basement of a frigid hospital, in excruciating pain, wearing a neck brace, wrestling with my own uncertainties. I profoundly felt that my wrestling career was over.”
He added that prior to his injury there were negotiations for a potential new deal. He revealed his long-term plan in wrestling: “Prior to that, I had figured that I would sign a five-year deal that would carry me to the age of 40. I would then have had 25 years of wrestling experience. The plan seemed perfect. Open a wrestling school in Tampa. However, all that changed.”
Both these interviews provide a deep dive into the risks and reality of being wrestlers, the trials they go through, and their relentless spirit and commitment to the sport. Please connect with us at [email protected] for any news tips or podcast recaps. We assure full credit for your contribution.