In the world of professional wrestling, injuries are bound to happen. Unfortunately, certain injuries are scripted according to the storyline while some of them happen. Fans also get disheartened seeing their favorite wrestlers hanging up their boots because of a career-ending injury. Most of the superstars can make a comeback despite having a major setback.
Superstars like Edge, John Cena, and Daniel Bryan have all made a comeback despite having a huge injury during their time in the ring. However, it hasn’t been possible for many prominent superstars over the years. With their growing pain and injuries, many superstars have been forced to end their careers for good.
Join us today as we take a deep look into WWE’s some of the most popular superstars whose careers ended abruptly because of an injury. From Big E to Bret Hart, several wrestlers have faced the same fate and lost their opportunity to be inside the squared circle again.
Sid Vicious
WCW’s Sin PPV in January 2001 will always be known for Sid Vicious‘ terrifying leg break, which still makes fans wince. Sid had a terrible mishap as a result of these demanding standards. His size and weight made a top-rope high-risk maneuver something he had no desire to undertake. The American was supposed to jump from the middle rope for his big moment and give Steiner a huge boot.
Warning: graphic content
On This Day in Wrestling History – Sid Vicious broke his leg 21 years ago today at WCW Sin (1/14/01)
It wasn't shown live as they had cut backstage, but WCW showed it on Nitro. The second part of this clip is the aftermath on the PPV. pic.twitter.com/XUspoPT5QO
— Wrestling from 80s/90s (@Wrestling80s90s) January 14, 2023
However, Vicious’s whole weight fell on one leg upon landing, shattering and snapping it in half. Doctors warned Vicious he would never run again after he suffered the injury, and he spent years away from the ring. Sid stated about his injury “I was told I would never run again. That’s when it hit me that this was going to be a tough deal.”
After the injuries, Vicious was never the same, although he did manage to return to WWE in 2012 as part of the countdown to RAW’s 100th episode.
Corey Graves
The popular heel commentator Corey Graves was once a high-profile wrestler. He wrestled several matches in WWE NXT in 2014 and was one of the most prominent superstars on the roster. However, Graves had to end his Wrestling career unfortunately due to concussion-related issues in 2014.
A professional wrestler since 2000, Graves demonstrated his abilities in NXT, winning the NXT tag team titles with Adrian Neville (PAC). It’s interesting to note that Graves is amenable to a one-time bout because he has medical clearance to return to the ring.
Tyson Kidd
In 2015, Tyson Kidd had to hang up his boots due to a serious neck injury. When Samoa Joe hit his Muscle Buster finisher during a dark match, Kidd landed incorrectly, causing his discs to collide with his spinal cord.
Kidd had to quit his career after almost paralyzing himself, but at least he lived through an injury that killed most people. Kidd’s career ended prematurely, but he was a good mid-card wrestler with a strong tag team history.
Bret Hart
Bret Hart is undoubtedly one of the most complete wrestlers of all time. He has been one of the foremost technicians in the world of professional wrestling. Known for his expertise in mat wrestling, he has given some unforgettable classics during his time as a professional wrestler. He might have stayed for a longer time inside the squared circle but was stopped by Goldberg.
In 1999, Hart’s career took a negative turn as he squared off against Goldberg, the Icon. Unintentionally, he took a kick to the head that would damage his career. Bret had post-concussion symptoms diagnosed after episodes of memory loss. He was forced to leave the professional wrestling scene because he was at a loss for options.
Big E
Big E has accomplished a lot in his career, going from being Dolph Ziggler’s sidekick to joining one of the best tag teams ever. He has even taken home the coveted WWE Championship once, demonstrating the level of faith the organization has in him.
Hey, all!
Two year neck scans are in. Things are unchanged. My C1 has healed fibrously but has not formed new bone. I’m not medically cleared and truthfully, I may never be cleared. But I am blessed to be free of pain, immensely happy and otherwise healthy. Life is good.— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) April 13, 2024
However, Big E has not wrestled since early 2022 because of a neck ailment, and it appears that he may never do so. The 5-foot-11 performer himself disclosed this information in a tweet posted on his official X account, stating that he might not ever get the chance to fight in a ring.
Due to an unusual injury that he sustained on March 11, 2022, the former WWE Champion has not been able to compete. On a weekly broadcast of Friday Night SmackDown, NXT standout Ridge Holland attempted an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on Big E, but it didn’t go as planned.
The 38-year-old professional wrestler fell incorrectly on the top of his head during the mishandled execution, indicating the severity of his injuries. He was then carried out of the arena on a stretcher. After Big E’s recent announcement, it appears that Ridge’s poorly executed suplex could be the reason the veteran never wrestles again.