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Injuries have always been a part of professional wrestling, as you really cannot find a tougher, more grueling and demanding job than being a sports entertainer -- especially in 2018 when most wrestlers are expected to perform "high risk" moves regularly.
However, despite the fact that injuries are definitely a negative and unfortunate aspect of the business, the injuries that aren't too serious have some redeeming qualities in WWE -- when top talent are on the sidelines dealing with their injuries, it frees up opportunities for other WWE Superstars who normally wouldn't get a chance to shine in the spotlight.
Regardless, each year there are wrestler injuries in WWE (some severe and some relatively insignificant), but 2018 has especially been brutal on the roster -- we have already seen three career-ending injuries just this year.
While there's always a chance that one or more of these supposedly "gone for good" Superstars could make a comeback in the future much like Daniel Bryan, the odds of that happening are low due to the severity of their injuries. Today, we will look at 3 WWE wrestlers who suffered career-ending injuries in 2018, and 1 who could possibly be next...
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#4 Career-Ending Injury: Paige
When Paige had made her WWE return in November of last year, fans couldn't have been any more excited for "The Anti-Divas" future in the company with the newly formed Absolution stable alongside Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. However, luck clearly wasn't on the former Divas Champion's side, as just one month into her return, Paige suffered a career-ending neck injury due to a botched kick from Sasha Banks during a live event bout.
While some believed the neck injury Paige sustained at the Dec. 27th live event wasn't very serious, it, unfortunately, turned out to be far worse than originally expected, and Paige was forced to announce her official retirement from the ring... Thankfully, the WWE has found a suitable position for Paige within the company, as she has been doing a great job as SmackDown Live's General Manager thus far.
#3 Career-Ending Injury: Matt Hardy
Matt Hardy has been a constant in the sports entertainment industry for what seems like an eternity, but unfortunately "The Deleter Of Worlds" has wrestled his final WWE match. Despite the fact that things seemed to have been going well for Hardy and his tag team partner Bray Wyatt, it was revealed back in September that Matt was suffering from a severe injury few fans had any idea about -- Matt's pelvis was apparently fusing with his lower back.
Matt Hardy has all but confirmed his retirement from the squared circle, and this is truly a big loss to the wrestling community. However, Matt Hardy has unquestionably done it all in the business, and with a career spanning more than twenty-five years, Matt has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Although Matt Hardy never won the WWE Championship, it can be guaranteed that Hardy will eventually join the companies Hall Of Fame...
#2 Career-Ending Injury: Jason Jordan
Without question, Jason Jordan had tons of untapped potential in WWE as the whiny babyface we all loved to hate -- a future top heel. With a career beginning comparable to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, it seemed as though Jason Jordan was headed for a lengthy run in WWE as a top-tier Superstar. However, just as Jason was starting to pick of some serious momentum, Jordan was hit was a severe neck injury which has kept the former Tag Team Champion on the shelf since early February.
While the original reports speculated that Jason's injury wasn't too bad and that Jordan would be back in the ring in time for WrestleMania 34, as we have come to realize, that hasn't been the case whatsoever. The current analysis regarding Jason Jordan is that his time in the squared circle is over, and this is truly unfortunate news... Jason Jordan has recently been working for the WWE behind the scenes as a backstage producer.
#1 May Be Next: Sheamus
The "larger than life" Irishman Sheamus has seemingly been an indestructible force in WWE over the past nine years, but if the current rumors regarding Sheamus are accurate, we may be witnessing the beginning of the end for "The Celtic Warrior" in WWE. For those of you unaware, Sheamus has been dealing with spinal stenosis (a career-shortening injury), and this exact health issue was responsible for ending the career of WWE legend, Edge.
The WWE has been lightening Sheamus' workload since this news came about, as Cesaro has mainly been taking the hard bumps -- it has been said that one serious bump could leave the former four-time WWE Champion paralyzed. Whether Sheamus' impending retirement occurs this year or next, spinal stenosis will undoubtedly cut Sheamus' career short. We simply must enjoy and cherish Sheamus' work, because it certainly won't last much longer.
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