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In professional wrestling, all the performers know that every time they step into the ring, they’re putting their careers and lives on the line. That is the difference between other sports and contact sports. Although professional wrestling cannot be compared with other contact sports such as MMA or boxing, it falls under the same category, but sadly, doesn’t get as much respect as the others. The industry has seen it all, from people considering it to be a taboo, to the extent where people call it ‘fake’, professional wrestling has been given less credit than what it deserves. As history suggests, professional wrestling is one of the most dangerous professions, with a lot of performers and talent either retiring soon or worse, dying to the consequences stemming from being professional wrestlers.
WWF/E has witnessed some of the most unfortunate incidents. The prime example for that is the Owen Hart incident back in ’99. During Over the Edge PPV from the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Owen Hart, performing as ‘The Blue Blazer’, was being lowered down from the rafters, when his harness snapped, which resulted in Owen Hart falling down 80 feet from the top to his death. As sad as it is, all the performers know the risk involved when they step into the ring. They know that their life can change, or end within a matter of seconds. This is why the athletes are considered to be more courageous, and tougher than the other sportsmen. In this article, I take a look at the five most unfortunate accidents in WWE.
Bob Holly
Bob Holly had many monickers in the WWE, but perhaps, the most famous of them was the ‘Hardcore’ Holly persona, and Holly made sure he was true to that. Hardcore Holly perhaps suffered the most gruesome injuries in the WWE, and the fact that he carried on with the matches, making sure he finished it just shows how tough Holly truly is! Hardcore Holly suffered a serious shoulder injury against Kurt Angle when Angle did a moonsault and landed on Holly’s hand, a seriously deep cut on his back when he suffered a laceration during his match with Rob Van Dam and a broken neck when Brock Lesnar powerbombed him neck first onto the mat, which is perhaps one of the most unsettling scenes which was seen on live TV.
Chavo Guerrero
Next on the list is Chavo Guerrero. Chavo was always considered to be one of those wasted talents in the WWE, whose potential was wasted by the organization. Very few know that Chavo was initially given the role of Rey Mysterio in ’06, when Eddie Guerrero passed away and Mysterio was given the title, but Chavo turned it down. But in ’04, Chavo Guerrero suffered a legitimate, scary concussion when Billy Kidman went for the Shooting star press, but fell right on Chavo’s head. The fans and the ring side personnel watched in horror, as Chavo was carried out on a stretcher. Although Chavo came back months later, concussions are never to be taken lightly, as it can soon turn fatal.
The third to make this list is none other than Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin is perhaps the most famous name in the history of professional wrestling, and he has endured as much as anyone in the industry, to deserve what he achieved. But in ’97, Austin was legitimately injured during his match with Owen Hart, when Owen dropped Austin on his head while executing a piledriver. This not only resulted in a broken neck for Austin, but also a temporary paralysis right after the move. Although Austin went on to have bigger and better things in his career after he returned, he had multiple surgeries on his neck, and finally retired when the doctors advised him to do so, or he would have ended up dead. Thus, the injury not only resulted in the ending of one of the most successful careers in the history of professional wrestling, but also proved once again that no matter how larger than life their character is, they are as human as anyone else.
Psycho Sid
Although technically this incident happened in WCW, I had to add it as it is one of the most gruesome injuries to have been captured on tape. Not only that, but it is said that some of the fans in attendance threw up after watching this incident live! This not only halted and seemingly ended Sid’s career, but also proved how easily and quickly things can go wrong. Sid was coming down with a boot to the face on Steiner from the top rope, and suffered compound fracture when he landed on his other foot. Not much needs to be said, except that the video is pretty graphic.
Droz incident
At number 1 is the most serious injury in the history of WWF/E. In ’99, a performer by the name of ‘Droz’ was involved in a pre show match against D’Lo Brown, when a power bomb attempt by Brown went wrong, with Droz being dropped on his neck. He was immediately hospitalized, but Droz lost movement below his neck, and has been paralyzed permanently. Now you know how serious the “Please don’t try this at home” message really is!
