Dylan jackson
Big E’s professional wrestling future is firmly in his massive hands. The former WWE champion hasn’t wrestled since breaking his neck in a match on WWE’s “SmackDown” in March 2022. Doctors once advised him never to wrestle again, but the choice is now his.
“The best thing is they put me in control of this,” Big E told CBS Sports while promoting WrestleMania XL’s partnership with Snickers. “Obviously, I’m listening to the doctors. They know more than I do when it comes to my health and prognosis. It’s one of those things where my ability to live my life day to day and be in the gym is not compromised, but Obviously, getting in the ring and getting hit, getting thrown on your back and neck is a little different.”
Big E broke his C1 vertebrae in two places when he failed to fully pivot on Ridge Holland mid-suplex outside the ring, landing on his head. There was a time when he once felt he had a death wish when it came to wrestling, but the severity of the neck injury encouraged patience.
“I have been doing physical activities my entire life and never wanted to leave sports handicapped and crippled,” said Big E. “Now, at 38 years old, these are my considerations. I want to make sure I’m making the best decision for myself and my health in the future.
“It’s just a matter of listening to the doctors, getting enough information, looking at my most recent set of scans and deciding if the gamble is worth it.”
Big E received an outpouring of support from fans and peers after being removed from SmackDown. Some of professional wrestling’s biggest stars arrived to check in, among them “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and AEW star Adam Copeland (formerly known as Edge in WWE), who have their own history of neck injuries.
“Unfortunately, neck injuries are a little common in our industry,” said Big E. “I talked to a few different guys. The problem is also that all of our scenarios are a little different. Some guys have issues with stenosis. Some guys need of fusions. I didn’t have neck surgery. I was just on a hard collar for three months.
“I’m so grateful for so many guys I grew up loving and watching as a kid, so many legends who wanted to reach out and share what they went through when they suffered neck injuries. all of them for following me to ask questions and offering advice were also helpful.”
In the meantime, the former WWE champion and eight-time tag team champion has pivoted into broadcast work. WWE invited Big E to a WrestleMania XL Kickoff press conference panel in February, where he was joined by commentators Michael Cole and Pat McAfee, as well as former WWE Champion CM Punk. He will also be on the panel for the Countdown to WrestleMania XL shows on Saturday, April 6th and Sunday, April 7th. Big E confirmed that there have been conversations with the company about future opportunities.
“It wasn’t until I boarded the flight to Las Vegas that I knew I was doing the panel. That’s the nature of things in WWE. A lot of times it’s, ‘Hey, show up’ and you get things thrown at you,” he said.
Big E received praise for his performance alongside some of WWE’s most trusted panelists. It’s something the burly athlete can see himself doing more regularly.
“I didn’t know what to make of it and I didn’t know how things were going to play out, but it ended up being really fun and the energy was great. It was something I really enjoyed and was able to be immersed in as a fan,” said Big E. “For me, being able to speak freely has been amazing. I never had the career that Punk had. I don’t have the fame that Pat has. I don’t have the longevity that Michael Cole has. But it was really great that so many fans were receptive.”
WWE WrestleMania XL takes place at Lincoln Financial Field April 6-7 with Snickers and WWE 2K24 serving as presenting partners. The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins headline Saturday night. Reigns vs. Rhodes for the undisputed WWE Universal Championship will get top billing on Sunday, alongside Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Championship. Big E’s longtime tag team partners The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) will challenge for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles in a Six Pack Ladder Match.
Check out the full interview with Big E below.
