Big E has given an update on his recovery from a broken neck, revealing when fans might get to see him back in action.
On the March 11th edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Big E took an Overhead Belly-to-Belly Suplex from Ridge Holland at ringside. However, instead of the New Day star landing flat on his back, he landed on his head and neck. While Big E was taken to the backstage area on a stretcher, it was later confirmed that he had broken his neck.
The star later explained that his C1 and C6 vertebrae were fractured, but he thankfully hadn’t sustained any damage to his spinal cord.
Speaking on the Out of Character podcast with Ryan Satin, Big E has given an update on how is recovery is progressing, and when he could potentially return to the ring. The former WWE Champion said that he’s been cleared to “live a normal life” but he won’t know more about his in-ring career until March 2023.
“For right now, I’m cleared to live a normal life and I do live a normal life. But, I’m not cleared to be taking off and hitting suicide spears and be to be taking back bumps. The nature of what we do is very physical, it involves your neck and your spine, and I’d like to keep that as in tact as possible.
So, for me right now, kind of the next step, is they want to take a look at it again after a year, get some more scans, so we’re talking about March 2023 to see what’s doing. We might also along the way, at the 6 and 9 month mark, look it again. But, the upside is that right now, I have no nerve issues, there’s no tingling, no weakness.”
I’ve been in the gym since 2 weeks after breaking my neck. They told me, ‘As long as your neck is in the brace, as long as you stay in the brace, you’re good for that.’
So, yeah i’ve been working out, I feel great, I’m just really grateful. Honestly, it feels like a bullet whizzed by my face. I felt the wind of the bullet go by my head and I’m very grateful to still be here, to have use of my limbs, to still feel good. That’s really my biggest takeaway, is just gratitude. I try to be grateful that I’m still here. I’m still kicking.”
Back in July, Big E confirmed that doctors have told him that they expect him to make a full recovery. Despite being unable to wrestle, the star was recently involved at WWE’s try-outs over SummerSlam weekend as the sports entertainment giant looks for their next megastar.
H/t to Wrestle Talk for the transcription.