Before joining WWE in 2019, Joaquin Wilde came close to dying due to an injury he suffered during a match.
Wilde was well-known on the independent scene ahead of his signing and appeared in multiple promotions including GCW, MLW, and IMPACT Wrestling.
It was during this time that the star suffered a life-threatening injury.
Speaking to Ryan Satin on his Out of Character podcast, Wilde opened up about a stomach injury he suffered during this time in a bout in Mexico City, Mexico. According to the star, it should have ended his career if not his life.
“It’s unbelievable. It wasn’t just that the injury happened, it should have ended my career, it should have ended my life.
“I remember speaking to a gastroenterologist two months after this injury happened and when he looked at my X-Rays and story, he said, ‘I feel like I’m talking to a ghost right now. You should be dead.’”
Joaquin Wilde believes he has something left to achieve in wrestling and WWE
The Latino World Order star went on to explain the profound impact the injury had on his life as it left him thinking he must still have unfinished business in wrestling.
“I just thought to myself, why was I given this second chance? Why was I spared? Why am I still able to wrestle, why am I still alive?
“I just always thought that it was because there was still something left for me to achieve in this business.
“I guess WWE was the thing and here we are, I’m so glad it all worked out.”
In recent weeks, Wilde has been assisting Rey Mysterio against The Judgment Day as part of the new Latino World Order, which is a rebranding of the Legado Del Fantasma stable.
H/T to Fightful for the above transcription.