10 Scariest In-Ring Wrestling Accidents
9. Sid’s Gruesome Leg Break
Few wrestling injuries are as stomach-churning as Sid Vicious’ leg break. Competing against Scott Steiner, Jeff Jarrett, and Road Warrior Animal at WCW Sin in 2001, the 6’9”, 317 lb Sid attempted to big boot Steiner from the second rope The decision almost cost him his career. His standing leg completely snapped upon landing, breaking it in half, causing one of the bones to pierce through his skin.
The footage was too graphic for most TV stations to re-air, but WCW replayed it on the following episode of Nitro. Rushed to hospital after the show, Sid had a 17-inch rod inserted into his leg during a two-hour surgery, and faced a long, gruelling recovery process. He didn’t wrestle again until 2004, when he returned to the independent circuit, but the injury effectively spelled the end of his high-level wrestling career.
The worst thing about Sid’s injury is that it was totally avoidable. Justice felt pressured into the move by WCW officials, who told him he needed to broaden his arsenal.
Sid stated that he felt it unnecessarily risky for a man of his size to attempt an aerial manoeuvre: the leg break proved him correct, and he sued WCW in the aftermath.