8 Ups & 11 Downs For WWE In 2018 (So Far)
Downs...
11. The Injury Epidemic
Professional wrestling is inherently dangerous, accidents are inevitable, and injuries will never be completely eliminated. They're part of the job, and a risk every performer must accept when stepping between the ropes. That being said, WWE's injury reserve is bursting at the seams right now, and with an unreasonably large number of performers sidelined at any given point throughout the year, the problem isn't easing up.
Ruby Riott (sprained MCL) and Sami Zayn (two torn rotator cuffs) have both joined the wounded in recent weeks. Long-term absentees Dean Ambrose, Jason Jordan, Samir Singh, and Bobby Fish are still missing. Throw the likes of Epico Colon, Charlotte Flair, and Randy Orton into the mix, and the list is huge.
We accept a certain number of injuries, but this is an epidemic. WWE's supposedly "safe" working style hurts way more performers than New Japan's "dangerous" product. Whether this is down to the gruelling road schedule, an ageing roster, or WWE's insistence on populated TV and house shows with lengthy singles match is up for debate, but there's clearly a problem.