10 Highest Profile Injuries In WWE History
"...but the hazards are real."
"Pro wrestling is fake."
"It's a farce."
"It ain't real."
Fans of sports entertainment are subjected to the same, tired criticisms on a daily basis, their passion called into question by friends, family members and strangers who do not know any better. It is not their fault, really. The illegitimacy of the art form has been drilled into their minds for generations.
Wrestling history, in this case WWE history, has been plagued with significant injuries to some of its most prominent stars. Broken necks, torn muscles and obliterated knees suffered by industry icons have left Vince McMahon and company scrambling to find replacements to ensure the machine continues to grind.
Recently, Seth Rollins suffered another knee injury, calling into question his availability for WrestleMania. Luckily, according to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Cageside Seats), Rollins will be able to compete in his scheduled match against Triple H.
He was not so lucky in the past. Nor were the other nine Superstars on this list...
10. Finn Balor Obliterates His Shoulder
At SummerSlam 2016, Finn Bálor defeated Seth Rollins to become WWE's first Universal Champion. What should have been a monumental victory turned to instant tragedy, though, as Bálor suffered a serious shoulder injury that cut his reign at the top of Raw short.
He was forced to hand over the title he had been entrusted to carry, building its prestige and credibility as he battled the top stars the red brand had to offer.
In the wake of the forfeiture, the extent of Bálor's injury became apparent.180-degree tear of his labrum. Torn bicep. Torn pectoral tendon. Cartilage damage. Fracture to the glenoid neck socket.
Simply put: he obliterated the upper right side of his body, thus bringing to an end any opportunity he had to build on the momentum he had built for himself as one of Raw's top draft picks.
The injury altered the Raw brand's plans for the remainder of the year and left fans asking "What if?"
Would Bálor have remained the face of Monday nights for an extended period of time, or was the plan always for Rollins to win the title from him and continue his run as "The Guy" in WWE? What would the WrestleMania card look like if Bálor was available?
Perhaps a showdown with The Undertaker, or the realisation of The Club faction fans have eagerly anticipated?
Alas, we will never know just how significant Bálor's role at The Show of Shows may have been.