10 Most Fascinating Unanswered Questions In Wrestling

2. How Are So Many Wrestlers Returning From Career-Ending Injuries?

Cody Young Bucks
AEW.com

The mere question hints at cynicism, but so does the pro wrestling industry's complete lack of transparency.

Several wrestlers were thought formally, forever retired a few years ago. Bryan Danielson's long, bleak concussion history saw him shelved by WWE in late 2015. Similarly, Christian Cage was iced by WWE in 2014. In 2011, Edge was told that he risked neck-down paralysis or even death, were he to continue his in-ring career. Saraya, the former Paige, was also medically disqualified after suffering a series of terrible neck injuries.

All four performers are signed to major organisations. Three are active, or have wrestled frequently after being ordered to retire, while Saraya looks set to resume her in-ring career. The AEW commentary team made sure to mention that she can "go".

Injuries can heal, even severe ones, but the timing of these returns leads many to feel a certain suspicion. Perhaps it's just coincidence that Danielson was cleared amid the first wave of significant competition that WWE had faced all century, or that Edge was courted by both AEW and WWE as the first battle in their war unfolded.

On the subject of career-ending injuries...

In this post: 
CM Punk
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!