10 Most Messed Up Moments In Wrestling Matches

9. Mick Foley Loses His Ear

Knives GCW
WWE.com

So much is made in the discourse of the dangers of modern pro wrestling, and yet, above all else, the ring itself is inherently dangerous almost regardless of what breed if insanity is purveyed inside of it.

Mick Foley absorbed some shockingly violent things in a career as controversial as it was fantastic. This is a man who has been thrown onto tacks, thrown off the roof of a cage, thrown through a cage, set on fire, blasted with several unprotected chair shots, tangled in barbed wire, exploded...

This is a man whose version of a "low-key" bump, one that never makes the lists, is taking a backwards fall onto exposed concrete, right on the skull, just to get some semblance of excitement and action out of a Mil Mascaras match.

And yet, illustrating how dangerous all of wrestling is at its core, the most gnarly injury Mick Foley ever suffered was as a result of the ring ropes.

Working Vader in Munich, Germany, Foley as Cactus Jack practically hanged himself - on purpose, this is Mick Foley - in a terrifying twist on the low bridge spot. The ropes were wound too tightly, and the pressure was so extreme that his ear was sliced off.

This is a man who also finished the match.

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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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!