Samoa Joe Says Tyson Kidd Injury Is The Biggest Regret Of His Career (AEW News)

Nearly a decade after the accident that ended Tyson Kidd’s wrestling career, AEW's Samoa Joe still carries the weight of the incident with him.

'The Samoan Submission Machine' revealed painful and lasting regret during an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, expressing how deeply the incident still affects him. "To this day, that probably remains the largest regret in my career," Joe said. "Just that that happened...doesn’t change things for a guy who is probably one of the most passionate people in the world of professional wrestling. He has an amazing mind for it. WWE is fortunate to have him in their employ. Even though he’s not in a physical role, his ability to put together matches and be a producer - unparalleled."

The injury, which occurred during a WWE dark match in June 2015, left Kidd (real name TJ Wilson) with a career-ending spinal cord injury after taking a Muscle Buster from Joe. Afterward, Kidd was taken to the hospital, and it was confirmed that the injury was severe. Reflecting on the situation, Joe admitted that it still makes him "sick" that Kidd’s career was cut short. "It makes me sick to this day that that guy is not out there being the Tyson Kidd that I know," Joe said. "He’s an amazing human being... He has a great understanding of a larger picture."

Joe also revealed that he didn't initially realise how serious it was until he saw Claudio Castagnoli - then Cesaro - reacting to it in the aftermath. "It’s just when I turned around and went for the pin, the only thing that hinted something was wrong was when Cesaro looked up at me...I know when Cesaro is concerned, and then I was like, ‘Oh my God, I hope everything is ok.’"

Today, Kidd remains with WWE as a highly regarded producer, particularly known for his work in helping to agent matches for the women’s division. Kidd has publicly stated that he holds "zero animosity" toward Joe.