Every so often there’s a wrestler that really strikes a chord with fans and we can’t get enough of him from wanting him to have a dominant year or two world title reign to cracking us up with bad jokes at the right moment.
Big E is all of that and more, and since he suffered a broke neck on March 11 when he landed on his head following a belly to belly suplex by Ridge Holland he’s been a source of positivity and inspiration to us and many more.
He’s shared repeatedly how much he appreciates all the support and well wishes as well as sharing updates.
He recently talked to Marc Raimondi of ESPN about being thankful despite his injury as he’s continued to work out and is currently down to 245 pounds and showing abs.
His goal is to remain as strong as he was but be leaner, and it sounds like he’s achieving that.
He also spoke about getting the opportunity to help with talent tryouts during SummerSlam weekend in Nashville and how he’s grateful to give back.
Update! My C1 isn’t ossifying (forming bone) quite yet. The current plan is to get more scans at the one year mark & see how it’s progressing. The great news is I feel tremendous & surgery is off the table.
— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) July 4, 2022
Needed insight
Something sports leagues have been doing in recent years is having their veterans talk to newcomers to the leagues about what to expect, how to handle things, and so on.
It’s something that means a lot to Big E as he’s relishing talking to fellow athletes and giving back, and he wishes the WWE had this program in place when he started.
“I wish there was an exit program for college athletes, because you spend so much of your time on campus studying for your sport or participating for your sport or practicing for your sport. You devote so much of your life to it, and then when it’s gone, it is such a distinct drop-off. It’s so hard to prepare for that. That was something that was really hard for me mentally too.”
He also talked about the support he’s received and from wrestlers like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Kevin Nash and others from various companies, but also from Ridge Holland and how he doesn’t hold anything against Holland for his injury.
“Honestly, it hasn’t been a dark period. I’m so thankful for all the people who checked in on me and reached out, who have concerns. I’m not saying I’m perfect. I’m not saying every day is the greatest ever for me. But I really haven’t struggled with that type of stuff.
“I have no issue whatsoever with Ridge. He’s reached out and said some very kind things. What we do is dangerous, and there are inherent dangers. And to that degree, we all kind of know what we sign up for and it was unfortunate that it went down that way. But I’m not dead. I’m alive. I’m doing well.”
While we hope to see Big E back in the ring after he’s healed, our greatest hope is he’ll find a path he’s happy with if things don’t work out, and he could be laying the groundwork for that by giving back.
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