Popular WWE Superstar Big E suffered a broken neck in an accident during Friday night’s WWE SmackDown live broadcast, he said on social media.
The former WWE Champion took a belly-to-belly suplex from fellow wrestler Ridge Holland during a clip and landed on top of his head. It immediately became clear that something had gone wrong.
Big E was removed from the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital, a scene that was not shown on television.
In a video he posted on Twitter, Big E said he has retained all the emotion and movement in his limbs and extremities and that his strength level “feels just fine.” But he said doctors told him he had broken his neck.
It’s not clear how long the injury will rule him out, although the prospect of him performing at WrestleMania 38 next month now appears slim.
Big E was wearing a neck brace in the video.
“I cannot thank all of you beauties enough for all your concerns and messages,” he said. “It’s heartwarming. … I’ll be fine. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry. Go to sleep. Don’t worry about my getting old. But really, thank you. I appreciate all of you.”
Big E, 36, won the WWE Championship for the first time in September and it lasted until January 1. The Florida-born wrestler, whose real name is Ettore Ewen, is a former WWE Intercontinental and multi-time WWE Champion. Champion with The New Day, his long run with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods.
Big E who is 5 feet 11 pounds and weighs 285 pounds is a former University of Iowa football player and weightlifter.