Big E: in-ring career may be over after neck injury

Former WWE Champion Big E said he has come to terms with the possibility that his in ring career is over, and described how meditation, therapy and a strong support network helped him recover after a serious neck injury he suffered in March 2022. Speaking on Stephanie McMahon's What's Your Story? podcast, Big E recounted the injury, the months that followed and his long struggle with depression that began in childhood.

The injury occurred on the March 11, 2022 episode of SmackDown when Big E landed on the top of his head following a belly to belly suplex. Medical examinations later showed fractures to the C1 and C6 vertebrae, but no ligament or spinal cord damage. He has not wrestled since and has said he has not been cleared to return to competition. "My career is kind of behind me," he told McMahon, adding that he is proud of what he accomplished in wrestling and appreciative of his life now.

Big E described an immediate outpouring of messages and gifts from friends, colleagues and fans after the injury. He said it took him days to reply to everyone and that those gestures provided emotional support during recovery. He recounted small comforts that lifted his spirits,...