A spot during Jon Moxley and Kyle Fletcher’s Continental Classic semi-final match at AEW’s Worlds End PPV last Saturday (Dec. 27) sent Fletcher crashing head-first into the mat at Now Arena. It wasn’t
the only time that happened at the show, or the only recent example of something similar from a big company. But it seems to have been the thing that started pro wrestling’s latest dialogue about in-ring safety.
WWE’s William Regal really got the conversation going when, without specifying a match or wrestlers, he posted a warning about the long-term effects of taking head-first bumps. It was something Regal’s posted before, but this time it seemed to get a lot more attention.
Some of that was from others who are living with the effects of wrestling-induced neck trauma. WWE’s Ivar joined that chorus Monday afternoon:
Ivar was followed by an AEW star dealing with the physical consequences of his in-ring choices, Kenny Omega. Rather than pushback though, Omega was gracious and grateful to his former co-worker:
Regardless of timing or perceived intent, the general message from Mr. Regal remains a positive one. Tribalism, whataboutism, and other ‘isms’ aren’t needed here.
Safety often takes a back seat when a wrestler is locked in and actively chasing the dragon. We all sometimes need a voice from afar to tether us back to reality and to tell us that the risks have consequences. The odds aren’t in our favor and none of us will walk away unscathed.
This isn’t company vs company or wrestler vs wrestler. This is about a general awareness and a knowing that the cost of what we do is directly related to the amount and severity of risk(s) that we take.
Keeping that in mind, as athletes, we aren’t all created equally. As responsible adults, we need to be realistic and know our own physical limits. I’d have to give my head a shake if I wanted to try a twisting shooting star, but I’d never say a word to Pac.
I look at this all as great food for thought. Something to always be cognizant of. It shouldn’t be about making it a competition.
Thank you, Mr. Regal.
As of now, this seems to be the end of this round of insider talk — at least publicly. Will it result in any changes to what we see on-screen?
