Former WWE Champion Big E provides stem cell treatment update in bid to return two years after breaking neck live on television
Former WWE Champion Big E has issued a new update on his bid to return to wrestling action two years after breaking his neck during a match on television.
The popular star suffered the terrible injury during a match on SmackDown in March 2022.
‘E’ was wrestling Brit Ridge Holland on the outside of the ring during the encounter when, during an overhead suplex, he landed on his head.
The sobering scene brought his in-ring WWE career to a screeching halt, though mercifully the lack of any spinal injury meant he was at least able to avoid needing surgery.
The New Day favourite has been battling through rigorous examinations and tests in the two years since the accident. While he’s been seen on screen as a commentator and analyst of sorts, he’s been involved in no physicality.
He admitted in a recent with the Getting Over Podcast that this is because he’s still waiting to be cleared to compete, explaining: “The only issue is my C1 is healing fibrously, which is great for normal day-to-day life, but it's not turning into new bone and ossifying yet.
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“[WWE] are not going to clear me until that happens. It's obviously a very important bone.
Right now, that is the waiting game. I did go to Cancun about a month ago for stem cells. We'll see if that changes anything.
“Right now, I feel great, I'm just not in a position to be cleared quite yet."
In a further update posted on Wednesday, the powerhouse performer gave greater detail on the stem cell treatment he’s had and the state it’s left him in.
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In a typically bombastic address to camera, he told fans: “It has been a month and change since I went down to Cancun for stem cells.
“My body was enthused with millions upon millions of stem cells that are now roaming around my body, doing the work, doing something in there!
“I feel great, it’s something I highly recommend. I didn’t have any issues with pain, so I haven’t noticed a change there, but I am excited to see how the stem cells percolate inside my body and the work they do.
“I feel great, and I’m really excited about it, it’s something I’ve learned about in the last couple of years and has done wonderful things for so many people.
“I’ll update you all as these months proceed and how the body is doing.â€
Fans have feared over the last couple of years that Big E’s in-ring days may be numbered, but it at least appears the man himself is far from giving up the fight and has always maintained a steadfastly positive attitude to the ongoing situation.
As part of the New Day tag team, he’s thus far been an eight-time tag team champion, a Money in the Bank winner, and a two-time Intercontinental Champion.
He became WWE Champion in September 2021, beating Bobby Lashley courtesy of a cash-in on Raw.
He lost the title the following January to Brock Lesnar.