The reality of professional wrestling has long been a topic of discussion among fans and critics alike. Every time a wrestler steps into the ring, they risk serious injury, sometimes life-altering. Examples include WWE’s Darren Drozdoff, who was seriously hurt in the ring, and Big E, who suffered a broken neck. Recently, AEW star MVP reflected on how wrestling promotions have changed their approach to handling injuries.
MVP shared on his “mark out” podcast that there has been a significant evolution in how injuries are managed. Today, both AEW and WWE have full medical teams backstage, including multiple doctors and trainers as well as various medical equipment, allowing for immediate treatment of injuries that might have been ignored in the past. In the past, wrestlers were often hesitant to report injuries out of fear of losing their place in the lineup, which sometimes led to worse complications. MVP recalled a time when he hid a groin injury before a major pay-per-view event until producer Dean Malenko noticed something was wrong and confronted him about it. MVP admitted he was actually injured in both his knee and groin. He also mentioned that Stephanie McMahon encouraged him to be more open about injuries moving forward.
Fan Take: This shift to prioritizing wrestler health signals a positive change in AEW’s culture and could set a new standard for the sport. For AEW fans, it means their favorite wrestlers are being better protected, which could lead to longer careers and a safer wrestling environment overall.
