Big E Announces Decision Not to Return to WWE Due to Neck Injury Risks, Prioritizing Family and Health

Big E recently explained why he is unable to return from his neck injury, noting that he’s not willing to risk his health for a return to the ring. The New Day member confirmed in February that his 2022 neck injury was not something he would come back from. He has remained with WWE as an analyst on PLE pre‑show and post‑show events, and does other promotional work for the company.

Big E discussed the matter on Insight With Chris Van Vliet, addressing fans who have questioned why he cannot return like Adam Copeland, Bryan Danielson and others. Highlights are provided below:

Why He Cannot Return Like Others Did:

Big E explained that his C6 vertebra is broken, but the primary concern is the C1, which sits higher in the neck. He said that despite offers from top spine specialists, they advised him to stop wrestling. “Some of the best spine specialists in the world have implored me to hang it up,” he said. He likened the situation to living in a dangerous neighborhood, noting that a small miscalculation could have led to a stroke, paralysis, or chronic headaches. Given the warnings and the potential for irreversible damage, he decided the risk was too great.

Why He Is Not Willing to Risk His Well‑Being:

At 40, Big E is engaged and preparing to marry Kristen in the coming months. He said he could not imagine asking his fiancée to share the uncertainty of his health again. He described the excitement of new life goals—spending time with his partner, traveling, and enjoying weekends free from the WWE “hamster wheel.” While grateful for his WWE career and the opportunities it brought, he indicated that the prospect of being cleared to wrestle never feels worth the gamble. He emphasized that if he were cleared, the potential costs to his C1 and overall health are not worth taking.

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