JD Wilk sidelined with an injury

JD Wilk vs. Dexter Roswell
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In the world of professional wrestling, injuries are inevitable. We've seen great careers come to an early end due to the wear and tear the business puts on the body. Whether it's in the WWE or on the independent scene, the men and women of the ring are putting their bodies on the line each time they climb through the ropes. 

The Dream Chaser
Courtesy: JD Wilk

Rising star in Stride Pro Wrestling and Cape Championship Wrestling JD Wilk knows this reality all too well. He separated his shoulder in April and took a couple weeks off to recover. But unfortunately, he re-injured himself and has announced via his Facebook page that he is taking the rest of 2017 off to recover. 

"Back in the ER again....re separated my shoulder and with this happening it kills me to say that I will be stepping away from the ring for the rest of 2017. Looking to get it properly healed and come back stronger. Nothing will stop me from chasing my dream!"

Wilk goes soarin'
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

I have no doubt Wilk will be back in action in 2018 and stronger than ever. He is a positive force backstage and that energy carries over in the ring. He debuted with Stride in December and consistently improved each time he wrestles. Wilk is a student of the game and will undoubtedly go places once he's healthy. 

Wilk pins Roswell
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

His feud with the DR Party was really heating up too, as Wilk pinned the group's leader Dexter Roswell at the Brave the Storm show earlier this month. He was to be a part of a five-man challenge for the Stride Pro Wrestling Legacy Championship, but the injury will keep him out of that matchup. Now Tony Flood defends against Roswell, Jerry Travelstead and Joey O'Riley this Saturday night at 6:30 at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion. 

Best wishes to JD as he gets stronger and makes an impact once again in the world of independent wrestling. He's the "Dream Chaser" and I for one hope he catches that dream in the new year.

Blood, sweat but no tears

Green check, red blood

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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283 days ago I embarked on a running streak. So each day since May 1, 2016, I have run at least one mile. Today I set out to run for no fewer than 30 minutes, which usually ends up being right around four miles. But about a half mile into the run, I experienced something I never have been.

I was running through a field and trying to maximize the distance by hitting the perimeter as much as possible. There were trees nearby with branches hanging down. I misjudged the distance between my face and the branch and ran right into it. (Note, my phone was tucked away in my armband at the time). The impact hurt of course, but I quickly realized the real source of the pain was the thorns that were now embedded into my cheek. 

I could feel blood coming down my face, but my first instinct was to pull out my phone and Snapchat my accountability group. I pressed forward, pulling out the thorns as best I could. I wrapped up the four miles with the blood stain still in effect to make myself look like a bad ass. I got home and finished plucking the rogue remnants of the branch.

Running in the snow last year

In the past, I've run in all types of weather; heat, rain and snow. I've been chased by dogs and even stopped dead in my tracks by a coyote on the trail. But this is the first time a thorny tree branch impacted my workout. What encounters have you had while running?

SummerSlam injury updates

Lesnar draws blood
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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SummerSlam weekend was a brutal one for many Superstars. Some may have long term effects on the current storylines in play.

Joe gets medical attention
Courtesy: WWE

Samoa Joe suffered a dislocated jaw during his NXT Championship loss to Nakamura at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II Saturday night. The injury happened after two Kinshasas to the now former champion. Joe says his jaw was set back in place shortly after the match. He should be cleared to wrestle again in the near future.

Sasha gets dropped

Sasha Banks took a beating en route to losing the WWE Women's Championship. Reports online state she had some nagging injuries prior to her defense against Charolette and was planning to take time off to allow for healing. That's why she dropped the title so quickly. No word if she was further injured during the championship match at SummerSlam.

Brutalizing Randy Orton
Courtesy: WWE

Randy Orton now has 10 staples in his head after the brutal beating he received from Brock Lesnar. The Beast went nuts and knocked out the former champ with a couple of vicious elbows in the main event. No word how long Orton will be out (and don't read the reports that he's been suspended. An old story on WWE.com has resurfaced today about his second Wellness Police violation in 2012).

Power bombed!
Courtesy: WWE

Perhaps the most concerning from a storyline point of view is Finn Balor. The first WWE Universal Champion suffered an arm injury during his battle with Seth Rollins. Many believe it happened when Rollins power bombed the Demon King on the barricade outside the ring. Balor was seen after the show with a sling, but when he appeared on Good Morning America Monday morning he was not wearing any sort of support. Hopefully if he is injured it will not require surgery and the program WWE has planned will move forward.

WWE vs. former Superstars

Jimmy Snuka gets smashed

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Dozens of former WWE Superstars are taking the company to court. Some of the big names involved in a class action lawsuit include "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, Road Warrior Animal, King Kong Bundy, Chavo Guerrero, Jr. & Sr., Sabu and both members of Demolition. Here's the full list of the 51 plaintiffs.

The suit alleges that the wrestlers incurred "long term neurological injuries" in the course of working for the company, while it "routinely failed to care" for them " in any medically competent or meaningful manner" and even "fraudulently misrepresented and concealed" the nature and extent of those injuries.

"Instead of upholding its duty to its employees, WWE placed corporate gain over its wrestlers' health, safety, and financial security, choosing to leave the Plaintiffs severely injured and with no recourse to treat their damaged minds and bodies."

Right now concussions and the long term impact is being studied and discussed at length. The NFL and NHL have faced similar lawsuits due to injuries players have suffered. WWE, the NFL and the NHL have change their policies to help protect Superstars and players. The death of Eddie Guerrero and the murder-suicide carried out by Chris Benoit brought about change in WWE.

Sabu

I'm not judging anyone who is a part of the suit. My biggest complaint is guys who never wrestled under the WWE banner are also trying to cash in on this situation. To my recollection Rod Price never wrestled in WWE. Guys like Sabu, Axl Rotten and Tracy Smothers suffered the brunt of their injuries years before stepping in a WWE ring. Chavo Guerrero, Sr. only had a handful of matches as did Black Bart and Bobbi Billiard.

Slick & Kamala are also suing

My point is many if not most of the names on the list were injured and "forced" to wrestle in companies other than WWE. But because Vince McMahon and his team are the last ones standing, they're the ones with the cash and are expected to be responsible. I have no doubt in some cases men and women have been asked to or have felt obligated to get in the ring despite being injured. Maybe for that they deserve some sort of compensation. 

Demolition vs. The Powers of Pain (both teams are suing)

I'll be curious to see what happens to Orndorff and Animal's status in the WWE Hall of Fame. Snuka has already been "removed" due to his court case involving the death of his girlfriend in 1982. By the way the "Superfly" was deemed incompetent to stand trial in that case, which makes me wonder who added him to this class action suit. But it's also unlikely now the likes of Kamala, Demolition and Bundy will ever be inducted. I know there are bigger issues at hand than that, but I digress.

Bottom line: the situation sucks. I'm sure some involved in this case don't want to attack or hurt WWE, but feel they have no other choice in the matter. I'm no legal expert, but I would imagine there could be a settlement in the works. I'd be shocked if this makes it all the way to court. But I'd be even more surprised if WWE is held liable for the injures suffered decades ago.