In September 2022, during WWE‘s NXT Worlds Collide event featuring talent from the NXT U.S. and NXT U.K. divisions, Elton Prince competed in the NXT and NXT U.K. Tag Title Elimination match. Prince and his partner Kit Wilson, together known as Pretty Deadly, emerged victorious, capturing the tag team titles. Unbeknownst to many at the time, Prince was coping with a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sustained in training just before the match. Despite the injury, Prince pressed on, unaware of its full severity.
Kit Wilson Reflects on Prince’s Determination and Injury
On the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast, Kit Wilson detailed the circumstances surrounding Prince’s injury and their championship run. Wilson explained that Prince tore his PCL early during their training week but kept the injury quiet to focus on their upcoming championship match. Wilson recalled the resilience Prince displayed, pushing through the pain to secure the titles for their team. He also shared how Wilson himself suffered a broken finger during their second championship match, compounding the challenges the duo faced.
Let me take this opportunity to put Elton Prince over one more time. We arrived, we did a week of training. He tore his PCL in training. Then we found out we have this championship match. This boy just pushed through, and we won, and then we had the tag titles.
— Kit Wilson, Wrestler
Yeah, and he didn’t know it was a torn PCL at the time. He just knew he hurt his knee and it was like, ‘Well, we got this championship match coming up. I’m gonna push through’ and obviously later we find out… And I think in the second match against Dexter (Lumis) and Duke Hudson, I broke my finger. So we had that first championship run — and obviously, a finger’s fine but, his knee was messed up so we’re kind of thinking, we’re in the deep end now. We’re fighting to survive. But yeah, very fortunately, first match, tag titles.
— Kit Wilson, Wrestler
Ongoing Recovery and Health Challenges
Following his courageous performance during the title run, Elton Prince is currently sidelined as he recovers from neck fusion surgery. This procedure signals a serious health challenge requiring time away from wrestling to ensure proper healing. His absence marks a significant pause in his career while fans and peers await updates on his recovery process.
Significance of Prince’s Injury on His Career and NXT
Elton Prince’s determination to compete through a torn PCL highlights the physical toll professional wrestling can impose on athletes. His efforts contributed to one of Pretty Deadly’s most important runs, yet the injury underscores the risks wrestlers take to perform at a high level. As fans and colleagues monitor his recovery, Prince’s experience brings attention to injury awareness and management within WWE’s NXT landscape. Meanwhile, his partner Kit Wilson continues to build momentum in his solo pursuits, backed by Prince’s supportive presence even during difficult times in the ring.
