Ridge Holland recently spoke about the pivotal moment during a 2022 WWE SmackDown match that altered both his trajectory and Big E’s wrestling future. In an interview with Mike Rand, Holland recounted the circumstances surrounding the injury Big E suffered and how it affected his own career and reputation.
Details of the March 2022 Injury on SmackDown
The injury happened on March 11, 2022, during a tag team match on WWE SmackDown. Holland performed a belly-to-belly suplex that caused Big E to land awkwardly on his head. This fall fractured two of Big E’s cervical vertebrae, specifically the C1 and C6 bones. Though medical evaluations confirmed no tearing of ligaments or spinal cord damage, the injury was severe enough to end Big E’s in-ring career permanently.
The Immediate Reaction and Long-Term Impact on Holland’s Career
Holland described how the aftermath was intense as fans and commentators quickly focused on the incident. At the time, Big E was among the most popular WWE performers, increasing the scrutiny placed on Holland despite being relatively new to the roster. He revealed that the incident cast a persistent shadow over his WWE tenure, which concluded in October 2025.
“From that moment, Big E was a huge star and so loved. There was a massive backlash, and even me being relatively new on the roster, as well. They’re gonna have to point the finger at somebody. Yeah, they pointed the finger at me. It was kind of a black cloud in my career. I never really got past it. I couldn’t shake it. I always say, Big E’s career, unfortunately, ended that day, but I think so did mine, in a way. At least my career in WWE. I’ll always regret it. It’s one of those things I’m looking forward to putting behind me and hopefully moving on. If and when the time comes when I put my boots back on, I can reinvent myself,” he said.
Big E’s Prominent Role Before the Injury
Before the injury, Big E was a key figure in WWE, holding the WWE Championship and being an essential member of The New Day, one of the company’s most popular factions. His sudden absence altered the progression of multiple storylines, underlining the significance of his injury beyond just personal health concerns.
Ridge Holland’s Outlook and the Future of His Wrestling Career
Holland continues to view the injury incident as a turning point for his professional path. He implied that if he resumes wrestling activities outside WWE, the lessons and consequences from this experience will influence how he approaches his career moving forward, potentially allowing him to redefine his wrestling persona.
