Big E has defended Ridge Holland following the neck injury that brought his in-ring career to an end, urging fans to stop blaming the former WWE star for what happened.
The former WWE Champion suffered a broken neck during a March 2022 episode of SmackDown after taking an overhead belly-to-belly suplex from Ridge Holland. Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Big E said he never held Holland responsible and was saddened by the abuse he received online.
“He got a lot of hate, he got threats,” Big E said. “I know what I signed up for. I know things go awry. It was never malicious. It was never intentional. I felt for him and continued to feel for him.”
Big E revealed that Holland apologised in his own unique way after the incident.
“He actually sent me a 10-pound box of meat as an apology, which felt like a very manly thing to do,” he said, adding that he passed it on to his creative partner because he was not eating much red meat at the time.
Big E Says He Spoke To Ridge Holland At WrestleMania
The two have remained in contact since the injury, with Big E saying they briefly reunited during WrestleMania weekend earlier this year.
“I actually ran into him briefly at the MGM Grand in Vegas for Mania this year. It seemed like he was in a better place.”
Big E said he has repeatedly tried to discourage fans from directing anger towards Ridge Holland, stressing that the incident was an accident.
“I tried to put out a statement or two to tell people there’s no ill will whatsoever, please leave this man alone,” he said. “He has a family to take care of. He has kids. He dealt with a devastating injury of his own. He dealt with losing his job. I really felt for him.”
Big E also said he has found peace with his own situation and hopes Holland is no longer judged solely because of the accident.
“I’m in a great place, I’m very thankful. I still am continuing with the company, doing broadcasting work. I am good, I am truly, truly good,” he said. “I really hate that his tenure in WWE, for the most part, a lot of it’s going to be defined by the injury and his role in it. But I really feel for him and for his family, and I truly hope he’s in a better place. I hope that’s all come to an end, because a lot of people crossed the line and went too far.”
