Pro wrestling is one of the most unforgiving career choices in the world. Wrestlers spend upwards of 300 days on the road, putting their bodies through hell for the entertainment of fans around the world.
That comes with its fair share of injuries, as even the safest in-ring workers will end up picking up at least a knock or two over the years. There are some wrestlers who have been less lucky, picking up multiple major injuries over the course of their career. Some of them were able to bounce back and salvage their run, while others were not so lucky.
10 Ruined: Wade Barrett
Wade Barrett easily could have been a main event player in WWE, but John Cena burying The Nexus ensured that he never ascended to main event status. Still, fans hoped that Barrett would be able to succeed based on talent alone, but a slew of injuries meant that didn't happen either.
He dislocated his elbow in 2012 and separated his shoulder in 2014. By now, WWE officials viewed him as injury-prone, so whatever little hope he had of a push died. It wasn't long before Barrett was released by the promotion and he retired from in-ring competition altogether.
9 Bounced Back: Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio's high flying ring style means that he would have picked up his fair share of injuries over the years. His knees, in particular, have been extremely problematic, with the Master of the 619 undergoing multiple knee surgeries over the years. It has led to him missing years of in-ring action.
That hasn't done much to tarnish his legacy as a high flier though; Mysterio is one of the most respected pro wrestlers in the world and has a Hall of Fame induction waiting for him, despite picking up a ton of new injuries over the last couple of years.
8 Ruined: Mark Henry
If Mark Henry had managed to remain injury-free, odds are that he would have had several world championship reigns. But the fact remains that the World's Strongest Man spent most of his WWE run on the shelf.
He picked up injuries in 2002, 2003, and 2004. He managed to stay injury-free for a year before getting hurt in 2006 once more. He managed to stay fit for a few years after that, before picking up a potentially career-ending injury in 2012 that left him out of action for almost a year. A litany of injuries meant that Henry essentially inducted himself into the Hall of Pain.
7 Bounced Back: Triple H
Triple H is undoubtedly one of the greatest of all time, winning several championships over the course of his career. But odds are that if he had remained injury free, he would have won even more.
The Game has had some truly terrible injuries over the years; he was on the shelf for almost a year in the late '90s when he was on the rise, his career almost ended when his quadriceps completely separated from his knee, and then he tore the quad in his other leg a few years later. More recently, Triple H tore his pectoral muscle in a disastrous match against the Brothers of Destruction. All of those injuries haven't stopped him from being one of the greatest of all time.
6 Ruined: Mr. Kennedy
Mr. Kennedy was on the verge of being established as a main event player in WWE. He won the Money in the Bank briefcase and was also in line to be revealed as Vince McMahon's illegitimate son.
In addition to a number of smaller injuries, Kennedy also had to deal with a torn triceps muscle and a dislocated shoulder before being released from his contract. It also didn't help that John Cena and Randy Orton reportedly pushed to have Kennedy fired, but the repeated injuries had a big role to play in his downward spiral.
5 Bounced Back: Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan got injured at the worst possible time, soon after winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of WrestleMania XXX. It was a sad end to the greatest storyline WWE had told in years. Fans were prepared for Bryan to retire for good, but he made it back in time for WrestleMania 31.
A couple of months later, Bryan retired due to concussion-related injuries, before making a triumphant return in time for WrestleMania 34. Not only did Bryan do the impossible, but he also had a phenomenal run as the 'New' Daniel Bryan. The Leader of the Yes Movement has made a habit of coming back from career-ending injuries, and it looks like he will get to end a trophy-laden career on his own terms.
4 Ruined: Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe was one of the most respected and decorated indie wrestlers when he signed with WWE. His NXT run was great, with him winning the NXT Championship on two occasions. Unfortunately, a number of injuries on the main roster have derailed what should have been a sustained main event run.
He suffered a knee and foot injury in quick succession, before breaking his thumb as well. Joe is definitely in the 'injury-prone' category and has settled nicely into the role of a color commentator. It is still disappointing though, as there is no doubt that Joe would have had at least a couple of world championship reigns if he had managed to remain healthy, despite him getting buried over the Universal Championship. Unfortunately, it will always be a case of 'what could have been.'
3 Bounced Back: Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy made a name for himself by jumping off ladders and through tables. He was integral in popularizing the TLC match while wowing audiences with how often he was willing to put his body on the line.
All of those high-risk maneuvers have come at a cost though, as Hardy has picked up several injuries over the years. Hardy has been hurt from head to toe, repeatedly, and as he has gotten older, the impact of all those injuries have become more noticeable. Still, that hasn't stopped the Charismatic Enigma from winning several accolades and becoming a Grand Slam Champion in WWE.
2 Ruined: Tegan Nox
Tegan Nox was widely expected to win the Mae Young Classic back in 2017, but that never happened because she tore her ACL before the event got underway. The next year, she made it to the quarterfinals of the tournament, before tearing her ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus, in addition to dislocating her kneecap.
She managed to remain fit for a while after that but ended up re-tearing her ACL. Despite still being in her mid-20s, Nox has picked up more severe injuries than most wrestlers do in their entire career. Hopefully, WWE will not give up on her and she will be able to fulfill her potential with the promotion.
1 Bounced Back: Edge
Edge is one of the greatest of all time and has managed to put together a Hall of Fame career despite spending several years injured or in retirement. Back in 2003, he picked up a neck injury that put him on the shelf for a year, before tearing his pectoral muscle twice in a span of three years.
He then tore his Achilles tendon before making a shocking return at the 2010 Royal Rumble. He then ended up retiring for 9 years due to his neck injuries progressing to a point that could have killed him. He returned at this year's Royal Rumble and entered a feud with Randy Orton, which is on hold because of him tearing his triceps at Backlash.