Wrestling fans in Chicago were hoping for a breakthrough match for WWE’s newest tag team, Enzo Amore and Colin Cassidy. Unfortunately, a shocking freak accident in the ring halted the duo’s meteoric rise in the worst way possible.
Just minutes into WWE’s May pay-per-view event, WWE Payback, Enzo Amore was knocked unconscious during a tag team match when he was awkwardly thrown out of the ring. While sliding out of the ring, Amore’s neck snapped against the middle rope and whiplashed hard into the mat. Amore immediately went motionless and fell to the mat. The referee signaled for the match to end immediately and called for paramedics to tend to Amore.
Referee stops the match. Medical personnel attend to the injured @WWEAaLLday21. #WWEPayback pic.twitter.com/3D8nlWtnL3
— WWE (@WWE) May 2, 2016
Later during the event, WWE play-by-play announcer Michael Cole reported that Amore had been taken to the hospital for tests and was diagnosed with a concussion. Cole also said that Amore had responded to doctors and was able to move his extremities. The severity of his concussion was not disclosed.
Enzo and Cass made their main roster debut in WWE on the April 4 episode of “Monday Night Raw,” where they quickly won over the crowd with their rapid-fire trash talk. Their match at Payback was to decide the #1 contender to the tag team championships, which Enzo and Cass had been expected to be involved with for the foreseeable future.
This concussion, however, may put their push on hold. WWE has made headlines in recent months for taking a harder stance on how they treat concussions and other head-related injuries in their wrestlers. Former WWE champion Daniel Bryan was forced to retire earlier this year due to multiple concussions sustained over the course of his career and had spent the last year of his wrestling career sidelined by WWE to prevent further injury.
Other wrestlers took to Twitter to express their support for Enzo Amore.
I have just heard of @WWEAaLLday21 Enzo being injured. I have heard he is moving his limbs. My thoughts are def with him. Great guy. @WWE
— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) May 2, 2016
@WWEAaLLday21 – sending out my very best wishes to you! Prayers.
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) May 2, 2016
You a G @WWEAaLLday21 sending all my prayers
— $asha Banks (@SashaBanksWWE) May 2, 2016
