Big E Defends Ridge Holland, Says Fan Backlash Over Career-Ending Injury Went Too Far

Big E has spoken out in defense of Ridge Holland, saying the wave of fan anger directed at Holland following their infamous March 2022 incident crossed a line.

The former WWE Champion suffered a career-ending neck injury on the March 11, 2022 episode of SmackDown when a belly-to-belly suplex attempt from Holland outside the ring went wrong. The botched spot left Big E with a broken neck, effectively ending his in-ring career at what should have been the peak of his run atop the company.

Holland was immediately met with a firestorm of criticism from the wrestling fanbase, with many laying direct blame on him for the freak accident. Big E, however, has made clear that he views the fan response as having gone too far. His position carries real weight here — as the man who actually sustained the injury, his willingness to publicly defend Holland is as direct a signal as anyone could ask for that he doesn’t hold his former opponent responsible.

It’s a reminder that professional wrestling, for all its choreography, involves genuine physical risk. Accidents happen, and a botched spot does not automatically mean negligence. Big E earned enormous goodwill during his WWE Championship reign and throughout his New Day run, and his grace in handling one of the most difficult situations a performer can face has only added to his standing with fans who respect the sport.

Whether Big E ever returns to WWE in a non-wrestling capacity remains an open question, but his voice on this matter is one the fanbase would do well to hear.