Big E Rules Out WWE In-Ring Return amid Recovery from Surgery for Scary Neck Injury

Former WWE champion Big E seemed to indicate this week that his in-ring career is over.

During an appearance on What's Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News), Big E expressed surprise over being invited on the podcast and suggested that his wrestling career is in the past.

"For all the people you've had on, I'm like, 'Why me,'" Big E said. "My career is kind of behind me. I'm someone who is appreciative, I think I had a really good career and I'm proud of it, but you've had John Cena, Livvy Dunne, some of the biggest names."

Big E has not wrestled since March 2022 when he suffered a broken neck during a tag team match on an episode of SmackDown.

Ridge Holland gave Big E an overhead belly-to-belly suplex outside the ring, but he didn't fully flip Big E onto his back, causing him to land on his head and neck area.

Big E had to be stretchered out, and while he avoided surgery and has lived a normal life since the accident, his neck has not healed to the point where he has been cleared to wrestle.

As recently as April, Big E reiterated to Tyler Breeze during a Fanatics live stream (h/t Upton) that he still hasn't been cleared.

During his in-ring absence, Big E has continued to work for WWE in other capacities, primarily as a pre-show and post-show hosts for premium live events.

He also played a pivotal role in former New Day teammates Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods turning heel late last year, as they turned their backs on Big E during a New Day anniversary celebration.

While it will be heartbreaking for fans if Big E truly never does wrestle again, he still managed to carve out a Hall-of-Fame-worthy career.

Big E is not only one of the greatest tag team wrestlers in WWE history, winning eight tag team titles as part of New Day, but he is also a two-time intercontinental champion, and he parlayed a Money in the Bank ladder match win into becoming WWE champion.

Few boast a résumé that is so expansive and complete, meaning Big E has plenty to be proud of when it comes to his nearly 13-year pro wrestling career.