Kevin Nash Reflects on Wrestling's Lasting Impact and In-Ring Hazards

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WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash has recently expressed concern about the increased usage of high-risk moves, such as the German Suplex, in professional wrestling. Nash voiced his worries during a discussion on the podcast "Kliq This," where he also shared his reflections on the long-term impact of his three-decade wrestling career.

"I'm hard-pressed to recall instances of broken necks before the German Suplex became so ubiquitous in professional wrestling," Nash proclaimed, illustrating the escalating physical risks wrestlers now face. The list of wrestlers incorporating the German Suplex into their performances is expansive, with notable names such as Brock Lesnar, Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, Chad Gable, and GUNTHER.

"Concerns Over In-Ring Hazards"

Nash didn't suggest outright prohibiting the German Suplex but aired his apprehensions about the recurring nature of such physically demanding stunts. He equated it to the consistent trauma associated with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

"The danger is not necessarily from one occurrence; it's the cumulative damage over ten years... Suddenly, a simple act like bending to pick up a light bulb can result in paralysis," he warned. The WWE legend has previously publicized his decision to donate his brain to the CTE Center at Boston University and the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

Despite experiencing substantial physical discomfort throughout his career, Nash remains candid and vocal about his health issues. In the podcast, he also provided an update on his ongoing struggle with neck injuries. Despite receiving encouraging bloodwork results and experiencing some improvement, there are times when his body won't cooperate.

"Some days, I simply can't do the movements I could two workouts ago," he revealed, crediting stem cell treatment to assist his overall wellness. Reflecting on his career, Nash also discussed the incident of Mick Foley's infamous fall from Hell in a Cell.

Nash emphasized that, in his perspective, wrestlers shouldn't exit the cage during a match, asserting, "It defies the fundamental purpose of the cage." Referring back to CTE and the dangers of wrestling, Nash speculated that, given a chance, Foley would likely reconsider the decision to receive repeated chair blows while handcuffed. "After the first or second strike, Mick was unconscious. I'm certain he would have wanted to avoid that," Nash concluded.