Ted Dibiase, the WWE Hall of Famer, recently opened up about the injury that led to his in-ring retirement. In an interview on his podcast, Everybody’s Got a Pod, Dibiase discussed the moment he realized he could no longer continue wrestling due to a serious neck injury.
Dibiase revealed that he started experiencing numbness in his left arm, which prompted him to see a doctor. The doctor diagnosed him with a disc issue in his neck and recommended surgery to fix the problem. The procedure involved taking a bone chip from Dibiase’s hip and fusing it to the affected area.
Despite the impending surgery, Dibiase felt obligated to fulfill his commitments in Japan, where he had been well-treated by Giant Baba and had a tag team tournament to participate in. However, after just a few days into the tour, Dibiase realized he couldn’t continue wrestling. He expressed his apologies to Giant Baba and explained his decision to retire from in-ring competition.
What amazed Dibiase was the understanding and support he received from Giant Baba. Despite the tour being scheduled for three weeks, Giant Baba paid Dibiase for the entire duration of the tour. This gesture of kindness and empathy came from Giant Baba’s personal experience with a similar neck injury.
Following his surgery, Dibiase received advice from doctors that further solidified his decision to retire. They explained that although the odds of a catastrophic injury were low, if he were to get hit in just the right way, he could be left paralyzed. Dibiase realized the risks outweighed the rewards and made the firm decision to retire from professional wrestling.
It is always difficult for wrestlers to come to terms with the end of their in-ring careers, especially due to injuries. Dibiase’s story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and risks that wrestlers face in pursuit of their passion.
For the full interview with Ted Dibiase discussing his injury and retirement, you can listen to his podcast, Everybody’s Got a Pod.
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