Droz explains his injury to the fans

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

http://www.wwe.com/news/commentary/droz/1250519

 

Droz explains his injury to the fans; updates on rehab

by Droz

Dec. 8, 2003

 

Well it is great to be back again talking to all of you WWE fans. For one reason or another, over the past two weeks I have failed to get my article up. I have had a whole lot going on here at therapy, both positive and negative. On the positive side, two weeks ago, my triceps kicked in, whereas since my injury they hadn’t worked before that. I have gained a good bit more flexibility and mobility in my shoulders and arms. Also using the ergys II recumbent bike, it has really started working to improve my cardiovascular system. On the down side being as this is a hospital, I picked up a bug right before thanksgiving and I had to go on IV antibiotics for 6 days for six straight hours, which made for a fun time during the night. Another problem that I have come across is some bruising/skin problems on my right upper leg. This has complicated my therapy because they are trying to get me to stay off of it as much as possible, therefore keeping me from riding the bike for right now. I will probably be here at least another week or two and I am looking forward to getting home and continuing my therapy when I get there. I have ordered quite a bit of equipment for home use, things I should have gotten years ago and didn’t, but as I said in the past I won’t dwell on the past and move forward in my life.

 

Since I was speaking about rehab and my injury, I wanted to explain to everyone what exactly happened to me because sometimes I get emails asking when I will back in the ring. Back on October 5th, 1999 while shooting a SmackDown! taping, D’Lo Brown and I were having a match. During one of our moves, things got messed up and I ended up landing on my head, crushing my c4-c5 vertebrae and stretching and bruising my spinal cord severely. After the accident I had my c4-c5 vertebrae fused together, and with this injury, I was paralyzed from the chest down. I have use of my arms, including my biceps, and now my triceps that have just kicked in. I have no use of my hands, thus making it quite difficult to answer any emails in volume, but I still am able type by using the side of my pinky, and have become quite skilled at doing so. With this type of injury you learn to adapt as best you can. I think that this is the first time that I have ever explained in detail here on the web what actually happened to me.

 

I just wanted to clarify this for all of you out there that were not watching wrestling at the time of my injury. As a matter of fact a lot of you have been asking if I will ever be on WWE television again, and on “Byte This” last Thursday we actually talked about the fact that I will be doing a confidential piece sometime in the near future when I get back to New Jersey. The office has left it up to me all along to what extent I want to be involved with the company. Hopefully, now that I am getting things turned around in my life, I will be able to contribute more than just my two cents and “Byte This.” I am not really sure to what extent it will be, but we will be able to figure something out. I know that over this time period, since I have been injured staying involved with wrestling, even on a limited basis has been great for me. I will keep all of you informed on any new happenings.

 

One thing down here that has been a big bummer is that two weeks ago, I lost UPN in my room, and therefore I haven’t been able to see SmackDown!. I am still able to see RAW and a few of the other shows. Speaking of RAW, this past Monday night, it was great to see Mick Foley once again stepping into the WWE spotlight. With the loss of Austin a few weeks back, the fans let it be known just how happy they were to see Mick back in the swing of things once again. It’s a privilege seeing this legend coming out there and entertaining the people on so many different levels. Although he no longer wrestles, he is still one of the greatest entertainers in the business. He definitely stirred things up on Monday and there is no doubt that he is going to throw a major monkey wrench in all of Bischoff’s plans.

 

Hopefully all of you had a happy Thanksgiving, and please keep sending the emails…

 

Until next week…

[Downhome 0]

Is it true that D'Lo slipped on a drink, or something like that, that caused the botched spot to happen? I remember hearing that a good while ago, but I've never known for sure.

 

Was it that, or just an accident and a freak accident with no other factors involved?

 

It sure is great to read his works though, he gives off such a positive energy to me, I really enjoy reading what he has to say.

[PLAGIARISM! 0]

Wow, good to see he's still recovering steadily.

[Murmuring Beast 0]

I hope he gets much better soon. Paralysis must be one of the worst inflictions a person could suffer.

[Nevermortal 0]

Remember when Palumbo & O'Haire didn't shake his hand?

[Guest Real F'n Show]

Is it true that D'Lo slipped on a drink, or something like that, that caused the botched spot to happen? I remember hearing that a good while ago, but I've never known for sure.

 

Was it that, or just an accident and a freak accident with no other factors involved?

 

It sure is great to read his works though, he gives off such a positive energy to me, I really enjoy reading what he has to say.

I heard it was just D'Lo went for his "Real Deal" running powerbomb and was struggling to hold Droz up because of his attire (shorts) and he ended up accidently dropping him on his head. I don't think he slipped on anything, although I might be wrong.

[deancoles 0]

Is it true that D'Lo slipped on a drink, or something like that, that caused the botched spot to happen? I remember hearing that a good while ago, but I've never known for sure.

 

Was it that, or just an accident and a freak accident with no other factors involved?

 

It sure is great to read his works though, he gives off such a positive energy to me, I really enjoy reading what he has to say.

I heard it was just D'Lo went for his "Real Deal" running powerbomb and was struggling to hold Droz up because of his attire (shorts) and he ended up accidently dropping him on his head. I don't think he slipped on anything, although I might be wrong.

That's why Mike Awesome never used the running Awesome bomb in wwf/e

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

Remember when Palumbo & O'Haire didn't shake his hand?

 

I think it was something that WWE guys like UT and Bradshaw used as an excuse for them to be depush cause you know how many "unwritten rules" there are in the WWE lockerrom. I doubt Droz would be pushing for their depush.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Personally, I'm amazed that he typed so much with just his pinky. That must be tough considering his condition and all.

[Guest The Masked Avenger]

Droz is the man!

I remember seeing that last, fatal match, and being shocked over the injury, as D'Lo didn't appear to have any problems, and Droz seemed to land pretty well. I believe it was a freak accident and that Droz has stated that he bears no grudge towards D'Lo for it.

[Guest Username]

i wasn't watching wrestling at the time...so i don't know a thing about droz.

 

is he any good in the ring?

[haVoc 0]

Hopefully, now that I am getting things turned around in my life, I will be able to contribute more than just my two cents and “Byte This.” I am not really sure to what extent it will be, but we will be able to figure something out. I know that over this time period, since I have been injured staying involved with wrestling, even on a limited basis has been great for me.

 

If Randy Orton can't get heat by giving Droz the TKO then nothing will.

[Nevermortal 0]

Hopefully, now that I am getting things turned around in my life, I will be able to contribute more than just my two cents and “Byte This.” I am not really sure to what extent it will be, but we will be able to figure something out. I know that over this time period, since I have been injured staying involved with wrestling, even on a limited basis has been great for me.

 

If Randy Orton can't get heat by giving Droz the TKO then nothing will.

Or he could pull a Brock and push him down the stairs.

[Guest frowned]

i wasn't watching wrestling at the time...so i don't know a thing about droz.

 

is he any good in the ring?

from what I remember he was OK... not a purists wet dream or anything, but he could hold is own and had a decent look. Definitely wasn't bad though.

[Guest Boo_Bradley]

Droz is the man!

I remember seeing that last, fatal match, and being shocked over the injury, as D'Lo didn't appear to have any problems, and Droz seemed to land pretty well. I believe it was a freak accident and that Droz has stated that he bears no grudge towards D'Lo for it.

They never showed it, how'd you see it?

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Droz is the man!

I remember seeing that last, fatal match, and being shocked over the injury, as D'Lo didn't appear to have any problems, and Droz seemed to land pretty well. I believe it was a freak accident and that Droz has stated that he bears no grudge towards D'Lo for it.

They never showed it, how'd you see it?

ummm, he didn't. Just ignore his stupidity.

[Nevermortal 0]

Maybe he was there live?

[Guest The Masked Avenger]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dynamite.

I should however have phrased it differently, what I meant was that I'm certain I've seen the clip where D'Lo executes the running powerbomb on Droz, and he is carried from the ring. Can't remember where or when, but I have much better things to do with my time than lying on message boards. The reason I remember seeing this clip so vivid, is that being a wrestler myself (allthough not a particulary experienced one), I watched the clip so as to discern the reason for the injury and what could have been done differently. That's why I was surprised to discover that the move looked relatively safe, in spite of hurting Droz so badly.

[LucharesuFan619 0]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dynamite.

I should however have phrased it differently, what I meant was that I'm certain I've seen the clip where D'Lo executes the running powerbomb on Droz, and he is carried from the ring. Can't remember where or when, but I have much better things to do with my time than lying on message boards. The reason I remember seeing this clip so vivid, is that being a wrestler myself (allthough not a particulary experienced one), I watched the clip so as to discern the reason for the injury and what could have been done differently. That's why I was surprised to discover that the move looked relatively safe, in spite of hurting Droz so badly.

I'm assuming you mean you saw the clip on the net, since it wasn't aired on TV, but although you sound genuine, I have trouble believing you, since I don't think WWE ever released the clip, and that's the ONLY way people would've gotten it, unless someone snuck a fancam in, used it, and uploaded the clip to the net, the odds of which are quite slim.

[Nevermortal 0]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dynamite.

I should however have phrased it differently, what I meant was that I'm certain I've seen the clip where D'Lo executes the running powerbomb on Droz, and he is carried from the ring. Can't remember where or when, but I have much better things to do with my time than lying on message boards. The reason I remember seeing this clip so vivid, is that being a wrestler myself (allthough not a particulary experienced one), I watched the clip so as to discern the reason for the injury and what could have been done differently. That's why I was surprised to discover that the move looked relatively safe, in spite of hurting Droz so badly.

I'm assuming you mean you saw the clip on the net, since it wasn't aired on TV, but although you sound genuine, I have trouble believing you, since I don't think WWE ever released the clip, and that's the ONLY way people would've gotten it, unless someone snuck a fancam in, used it, and uploaded the clip to the net, the odds of which are quite slim.

Well, Smackdown is a taped show transmitted by satellite, and people can get the satellite feeds if they have the capabilities, so him seeing it is not very far fetched of a notion.

[Guest The Masked Avenger]

I was not there live, (I'd remember that, at least) but as I live in Europe, there might have been some differences in what was aired, I don't know. I checked with one of my friends who also seem to recall the incident, but was unable to tell me where he remembered it from.

The point was anyway that the injury was not D'Lo's fault, and that he neither got heat with Droz or the management for it.