Wrestler Injures Brain, Hebner Likes “You Screwed Bret” Chants

September 14, 2008

source: The Wrestling Observer

Akira Raijin collapsed during his match with Kohei Suwama for the All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion yesterday. He collapsed following a hard chop. Raijin regained consciousness backstage after being stretchered out of the ring. His injuries are said to be serious and some are fearing that he suffered a subdural hematoma – a form of traumatic brain injury. It was announced a few weeks ago that Raijin had signed a two-year deal with TNA.

TNA referee Earl Hebner doesn’t seem to mind getting “You Screwed Bret” taunts from fans anymore. “I used to hate it, but now I love it because it keeps me alive,” Hebner told SLAM! Wrestling. “Name a football referee. Name a baseball umpire. Now name a wrestling ref. If you ask anybody who watches our business, my name will come up. That’s just the way the business is.”

Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.

Nick attended New York University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Drama.

Nick first entered the internet wrestling community back in 2004 when he became the co-host of The Voice of Wrestling Radio Show. From there, Nick made the transition from radio personality to editor when he began working with WrestleZone in 2008.

Nick is a member of two Off-Broadway theatre companies, Another Urban Riff, and the Drama Desk Award winning Godlight Theatre Company. Nick has appeared in over a dozen Off-Broadway plays since he moved to New York City, and has shot several short and feature length films. In 2010, he completed principle photography on a film titled "How to Score Your Life," which also features TNA Knockout ODB.

Inspiration in his life has come from many people including his family, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, and of course, Lassie.