WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson has explained why today’s style of professional wrestling genuinely scares him.
In an interview with Denise Salcedo, Arn Anderson shared his honest thoughts on modern-day wrestling and the risks he believes come with it. “I’m terrified. I respect the girls and guys of today’s wrestling industry, but scared to death too, because I see things in the ring that you can’t protect yourself on.”
He specifically pointed to moves that involve blind landings and extreme risk. “Anything going backwards, German Suplex, you can’t protect yourself because you can’t see where you’re going. Stuff off the top, going through tables, things that are dangerous.”
He added, “You look at me, I’m beat up, and I didn’t do any of that stuff, so I’m just worried that in five years we’re gonna have a casualty list, and I hate it for the young guys and girls, because they feel like they need to go to that level to get the audience’s approval.”
Anderson compared today’s wrestling style to his era, saying, “You look at me, I’m beat up, and I didn’t do any of that stuff.” He warned about the future, adding, “I’m just worried that in five years we’re gonna have a casualty list,” and said he hates that young wrestlers feel they need to take bigger risks for fans approval.
“Do you need them to do that to enjoy their matches? If they dialed it down would you not follow them? I’m not saying take everything away from them, take all the excitement away, but take some of the stuff that talent are time after time getting hurt on and just dial it down, that’s all I’m asking.”
Arn Anderson used Charlotte Flair as an example while discussing injury risks
Arn Anderson also noted that injuries appear far more common today than when he was active. To make his point, Anderson used Charlotte Flair as an example, specifically referencing one of her signature high-risk spots.
“I’ll give an example; Ric’s daughter, Ashley Flair, Charlotte. She’s famous for dropping her opponent on the floor, going to the top rope and doing a Moonsault to the floor. If you go back and slow the tape down, there’s no way to catch somebody off top, and she’s landing on her feet. What’s the odds of her blowing her knee out or tearing her hamstring? You tell me if she doesn’t do that move, I’ll be disappointed. I don’t think so.” [H/T: f4wonline.com]
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