Big E Says Fans ‘Crossed The Line And Went Too Far’ With Their Criticism Toward Ridge Holland

Former WWE Champion Big E recently opened up about the immense fan backlash that Ridge Holland suffered following the infamous incident that ended his in-ring career.

Big E suffered a career-ending neck injury after taking an overhead Suplex from Holland during a tag team match on the March 11, 2022, episode of WWE SmackDown. That proved to be the final match of his career, as he never recovered from the injury. Meanwhile, Ridge suffered immense backlash from fans, with some crossing the line. Ridge never recovered from that setback and was ultimately released from the company last year.

Big E appeared on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet this week. During the conversation, he offered his sympathies to Holland for being at the receiving end of a never-ending backlash from fans. He revealed that he had a chat with Ridge soon after the events of March 2022, and the latter also sent him a 10-pound box of meat as an apology.

The retired wrestler acknowledged that people went too far with their criticism and maintained that injuries happen and that it was never intentional on the part of Ridge. He also revealed that he caught up with Ridge during WrestleMania 42 weekend. Here’s what Big E said (via Insight):

“It was pretty quickly. I don’t remember the exact timeline, but we ended up talking pretty quickly thereafter. He got a lot of hate; he got threats. On one end, I can understand a lot of people. I can appreciate the people who are supportive of me and who wanted to see me continue to wrestle and felt like he was the reason that I couldn’t, but I know what I signed up for. I know things go awry. It was never malicious. It was never intentional. I felt for him and continued to feel for him. He actually sent me a 10-pound box of meat as an apology, which felt like a very manly thing to do. Here’s a bunch of meat. At the time, I really wasn’t eating much red meat, so I was like, ‘Oh, this is great,’ but I sent that to my creative partner, Johnny. Someone enjoyed it, at least. But no, we talked, and he continued to check in.

“I actually ran into him briefly at the MGM Grand in Vegas for Mania this year. He was on the move, and I was on the move, and there are fans around, too, so it’s pretty quick. But it was good to see him. It seemed like he was in a better place, but yeah, I know it really altered his career, and I tried to put out a statement or two to tell people there’s no ill will whatsoever; please leave this man alone. But more than anything, he has a family to take care of. He has kids, and to see him, one, he dealt with a devastating injury of his own. He dealt with losing his job. I really felt for him and continue to feel for him because I tell people I’m in a great place; I’m very thankful.

“I still am continuing with the company, doing broadcasting work. I am good; I am truly, truly good. But, yeah, I think he was just in a very difficult position, and I really hate that his tenure in WWE, for the most part, a lot of it’s going to be defined by the injury and his role in it. But I really feel for him and for his family, and I truly hope he’s in a better place. I hope that’s all come to an end, because a lot of people crossed the line and went too far.”

Earlier this year, Ridge Holland commented on the fallout from that incident. You can check his comments HERE.