Ridge Holland on Big E Injury and Fallout in WWE: “They Pointed the Finger at Me”

Ridge Holland recently reflected on the incident that reshaped both his career and the in-ring future of Big E during a 2022 episode of WWE SmackDown. Speaking in an interview with Mike Rand, Holland discussed the impact of the moment in the match that led to Big E’s serious neck injury.

The injury occurred on March 11, 2022, during a tag team match on SmackDown. Holland executed a belly-to-belly suplex that resulted in Big E landing awkwardly on his head. The impact fractured Big E’s C1 and C6 vertebrae. Medical reports later confirmed there were no ligament tears or spinal cord damage, but the injury ultimately ended his in-ring career.

Holland explained that the reaction was immediate once the seriousness of the injury became clear. Big E was one of the most popular performers on the roster at the time, and the moment quickly became a focal point among fans and commentators. Holland said the situation created a lasting cloud over his time in WWE, which ended in October 2025 (via Fightful).

“From that moment, Big E was a huge star and so loved. There was a massive backlash, and even me being relatively new on the roster, as well. They’re gonna have to point the finger at somebody. Yeah, they pointed the finger at me. It was kind of a black cloud in my career. I never really got past it. I couldn’t shake it. I always say, Big E’s career, unfortunately, ended that day, but I think so did mine, in a way. At least my career in WWE. I’ll always regret it. It’s one of those things I’m looking forward to putting behind me and hopefully moving on. If and when the time comes when I put my boots back on, I can reinvent myself,” he said.

Big E had been a major presence in WWE programming before the injury, having previously held the WWE Championship and been a member of The New Day. His absence from in-ring competition changed the direction of several storylines.

For Holland, the incident remains a defining point in his professional journey. He suggested that if he returns to wrestling outside WWE, the experience may shape the next chapter of his career.