The speaker discusses their experiences with a broken neck in the Olympics and the WWE. They describe how they continued to compete despite the pain and injury, using a doctor's advice to inject them with Novocaine before each match. They mention the doctor's warning about the severe pain they would experience after each match. Despite the injury, they managed to make it to the Olympics.
After the Olympics, they retired for a few years. However, their neck continued to deteriorate, and they broke their neck four more times in the WWE. They underwent five surgeries and have had extensive nerve damage in their neck. They have lost three inches in both arms due to atrophy. They are considering a procedure called Fusion, which involves fusing the vertebrae, but are waiting to see a doctor in New York who can perform the procedure.
The speaker also mentions Al Jermaine Sterling, a former UFC champion who had a similar experience. Sterling injured his neck badly and had to get a disc replaced. He went on to defend his title and even won a rematch. However, he eventually lost his title to Sugar Shawn O'Malley. Sterling now uses an artificial disc in his neck.
The speaker is considering a different procedure, a titanium articulating disc replacement for spinal vertebrae, which allows for movement. They mention Eddie Bravo, who also has a similar disc replacement in his lower back. The speaker is cautious about the Fusion procedure due to its potential long-term effects, as seen in Stone Cold Steve Austin's case.
1. The speaker participated in the Olympic trials for wrestling with a broken neck.
2. Despite the pain, the speaker continued wrestling through the semis and won.
3. The speaker was diagnosed with four broken vertebrae and two discs sticking directly into the spinal cord.
4. The doctor advised the speaker to stop wrestling and let the neck rest and heal for six weeks.
5. The speaker was injected with 12 shots of Novocaine in the neck five minutes before each match.
6. The speaker continued wrestling at the Olympics, despite the pain and the doctor's warning.
7. The speaker retired from wrestling after the Olympics.
8. The speaker had problems with the neck since then, including motor skill issues in the hands.
9. The speaker broke the neck four more times during the WWE and had five surgeries.
10. The speaker lost three inches in both arms due to the neck injury.
11. The speaker was considering a half Fusion surgery.
12. The speaker had difficulty feeling the fingers on one hand and had a lot of atrophy in the arms.
13. The speaker experienced a complete Ripple through the chest, which would never come back.
14. The speaker was considering replacement discs and titanium articulating disc for spinal vertebrae.
15. The speaker was cautious about getting a fusion due to previous experiences with other athletes who had problems after the surgery.