In an exclusive interview with WWE.com, “The Vigilante” Sting finally broke silence on the injury he suffered during Night of Champions 2015 main event bout for the WWE World Heavyweight Title against Seth Rollins.
During the interview, Sting talks about when the injury exactly happened, how did he feel and also revealed whether he’ll ever step foot in a ring again to compete. Below are the highlights from the interview:
Can you set everyone straight on the extent of your injury, as you await further evaluation?
“Bottom line, I had tingling, numbness down both arms, all the way to my fingertips. And then, later in the match, I just fell wrong, whatever it was, and this time [the tingling and numbness] went down both arms and into my legs, and I couldn’t feel my legs too well. They just felt like rubber. I don’t know how to describe it. I had to go down on all fours there for a minute, get my composure. I was a little … I was worried. Long term, well, I’m just going to take care of the short term first and see how the long term might play out.”
What kind of treatment did you receive after your injury at Night of Champions?
“I was out in the hospital — out like a light. They had a neck brace on me, and they were pumping me with [medication] to get me out of pain. I had to do a CT scan and an MRI. They ended up talking to my wife, and I have some details from my wife, but I still have [further evaluation ahead]. They mentioned cervical spinal stenosis, but that’s only part of what I heard. I don’t know if there’s anything else. The doctor did tell my wife, “He’s going to have to get this dealt with. He’s lucky he walked out of there.”
Were you aware of exactly when your injury occurred during the match?
“Oh, yeah, definitely. Both times into the turnbuckle. First time was like a whiplash. It’s my fault, bottom line. I know better. The second time, I went up into the air and back toward the turnbuckle like that, I thought, “Well, that’s not going to happen again,” and it did. The second time was worse.”
Is getting back in the ring again something you’d want to do? Do you have that desire to return?
“Hmmm, in the right scenario … in the right scenario, yeah.”
Can you describe what was going through your mind toward the end when the referee stopped the match?
“The referee, the doctor, they’re all in there talking to me: “Are you OK? What’s going on? Can you continue? Are you all right? Tell us what’s happening.” And the whole time, I’m just thinking, “Oh, man, not now,” I mean, I want this to be good, you know? And if it ends up being the last thing I ever do in the ring, I don’t want to go out like this. “God help me.” I’m trying to just shake it off, you know? “C’mon, c’mon.” I’m stamping my feet or moving my toes, just trying to get a feel back, get my legs back underneath me. It started to kind of clear up a little bit. My fingers were still tingling and all that, but my legs were not at that point. I said, “Let me try to continue, let’s just try it.” So I just stood up and walked away from them, and we continued.”
Well, the important thing is that you walked away from it. There’s been quite a bit of speculation on the Internet as to what happened, so thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Any closing words for your fans?
“I have not been on the Internet, but I have heard some things here and there. To be quite honest, I just shut myself in once I got home. I can’t tell you the number of text messages and phone calls I received. But listen, I’m grateful, thankful and appreciate wrestling fans now — after 30 years — I appreciate them now more than I ever have.”
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