Cageside Seats: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook

The Connecticut media wakes up to WWE's hypocrisy on the concussion issue, but it's about more than just chair shots to the head

What was the cause - unprotected chair shots or a lifetime of dangerous bumps?

What was the cause - unprotected chair shots or a lifetime of dangerous bumps?

Connecticut political blogger Daniela Altimari breaks the news story that Linda McMahon, despite her knowledge of the concussion issue, won't be attending a public hearing on a proposed bill to address the problem of student athletes suffering head injuries in scholastic sports.

She then follows up with a post wondering how chair shots to the head could be banned in WWE's Wellness policy, yet they recently ran a Tables, Ladders and Chairs PPV which featured and glorified them.  WWE Spokesman Robert Zimmerman made the save for the company by claiming to Altimari that the ban on chair shots to the head was only implemented in January 2010.  James Caldwell of the Pro Wrestling Torch then pointed out to her the obvious hypocrisy of banning chair shots to the head while still running Elimination Chamber matches where participant's heads were thrown into chain wiring and plexiglass.

Here's Irv Muchnick's reactions to Altimari's posts:

Drugs in D.C. Are Dead, But There Are Always Concussions in Connecticut

WWE Bans Chair Shots for Safety … Except When They’re Absolutely Essential to the Plot

With all due respect to James Caldwell and Irv Muchnick, I think the focus on chair shots and gimmick matches misses the point a bit.  Yes, unprotected chair shots to the head are completely stupid and should be eliminated from wrestling completely.  But how much brain trauma does a lifetime of dangerous bumps cause?  Which is a question WWE and most wrestling fans would rather not ask for fear of the answer.

0 recs  |  Comment 2 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

While some matches go overboard with chairshots (Austin-Rock at WM X7, Rock-Austin I Quit, quite a few Edge&Christian matches), I venture that a steady diet of more ‘basic’ spots are much more responsible for the concussions and brain damage. Of course, the myriad ‘garbage’ and ’death’matches with more hardware than a Home Depot are a problem all to themselves.

by lhasafi on Mar 18, 2010 11:45 AM EDT reply actions  

With flat back bumps and the ensuing whiplash being concussion fuel, I wonder how different it would be in the average Mexican wrestler, since they take rolling bumps.

by Bix on Mar 18, 2010 2:00 PM EDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Cageside Seats provides daily coverage of mixed martial arts, pro wrestling, boxing, and everything in between. Looking for in-depth and provocative commentary on the fight industry? Look no further!
Start posting on Cageside Seats »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

SBNation.com Recent Stories

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Drew Storen throws during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, May 17, 2010, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

MLB Trade Rumors: Late Saturday Afternoon Trade Analysis

Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez is congratulated by teammates after his walk-off home run against the Chicago Cubs in the ninth inning of a baseball game at Coors Field in Denver, Colo. on Saturday, July 31, 2010.  (AP Photo/ Matt McClain)

Carlos Gonzalez Completes Cycle With Walk-Off Homer; Rockies Beat Cubs, 6-5

Philadelphia Eagles head coack Andy Reid, left, talks with wide receiver DeSean Jackson during the morning session of NFL football training camp at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. on Saturday, July, 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)

DeSean Jackson Carted Off Field With Back Injury

More from SBNation.com >


Managers

Violator__remastered_-_sacd__small Bix

Editors

Yhst-50863389838911_2094_21631803_small JonathanSnowden

Th_alkredblack_bigger_small SundownMotel

Small Cox813

Small Dave Walsh

Small kjh

Small DylanWaco

Small SLL

Authors

849514479_l_small jlamb

Walter_small AniMal34

Kangaroo_small King Matt

Small Jeremiah Johnson.