WWE fans are worried about their favorite ex-star’s health after a video from an independent show started spreading online.
Wrestling fans have been sharing their worries after a video of EC3 went viral on social media.
We all know professional wrestling can be really tough on the body, and many big stars have had to retire early because of injuries. Right now, WWE stars like Rhea Ripley and Logan Paul are both out with serious injuries from the ring.
Some wrestlers who don’t retire early still choose to keep wrestling at local shows after their WWE days are over. One of these wrestlers is Ethan Carter III, or EC3, whose real name is Michael Hutter. He recently showed up at an ASW Canada event, where he went after the heavyweight title against Leon Lokombo.
It’s nice to see the 43-year-old still wrestling, but some fans got worried after watching video from the event. The clips show EC3 walking to the ring, but he looks like he’s in a lot of pain and appears to be limping, maybe struggling with his hips or knees.
Fans took to social media with concerned comments like: “Are his knees gone or is he just walking weird?” and “I hope he gets some help; he looks like he’s hurting a lot.” Another fan said, “It’s been 15+ years since his prime, but that room looks empty, and he looks like he’s in pain. It’s kinda sad.”
EC3 first appeared in WWE back in 2009, wrestling as Mike Hutter and Derrick Bateman. He left the company in 2013 after four years but came back in 2018 as EC3. He competed in NXT and the main WWE roster before being released again in April 2020 due to budget cuts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many other former WWE wrestlers are still active in the wrestling world. For example, Matt Riddle, a former US and Raw Tag Champion and unbeaten UFC fighter, keeps busy wrestling for MLW, NJPW, and other international tours. The Hardys (Matt and Jeff) currently hold the TNA World Tag Team Championship, and Nic Nemeth (known as Dolph Ziggler) is the current TNA World Champion. Christian Cage, a former WWE World Heavyweight and Intercontinental Champion, is now an AEW World Tag Team Champion with Adam “Edge” Copeland.
It’s clear many wrestlers keep their passion alive, even after WWE. Fans just want them to stay safe and healthy!