12 WWE Wrestlers Who Worked Through Chronic Injury

Working injured in WWE has traditionally been a badge of honour for pro wrestlers. There remains an old school mentality of “toughing it out” and working through the pain.

It also comes down to money, as being off the road injured is perhaps most painful to a wrestler’s bank account. Even with downside guarantees, wrestlers want to be working and maximising their short window of earning opportunities.

As such, many on the WWE roster will work through minor injuries. However, since the WWE brought in more stringent physical checks, working through bigger injuries is now impossible. Ten years ago, a guy like Daniel Bryan might be working right now. A guy like Hulk Hogan would’ve been allowed back for one match. Instead, they find themselves today on the sidelines, wanting to compete but unable to.

WWE should be commended for putting wrestler health above everything else. The company is safer than it ever has been, and the medical provision is first rate.

But for the majority of WWE’s existence, there was a naivety or ignorance about wrestlers working injured. Some former talents have even tried to sue the company for lack of care.

But for most wrestlers, working hurt was just part of the pride of the job. In several cases, some big names would wrestle chronically injured.