As has been noted on several occasions throughout 2016, injuries have cast a major black eye over the WWE since last fall. Full-time superstars like John Cena, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt, Cesaro and others have missed significant time, and with that, significant WWE events like WrestleMania or the Royal Rumble .
The recent brand split exposed a lack of depth on two separate brands, and part-time attractions like Brock Lesnar and Cena provide only a temporary fix to the flaw. Finn Balor’s injury certainly didn’t help matters either, considering the plans the WWE had for their first-ever Universal Champion coming out of SummerSlam .
Injuries happen, however, and they’re all part of the WWE and the professional wrestling business. Companies can’t plan for them, but they’re always forced to head back to the drawing board when one occurs. It’s a fundamental risk that wrestlers sign up for when they enter the profession. The WWE has gone to great lengths to harbor the safest environment possible in recent years, but beyond the Wellness Policy and what goes on in the squared circle is pretty much out of their hands.
Backstage brawls are nothing new, as ego and testosterone have played a role in every wrestling organization dating way back. But to an organization like the WWE, who has dealt with major injuries recently as noted, physical altercations cannot be viewed in a positive light. And we can add another one to the list.
According to Daily Wrestling News , the latest altercation involving WWE superstars included Chris Jericho and Sin Cara. Jericho and Sin Cara were apart of the WWE crew traveling from a live event in Leeds, England to the site of Monday’s episode of RAW in Glasgow, Scotland. The incident occurred on a WWE bus which ultimately led to Sin Cara being kicked off of it as a result of instigating the altercation.
Initially, there were reports that surfaced that indicated that Sin Cara knocked out Jericho, but as clearer details emerge, that doesn’t appear to be the case at all. In fact, Jericho posted a tweet just before 6 a.m. Eastern time that completely refuted those rumors, as seen below.
Hmmm haven’t been KOd since 1994 in Hakata Star Lanes. Another example of shoddy, uninformed “journalism” from the stupid idiots at @MLW .
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) November 7, 2016
It does appear that Sin Cara did, in fact, throw a punch at Jericho, but it remains unclear whether it landed. Apparently, while on the WWE bus, Sin Cara was making annoying noises that bothered many of the other superstars and passengers. Several people asked him to stop, but he persisted. It was then that Jericho tried to make him stop and Cara told Y2J to f*** off.
The two tangled up when Sin Cara threw a wild right hand at Jericho. Those on the bus were quick to get in between the two WWE superstars, at which point, Jericho apparently bit Sin Cara’s finger. Sin Cara was tossed off the bus and no word yet on what alternate means of transportation he used to get to Glasgow.
If you could ask @IAmJericho one question, what would it be? #AskJericho pic.twitter.com/EQaIgrt3aT
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) November 6, 2016
Regarding WWE hierarchy, Jericho is clearly the bigger star of the two. Chris is working the top storyline alongside Kevin Owens on RAW , while Sin Cara has primarily been relegated to dark matches and the Cruiserweight Division. Jericho is always aware of the big picture in WWE and can certainly spot an expendable talent when he sees one. Not to say that Cara qualifies, but one account of the incident had Jericho yelling at Sin Cara that he won’t be working in the WWE anymore.
Both Jericho and Sin Cara, ironically, have been involved in backstage altercations earlier this year. Cara reportedly knocked out Simon Gotch (one-half of The Vaudevillains) in what many believe was started by Gotch. The Vaudevillains’ strong start on WWE’s main roster has since fizzled out, thanks in large part to that incident and Gotch’s overall poor attitude.
Jericho, of course, was involved in a much more high-profile altercation , when he confronted Brock Lesnar following the SummerSlam main event between Brock and Randy Orton. In both cases, it looks like Y2J will come out looking better, and we’ll just have to wait and see if Sin Cara makes… The List!
[Featured Image by WWE]