Professional wrestling is built on carefully choreographed action, but sometimes, real life gets in the way of the script. WWE Superstars are highly trained athletes, but even with years of experience, accidents can — and do — happen in the ring. There have been moments when injuries were so severe that matches couldn’t continue, forcing referees and medical staff to intervene. These instances remind fans that, behind the storylines, wrestlers risk their bodies every time they step through the ropes. Below are four unforgettable WWE matches that had to be stopped due to legitimate injuries, proving just how dangerous this profession can be.
1. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Owen Hart – SummerSlam 1997
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Owen Hart (Image via Getty)One of the most infamous incidents in WWE history happened during SummerSlam 1997 when Stone Cold Steve Austin faced Owen Hart for the Intercontinental Championship. Midway through the match, Hart attempted a sit-out Tombstone Piledriver. Unfortunately, Austin’s head was positioned too low, causing him to suffer a severe neck injury and temporary paralysis. Despite barely being able to move, Austin mustered enough strength for a weak roll-up pin to win the match. Afterward, he was immediately attended to by medical staff. This injury not only altered the match but also forced Austin to adjust his wrestling style permanently, shaping the remainder of his legendary career.
2. Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle – SmackDown 2003 (Iron Man Match)
Although Brock Lesnar is known for his freakish athleticism, sometimes even he pushes his body beyond its limits. During a famous 60-minute Iron Man match against Kurt Angle on SmackDown, Lesnar attempted a high-risk Shooting Star Press — a move he rarely used. His foot slipped slightly, causing him to under-rotate and land on his head and neck. Though he finished the match, Lesnar was visibly dazed and required medical evaluation afterward. This incident serves as a reminder that even the toughest WWE Superstars aren’t immune to real injury when attempting high-risk maneuvers. Fans still talk about this match both for its drama and the legitimate danger Lesnar faced at that moment.
3. Edge vs. Jeff Hardy – SmackDown 2009 (Ladder Match)
Edge vs. Matt Hardy (Image via Getty)During a 2009 SmackDown episode, Edge faced Jeff Hardy in a brutal ladder match. As two of WWE’s most daring performers, both men were known for pushing boundaries. In one of the high spots, Hardy executed a dive from the top of a ladder, but something went wrong, and he landed awkwardly, severely injuring his lower back. Edge, recognizing Hardy’s condition, stalled for time as referees and medics checked on him. The match was ultimately cut short, and Hardy was taken backstage for treatment. This real-life injury halted an anticipated showdown, showing just how dangerous ladder matches can be — even for seasoned veterans.
4. Samoa Joe vs. Tyson Kidd – Dark Match 2015
Tyson Kidd’s career-ending injury during a dark match against Samoa Joe is one of the most heartbreaking examples of a real injury stopping a contest. In 2015, during a routine Muscle Buster from Joe — a move he had used for years — Kidd landed awkwardly on his neck. The injury was so severe that it required emergency surgery and nearly left Kidd paralyzed. WWE never aired the match, but news of the incident quickly spread. Kidd later revealed that only a small percentage of people survive such an injury, let alone walk again. His forced retirement is a somber reminder of the real risks WWE Superstars face every time they compete.
These moments remain some of the most memorable and painful reminders that, behind the bright lights and storylines, WWE matches involve real danger. While fans enjoy the drama and action, these injuries highlight the dedication and risks these athletes take for entertainment.