I heard Jesse Sorenson (one of my favorite wrestlers on TNA Impact) was seriously injured at the Against All Odds Pay-Per-View this past Sunday, 2/12/12. It seems that Jesse was standing outside the ring and Zema Ion (or Shiima Xion or whatever) jumped off the ropes to slam his knee onto Jesse’s upper back. Jesse collapsed to the floor with a broken neck (his C1 vertebrae) and the ref quickly ended the match and called for help.
Sorenson was hospitalized, but luckily he has feeling in his arms and body and is expected to recover. Will he wrestle again, or want to wrestle again? I don’t know, I hope so.
There is a video clip of this scary scene which you can easily find if you want to see it, but I do NOT recommend watching it — it’s disturbing. I warned you.
When Jesse first joined TNA, I blogged about his Gauntlet Match (Part 1 and Part 2) and his on-going feud with Kid Kash and Austin Aries, two veteran bullies who delighted in punishing the young lion. I even encouraged them to keep beating up poor Sorenson:
“Just know that I could watch Sorenson getting whipped just like this every day and twice on Sundays…”
Now I regret ever wishing harm on poor handsome young Jesse. As much as I want to watch him suffer endless abuse, I only want to see FAKE agony. Instead of “Keeping it real,” pro wrestlers should focus on keeping it fake.
Really, you guys don’t need to jump off the ropes or attempt any risky flips or dives! Just stay down on the mat — old-school style — and apply a bunch of friendly Scissors and Bearhugs and Headlocks. This wrestling fan is totally fine with that (would actually prefer it.)
As much as I delight in displays of suffering (see my Suffering Sunday series for numerous examples), I only want FAKE suffering. Yes, I love the imagery of violence and agony, and part of my brain wants to believe the victim is really in pain — but deep down, I also want to rest assured that everybody is safe and goes home healthy and unharmed.
I haven’t figured out yet why I want to see guys like Jesse Sorenson pretending to be hurt — but the minute they’re really hurt, I regret it and want them to get well soon. I will keep trying to figure that out (probably for the rest of my life), but in the meantime, please be careful guys, keep it fake, don’t risk life and limb just for my entertainment.
I totally agree with the Blog on this subject. Wrestling is a dance-a storyline-a soap opera ( as much as I hate to use that description ) It get’s the crowd pumped, allowing ticket sales and revenue to peak in the multi of millions. Some storylines or feuds going for months on end. Yes, it continues drawing as a ( yuck ) soap opera does on daily television. BUT….when some of these IDIOT”S such the case in this incident named Ion or Xion ( should be COWS ASS ) took what he ( in his own “F”d up brain ) considered to be TALENT, and TRIED ( unsucessfully ) to do a move that some of the BRIGHTEST talent in the ring won’t try to do…..and he MAJORLY INJURES a talent far superior to his. Look at some of the FOOLS from 10-15-20 years back. Dr. “D” David Shultz…SLAPPING a national news anchor ACROSS THE HEAD, injuring his hearing so badly, the news anchor now wears a hearing aid. And this on National Television….WHAT A BRAINLESS MORON. Yes? ( costing WWF millions in lawsuits ) The state of Connecticut ( where WWE headquarters is located ) lands an investigation as to the abuse of roids by the roster of WWF. The list goes on, and in my eyes, it all boil’s down to arrogance and one’s inability to determine that of ” REALITY” and “FANTACY”. I love the fantacy of a Jobber SUFFERING at the hands of the Heel, both verbal and physical. I GET IT….it’s fake and designed to get the many like myself into it, ON A FANTACY LEVEL…..NOT A LEVEL OF REALITY where HOT boyz and men are INJURED. Get SMART, PRO WRESTLING OF TODAY…..continue your crap, or loose the many that love it as much, if not more than I do.
I’m with you, 100 per cent. Suffering needs to be buffered by a layer of fantasy! And these guys REALLY don’t need to be killing themselves (and each other) with these over-the-top risky spots. Like you said, old-school style would be better. (Let’s see more submissions!) I hope Jesse gets well. But if he doesn’t want to come back, I wouldn’t blame him.
Agree with every word ‘Stay Puft’ says. I don’t like 3 or 4 way matches at all btw.
I’m with Simon! I always feel a little cheated when one of my favorites is in a 3 or 4 way match.
It’s ironic that wrestling was a lot safer for the performers back when everyone thought it was real compared to now when everyone is sure it’s “fake”.
I wonder how many parents let their kids engage in incredibly dangerous backyard wrestling secure in the knowledge that wrestling is “fake” so nothing bad could possibly happen.
I Saw That Match, And It Was Awfull!! I Feel So Sorry For Jesse. He Hadn’t Even Been There For Very Long. Zema Ion Is Well Out Of Line, As He’s Still Bragging About It And He’s turned Completely Vicious. Thankfully Though, Jesse Is Recovering Well And Has Already been back In The Impact Zone To Say Hi 🙂