'This is awful': WrestleMania rocked by devastating unplanned moment
WrestleMania was rocked by heartbreaking scenes on Saturday when Rick Boogs suffered what appeared to be a legitimate injury in the opening match of the wrestling extravaganza.
Boogs was in action with Shinsuke Nakamura in a tag team match against Jey and Jimmy Uso in the first of two nights of WrestleMania 38 in Texas.
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However things went terribly wrong when Boggs appeared to suffer a quad injury after trying to carry both Uso brothers.
While injuries are often scripted in the WWE, this one appeared to be real and the ending of the match was reportedly changed so Boogs could get medical attention.
Nakamura was subsequently pinned and the Usos retained the SmackDown Tag Team titles.
Boogs was then seen being carried out of the ring and up the ramp by medical staff in obvious pain.
Ringside doctor came and checked on Rick Boogs and is being helped out
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) April 3, 2022
Rick Boogs getting carried away from #WrestleMania38 #WWE pic.twitter.com/oVDTU5oRlw
— Cody Watson (@CodyWatson_1) April 3, 2022
Fans and fellow wrestlers sent their condolences to Boogs after the devastating injury on the WWE's biggest stage.
If it's something serious, I hope Rick Boogs is okay, man.#WrestleMania
— 𝔓𝔲𝔫𝔨™ of Burial Squad ☝️ (@TheEnduringIcon) April 3, 2022
Looks like Rick Boogs is in a lot of trouble there. A real shame the first match of #WrestleMania 38 was hampered by injury. Fingers crossed he’s okay. pic.twitter.com/Wpl3s14vwx
— Louis Dangoor (@TheLouisDangoor) April 3, 2022
Sending love to Rick Boogs! #WrestleMania
— Josiah Williams is Black. (@JDeanWilliams) April 3, 2022
Wait Rick Boogs was legit hurt? That sucks man. Hope he's all good.#WrestleMania
— Pro Wrestling Finesse (@ProWFinesse) April 3, 2022
Sucks to see what appeared to be a legit injury to Rick Boogs when his knee buckled when he tried lifting both Usos up on his shoulders. Never a good time for that to happen, but that's the worst. #Wrestlemania
— Jason Solomon (@solomonster) April 3, 2022
Rick Boogs may be seriously injured! #WWE #WrestleMania38 pic.twitter.com/SnucdcUzA4
— Cody Watson (@CodyWatson_1) April 3, 2022
Oof...
Apparently, Rick Boogs injured his knee mid-match, and the finish to the opening Smackdown tag match was changed. Usos retain as a result.
I'm wishing Boogs a speedy recovery.#WrestleMania38 #Wrestlemania #WWE pic.twitter.com/pNHbX5l3dH— Just Alyx (@JustAlyxCentral) April 3, 2022
An okay opening match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Poor Rick Boogs looked like he legitimately blew his knee out. Awful thing to happen in his first WrestleMania. Hope he has a speedy recovery. The Usos retain #WrestleMania38 #WrestleMania
— Justin (@JustInTime211) April 3, 2022
Was just thinking that I actually kind of like Rick Boogs and then he appeared to destroy his knee. Awful stuff.
— Brent Brookhouse (@brentbrookhouse) April 3, 2022
Oh my god Rick Boogs’ knee, just hoping for a speedy recovery, that looked awful #WrestleMania
— Marcus Samson (@MSamsonSpeaks) April 3, 2022
Stone Cold set to return at WrestleMania
WWE fans are holding their breath after reports Hall of Fame legend 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin will return to the ring in his home state of Texas at WrestleMania.
The legendary wrester, who hit the height of his popularity in the trailblazing Attitude Era, hasn't competed in a match for nearly 20 years since his final bout against The Rock at WrestleMania 19 in 2003.
Fightful reported last month that the WWE had approached Stone Cold in an attempt to lure him out of retirement.
While the 57-year-old has made guest appearances for the WWE over the years, he could be apprehensive about returning for an actual match after so long out of the ring.
Wrestling Observer Radio said Kevin Owens had been tipped as his opponent.
Owens will reportedly welcome Stone Cold for an edition of ‘The KO Show’, however it remains to be seen if they will actually wrestle.
Hype around the rumours gathered steam when Owens took aim at Texas in an interview.
"Read my lips...I can't stand Texas. I despise Texas and everything about it," Owens said.
Some fans expressed concerns about Stone Cold returning considering his age and the serious neck injury he suffered during his career.
Stone Cold was a six-time WWE champion, helping propel the organisation to new heights thanks to his rivalry with legends such as The Rock, Triple H and The Undertaker.
Roman Reigns will main event the two-day WrestleMania card with a match against Brock Lesnar.
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