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http://www.stormwrestling.com/commentary/default.asp?aID=1413

Injuries 4:10

September 23,2003

I had thought about doing this commentary a few days ago and then
something happened, quite possible as a result of my choice of
commentary, and now it is even more appropriate. The 4:10 refers to an
injury, or at least the pain caused by it. At a house show last week
in Asheville, NC I was in the trainer's room taping up, when I over
heard Chris (our trainer) asking one of our lesser experienced workers
(Less than 5 years in) the oh so common question, "On a scale from
1-10, 1 being the least and 10 being the most pain you've ever been
in, how bad does it hurt?"

This is the question, which is always asked when an injury is being
assessed. This particular injury wasn't a major one as the answer to
the question was, "2". I sort of laughed to myself at this response,
thinking that I wish I was at a 2, ever. I even joked about it later
with HHH that I don't remember the last time I felt like a 2. We both
agreed that a good day off at home often results in a nice relaxing 4.
It is often said that when you become a wrestler you have to resign
yourself to a life in pain. This is certainly true, at least to an
extent. There are days that go by that I don't consider myself to be
in pain but they are not the majority and may be due more to the fact
that I've just got accustomed to most of my minor aches and pains and
don't even bother to register them as pain any more.

I've got several minor (at least I consider then minor) chronic
injuries or aches and pains. I've got a loose left shoulder socket,
which aches if I walk a lot. The constant swing of my arms causes what
I would call a strong discomfort. If you ever see me walking in a
mall, and notice that I look odd walking with my left hand tucked into
my belt behind my back it because that is the only comfortable way to
take the weight off my shoulder and easy my pain. I also have a spot
on my left knee that on the occasion sends me screaming in pain. It's
right on the head of the quad muscle above my knee on the inside. I
had a small tear there once, way back in 1993. I'm not sure if there
is a damaged nerve end or what but every once in a while if I touch it
in just the right spot or put weight on that particular spot it feels
like someone is stabbing me with a knife. I was worried it would cause
re-injury but it's been like this now for 10 years and apart from the
pain, it has never caused a problem.

Both of my elbows click and lock up on occasion. The lock up is more
of a sticky spot where I get a sharp pain extending it but if I force
it through there is a click or crack and it straightens out and
doesn't hurt any more. The right elbow I hyper-extended (which is why
I wear that awful brace) and left I had twisted all to hell by Balls
Mahoney back in SMW, now it is prone to hyper-flexion (rather ironic
really. One bends to much the other straightens to far). In addition
to all that I'm developing arthritis in my neck (I assume just from
wear and tear of 13 years of bumping).

So with these, as well as a few others, you can see how a 2 didn't
really stir up a whole lot of sympathy in me, and perhaps for that I
am now paying the price. I've said once or twice before that you
should never make light of injuries and I guess that is what I did. I
am not a superstitious person but I can't help but think my word and
thoughts have come back to haunt me. On RAW last week, Goldust and I
wrestled Rodney Mack and Mark Henry, and I got hurt. Oh yes I joked
that I was always in pain and now here I am in a whole lot more of it.

The injury happened when Mark picked me up in the bear hug and rammed
me into the turnbuckle. I hit the buckle higher than I wanted to and
took the brunt of my weight as well as Mark's on my pelvis, against
the top turnbuckle. I've had some problems with my pelvis in the past
and this blow put it over the top. My entire {at}$$ and pelvis went numb
and hurt like hell. I'm not sure how it can do both but that's what it
did. Thankfully I didn't have much else to do in the match as I was
pretty much done. After the match I was having difficulty walking and
when the adrenaline wore off I was unable to walk unassisted. My right
leg was weak and would not support my weight. Each attempted step sent
screams of pain through my pelvis and tail bone (I'm not talking 2's
here either, this was more an 8 or 9).

I left the building on crutches wondering if I had cracked my pelvis.
The doctor in attendance said it wouldn't matter too much if I went to
be checked out immediately or once I got home so I opted for when I
got home. Whenever possible get home first, that's my theory. If for
whatever reason doctors want you to stay put it's better to stay put
at home rather than on the road. Thankfully after seeing my doctor
there were no fractures. It did take me 2 days before I was walking
again and even then I was using one crutch as a cane as I would ache
after only a few minutes on my feet.

It is because of this injury that I wasn't at RAW this week, but fret
not I plan to be back on the road this coming weekend. With nothing
broken it is only pain I have to deal with and that is becoming old
hat. I'm quickly approaching that oh so familiar 4 and as long as that
first bump back doesn't send me too far back up that scale it should
be business as usual. If I can borrow a quote from Dr. Death Steve
Williams, "It ain't Ballet baby!"

Till next week, stay healthy
Lance


--- Internet Rex 2.29