WWE: Shelton Benjamin’s Injury Puts Return In Trouble, Claims Backstage News
In July, WWE tweeted an exciting announcement that Shelton Benjamin’s WWE return would be happening soon on Smackdown Live. The 41-year-old superstar made his WWE debut in 2003, and aligned himself with Charlie Haas and Olympic-great Kurt Angle to form the alliance, Team Angle. Although he was a heel, fans were mesmerized by his technical wrestling ability. Benjamin found success by capturing titles both in the tag team and singles division.
Shelton would eventually turn face and the fans adored him. The superstar always delivered exciting matches and his bout with Shawn Michaels on Raw is considered one of the greatest in the show’s history. Shelton Benjamin’s release came in 2010, and fans have been waiting for his WWE return ever since; so when it was announced he would soon be returning to Smackdown, fans were elated, but now it seems they will be disappointed.
Ain’t no stoppin’ him! Shelton Benjamin is COMING SOON to @WWE SmackDown Live! @Sheltyb803 #SDLive https://t.co/u73DFWsuw1
— WWE (@WWE) July 27, 2016
WWE has a strict wellness policy that includes an annual physical and any new talent must pass this test in order to wrestle for the company. WWE.com gives further explanation of their wellness policy.
“WWE Talent Wellness Program is administered independently by world renowned medical professionals and includes cardiovascular testing, ImPACT, testing for brain function, substance abuse and drug testing, annual physicals, and health care referrals. The performers are contractually responsible for securing their own insurance to cover everyday health maintenance and ailments. WWE does cover 100 percent of all costs associated with any in-ring related injuries and associated rehabilitation.
“The company’s talent wellness program continues to evolve along with advances in medical science. The WWE Talent Wellness Program is unique in the entertainment industry and is considered to be as good as or better than the testing programs initiated by major sports leagues, government agencies and corporations.
“The program has successfully identified health issues in our WWE Superstars that may never have been diagnosed if they had not undergone the various tests required by the program.”
On Sunday morning, Shelton Benjamin sent out a series of tweets that will certainly sadden his fans. Although it was not stated that this news came from the wellness policy physical, it certainly feels that way based on Benjamin’s wording and reaction to the news he recently received. If Benjamin’s injury news did come from the physical, it’s peculiar that the WWE would announce his return before they administered the test.
I am both disappointed & sadden to announce that due to a serious injury to my shoulder I will not be returning to @WWE at this time.
— Shelton J. Benjamin (@Sheltyb803) August 7, 2016
For now I will have to put pro-wrestling to the side as I prepare to undergo surgery to repair my torn rotator.
— Shelton J. Benjamin (@Sheltyb803) August 7, 2016
This comes as a shock to me as i am no stranger to performing while in pain yet I had no idea of the severity of my condition
— Shelton J. Benjamin (@Sheltyb803) August 7, 2016
Thank you @WWE for helping me discover this situation & for giving me an opportunity to return. I will be back— Shelton J. Benjamin (@Sheltyb803) August 7, 2016
For now I must refocus my energy on repairing my body and mind.
— Shelton J. Benjamin (@Sheltyb803) August 7, 2016
“The first recommendation on dealing with a tear is immediate treatment, but the suggested treatment is something in need of further study. Unless the tear is full, mild therapy and rest is suggested over surgery for at least 6 weeks and as long as 3 months. A longer period of conservative treatment will actually increase the risk of the tear worsening, perhaps in part due to atrophy and worsening blood flow. If possible, the athlete should resume activity after that time and work up to previous strength levels over time.
“If avoiding surgery is not possible, the good news is that the surgical success rate is good. The research tends to indicate what is called a ‘double row’ repair of the muscle as being stronger and less likely to tear again.”
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WWE superstars are no strangers to shoulder injuries; John Cena, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, among others, have all had these types of injuries and their recovery times varied. Every person is different so it will be hard to predict when Shelton Benjamin will be in action again. Shelton Benjamin’s WWE return is up in the air at the moment but if he ever does return, the WWE universe will welcome him with open arms.
[Photo via WWE]
