Brace yourselves, WWE fans—it’s not just the storylines giving us chills. Ivar of the Viking Raiders, recently active on WWE NXT, has confirmed he’s facing a serious injury that could jeopardize his wrestling career.
The Grim Announcement
WWE officially announced on Thursday that Ivar is out indefinitely, a decision dramatized by a backstage attack on Tuesday’s episode of NXT. While initial reports questioned the injury’s legitimacy, Ivar took to social media to clear the air. “There has been a lot of misinformation floating around about me,” he tweeted. “Yes I am injured. Yes it is very serious. No I have not had surgery. Still trying to figure out all options and what this means for my future.”
Wrestling with Uncertainty
Ivar expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support he’s received, especially given his history of neck issues. He was notably pulled from a WWE Raw match in March due to medical clearance issues. “I promise to do everything in my power to get back in the ring as soon as possible,” he reassured fans.
Mixed Reports and Medical Updates
The wrestling rumor mill is spinning faster than a Viking’s axe. On Friday, Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter initially downplayed the injury, suggesting Ivar was just taking time off. This was quickly countered by Fightful Select, highlighting Ivar’s ongoing neck issues and referencing his 2020 double fusion neck surgery. Even Erik, Ivar’s tag team partner, underwent neck fusion surgery in 2023, adding to the uncertainty of their wrestling futures.
By Friday afternoon, Meltzer revised his stance, acknowledging the severity of Ivar’s condition. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s digital edition quietly removed mentions of Ivar’s injury, while Pro Wrestling Insider noted a post from Andrews Sports Medicine featuring Ivar with Dr. Andrew Cordover, hinting at impending surgery. Cordover performed Ivar’s previous surgery in 2020 and Erik’s last year.
A Storied Career in Jeopardy
Turning 40 this year, Ivar (real name Todd Smith) has been wrestling since 2001. He and Erik (formerly Hanson and Rowe) gained fame as War Machine in Ring of Honor, winning the World Tag Team Championship and becoming two-time IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions before signing with WWE in 2018. In WWE, they claimed both the NXT and Raw tag titles, solidifying their legacy.