Monday, I broke the story here on WZ about WWE banning Seth Rollins’ curb stomp finishing move. Naturally, a lot of questions and reaction was voiced on social media. In a special column for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, I explain and address it all. The following is an excerpt:
On Monday, I helped “curb stomp” trend on Twitter when I was the deliverer of bad news to WWE fans of the move’s banning.
The reason? The move might cause a head injury. With the focus on concussion prevention in sports, WWE is disallowing the move. It stopped showing it in video clips or montages.
The instant response from thousands of WWE fans is, why the curb stomp? A list of other moves are just as dangerous to the head, if not more, but aren’t being banned. This is true, but it’s not relevant to WWE’s logic and reasoning.
This is no reflection on Rollins or his ability to perform the move. This is political, stemming from legal advice.
There is heightened concern regarding head injures. More than a week ago, it became public that past WWE talents were filing lawsuits against the company over head injuries and negligence concerning their health.
Add on little things, such as a wrestler recently dying in the ring in Mexico and Daniel Bryan’s rumored health concerns, and it adds up to WWE having to make a political decision.
Professional wrestling fans know the curb stomp isn’t as risky as other maneuvers. This decision to ban the move isn’t for educated fans who are loyal to the sport. This decision is for anti-WWE critics and potential resources in litigation.
CLICK HERE for the rest of the column on the anti-WWE people and why other moves weren’t banned.
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