WWE Attitude Era legend left injured in horror automotive crash which left ‘blood in every single place’
The legendary grappler shared photos of the smash which showed his crumpled motor with its bloodstained airbags deployed and revealed he suffered a concussion – but still wrestled the next night
Taka’s motor was a crumpled mess after the crash
Wrestling legend Taka Michinoku was rushed to hospital after being injured in a horror crash – and wrestled the next day. The Japanese star, 52, was rushed to hospital for treatment on Saturday after suffering concussion.
The grappler shared photos of the smash which showed his crumpled motor with its bloodstained airbags deployed. He said on X he suffered a concussion during the crash but received doctor’s clearance to get back in the ring the following evening.
He wrote: “A car suddenly slammed into me out of nowhere. Airbag deployed, but I took a brutal hit to the face with blood everywhere—ambulance time. My car’s totaled, can’t even drive it… What a nightmare… “
The high-flyer, ho was a mainstay during WWE’s Attitude Era, later told fans he was still scheduled to wrestle on Sunday.
He wrote: “I nearly died last night, but I’ll be having a match today at 5 PM at Takashimadaira Ward Community Center!! Tickets available at the door.”
After his match on Sunday, he revealed he suffered concussion from the traffic accident, adding: “If I take a second impact with the same force right away, the mortality rate jumps by 50-70%.”
Sharing photos from his match, he added: “A blow to the head can be fatal—it’s a literal life-or-death battle. Kill or be killed. Lure them into targeting my legs to avoid strikes to the head.
“Let them go for the legs, create an opening, and finish with a throw I’d never normally use. I hope the meaning of this technique comes across.”
After being inundated by messages from concerned fans, he said he’d had a CT scan at the hospital, adding: “I got the doctor’s judgment that it’s OK, and that’s why I’m competing.
“I decided to go ahead with the match after considering the opponent, the audience and various other things. That said, the pre-accident posts and such were unnecessary. Sorry for causing all the fuss.”
Taka lit up the WWE in the late-1990s when the company introduced a Light Heavyweight division. He debuted in the WWE at the legendary Canadian Stampede pay per view in Calgary, Alberta, in a defeat to his trainer and mentor The Great Sasuke.
He later went on to become the first WWF Light Heavyweight Champion, which he held for more than 10 months.
He and fellow Japanese star Funaki were later big stars in the Kaientai stable. He also wrestled in ECW before returning to Japan in 2001.
Almost 30 years since his WWE debut, the veteran star is still wrestling in his homeland. He often appears for New Japan Pro Wrestling and also established the promotion JTO.
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