On the May 14th episode of NXT, Wes Lee made a triumphant return from injury, addressing the audience with a fiery determination to reclaim the North American Championship. His passionate speech was cut short when he was interrupted by the reigning North American Champion Oba Femi, followed swiftly by Ivar and then Josh Briggs, creating a tense atmosphere among the competitors.
The night’s excitement peaked with the main event, where Tony D’Angelo emerged victorious, capturing the Heritage Cup from Charlie Dempsey. However, the celebration was short-lived as the broadcast abruptly cut to backstage chaos. In a shocking turn of events, Wes Lee, Ivar, and Josh Briggs were all found laid out, victims of a brutal assault by the returning faction Gallus.
The repercussions of this attack were immediate. On May 16th, WWE took to social media to announce a significant update: Ivar had sustained a severe injury from the ambush and would be out of action indefinitely. WWE’s official statement read:
“BREAKING: As a result of the heinous attack by #Gallus at the end of #WWENXT, @Ivar_WWE has suffered an injury and will be out of action indefinitely.”
This announcement left fans and the NXT roster in suspense, particularly regarding the upcoming number one contender’s triple threat match set for the May 21st episode of NXT. Spoilers have since revealed who will replace Ivar in this high-stakes match, keeping the anticipation alive.
Amid these developments, Ivar has been making headlines for his impressive singles run in WWE. With his Viking Raiders tag team partner Erik also sidelined due to injury, Ivar has seized the opportunity to shine solo. Fans have been captivated by the heavyweight’s agility and diverse moveset, defying traditional expectations for wrestlers of his size.
In a recent interview with TV Insider, Ivar opened up about his mission to change the perception of big men in professional wrestling. He emphasized the importance of showcasing versatility and athleticism, traits that were often overlooked in the past.
“I feel like for so many years the big guys were very one-dimensional, especially in WWE. For a long time, we haven’t seen big men that can go. The last ones were like Big Boss Man and Bam Bam. It has been at least 20 years or more since many of them have been in the ring. Even Yokozuna could move for a guy his size,” Ivar shared.
He further highlighted the current generation of big men, including himself, Otis, and Bronson Reed, who are breaking the mold and setting new standards in the industry. “Now here we are and guys like me and Otis and Bronson Reed are taking the perception of the big man and completely changing it. I feel like it’s an amazing responsibility to change the industry for the better. It’s an exciting thing,” Ivar concluded.
As Ivar recuperates from his recent injury, fans eagerly await his return, hopeful that he will continue to redefine what it means to be a big man in WWE.
