Update on injury frequency in WWE vs. AEW
Dave Meltzer provided some new insight into the injury frequency found in WWE vs. AEW in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Meltzer noted that while both AEW and WWE typically have around 12 percent of their rosters injured at any given time, the most recent stats show AEW’s injuries happening at a higher frequency than WWE.
Meltzer wrote:
“I was running the injury stats and usually WWE and AEW are about the same, at around 12 percent of the roster injured at any one time. That is no longer the case. Right now the WWE injury percentage is down to 8.6 percent right now, which is at the low end. AEW on the other hand, is at 14.4 percent, above that usual level.“
He added that while there typically is little difference between the two promotions in terms of injury ratio, if the current trend continues, it gives greater weight to the idea that WWE’s style is safer.
Meltzer continued:
“Historically there has been no significant difference between the two companies and the arguments about one style being healthier than the other really didn’t fly. If this maintains over the course of the year, you can say something about WWE is superior in this aspect.“
Notable WWE wrestlers currently out of action include Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Bianca Belair, Zoey Stark, Apollo Crews, Elton Prince, Piper Niven, Adrianna Rizzo, and others. Chad Gable hasn’t returned from injury as of yet either, although he is expected to do so shortly.
Wrestlers on the shelf for AEW currently include Will Ospreay, Buddy Matthews, Wardlow, Thunder Rosa, Adam Cole, Brian Cage, Jay White, Dustin Rhodes, Nick Wayne, Hologram, Kota Ibushi, Rush, Dralistico, and more.
Meltzer’s full thoughts on the subject are available in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter for subscribers.
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.