Chris Bey marks one-year anniversary of neck injury: ‘Today, I celebrate life’
One year after a neck injury altered the trajectory of his career, Chris Bey is celebrating the fact that he’s even alive.
Bey suffered a broken neck at a TNA television taping on this day one year ago. Despite initial fear that he would never walk again, Bey is now able to live an independent life and recently made an appearance at TNA Bound for Glory. He can walk, drive himself, and do pretty much everything he needs to live day-to-day, but whether Bey will ever be able to have another match is still unknown.
Even if he does not wrestle again, Bey is content with everything and knows he’s here for a purpose.
“Wrestling has always been my life LONG before I made it a career. Since I was 3 I’ve been addicted and I’ve known this was what I wanted to do with my life. Rarely does one get to chase and achieve their dreams. If this was to be the end of my journey, I had no regrets in the decisions I’ve made that led me to this moment,” Bey wrote while reflecting on today’s anniversary.
“Had a lot of conversations with God, and understanding that I was still alive for a purpose made me push everyday with an unimaginable strength and drive. The support of my amazing girlfriend [Brittnie Brooks], the best tag team partner ever [Ace Austin], TNA and the entire wrestling world kept me feeling like I mattered and I was cared about. I’m so grateful and thankful for all of it. The work from doctors and staff, top notch. Today, I celebrate life because a year ago I thought it was the end of mine. Greatest Story Ever Told is far from over. I love you all. – Chris”
In addition to appearing at Bound for Glory, Bey was presented with a TNA All Star Award before the show. He’s a three-time tag team champion for the promotion. Bey has said that the door is open for him to potentially contribute behind the scenes in a role like producing while he recovers from his injury.
“I truly look at it like, I’m going to let time tell me. And I’m going to let my body tell me,” Bey recently said on Talk is Jericho while addressing a possible in-ring return. “I think when I think about wrestling, it’s not so much about going back to wrestling and getting back in wrestling as much as it is at least finishing my story my way, whether that means one more match or one more program, whatever it is.”
Bey’s girlfriend Brittnie Brooks also made an Instagram post today reflecting on how proud she is of him.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.