Xavier Woods is part of The New Day with Big E and Kofi Kingston (Picture: WWE)
Xavier Woods has thrown his support behind Ridge Holland after the WWE superstar revealed the vile online abuse he has been suffering.
The New Day star defended his fellow wrestler on Twitter and urged people to direct their energy into ‘something positive’ after Ridge revealed he had been subject to death threats and accusations of racism over Big E’s neck break in March 2022.
He tweeted: ‘Pro Wrestling is extremely dangerous. All of us involved understand that. Ridge & his family do not deserve to be treated this way. Please do not send any hate towards them.
‘Instead use your energy to do something positive like sending love to E. Be kind. Please be kind. (sic)’
The Yorkshire-born SmackDown star was involved in the incident when a move went badly wrong in a terrifying moment live on air.
Big E – who has made it clear he doesn’t blame Ridge for the injury – landed on his head during a belly to belly suplex, which saw him fracture his C1 and C6 vertebrates, although he avoided any ligament or spinal cord damage.
Ridge Holland has been targeted by trolls (Picture: WWE)
Ridge has addressed abuse being directed at him and his family (Picture: Twitter/@RidgeWWE)
Some trolls have still be sending abuse to his opponent for the accident – despite the former world champion, who has been recovering well and is awaiting scans to assess his progress – not bearing any ill will towards him.
Ridge tweeted: ‘Death threats. Threats to my family. Lobbying for me to lose my job. Being labeled as racist. Great stuff 👍🏻 keep ‘em coming.’
Big E hasn’t blamed Ridge for the incident (Picture: WWE)
As well as Xavier Woods and countless fans, SmackDown ring announcer Samantha Irvin has also backed him.
She wrote: ‘Stay strong, Ridge! We know your heart.’
Over the weekend, Big E told TMZ he’s ‘good with whatever’ the future holds, whether he is able to return to the ring or not.
Despite there being a chance his in-ring career could end depending on the results of the tests, the former world champion insisted he isn’t feeling anxious about the outcome.
He said: ‘No anxiety at all. Everything isn’t permanent. If it comes to an end, cool, if it doesn’t, cool. What will be, will be. I’m good with whatever.’
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