‘Doing something wrong’: Wrestling icon makes shock CTE claim

Pro wrestling icon “Stone Cold” Steve Austin has made a shock claim about concussions in a new documentary, revealing he “doesn’t believe” in CTE.
The multi-time world champion, who is widely regarded as one of the biggest stars in WWE history, was interviewed as part of Netflix’s Mr. McMahon series when the topic of head knocks in the wrestling industry was raised.
Despite scientific evidence to the contrary, Austin shut down the growing narrative around CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) and put the onus back onto the athletes.
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“I worked for a long time, I got dropped on my head one time and I got concussed there,” the 59-year-old said.
Stone Cold Steve Austin is one of wrestling’s biggest stars.  Getty
“But other than that, I can’t remember having too many concussions in the business of pro wrestling and my take on that has always been if you were just wrestling and you got a bunch of concussions, you’re probably doing something wrong.
“I’m not a CTE guy … I just don’t believe in it.”
Countless wrestlers over the years have battled concussion-related issues, with some competitors forced into early retirement and others suffering later in life.
WWE has taken strides since the horrific tragedy involving Chris Benoit in 2007, outlawing direct steel chair shots to the head and bringing in concussion protocols.
The likes of Bryan Danielson and Christian Cage were ruled out for extended periods by WWE doctors due to a repeated history of head knocks, before eventually being cleared to return under strict guidelines by neurosurgeons.
The comments from Austin come just one week after rugby league great Mark Carroll opened up on his own struggles with suspected CTE.
Former rugby league player Mark Carroll has opened up on his recent health battle.  Getty
The retired front-rower called for a longer stand-down period for players who suffer concussions, pointing out rules in combat sports.
“The stand down is 11 days. That’s bullshit,” he said via Instagram.
“If you’re a boxer, it’s at least 30 days if not longer. It used to be seven days in the NRL, then they went to 11 days because some metrics, determined by a computer, recommended that time frame.
“Longer stand downs will hurt clubs and their rosters but it’s in the best interests of the player … it should be at least three weeks.”
Earlier this year, fellow ex-league star Wally Lewis called for $18 million worth of government funding into CTE research in Australia.