Alex Riley is Injured: What are the consiquences?

[Remix]

Source: Main page.

Alex Riley got injured in a match at last night's FCW taping. In case FCW falls under the spoiler rules, I'm not going to mention who else was involved in the match or its outcome (I will say that it was another season 2 rookie though). If you want that info, check the main page.

The long and short of it is that Riley hit the guard rail pretty hard. Hard enough to bust open the back of his head hardway, and the cut was described (in kayfabe, mind you) as 'severe'. The question to me then, isn't if he's injured. At the very least he's going to need stitches but if it's severe or if he'll need time on the bench. Given that he bumped his head hard a concussion is likely. We all know how stringent WWE is with concussions these days, so it's likely that he'll be taking time outside the ring for a while until he's given the ok to compete. Hell Cody got a concussion at 'Mania and didn't come back until after the draft.

The question I have is whether this will affect his chances of winning. The NXT poll is of course ~50% kayfabe (the roughly coming in because the voters will be influenced by kayfabe) and a guy who isn't competing looks bad in kayfabe. and gives him another disadvantage in the fan's vote (the non smarky voters will vote for the faces over the heels) as well as the whole 'he's being a lazy ass by not competeing' thing. Riley is the guy who SHOULD win NXT, it'd be a damn shame if he lost because of something beyond his control.

And for the guy who injured him, will there be any backlash for him? Will he, for example be buried Danielson style and jobbed out in short matches every week? Or will WWE just ignore the fact that he could have seriously injured another wrestler and continue booking him as they were?

Discuss.

 

[DirtyJosé]

It was made to sound like the injury was not the fault of either performer "taking it too far", and just one of those things that can happen when fighting, fake or not.

The injury sounds a little more serious than just the usual rough bump, and I'd be surprised if Riley didn't get at least a week or two off. Fortunately, this shouldn't impact him too badly. I haven't watched as much of this season as I did the last, but I remember plenty of nights where some guys were only around for a promo or some such segment, and then never popped again during the night. Also, this could be played up in storyline, as it appears that beyond the possibility of a concussion there were no disabling injuries received, though that might be awkward as the incident took place on a show that has a sort of one-way mirror regarding kayfabe and canon.

 

[Remix]

It was made to sound like the injury was not the fault of either performer "taking it too far", and just one of those things that can happen when fighting, fake or not.

Well, reading the spoiler makes it sound like it was something that the anonymous rookie did that injured Riley.

The injury sounds a little more serious than just the usual rough bump, and I'd be surprised if Riley didn't get at least a week or two off. Fortunately, this shouldn't impact him too badly. I haven't watched as much of this season as I did the last, but I remember plenty of nights where some guys were only around for a promo or some such segment, and then never popped again during the night. Also, this could be played up in storyline, as it appears that beyond the possibility of a concussion there were no disabling injuries received, though that might be awkward as the incident took place on a show that has a sort of one-way mirror regarding kayfabe and canon.

My problem comes in where if (for example) the next elimination is in a week or two and he hasn't competed since the last elimination that puts him in the bad books of the voters. Both those employed by the company and the people in front of the screen.

 

[The Duke]

Honestly at this point, I read that they were filming "pools of blood on the ground" so I feel as if it's not something that's going to be taken lightly.

Riley falls as he is moving backward and the back of his head hits the guardrail HARD

It was an accident. The "anonymous" wrestler performed a move, Riley sold it and fell in the process. Wrestler X didn't hit him in the back of the head with a stick or throw him into the rail. It was done and perhaps sold too well. But all in all, sounds like an accident, albeit a very unfortunate one.

Also, I HATE when people act as if it's unfair the guy got hurt and if he's voted off it's unjust. He's a talented wrestler, he's got promise. That being said, if he gets voted off this week, so be it. Nothing saying the E wouldn't give him another chance but how about we stick with "we hope he's okay and is able to function as a human being and if he so decides, he can return to wrestling."

So just wish the man well and watch the rest of the show.

 

[Remix]

Honestly at this point, I read that they were filming "pools of blood on the ground" so I feel as if it's not something that's going to be taken lightly.

It was an accident. The "anonymous" wrestler performed a move, Riley sold it and fell in the process. Wrestler X didn't hit him in the back of the head with a stick or throw him into the rail. It was done and perhaps sold too well. But all in all, sounds like an accident, albeit a very unfortunate one.

Also, I HATE when people act as if it's unfair the guy got hurt and if he's voted off it's unjust. He's a talented wrestler, he's got promise. That being said, if he gets voted off this week, so be it. Nothing saying the E wouldn't give him another chance but how about we stick with "we hope he's okay and is able to function as a human being and if he so decides, he can return to wrestling."

So just wish the man well and watch the rest of the show.

The wording of the report made it sound like John Doe delivered a move a wee bit too stiff knocking Riley harder than he expected into the guard rail causing the injury. Much like how Mr Kennedy describes how he got his first major injury.

Whether it was an accident or not, it doesn't help either of them. Riley in particular because he's the 'Wade Barrett' of the season and him getting a PPV title shot is just what he needs to launch his career into the stratusphere. If he doesn't win, it means that A) His rise to the top will be greatly slowed B) Some other punk will get his push and C) the guy who gets his push won't be as good as him/won't be able to do as well as Riley would.

All in all, if Doe has badly injured Riley, accidentally or not I hope to god that he gets some form of punishment for ti and doesn't get Riley eliminated.

 

[DirtyJosé]

Well, reading the spoiler makes it sound like it was something that the anonymous rookie did that injured Riley.

It was an accident. The "anonymous" wrestler performed a move, Riley sold it and fell in the process. Wrestler X didn't hit him in the back of the head with a stick or throw him into the rail. It was done and perhaps sold too well. But all in all, sounds like an accident, albeit a very unfortunate one.

I'm inclined to go with The Duke on this one, at least until there's some video. It wasn't the result of a strike to that area from his opponent, but a result of his fall being too hard. These things do happen, from time to time.

My problem comes in where if (for example) the next elimination is in a week or two and he hasn't competed since the last elimination that puts him in the bad books of the voters. Both those employed by the company and the people in front of the screen.

Alex Riley is far and away one of best on NXT this season, if not the best. Provided he still gets a chance to do a promo or anything else non-match related while he heals up, he'll probably be just fine. And even in the event of him be voted off, it's very clear that management is high on him, so I wouldn't worry too much about his prospects. I hope he doesn't suffer any long term effects from this, and I wish him a speedy recovery.

 

[Ferbian]

I wouldn't rush to a conclusion just yet, there's nothing saying that Alex Riley will be out to have an influence on his NXT participation, and even if it did, I am pretty certain WWE would have some kind of way to solve this problem if they have some plans for the future of Alex Riley and his potential of winning the whole thing.

But also there's nothing saying he actually suffered a concussion, and even if he did, there's no saying how severe it was, he could probably still be involved in a lot of the NXT things all depending on what they have coming for the show.

I just hope it doesn't mean that WWE dumps Alex, he's probably tone one guy to have the most potential of winning the whole thing.

On an off-note, if Alex is out, I'm guessing this would leave an open spot for Lucky to win it Remix?

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

If it's real, WWE will find a way to spin it. They could claim it was The Miz punishing him for not being #1 or something along those lines or they could claim that one of the rookies below him attacked him (hell possibly even Titus O'Neil in an effort to 'prove himself').

There's nothing to overly worry about here. WWE will think of something. I don't believe Riley will be out for a significant amount of time (maybe this week or so) and if he is then he has The Miz to represent him. If his injury is significant and will keep him out for an extended period of time then WWE could well work it into a storyline and have him return in season three (if there is one) with him trying to prove himself to everyone and show what he's made of.

 

[Remix]

I wouldn't rush to a conclusion just yet, there's nothing saying that Alex Riley will be out to have an influence on his NXT participation, and even if it did, I am pretty certain WWE would have some kind of way to solve this problem if they have some plans for the future of Alex Riley and his potential of winning the whole thing.

Well it's likely he's concussed given that he bashed the back of his head into some steel railings. WWE's policy on concussions is to keep you out of the ring until you're ok again.

But also there's nothing saying he actually suffered a concussion, and even if he did, there's no saying how severe it was, he could probably still be involved in a lot of the NXT things all depending on what they have coming for the show.

True, he could still take part in the promos segments, but 'refusal' to take part in matches even in the short term could lead to him getting dumped. Which would be bad for him.

I just hope it doesn't mean that WWE dumps Alex, he's probably tone one guy to have the most potential of winning the whole thing.

Agreed. Riley is the Wade Barrett of season two. He's the whole package and should win it.

On an off-note, if Alex is out, I'm guessing this would leave an open spot for Lucky to win it Remix?

I'd push for McGillicutty to win over Cannon.

If it's real, WWE will find a way to spin it. They could claim it was The Miz punishing him for not being #1 or something along those lines or they could claim that one of the rookies below him attacked him (hell possibly even Titus O'Neil in an effort to 'prove himself').

Well, Miz despised Bryan and never injured him seriously. Why would he do so with a rookie he actually likes? as for one of the other rookies being kayfabed into the mauler role, it wouldn't make a whole lot of sence. Nearly killing someone wound not make it a win for Titus. McGillicutty, Cannon, Kaval and Watson are faces (so they can't just randmly be attacking people and injuring them out of the ring). Husky's a heel but I don't think he's the sort to be making an impact that way. The only person who'd make sence to be the Riley mauler is Eli Cottonwood. And my god I don't want to see him in a storyline that might give him incentive to stay.

There's nothing to overly worry about here. WWE will think of something. I don't believe Riley will be out for a significant amount of time (maybe this week or so) and if he is then he has The Miz to represent him. If his injury is significant and will keep him out for an extended period of time then WWE could well work it into a storyline and have him return in season three (if there is one) with him trying to prove himself to everyone and show what he's made of.

While I agree that WWE will think of something to explain why he's not wrestling, I doubt he'll be back for season 3 (why would he be? He can redebut on SD or something) and that its effect will be minimal. If he's out for a week, that's fine and he'll drop a few rungs on the ranking list at worst. If it's serious, he's out. Period. In kayfabe terms it'll be impossible to keep him in, and why would the fans vote for a heel who isn't even wrestling?

And as for the guy who possibly injured him, there should be some form of punishment for him. Even if it's just a couple of quick jobbings.

 

[Ferbian]

Well it's likely he's concussed given that he bashed the back of his head into some steel railings. WWE's policy on concussions is to keep you out of the ring until you're ok again.

That's true, but even with that we shouldn't rush to conclusion, besides even if he did get a concussion, who's to say it's not one that can be cleared in a matter of days? I mean weren't Ted DiBiase injured in terms of concussion a while back, only to a few weeks after it, taking a bump from Rampage?

True, he could still take part in the promos segments, but 'refusal' to take part in matches even in the short term could lead to him getting dumped. Which would be bad for him.

Yeah but let's look at it, if he gets dumped first, and WWE still has plans for him, he'll be back, it's the same as Bryan Danielson when he was eliminated from NXT but the rumors (as I mentioned in the Shelton Syndrom thread) had them expecting Bryan Danielson on RAW no matter what.

Could happen to Alex Riley as well, at least I hope.

Agreed. Riley is the Wade Barrett of season two. He's the whole package and should win it.

There's a lot of somewhat whole packages on that show, Lucky Cannon and Joe Hennig could also be credited as the whole package, but not as much as Alex Riley.

I'd push for McGillicutty to win over Cannon.

I second this.

 

[The Insano Shiekh]

There aren't really consequences right now, because the way I see it, being injured during NXT is different from being injured in the big time. Riley will just have to make the appearances and have a few light matches, and hopefully he'll still have the chance to win even with the injury. I don't think he'll be out long anyways, because according to the main page, it looked like he only busted his head. I think it's going to come to the terms where he'll still be able to compete, but probably not have many matches with a lot of fighting outside the ring in FCW just in case. And, if he was going to win and can't now, that always opens up a door for Hennig or Kaval, and like some above posters said, Johnny Prime is there, too. Let's just hope that it's not as serious as some think it is.

 

[Goliath Uterus]

I could be wrong here, but I don't think this injury is that serious. I know there was a lot of blood, but if you get a cut just about anywhere on your head, it bleeds a LOT. The reason they stopped the match was probably because of the amount of blood, and the fact that the live audience was probably freaking the fuck out.

I think a few stitches, and a few days rest should do some good, and he'll be ready to at least cut a promo or be involved in NXT in some way, I wouldn't even be that suprised to see him in a match.

 

[Aether13]

I think Riley will be fine, he can still cut amazing promo's with the Miz and it's not like the matches on NXT have to be amazing so he can do a couple matches here and there.

 

[Remy LaCroix]

I thought about what would happen if an injury occurred to a rookie during the first season. We have to keep the other wrestler anonymous? Okaaaaaaay then.

Knowing the WWW, they'll work around this. The
Anonymous wrestler is not at fault, it was an accident.
Votes on Tuesday might indicate Riley will still be
At a high place and not face elimination.
Let's just wait and see what happens.