8 Most devastating career-ending injuries in wrestling history

#2 Yoshihiro Takayama became quadriplegic due to a neck injury

This man is a legend in Japan, but his career ended with one simple move.

Yoshihiro Takayama was an enormous star in his native Japan, winning multiple singles and tag team championships throughout his 25-year career. Although he was mainly a power-based wrestler, using stiff strikes and heaving suplexes to wear down his opponents, it wasn’t uncommon for the 276-pound Takayama to leave his feet and execute dropkicks from time to time.

Alas, it was that desire to do something ‘athletic’ that cost Takayama big-time. On May 4th, 2017, the 6’5 Takayama attempted a sunset flip and accidentally landed on his head. He ended up suffering a severe spinal cord injury which has now left him paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Sadly, he isn’t expected to recover and will likely spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Thankfully, Takayama’s close friend Minoru Suzuki (yes, that Minoru Suzuki) has set up a charity so that you can donate money to help Takayama and his family following this devastating career-ending injury.

You can find more info on that charity here.