In a moving social media post on his 29th birthday, professional wrestler Chris Bey shared his inspiring journey of recovery following a life-threatening injury that occurred during a TNA wrestling event in Detroit on October 27, 2024.
During a match with Ace Austin and The Hardys, Bey suffered a severe neck injury that left him temporarily paralyzed in the ring. He underwent emergency surgery for spinal cord fusion (C6-C7 and C6-T1) and spent a week in ICU, followed by 50 days at a spinal cord rehabilitation facility in Detroit.
“Will I ever wrestle again? Never say never. I’m just so grateful to be alive.”
Initially given only a 10-25% chance of walking again, Bey has defied the odds. After three weeks of intensive rehabilitation, he reports being able to leave his wheelchair and take steps independently. Throughout his recovery, he received support from the wrestling community, his family, TNA colleagues, and his girlfriend Brittnie Brooks.
In his message, Bey expressed profound gratitude to his supporters and medical team, crediting them with helping him maintain hope during his darkest moments. While acknowledging that his recovery journey continues with ongoing pain and challenges, he remains optimistic about his future, though uncertain about returning to wrestling.
“Nothing is impossible, you just have to believe and do the work,” Bey wrote, concluding his message with characteristic determination and gratitude for being alive.
The news is particularly poignant as Bey celebrates this milestone on his birthday, marking both his survival and remarkable progress in just a few months since the injury.
Chris Bey’s Statement
Here’s the complete transcript of Chris Bey’s message:
“Today I turn 29… Blessed to see it
On October 27th, 2024 I suffered a life altering injury in Detroit at a TNA event while sharing the ring with my partner Ace Austin and some of my idols, The Hardys. This would be the scariest moment of my life as I’d try to get up to my feet and finish the match only to realize I couldn’t move. I was laid out paralyzed in the middle of the ring. I was ashamed for not being able to finish the match, I was embarrassed and I was scared. Thanks to our incredible ringside doctor and team at TNA I was rushed to a nearby hospital and quickly underwent a surgery fusing my neck c6-c7 and a spinal cord fusion c6-t1. If it weren’t for TNA and their quick reaction to the accident I may not be here today. They’ve been so helpful throughout this entire journey.
When I woke up the next day I was overwhelmed with the amount of love around me and the amount of love from the wrestling community. I was devastated with the idea that my lifelong dream and 8 year wrestling career was over. I sat there paralyzed from the neck down with no promises of ever walking again. Specifically I was told it wouldn’t be likely with a 10-25% chance. I also had no usage of my hands which is why I didn’t post or respond to anything. I spent about a week in the ICU, then 50 days in a spinal cord rehab facility in Detroit doing therapy 6 days a week for 3 hours a day, sometimes longer. December 28th I was able to go home.
Since I’ve been home I’ve been in therapy working as hard as I can. I’ve had an incredible support system. There’s so many people I want to thank but if I can narrow it down to a few I must thank my family, my TNA family, the dedicated staff in Detroit, my brother Ace Austin for never leaving my side, and my amazing girlfriend Brittnie Brooks for being there every single step of the way while I was at my absolute lowest. If you’ve reached out, donated, bought merch, said a prayer, or did any little thing even as simple as sharing a thought about me, thank you. I’m eternally grateful for every single one of you. Because of you even on my hardest days I’ve never given up. Because of you I’ve lived my dream and in my opinion helped inspire others to do the same. There’s so much more to the story and I will be telling all the details soon, but please allow me the time to get there.
Today you see me celebrating life and taking the steps they said would be unlikely. For 3 weeks I’ve been out of my wheelchair learning to walk again. Nothing is impossible, you just have to believe and do the work. I thank god every second. I thank you every second. Will I ever wrestle again? Never say never. I’m just so grateful to be alive. I don’t know what my purpose is, but I know there’s something meant for me to do. For now I just hope to continue to heal as my body is still in a lot of pain. It’s going to be a long road, but I will not give up. This will be the Greatest Story Ever Told. I love you all.
– Chris Bey”
