Roc Hardway returns from Injury
Published July 21, 2011 at 7:27 pm
346 days. 9 days shy of one calendar year is how long multiple time Tag Team Champion (as a member of Team SEX with Highroller Hayze) Roc Hardway has been on the sidelines.
At (to that point) the peak of his Professional Wrestling career Roc Hardway had the Tag Team World at his fingertips. As a member of the most dominating Tag Team in Texas he held many titles for other companies as well as in XWO. However that came to a halt in one moment.
After a successful match Roc was backstage preparing to leave the venue when he was assaulted. A heavy blow to his knee resulted in Roc Hardway laid out on the ground in unbelievable pain. Highroller Hayze heard Roc's calls for help and arrived on the scene to find Roc clutching his knee.
Immediately going to the Emergency Room Roc found out his knee cap was fractured, his Patella tendon was torn and his Medial Collateral Ligament was almost severed. Roc was looking at a potentially career ending injury as well as an injury that would affect him for the rest of his life.
The first week leading into surgery involved the cancelling of Nation Wide bookings for Roc and Team Sex. Refunds of air fares and personal appearance fees added to the stress of the injury.
Surgery went well but Roc was told point blank that his in ring career would most likely be over. For an athlete of Roc Hardway's caliber this was a devastating blow to his psyche and confidence.
The nervousness Roc experienced his first day on crutches with his leg immobilised put the nerves of any match into minuscule proportions. With determination he carried himself with dignity and pride those first few steps. As the days turned into weeks Roc was able to advance from a few steps to being able to get across the room.
Hayze would call while on the road in various Cities and States across the country then would visit while home. All the while it was still a mystery as to whom was behind the assault. The authorities had no leads as the venue had no security cameras in the area Roc was assaulted.
As the months passed Roc's confidence started to return. His drive and desire to return to what he loved kept the fire lit beneath him.
Finally Roc was able to walk unassisted and begin strengthening his knee. Hayze continued to visit Roc daily when he could and would stay in constant contact while on the road.
Finally a breakthrough in the person behind the assault came to light. Overhearing some backstage chatter on top of seeing where this person's career had grown to since Roc's assault Highroller Hayze was able to pinpoint who was behing the assault.
With this information Hayze (rather than confront the assailant) went to Roc. Roc sat devastated when Hayze revealed to him who had assaulted him. None other than Slim Sexy (Former XWO Champion and former member of Team SEX)
Instead of taking this information to the authorities and having assault charges brought against Slim Sexy Roc decided his return to the ring was even more of a determined thing for him. Roc Hardway had come to terms with his injury and had for months played out in his mind what he would do to the person behind it if he ever got the chance to do so.
For 346 days Roc Hardway has faced pain, doubt, disrespect and everything he had ever accomplished in Professional Wrestling taken away from him. Now Roc Hardway has overcome his devastating injury and is able to return to the ring.
Earlier today i received an Email from Roc Hardway himself stating "You tell Slim that it was always business, it was nothing personal. He could have faced me like a man, face to face and toe to toe but he chose the high road and put me out for almost a year. I don't care how popular he is or how many pics he signs for the kids cos he tried to end my career. And those same fans i want to say thank you for the continued support since I've been rehabbing my knee. Both those letters and that one card meant a lot to me. The rest of you can go to Hell. SEX THAT!"
