Karrion Kross had his first PLE match in two years at WWE Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, where he lost to Sami Zayn. Many were excited to see Kross in a featured match as his popularity has increased since his infamous “worked/shoot” promo in April during WrestleMania weekend.

Unfortunately, glad tidings in wrestling often come with mudslinging. WhatCulture.com reported that the reason Kross has received a lack of television time is that he won’t take bumps in his matches. The report cites comments on the matter from longtime wrestling journalist Wade Keller.

“I talked about this when he was all the rage in NXT and coming out of TNA,” said Keller. “I was like, ‘wrestlers are telling me when he gets to the main roster, nobody’s gonna put up with the fact that he doesn’t take bumps.’ He’s scared to bump. He doesn’t flat back bump. I don’t know if he’s got an injury or a concern.”

A bump (or back bump) in professional wrestling is a controlled backwards fall onto the canvas, designed to prevent injury while absorbing impact. Wrestlers tuck their chin while slapping the mat with their hands, distributing their weight evenly to dissipate the force.

The idea that Kross doesn’t take bumps is weird. After all, why should a wrestler put their body on the line to make someone look good if their opponent isn’t willing to do the same? Kross delivers several suplex variations to his opponents. So, the least he can do is take a few bumps in return?

Taking bumps in a match is its own animal. Timing, psychology, and trust are all factors that contribute to a wrestler throwing themselves on their back to create the illusion that they have been knocked down by a thunderous blow and battered by a bone-crushing maneuver. 

Continue reading “Karrion Kross: Bumping Controversies Explained” →