In a recent interview on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle opened up on his neck issues over the years, including trying stem cell treatment, the possibility of replacement discs and more.

“I always have problems with it, especially my motor skills and hands, I broke my neck four more times in WWE, it got worse and worse. I have nerve problems in my neck, I’ve lost three inches in my arms, they atrophied because my neck is so messed up.

I’ve had five surgeries and none of them really worked, I’m going to end up having to have fusion, which will be down the line. I can’t feel my pinkie fingers, I have a lot of atrophy in my arms, I don’t have a lot of strength, I don’t have a lot of strength in my upper body.

In my chest, I have a dip, that’s from a nerve that died, I have a complete ripple in my chest, that’s from my neck and a nerve that died, it will never come back. I’m afraid it’s going to happen again, so I’m going to need fusion sooner than later. If I don’t, the damage is going to get worse and worse, my arms are going to shrink to nothing.

I had a doctor when I broke my neck the second time, he wanted me to do fusion and told me I’d have to do three levels and I’d have to retire. That might not be an option, it was the same doctor that Steve Austin had and he still has problems to this day.”

The full episode is available at this link.