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Triple H’s Crushed Larynx (Survivor Series, 2002)
2002 was a historic year for WWE, marking the debut of the Elimination Chamber. Triple H put his World Heavyweight Championship on the line against an elite field featuring Booker T, Kane, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, and Rob Van Dam.
While there was immense excitement heading into this historic matchup, it nearly ended in catastrophe due to one of the most dangerous mishaps in WWE history.
As Rob Van Dam climbed to the top of the pod, he attempted his signature Five-Star Frog Splash. Because the pods were so cramped, when he came down, his knee landed directly on Triple H’s throat, leaving the champion struggling to breathe for the remainder of the match as his throat began to swell shut.
Despite the life-threatening injury, Triple H decided to carry on with the match, ultimately being dethroned by Shawn Michaels. Immediately following the bout, he was rushed to a New York hospital, where he spent several days in medical care with a crushed larynx. This incident is the primary reason WWE later raised the structure’s roof and modified the pods to be safer and more stable for high-flying maneuvers.
