BALTIMORE, Md. — It takes a lot of strength and determination to make it to the professional level in any sport. For one aspiring wrestler, the road to the WWE became especially difficult when a serious injury almost derailed his plans completely.
Aspiring pro wrestler Brandon Holman loves the thrill of being inside the ring. His wrestling character known as “Boom Hayden” is known for not being one to back down from a challenge.
“It’s going to be Boom Town because I’m taking you on a one-way trip there,” said Holman. “Hopefully you’re limping out and that’s at the very most.”
His latest obstacle was much bigger than any opponent he’s faced in the ring. During professional wrestling training last October, Holman attempted to do a move called a bump. He went down the wrong way severely breaking his ankle. It was an injury he wasn’t sure he’d be able to recover from.
“I’ve got like so many things racing through my head. The pain, the thought of did I just mess myself up forever,” said Holman. “You don’t know what’s happening in the moment.”
Dr. Walter Hembree is an orthopaedic surgeon at MedStar Union Memorial. He recommended treating Holman with an aggressive surgery to help get him back on his feet.
“We tend to be relatively aggressive about fixing ankle fractures in young people to get them back in what we call an anatomic position or normal alignment,” said Hembree. “That helps promote their function and back to their full activity level, in this case a wrestler and also minimizes risk of arthritis in the future.”
It’s been almost three months since the surgery and Holman says he’s feeling great. He’s been doing all that he can outside of the ring to prepare for his big return.
“Now when I get back in the ring, it’s going to be like I’m 10 times better than I was mentally and physically,” said Holman.
Holman says he’s ready to show the world that he’s ready to make it back to the ring.
“Let me tell you Boom Hayden is ready to get back in that ring and show the world that he is bigger than each and every one of those guys that he goes up against”
Dr. Hembree is expected to clear Holman at his next appointment on February 18th. Holman says he can’t wait to finally get back in the ring bigger and stronger than before and ready to claim his spot among the pros.
