Luke Harper Issues Statement Ahead Of WWE Return

Triple H has revealed that four big events would be taped for the WWE Network over WrestleMania Axxess, and one of those events includes an “NXT vs. NXT Alumni” themed show.

One of the great matches announced for the aforementioned event was Dominik Dijakovic vs. Luke Harper. Harper competed down in NXT whilst with the Wyatt Family. The former Smackdown Tag Team Champion been injured since  early October 2018, and released the following emotional statement regarding his upcoming return and WWE future:

I’m 39 years old.

I’ve been cleared since February 6th. I haven’t been brought to one television taping since I left to have double ligament reconstruction surgery on October 2nd, 2018.

6 years ago, I wrestled multiple matches at Axxess as part of FCW and was involved in Undertakers entrance. 5 years ago, I had a front row seat to watch Bray Wyatt wrestle John Cena. 4 years ago, I competed for the Intercontinental Championship in my first Wrestlemania singles match. 3 years ago, I wrestled Brock Lesnar in Toronto on a network special. 2 years ago, I came within inches of competing for the WWE Championship in the very match AJ Styles won his first and within inches of being part of the WWE championship match at Wrestlemania with Bray and Randy. 1 year ago, I won the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championships with Rowan while my wife and 2 sons watched from the front row.

Next Thursday I will be wrestling Donovan Dijak at Axxess.

Full circle.

I read all the texts I got that said, “you’re back on axxess???” I was kind to all the people at the gym asking if I’m retired. I swallowed my pride when agents and writers asked me if I was still hurt when completely healthy. And now here we are. April 4th, 2019 “When Worlds Collide” at Axxess. Luke Harper vs. Donovan Dijak. How will I respond? How will I change things? Well to all of you this may just be a throwaway Axxess match, but I can assure you to me it is much, much more. This is test. No one has to be happy with the results except me. That’s the true test. Do I still have it? Can I compete with a young, up and coming, incredibly talented, nxt prospect? Am I too old? Has the game passed me by? Am I as good as I really think I am? It brings me near tears to write this because I truly believe I have so f***ing much to offer this industry. I believe I will be a World Heavyweight Champion someday. I believe that, but these are the doubts I live with daily. These are the doubts that creep in your head during rehab. These are the thoughts you think when you watch your left side atrophy. Being ignored and left home for months exasperated these thoughts and it sucked.

I have so much to prove to myself, to WWE, to the industry of professional wrestling, to my wife and it is my responsibility to show my kids how to handle adversity. Next Thursday is the answer. Are the doubts real or is this the first step of the climb?

I promise you I will come prepared and you will get my very best that night Mr. Dijak. Just know, be careful thinking of this as just an axxess match because to me, this is Wrestlemania. I’m not throwing away my shot.

Good luck.

Many people have said that Harper is one of the most underutilised guys on the roster. He moves around in a way that a guy of his size should not be able to. He proved with his singles run in the lead-up to WrestleMania 33 that he was not only a great in-ring talent but also someone that the crowd could invest in. He proved that he was up there with the very best that Smackdown Live has to offer.

We last saw Harper on TV tagging with long-time partner Rowan. The latter has now moved on to become Daniel Bryan’s lackey, and some have suggested that Harper could return and join a sort of Vegan Cult with the WWE Champion and his long-time friend. However, Harper’s recent statement and inclusion as a singles star in the Network special might imply that a run as a singles competitor is on the cards for the 39-year-old.

It is nice to see Harper not taking his place on the Axxess card as a demotion, but a chance to prove to the fans and WWE higher-ups just how great he is. Good luck, Luke!

 

• wrestlemania axxess
• luke harper
• Worlds Collide
• wwe

Share this article with friends