Watch CBS News

For The Injured, Missing WrestleMania Hurts

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- WWE is on the home stretch on the road to WrestleMania on April 3.

It's the biggest time of the year for the company, as it rolls into Pittsburgh for a live Monday Night Raw event tonight, but not everyone is along for the ride.

An unusually large number of WWE superstars are sidelined with injuries this year, including the company's biggest name, John Cena, and former world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins.

John Cena describes how Orlando embodies the spirit of WWE by WWE on YouTube

Former WWE United States champion and tag team champion Cesaro also finds himself sidelined at the worst possible time.

"I'm very bummed. Extremely bummed. I can't put it into words."

Cesaro has been out of action since November with a rotator cuff injury to his left shoulder. His arm was still in a sling at The Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio earlier this month.

FULL INTERVIEW WITH Cesaro:

"It's coming along nicely. So, hopefully a couple more months and then doctors can tell me I can get back in the ring."

Cesaro spent 15 years as a professional wrestler, working for independent promotions around the world, before he reached WWE. Back then, he'd frequently appear at shows in the Pittsburgh area, often for International Wrestling Cartel.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

"I have many memories of Pittsburgh. I used to live in the Philadelphia area...and there was a time when I drove through Pittsburgh almost every week."

Performing at WrestleMania is the stated goal for many professional wrestlers. That only makes it more painful when injury takes away that opportunity.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.