On the evening of October 5, 1999, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) arrived at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, to tape an episode of SmackDown. The company was riding the crest of the “Attitude Era” wave, with sold-out arenas and record-breaking television ratings. The atmosphere backstage was generally one of high energy and camaraderie. However, by the end of the night, the mood would shift to one of profound shock and sorrow.
The Man Called “Puke”
To understand the tragedy, one must look at the trajectory of Darren Drozdov. Before entering the squared circle, Drozdov was a legitimate athlete. He played as a defensive tackle for the University of Maryland and had stints in the NFL with the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, and Denver Broncos.
His entry into the WWF was unique. He gained notoriety not for a tackle, but for a bodily function. During a Monday Night Football game, television cameras caught Drozdov vomiting on the football immediately before the snap. This earned him a reputation for being able to vomit on command.
When he met with Vince McMahon for an interview—footage of which was famously included in the documentary Beyond the Mat—McMahon was fascinated by this ability. He requested a demonstration, and Drozdov complied, vomiting into a trash can in McMahon’s office. This led to his initial gimmick: “Puke.”
Eventually, the gross-out gimmick was dropped, and he transitioned into “Droz,” a piercing-wearing, chaotic brawler often associated with the Legion of Doom or his own stable of misfits. He was athletic, charismatic, and considered a rising star in the mid-card.
The Match: October 5, 1999
The match at Nassau Coliseum was a standard contest between Droz and D’Lo Brown. D’Lo Brown was a highly respected worker, known for his agility and safety in the ring. He was a former European and Intercontinental Champion, trusted by management to work with anyone on the roster.
The match proceeded without incident until the finish. The planned spot called for D’Lo Brown to execute his signature “Running Powerbomb.” This is a move where the wrestler tucks his opponent’s head between his legs, lifts them onto his shoulders while running, and then slams them down onto their back.
It is a move D’Lo had performed hundreds of times without error. However, on this night, a combination of wardrobe and physics led to disaster.
The Slip
According to accounts from both men in later years, the primary culprit was a loose shirt. Droz was wearing a baggy, nylon-style mesh shirt.
As D’Lo Brown attempted to lift Droz for the powerbomb, he could not get a secure grip around Droz’s waist. His hands slipped on the fabric of the shirt. Consequently, he was unable to elevate Droz to the necessary height to rotate him safely for a flat back bump.
Additionally, Droz has stated in interviews that he may have hesitated or not jumped effectively, contributing to the lack of elevation.
“I had on a loose shirt. D’Lo didn’t get a good grip on me… I didn’t get the jump I should have.”
The result was that Droz did not rotate fully. Instead of landing flat on his back, he was driven head-first into the canvas. The entire weight of his body, plus the downward force of D’Lo Brown, compressed his neck.
The Impact and the Silence
Droz fractured two vertebrae in his neck instantly. He collapsed to the mat, unable to move.
In the ring, D’Lo Brown immediately knew something was wrong. Wrestlers are trained to communicate through hand squeezes or whispers. Droz was unresponsive to physical cues. He told D’Lo, “I can’t feel my legs.”
The referee signaled for the bell and the medical team. The match was stopped. The footage of the accident was never aired on SmackDown. The WWE production team edited the match out of the broadcast, replacing it with other segments. To the television audience, the incident never happened. To the live crowd in Nassau Coliseum, it was a terrifying halt to the show.
Paramedics stabilized Droz’s neck and stretchered him out. He was rushed to the Nassau University Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery to reduce the pressure on his spinal cord.
The Diagnosis: Quadriplegia
The prognosis was grim. Droz had sustained a severe spinal cord injury. Initially, he had no movement below the neck. Over time, he regained some movement in his upper body and arms, but he would remain paralyzed from the chest down for the rest of his life.
At 30 years old, the former NFL player and wrestling superstar was confined to a wheelchair. The career he had built was over in a fraction of a second.
The Guilt of D’Lo Brown
While Droz fought for his physical recovery, D’Lo Brown fought a mental battle. The guilt of being the one who delivered the move was crushing.
In an interview with The Hannibal TV, D’Lo Brown opened up about the trauma. He described visiting Droz in the hospital, terrified to face him. He expected anger or blame. Instead, he found grace.
“He said, ‘D’Lo, don’t worry about it. It was an accident.’ He told me not to blame myself.”
Despite Droz’s forgiveness, D’Lo struggled. He admitted that the accident changed his style. He became tentative in the ring, afraid to execute power moves. He stopped using the Running Powerbomb entirely. The joy of wrestling had been sapped by the memory of that night in Uniondale. It took years for him to mentally recover and return to performing at a high level.
Life After the Ring
Remarkably, Darren Drozdov did not let the injury destroy his spirit. He maintained a relationship with the WWE for years following the accident.
The company kept him on the payroll. He worked as a writer and a columnist for the WWE website and magazine. His column, “Shooting the Sh*t,” was popular among fans for its candid take on the business. He also appeared on the internet show Byte This!, analyzing pay-per-views and storylines.
Droz became a symbol of resilience. He often spoke about his condition with a lack of bitterness that astounded those around him. He refused to be defined as a victim. He customized his wheelchair, often equipping it with “tank” treads for outdoor mobility, embracing his love for hunting and the outdoors despite his limitations.
“There is always another day. Just because I’m paralyzed and stuck in a wheelchair, doesn’t mean my life is over. I’ve learned to live again, and my life is far from over.”
The Passing of Droz
Darren Drozdov passed away on June 30, 2023, at the age of 54. His death was attributed to natural causes, though the long-term effects of quadriplegia undoubtedly contributed to his health challenges.
The outpouring of love from the wrestling community was immense. The Rock, Mick Foley, and Triple H all posted tributes. But the most poignant messages came from D’Lo Brown.
Following Droz’s death, D’Lo spoke again about the bond they shared. He noted that they had remained friends and communicated over the years. Droz never held a grudge.
Legacy of the Powerbomb
The Droz incident had a tangible impact on the in-ring product. For a period, the Running Powerbomb was essentially banned or softly retired in WWE. It served as a reminder that moves requiring high impact and precise rotation carried lethal risks.
More importantly, it changed the locker room culture regarding safety. It was a stark example that accidents happen not just in “high risk” ladder matches or cage matches, but in standard wrestling holds.
The story of Droz is one of tragedy, but also of profound grace. In an industry defined by egos and grudges, Darren Drozdov’s refusal to blame the man who injured him stands as a unique act of character. The Droz Paralyzation remains a dark chapter in the history of SmackDown, a night where the slippery texture of a nylon shirt altered the lives of two men forever.
