Summary

Tony Evans issued a statement about the March 12 OVW incident involving referee Dallas Edwards.

The source text says Edwards was hurt during a planned six-man tag sequence, remained down while action continued, then began convulsing before the match was eventually stopped.

Evans said he moved Edwards while believing the match flow was still on plan and that he did not understand the severity of the injury in that moment.

He also said he has spoken directly with Edwards, that there was no malicious intent, and that his focus is on Edwards’ full recovery.

Tony Evans statement raises OVW urgency on in-ring awareness and response timing

Evans saying he misread the moment as normal match progression creates a concrete consequence, OVW now faces added pressure to tighten live communication cues so medical emergencies are recognized instantly by everyone in the ring.

With Edwards still recovering, and his condition already outlined in the latest Dallas Edwards medical update, this statement keeps accountability centered on prevention and faster stoppage protocols going forward.

Quotes

Quote from Tony Evans

"I want to start by expressing my support and love for Dallas Edwards and wishing him the best in his recovery. I’ve spoken with him, he’s doing well, and he knows we’re all thinking of him.

During Thursday’s match, there was a planned spot that resulted in an unexpected injury to Dallas. The match was 35+ minutes with 12 men, 2 run-ins and 2 referee bumps. Dallas’ time came as planned and everything seemed fine from my point of view. The next sequence had me falling next to Dallas and crawling away with my back turned to him, having my eyes focusing on the other wrestlers in the ring though I knew where Dallas was. As we set up for the next thing, in my periphery, I noticed Dallas was still close to center as he didn’t know what we were doing next, so I go to move him. Dallas and I have worked together frequently and he will usually always go dead-weight as I try to move him. When I touched him was the first time I had laid eyes on him specifically to this point for a brief second, and I saw OVW officials running from the back but assumed it was for the chaos that had just happened outside of the ring. I go to move him and scooted him with my foot as I usually would, not realizing the severity of what was going on in that moment, as I was under the impression everything was going according to plan. I then did the next spot and turned to find many people in the ring huddled around Dallas and stopped in my tracks, confused, scared and worried for my friend. Had I known in that split second moment when I moved him that something was wrong, I would’ve immediately stopped and tended to him as best I knew how. I wish I had known the severity of the situation, nothing is more important in pro wrestling than the safety of ALL involved.

Dallas and I have spoken, and we are good. He understands there was no malicious intent and per Dallas, he doesn’t “hold it to any of us personally”, and his perspective is the one that matters most to me. I am as distraught about this situation as everybody. My heart hurts knowing what my friend has gone through. I look forward to being with him back in the OVW locker room soon and wish him a full and speedy recovery. Love you, Dally."

Sources

As reported by Fightful.