Fans of the original ECW will recall that Michael Manna, better known as Dancin’ Stevie Richards, suffered a broken neck during a 1997 Anything Goes match. Although he got back into the ring fairly quickly after Terry Funk dropped that steel guard rail onto his neck, Stevie has felt the painful effects of the incident ever since.

In 2007, Stevie Richards’ breathing was getting bad enough that he underwent a series of surgeries to help restore his airway (and his voice.) Five surgeries later (check out his scar in the above photo), his longtime friend Joey Styles reports that Stevie Richards is well on his way to recovering. Read Joey Styles’ full account of Stevie’s injury and recovery on wwe.com and look for Stevie Richards to return to the ring early this year.

Thanks to Stevie Richards’ bWo partner Blue Meanie for pointing out the Joey Styles article.