Blues striker James Norwood declared his wrestling debut “a brilliant night” despite the groin injury he suffered away against the MK Dons on Tuesday having led to a late change of plans.
Norwood was subbed in the 35th minute of the first half as the Blues won 1-0 at Stadium MK with the groin problem which he had previously suffered last year when at Tranmere.
Despite the injury, the 29-year-old, whose wrestling-themed goal celebration GIFs have proved hugely popular in the opening weeks of the season, still appeared as a guest enforcer at Norwood Mania, which was organised by the International Pro Wrestling League at the Kingsway Hall in Harwich in aid of Cancer Research last night.
"I had treatment today, I had to change a plan a little bit late last night, I had to text Mark who was running the show and say the original plan is out the window and had to change things slightly,” Norwood told Sky Sports when asked whether the injury had impacted upon his involvement.
Despite suffering an injury on Tuesday night, Ipswich striker James Norwood was able to fulfil his wrestling dream... pic.twitter.com/gMazZKyK6O– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 19, 2019
The striker says manager Paul Lambert was fine about his involvement: "I think so, he’s not said too much about it. Everyone else at the club knew, the players, staff, so I imagine he knew about about it and didn’t have a problem with it.”
He says he thoroughly enjoyed himself: "I just had so much fun out there. I knew it was for a good cause and I threw myself into it, it was a brilliant night.”
Ipswich Town's James Norwood nailing the Rock Bottom at a charity wrestling event 💪@jnorwood_10 vs @TheRock at @WWE WrestleMania next year?!? 🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/T47tMhzNJG– Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) September 19, 2019
Norwood says Lambert will be relieved that the injury wasn’t aggravated during his debut in the ring: "Absolutely, the groin felt fine, so I gave it a go.
"I was umming and ahhing about it, but I didn’t want to let people down, these people had worked so hard to be where they are and do what they do and I just wanted to put on a special night.”