Former WWE talent Scarlett Bordeaux has opened up in a major new interview about a rarely discussed injury: her breast implant ruptured during a WWE dark match, leading to surgery and months away from the ring. The revelation, shared in a recent talk with Chris Van Vliet on his “Insight” podcast, sheds light on a medical issue that not only impacted her in-ring career but also played a role in her absence from WWE television in the months before her release.
The Incident: “I Felt a Pressure, But No Pain”
Bordeaux, best known for her time as Karrion Kross’s manager and for her own NXT appearances, described the unusual moment her saline implant popped out during a match. “I had saline implants. Think a ziploc bag of salt water,” she said, explaining that she was already overdue for a replacement procedure after about 12 years with the same implants[1]. Ironically, just days before the match, Bordeaux joked with fellow wrestler Shotzi Blackheart that she would wait until the implants popped in the ring—a dark premonition that soon became reality.
During the match, Bordeaux took what she described as a routine kick to the chest—a move she’d experienced countless times before. “It was just a simple kick like right here. I’ve been kicked there a million times. That was the moment it just popped,” she recounted[1]. Initially, she didn’t feel much pain, just “a bit of a pressure.” It wasn’t until later, after returning home, that she noticed a visible difference and brought it to her partner’s attention. Medical examination revealed the rupture—doctors reportedly told her X-rays made it look as though she had been in a major car accident[1].
Recovery, Surgery, and the Push for Return
Following the discovery of the rupture, Bordeaux underwent surgery. Despite her eagerness to return, visiting the WWE Performance Center just a week after the operation to request clearance, she was sent home to rest. According to Bordeaux, the injury kept her off television and ultimately changed WWE’s creative plans for her. “The plan was, I guess, for me to wrestle, so they were like, ‘When you’re totally clear, you’re gonna wrestle.’ They scrapped all the managing stuff at that point and I was sitting at home for those last four months just waiting,” she explained[3].
Her inability to be medically cleared—a standard company policy for any performer with a pending procedure or injury—meant Bordeaux saw no further on-screen opportunities in WWE until her eventual release this past summer[7].
Backstage Reactions and Company Policy
According to sources in WWE, the company is well aware of the risks associated with performers who have implants, given the physical nature of the business. “It’s not uncommon for female talent with implants to experience issues, and medical staff are trained to look for signs of rupture or leakage,” said a WWE insider familiar with the medical protocols. “But it’s also a sensitive topic behind the scenes, and there’s an understanding that some performers may prefer not to discuss it publicly.”
Bordeaux noted that, despite the frequency of such incidents among performers with implants, it’s a topic rarely discussed in wrestling media. “People haven’t talked about it as much how often it happens. Even when I went to the doctor, they’re like, ‘yeah, we’ve done a lot of the girls, whoever has implants’”[3]. She added that WWE officials advised her against publicly discussing the incident, a directive not uncommon for sensitive medical matters involving talent[5][8].
The Personal Impact: Health, Privacy, and Moving On
For Bordeaux, the experience was a mix of frustration, humor, and acceptance. “It wasn’t a big secret. I wasn’t afraid to talk about it, but I was told, ‘it’s probably better if you don’t tell anyone what happened.’ I’m not embarrassed by it”[3]. While the injury sidelined her from WWE programming, Bordeaux has since returned to the independent circuit, though she has clarified that a return to IMPACT Wrestling—her previous home—is not in her immediate plans[3].
Her openness about the incident is rare in an industry where health and privacy often take a backseat to storyline continuity and public image. “WWE is a very image-conscious company, and anything that might distract from the storylines or present the product in a less than ideal light is often kept quiet unless the talent themselves decide to speak out,” noted a veteran wrestling journalist. “Scarlett’s willingness to share this story is a sign of changing attitudes among performers.”
A Perspective on Women’s Health in Wrestling
Bordeaux’s story shines an important light on the physical demands faced by women in professional wrestling—a topic that has gained more attention in recent years with the rise of the Women’s Revolution. While much focus has been on in-ring performance and athleticism, less discussed are the specific health challenges, including those related to cosmetic procedures.
Medical professionals who work with wrestlers note that while implants are generally safe, the nature of bumps, falls, and strikes in wrestling increases the risk of complications. “It’s not just about the match itself, but the accumulation of impacts over time,” said a sports medicine specialist who has treated wrestlers. “Regular checks and timely replacements are important for anyone in a high-impact sport, especially when implants are involved.”
What’s Next for Scarlett Bordeaux?
Since her WWE departure, Bordeaux has continued to wrestle on the independent scene, showing no signs of slowing down. Her story, however, serves as a reminder of the unseen risks and personal sacrifices that go into a career in sports entertainment. For fans, it’s a rare glimpse behind the curtain at the realities of life as a WWE Superstar—both the glamor and the grit.
Bordeaux’s candidness about her implant rupture is likely to resonate with others in the industry, particularly women who have faced similar challenges. “I hope by talking about it, others might feel less alone,” she said. “These things happen, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
Key Takeaways
- Scarlett Bordeaux suffered a ruptured breast implant during a WWE dark match, requiring surgery and extended time away from the ring[1][3].
- The injury led WWE to scrap planned in-ring appearances for Bordeaux, who was not medically cleared to return before her release[3][7].
- WWE officials reportedly advised Bordeaux against publicly discussing the incident, reflecting company policy on sensitive health matters[5][8].
- Bordeaux’s openness highlights broader issues around women’s health and privacy in professional wrestling, topics rarely addressed in mainstream wrestling media[3].
- Since leaving WWE, Bordeaux has resumed wrestling independently, though she has no current plans to return to IMPACT Wrestling[3].
Final Thoughts
Scarlett Bordeaux’s story is more than just a wrestling injury—it’s a conversation starter about health, privacy, and the realities of life as a WWE performer. Her willingness to speak out offers fans a rare, unfiltered look at the challenges faced by women in the industry, and may pave the way for more openness around health issues in professional wrestling. For now, Bordeaux’s legacy in WWE includes not just her memorable character work, but also her courage in sharing a very personal chapter of her career.