Good day! Here is an updated WWE injury report for the month of December, along with any notable absentees. Reasons for absence can include suspensions, shielding from the pandemic, or unexplained inactivity.
Updated WWE Injury & Absentee Report
There has been a few changes since the last time we shared a report in September. We’re bound for some surprise returnees soon, given there are some who have been out of action for a long time.
Monday Night Raw
Jinder Mahal — The injury prone former WWE Champion returned to action in April, but found he had a complication with his knee which required surgery. There is no estimated time for his return.
Becky Lynch — After defeating Shayna Baszler at WrestleMania, she vacated the Raw Women’s title and went on maternity leave a few weeks later. Becky is roughly 7-8 months in to her pregnancy.
Charlotte Flair — It was noted on PWInsider she’d be out for at least six weeks after undergoing an elective surgery. However, she has been inactive for double that time, sitting on the sidelines for over five months: Top WWE Star Expected Out Next Six Weeks
Ivar — On September 7th, he competed in an 8-man tag team match. During this encounter, Ivar’s neck was injured while performing a suicide dive; the match had to come to an abrupt end. He underwent successful surgery a week later and his return time is unknown.
Mandy Rose — You may remember that she & Dana Brooke were scheduled to join Team Raw at Survivor Series. The plans changed because Mandy is out with a shoulder injury. This happened during a spot with Nia Jax when she was thrown out of the ring and landed awkwardly shoulder first in to the ring apron. I would say it was more Mandy’s fault than Nia’s, but accidents happen.
SmackDown Live
Bo Dallas — The lone ‘B Team’ member has not been seen on TV since teaming with released partner Curtis Axel at Crown Jewel in October 2019. He’s sitting at home, probably because WWE creative has nothing for him.
The Forgotten Sons — In June, Jaxson Ryker made some controversial remarks on Twitter regarding Donald Trump, Black Lives Matters & anti-mask sentiments. It was reported that some felt it was unfair to punish Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler, because they did nothing other than be associated with Ryker in the group.
Jimmy Uso — He is out with a knee injury, although he has recently been on TV being beaten down by Roman Reigns to force Jey Uso to do his bidding.
Aleister Black — This week, Dave Meltzer said WWE “don’t see anything” in him, and that’s all we’ve got. His wife Zelina Vega was fired for starting an OnlyFans account. Also, his request to go back to NXT was denied.
Chelsea Green — As crazy and ironic as it is, Chelsea suffered yet another broken wrist on her return to WWE’s main roster. It’s likely she was called up to replace Zelina Vega, but any ideas of using her regularly quickly ceased as she must stay home and recover.
NXT
NXT UK has returned to TV, although it’s not using as many talents and no one is reported as injured. If anyone is absent, it’s because of the national UK lockdown to fight back against the rate of COVID-19 infection to help the NHS.
Vanessa Borne — It was reported she moved up to the main roster in January and was heavily linked to the Retribution group after debuting on SmackDown. Borne has since been reported to have returned to NXT, but has yet to appear on TV.
Indus Sher, Rinku & Saurav — WWE stopped using Malcolm Bivens’ Indus Sher tag team many months ago. It could be a matter of them staying home during the coronavirus pandemic, but nothing has been confirmed.
Kona Reeves — He might be the longest serving wrestler in NXT history (behind Tyler Breeze?), but has spent much of his time either sidelined with injury, or as an enhancement talent for live events. Rarely used on TV, Reeves is still out with a torn labrum.
Karrion Kross — After getting the biggest win of his career by defeating Keith Lee for his first major title (NXT Championship), WWE announced he worked through it with an injury which was further exacerbated. Picking up a big man like Keith Lee on to a separated shoulder must have hurt like hell, but he did it anyway to give us a powerful ending to an understandably tepid encounter. Kross vacated the title on the next episode of NXT, but it’s only a matter of time til he returns for the prize he never lost. “TICK TOCK!”
Arturo Ruas — Recently seen on Raw Underground, Arturo’s return to NXT looked promising. His first match back was with Kushida, but he suffered a right bicep injury during their encounter. There were creative plans to use him as a regular on NXT TV.
Ridge Holland — The big Yorkshireman and former Rugby player enjoyed a successful run in NXT UK before migrating to the American NXT branch. Almost immediately he became the “Next Big Thing” by quickly challenging for the NXT North American title. After failing there, he turned his focus on to the Undisputed Era and made his mark by sidelining Adam Cole. He was likely to serve as Pat McAfee’s hired muscle, but his ankle injury likely made creative decide to go down another route by having him manage Oney Lorcan, Danny Burch and Pete Dunne.
Tegan Nox — She last wrestled in a Battle Royale in late September. Since then, it was reported the Welsh superstar has suffered a third torn ACL, possibly because her previous hadn’t healed properly. She’s in good spirits though: “I’m doing great. I mean, I’m way ahead of schedule on the rehab [post surgery], so it’s just a waiting game right now. I’m trying to do as much as I can but the new puppy [Marvel] is something else.”
And this concludes our WWE Injury Report for the month of December. Please let me know if I have missed anyone in the comments section, thank you.
