Professional wrestling is a beautiful business, but it is also a brutal one. Serious injuries occur as either a result of the wear and tear of performing so frequently and taking bumps or because of a freak injury.
We have all the latest WWE injuries covered in this constantly updated piece, which contains a list of the wrestlers currently out of action.
For your convenience, the sections of each entry pertaining to the nature of the injury and the timetable for recovery are in bold print.
Note that for serious, long-term injuries, especially those involving the brain or spinal cord, an exact timetable for return is exceedingly difficult to pinpoint.
Bookmark this page and check back for more updates as we get further clarity on these injuries, and as, unfortunately, more wrestlers are injured.
We wish everyone in this piece the swiftest and safest possible recoveries. There is nothing more heartbreaking for an athlete than being forced out of action from what they love the most.
The mental anguish can be just as painful as the physical effects of an injury, particularly a long-term or chronic ailment.
Sonya Deville
Sonya Deville suffered a torn ACL on July 28. It may not be until after SummerSlam next year when we see the popular superstar back in the ring.
Braun Strowman
Former WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman needed to undergo neck fusion surgery in early June.
Though he shared on Twitter that he has begun lifting weights again, there is no timetable for his return. WrestlingNews.co’s Andrew Ravens wrote that Strowman is expected to be out for the remainder of 2023.
Dakota Kai
One of the most talented wrestlers and sellers in the business, Dakota Kai suffered a torn ACL in May. Shayna Baszler stated that the Damage CTRL member was “doing well” and is “way ahead of schedule” during a Twitch stream.
Positive updates are always nice, but even at the earliest, Kai wouldn’t be able to return before the end of 2023. She may not be back until after WrestleMania 40 when she is more likely to be 100 percent.
It is easier to reintegrate wrestlers back into storylines after the WrestleMania reset.
Indi Hartwell
Former NXT Women’s Champion and NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion Indi Hartwell suffered an injury at Spring Breakin’, which forced her to relinquish the title shortly after.
Hartwell did finish the match despite the serious ankle injury, which earned her respect from the locker room. She is on crutches, and there are no details on her return date.
Sol Ruca
One of the most exciting up-and-coming stars with NXT, Sol Ruca suffered a torn ACL and was written off WWE television as part of the backstage attack storyline. Blair Davenport would later be revealed as the attacker.
Ruca had not wrestled since April 14, so she could be out for the rest of 2023 with this serious knee injury.
Recoveries from ACL tears are also variable, but they often take close to a year to fully recover from. It is best to play things safe. Ruca has her whole career ahead of her.
Randy Orton
WWE legend – and Legend Killer – Randy Orton has been out since May 20, 2022, with a severe back injury that required successful spinal fusion surgery.
Despite optimism regarding a possible WrestleMania return and recent rumblings of a possible comeback this summer, Orton’s situation is quite serious.
His father Bob Orton, speaking to Bill Apter, even said that doctors advised Randy not to return to the ring.
However, Kurt Angle recently stated on his podcast that Orton is “doing much better” and that he could return “pretty damn soon”.
Orton has been wrestling since 2000, picking up serious and chronic injuries over the years, most famously nagging shoulder issues that have required a lot of maintenance.
Despite this, Orton has always been able to keep himself in top shape and remain a consistently great competitor inside the squared circle. So ruling out a return is difficult, even if the words from his father are chilling. You never want to see someone sacrifice their health, especially when they have already accomplished everything there is to accomplish in the business.
Bobby Roode
Bobby Roode is another legendary veteran wrestler who underwent spinal fusion surgery. The former NXT and United States Champion had his C5 and C6 vertebrae fused in late 2022.
He then suffered a setback and had to undergo another operation in May. His timetable for recovery is thus unknown.
Big E
Out of all the devastating injuries we have seen recently in pro wrestling, Big E’s is the one that stands out the most. The lovable former WWE Champion’s career could very well be cut short by a broken neck with fractures to his C1 and C6 vertebrae.
He could have even lost his life as a result of the impact of his injury or suffered even more severe, irreversible damage to his upper spinal cord. Injuries to the cervical spinal cord are the most dangerous.
As it stands, it remains unknown if the future Hall of Famer will ever be able to wrestle again. On the bright side, he did remark in April on the Battleground Podcast that he is pain-free and has no functional issues.
