WWE: Dakota Kai ACL Injury Update, Nick Aldis on Handshake Deal with WWE, More News

Sep 6, 2023

Dakota Kai Comments on Not Expecting to be Cleared for In-Ring Return Until January 2024

As noted before, Dakota Kai has been out of in-ring action for WWE since this past May due to an ACL injury.

In a recent Twitch stream, Kai provided an update on the status of her recovery from her injury and when she might be medically cleared for an in-ring return.

“Probably 2024. I do think it’s funny that a lot of people are like, ‘she’s not injured at all. Look at her walking around.’ ACL injury, I haven’t even learned how to start running and jumping again yet. I think I’m going to start running this week. ACL recovery, especially for someone in sport, we use our legs a lot. If I were a desk worker, I’d be back at work. Because it’s wrestling, I won’t be cleared until January.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

Nick Aldis Comments on Currently Being in Handshake Deal with WWE

As noted before, former NWA and Impact Wrestling talent Nick Aldis is currently working in a producer tryout role for WWE since this past August.

A recent episode of the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast had Aldia as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Alids’ thoughts about his current deal with WWE.

“None at the moment. They just invited me to come and see how everything works and shadow as a producer and be part of the meetings and the whole television operation. I’ve worn a lot of hats, I think people who have followed my career, particularly in the last few years, know that, in addition to wrestling, I was wearing a lot of hats behind the scenes at my last place [NWA]. I certainly don’t feel like it’s a completely new situation to me. Having said that, there is pro wrestling and there is WWE. Just taking in the sheer volume of the operation and the number of people involved and the scale of everything, just that alone has been the basis of my time so far. It’s all very much a handshake situation. ‘Why don’t you come in and see how all this works, see if you like it.’ They’ve been very good to me and very accommodating as far as, they’ve said, ‘this is as much about whether you like it.’ Where that goes, I don’t know. I’m okay with that. It’s tough with the internet and social media because people want to put this definitiveness on everything. ‘He’s with WWE, that’s it. He’s not wrestling anymore.’ Even the boys backstage are saying that. Slow down.
They were very open with me, ‘if you don’t want to do this, that’s totally cool.’ I may as well say it, obviously, I would love the other thing [wrestle]. Until that day comes, I’m going to explore other opportunities. That is absolutely something I want to do in the end, the question will be, whether I’m ready to do that now.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

WWE News & Notes

USA Wrestling announced that Gable Steveson has withdrawn from the upcoming 2023 Senior World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia and will be replaced by Mason Parris for Team USA. No other details were given regarding Steveson’s withdrawal from the tournament.

WWE backstage interviewer McKenzie Mitchell recently filed a trademark for “McKenzie Mitchell” for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

WWE announced that they are currently auctioning a one of a kind autographed wrestling robe worn by Cody Rhodes at this past May’s Night of Champions event. It was announced that all proceeds will go towards the Connor’s Cure and The V Foundation.

In a recent interview with The Pat McAfee Show, The Miz gave his thoughts about his segment with Invisible Cena at this past Monday’s WWE RAW show in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Miz stated “I don’t care if it’s real Cena, invisible Cena, I’ll take him down each and every time, no doubt in my mind, every day, all day, that’s just the type of person I am. How dare him push me in my ring. You don’t come into my ring in WWE, on Monday Night Raw, and come onto my show, Miz TV, and push me. I couldn’t believe he ducked my swing, but once he swung at me, I know what’s happening, I know the Skull Crushing Finale is happening, drop him out, and after the promo I threw him out of the ring because that’s the type of man I am. That’s my ring and that’s what I do.” The Miz also gave his thoughts about cameraman Stu’s work for the segment. The Miz stated “How great was Stu? How great was that camera work? He’s done it so many times, Stu can see him just like I can.” The Miz also gave his thoughts about the reaction from the crowd during his segment. The Miz stated “Look at me, I took off my jacket and they started saying ‘Holy Shit’ with an invisible person. That’s how good I am. I’m real good.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

WWE recently announced that Shanky, Jinder Mahal, Matt Riddle, and NXT talent Bron Breakker will be making an appearance at their Superstar Spectacle 2023 event on September 8th in Hyderabad, India.

WWE also recently announced one new match for the card of their Superstar Spectacle 2023 event on September 8th in Hyderabad:

WWE Women’s World Championship – Natayla vs. Rhea Ripley (c)