WWE: Sami Zayn Reportedly Granted Some Time Off by WWE, Braun Strowman Injury & Return Plans Update, More News

Sami Zayn Knee Injury Angle Update – Zayn Reportedly Granted Time Off for Rest Break

This past Monday’s WWE RAW show featured Sami Zayn suffering a storyline knee injury during his match with Drew McIntyre and follow-up backstage attack at the show.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that the reason for the storyline injury angle was due to Zayn had recently requested and was granted some time off by WWE officials.

Meltzer reported that the exact start date of Zayn’s rest break is currently not known but Zayn is currently not scheduled to work at WWE’s upcoming house show event on December 28th in Laval, Quebec. Meltzer reported that this is notable due to WWE officials normally build their events in Quebec around Zayn so it is possible that they could still bring him in for this show during his break.

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Braun Strowman Neck Injury & WWE Return Status Update

As noted before, Braun Strowman has been out of action for WWE since this past May due to a neck injury and had underwent neck fusion surgery to repair it.

In a recent interview with News18, Strowman provided an update on his currently injury status and potential return to WWE.

“So I just recently had my five-month check-up, with Dr. Cordoba, at the world-famous Andrews Medical Centre, where WWE graced me to have my surgery with the number one surgeon in the world. So I did my five-month check-up and got medically cleared to start lifting weights. So the bones are fusing nicely in my neck. So I had a cervical fusion on my C4 and C5. So they put a metal plate and four screws in my neck. I had four screws and a metal plate put it in my neck. Doc cleared me to start lifting weights again, which was a major blessing because I was going crazy sitting around eight weeks of doing nothing. I lost 35 pounds just sitting around for eight weeks because I wasn’t eating like I normally do since I wasn’t lifting. So I didn’t need all those extra calories. So now we’re trying to put the weight back on. The goal for 2024 is to continue this. As I said, I go back after the first year to have another check-up and then get back in the ring, getting back into shape and then getting back to passing these hands out.”

Strowman also gave his thoughts about the potential of him making his in-ring return at next month’s Royal Rumble 2024 event.

“You know when I’m back. Just know that. I don’t know yet; if I could be back in Rumble, that’d be great. But like I said, I’m at the mercy of the doctors and what they say. I’m listening to them because this was a very serious injury that I had. So slow and steady as the process on the company is so supportive behind me and stuff. I’m staying busy now. Normally, I probably wouldn’t be here right now doing this if it wasn’t for that. You always take the glass half full line, find your blessings and everything. So now that I’m out with the surgery, I’ve gotten cleared to be able to travel and stuff. So now they’re going to send me around doing all the media stuff. So that’s why I’m here. So it’s an unbelievable blessing to be able to continue to work, do what I love, and get the output, and reaction on people’s faces.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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WWE News & Notes

WWE is currently advertising that AJ Styles will be making his return to their SmackDown brand at tonight’s SmackDown Tribute to the Troops 2023 show in Providence, Rhode Island. Styles has been out of action for WWE since this past September due to a storyline injury caused by The Bloodline.

As noted before, Liv Morgan has been out of action for WWE since this past July due to a right shoulder injury. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that while Morgan was involved in the festivities for this past Monday’s NFL game in Green Bay, Wisconsin, there has been no new updates from his sources regarding when Morgan might be medically cleared by WWE for a potential in-ring return.

This past Saturday’s Jiu Jitsu World League event featured Baron Corbin winning the gold medal for Rudos BJJ in the Gi Adult Masters division after he submitted Brandon Gully and Colin Miller for the tournament victory.

Colorado State University recently announced on Twitter that they have named Mya Lesnar, daughter of Brock Lesnar, as the recipient of their Student-Athlete of the Week award for this week. Lesnar received the award following her breaking the school record for longest distance ever in women’s shot put at 18.50 meters.

WWE recently announced that WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker will be holding a new Undertaker 1 deadMAN Show events on February 23, 2024 in Perth, Australia. This upcoming show takes place one day before WWE’s Elimination Chamber 2024 event in the same city.

As noted before, Wes Lee recently suffered a serious back injury and is currently expected to be out of action for WWE for th next eight to twelve months. Lee recently provided an update on Twitter thanking everyone for the support they have shown towards him since his injury announcement. Lee stated “Thank you all for the get well wishes. Warms my heart to see the love from y’all. Truly hurt to have to deliver the message but I promise to also deliver on my claim to return and rep the WesSide proudly. Love y’all ❤️‍🩹“

As noted before, Bray Wyatt, real name Windham Rotunda, passed away this past August due to a heart attack related to issues involving COVID-19. Wyatt’s fiance and former WWE ring announcer JoJo Offerman recently stated on Instagram that she and Wyatt were supposed to get married this past Wednesday. Offerman stated “Today was hard. But I got to spend the day in the city where we were supposed to get married, and it was extremely bittersweet. I smiled because I know how much we loved this town. But I’m sad because I wish this wasn’t how it had to be. The babies miss their daddy. I miss you.“

Carmella has been out of action for WWE for the past year due to maternity reasons. Following the birth of her first child this past November, Carmella had revealed that she has been dealing with nerve damage issues in her foot that was caused during the birthing process for her first child. While responding to a fan on Instagram, Carmella recently stated that a potential in-ring return at next month’s Royal Rumble 2024 event is not possible for her. This fan stated “She’s gonna be in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble.” Carmella responded stating “Absolutely not. I can’t even walk properly yet. It’s going to take time to properly heal.“