Professional wrestling’s injury landscape remains crowded as the calendar moves through September 2026, with WWE, AEW, TNA, NJPW and promotions across the independent and international scenes managing notable absences. Several top names have identified approximate recovery targets, while many more remain without a firm timetable for resuming in-ring competition.
The latest list includes wrestlers recovering from major knee, neck, shoulder and pectoral issues, as well as performers on maternity leave or inactive for non-medical reasons. The varying nature of those situations is important: a television absence does not always mean an injury, and several wrestlers have continued making limited appearances despite being unable to wrestle.
WWE: Rhea Ripley, Logan Paul and Piper Niven among key absences
WWE’s main roster has been affected by a mix of long-term injuries and personal leave. Rhea Ripley underwent surgery after suffering a right knee injury at a WWE live event in Lisbon, Portugal, on June 3. The full extent of the injury has not been disclosed, and WWE has not announced a projected return date.
Logan Paul is dealing with a torn triceps. On the May 25 episode of Raw, Michael Cole said Paul would be out for months. Two days later, Paul stated that doctors had advised him to expect a six-month recovery, though he expressed confidence he could return sooner. Paul has still appeared on Raw since the injury, underscoring the distinction between being medically unavailable for matches and being unavailable for television altogether.
For more background on this topic, read Jim Ross Criticizes WWE and AEW Counter-Programming Clash on September 26.
Brie Bella revealed that she broke her scapula, or shoulder blade, in the six-woman tag team match against Toxic Attraction at SummerSlam. No estimate has been given for her return. Naomi and Bianca Belair are both listed as being on maternity leave.
On SmackDown, Elton Prince remains sidelined following neck fusion surgery. Prince last wrestled on the June 20 edition of the show and underwent the procedure in January. His return remains open-ended. Piper Niven is also out with a serious neck injury, though those familiar with the situation believe she is expected to recover and return. Niven provided an encouraging update on August 28, writing, “Got my 12 week scans and everything is healing beautifully.” No in-ring target has been confirmed.
Elsewhere in WWE, Omos is inactive on the main roster while working for AAA. In NXT, Chantel Monroe is recovering from a foot and ankle issue after sharing a hospital photo in March. Elio LeFleur has shoulder tears and announced a six-month absence, relinquishing the Men’s Speed Title on March 31. Layla Diggs disclosed an arm injury in July and was photographed wearing a sling. Neither Monroe nor Diggs has an estimated return date.
AAA’s Vikingo also faces a recovery process
El Hijo del Vikingo suffered a knee injury while preparing for a June 30 match on NXT against Prosper. He announced on July 6 that surgery would be required. A date for Vikingo’s return has not been made public.
AEW has several major names out or limited
AEW’s list is particularly significant because it includes former world champions, prominent titleholders and foundational roster members. Adam Cole is sidelined indefinitely with a concussion-related health issue. Given the serious and individualized nature of concussion recovery, there is no announced timetable.
Toni Storm was removed from television in a deliberately non-contact angle on the March 18 episode of Dynamite. The expectation is that she may not be medically cleared to wrestle for the remainder of 2026, although a precise diagnosis and return date have not been publicly confirmed.
Dustin Rhodes announced on August 5 that the condition of his knees requires two knee replacement surgeries. He planned to have the operation on August 21, and no estimate for a wrestling return is available. Josh Alexander also underwent successful knee surgery after an injury that appeared to occur while blocking a moonsault knee attack from Bailey. Alexander made an appearance at Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling on August 20, but the extent of his ring availability remains unclear.
Wardlow has a torn pectoral muscle believed to have occurred during his return at Forbidden Door. He said in an April 17 interview that he was close to coming back, but no updated match date has been announced. Hologram is recovering from knee surgery performed in November 2025 and was expected to be sidelined into 2026. Leila Grey suffered an ACL tear during her December 6 match against Mercedes Moné, while Luchasaurus has been out since December 2025 with a shoulder injury. Luchasaurus said he hoped to return by the end of the year.
The tag team situation involving Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen remains unresolved. Both men sustained the same injuries in a March 28 tag team match against the Death Riders, and no projected return has been announced. Penelope Ford suffered a lower-body injury on the February 25 edition of Dynamite. At the time, Tony Khan said the absence could range from weeks to months, but no subsequent timetable has been established.
Anna Jay is out with a shoulder injury and recently underwent an MRI, while Deonna Purrazzo was seen on crutches and in a walking boot. Purrazzo had been scheduled to defend the ROH Pure Women’s Championship against Steph De Lander at Death Before Dishonor on August 21, making clarity on her current condition especially relevant. Kota Ibushi continues recovering from the fractured femur he suffered at the October 2025 taping of Collision Homecoming. Ibushi later revealed that the metal plate used in his original surgery was not strong enough to allow the bone to heal properly.
There are also several cases that are not conventional injury absences. Samoa Joe stepped away for a few months because, in his words, “Hollywood came calling.” Jack Perry called him out on the September 16 episode of Dynamite, suggesting a return could be close, though an exact date is unknown. Ruby Soho remains on maternity leave. Colt Cabana, Max Caster, Nyla Rose and Paul Wight are inactive in differing capacities, while Emi Sakura is not active in AEW but continues wrestling in Japan. Buddy Matthews announced on August 6 that he had been cleared to compete.
TNA and NJPW updates
TNA has several serious cases still being monitored. Chris Bey continues his recovery after the neck injury and surgery he underwent on October 27, 2024. Bey has spoken openly about recovering from paralysis. Ash By Elegance announced that she would undergo surgery on May 1, though the reason was not disclosed. Rosemary is expected to miss an extended period, with no details released regarding the injury itself.
KiLynn King remains on a lengthy recovery path that has included an ACL tear and an L4-L5 herniated disc. Her August 2025 update, in which she celebrated touching her toes for the first time in roughly a year and a half, illustrated progress but did not include a return date.
In NJPW, Tomohiro Ishii suffered a neck injury and will miss the New Japan Cup tour. His status after that remains undetermined. Royce Isaacs announced on July 21 that L5 disc desiccation in his lower back would keep him out for three months, putting his expected ring return in late October.
Notable international and independent injuries
The broader wrestling world has also sustained major losses. CMLL’s Atlantis Jr. is sidelined with a knee injury. Octagon Jr. suffered a neck injury at AAA’s Noche de los Grandes tapings after taking a top-rope DDT from Joaquin Wilde, though he has pledged to return “stronger than ever.”
Among other notable names, Mercedes Martinez has announced that a torn ACL has ended her in-ring career. Adam Scheer, known to WWE audiences as Braun Strowman, is recovering from a knee infection while unsigned. Former WWE talent Santos Escobar tore his triceps during Royal Rumble weekend, underwent surgery in March and later required ulnar nerve surgery before his WWE release in April.
ACL injuries continue to be a recurring concern across promotions: Atsuki Aoyagi, Bozilla, Martin Casaus, Ryo Inoue, Sadie Gibbs and Victoria Yuzuki are all dealing with ACL-related recoveries. Meanwhile, WARHORSE suffered a broken fibula, Stephen Wolf stepped away due to an unspecified neck injury, and Pro Wrestling NOAH’s YO-HEY has a medial meniscus injury in his left knee.
With so many recovery timelines either unknown or subject to medical clearance, the most important updates will come from the wrestlers themselves and the promotions as rehabilitation progresses. For now, the list reflects both the physical toll of a demanding profession and the uncertainty that can accompany every return-to-ring decision.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.