4 injured WWE Superstars who won't return before 2024 ends
Currently, WWE is in a boom period, with the company's roster boasting multiple top stars across both RAW and SmackDown.
While many performers are enjoying the fruits of their labors at this moment in time, some stars are unfortunately missing their chance to shine due to injury.
Over the years, many performers have made stunning quick returns from injury. However, in this article, we are going to take a look at four WWE Superstars who will not return before 2024 comes to an end:
#4. The Empress will have to wait longer than tomorrow to return
For almost a decade now, Asuka has been one of the most dominant performers in WWE, having defeated top stars like Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, and Becky Lynch.
The Japanese star has found a home within the Damage CTRL stable over the past year, working alongside Dakota Kai and her fellow compatriots IYO SKY and Kairi Sane.
The 43-year-old has not been seen in the ring since May this year when she and Kairi lost the Women's Tag Team Title to Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill.
Following the match, Asuka would go on to have surgery on her knee, keeping her out of action for the time being.
A month or so later, it was reported by Fightful Select that the former WWE Women's Champion would most likely not be returning to the ring until next year.
#3. One of the UK's toughest stars is set to miss the rest of the year
One star who had recently begun to make waves on the main roster was the former NXT UK Champion, Tyler Bate.
The 27-year-old officially made the switch from NXT to SmackDown in January of this year as he and Pete Dunne formed a tag team called the New Catch Republic.
The duo would go on to challenge for tag team gold at both Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania 40, establishing themselves as a formidable duo. The team would then move on to a new challenge as they were drafted to RAW in April.
Sadly, their momentum was halted this past July as Bate picked up a major injury in a tag match alongside Dunne against Hank and Tank on NXT.
The following week, the British star provided his fans with an update on his physical condition via a heartfelt post on Instagram.
"Tore my left pectoral major and tendon off the bone last week at NXT. Surgery yesterday was successful, and all has been put back where it belongs. I’ll be gone for some time while I recover; try not to miss me too much. I’m in good spirits and looking forward to seeing you all again soon. Lots of love!" he wrote.
Given the severe nature of his injury, it would come as a major surprise if the former NXT UK Champion wrestled in the ring before the end of the year.
Since being out of action, Bate's teammate Pete Dunne has gone through a persona change, with him turning heel and feuding with Sheamus and Trick Williams. Therefore, it will be interesting to see what route Tyler will go down when he makes his WWE return.
#2. WWE's Mad Dragon's momentum has been halted
Similar to Tyler Bate, another former champion from NXT who had a fantastic start on the main roster was Ilja Dragunov.
The 31-year-old moved up to RAW during the WWE Draft in April 2024 and immediately built a connection with fans, with his intense persona resonating with the audience.
With matches against big stars like Sami Zayn, Bron Breakker, and Jey Uso allowing the WWE fans to see what The Mad Dragon is all about.
Sadly, though, Ilja's momentum hit a roadblock after he picked up an injury towards the end of September at a non-televised live event during a title match against World Heavyweight Champion Gunther.
It has been reported that Dragunov suffered a torn ACL, with him seemingly set to be out of the ring for at least six months.
#1. A former WWE Champion is waiting for his phenomenal return
One performer who has had a fantastic year in terms of in-ring work is former WWE Champion AJ Styles.
The Phenomenal One started off his year going for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title as he competed in a Fatal Four-Way Match against LA Knight, Randy Orton, and Roman Reigns. He would then go on to battle Knight again in an intense match at WrestleMania 40.
Following The Show of Shows, Styles once again had his eye on gold as he was then embroiled in an intense feud with the new Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, with the pair going at it in multiple hard-fought contests.
AJ went on a hiatus following his rivalry with The American Nightmare and returned to TV on the October 4 episode of SmackDown. However, he picked up a severe ankle injury during a match against Carmelo Hayes.
Styles would then confirm that he suffered a Lisfranc injury, which in layman's terms means ligament damage to the foot.
An injury such as this typically takes at least three months to heal. Hence, given that November is fast approaching, it would be surprising, to say the least, if AJ competes in the ring before the end of 2024.