8 WWE Superstars who won't return until 2025
WWE is heading to the final premium live event of 2024, Survivor Series: WarGames on November 30, followed by a special Saturday Night's Main Event on December 14. The start of 2025 will see the RAW premiere on Netflix on January 6, 2025.
While the majority of WWE stars should be expected to be available for the first episode of the red brand on the global streaming platform, there are some superstars expected to return only later in the year.
That said, we take a look at eight WWE Superstars who should be back in action at some point in 2025.
#8. Shotzi could return in 2-3 months
Shotzi got injured back on February 13, 2024, during an appearance on NXT. She sustained an ACL tear in her knee and was expected to make a full recovery in eight to nine months.
She is reportedly recovering well from the injury she suffered in the match against Lyra Valkyria and should be back in the ring around January or February.
#7. Karl Anderson will return after WrestleMania 41
Karl Anderson has been out since late September. After undergoing medical tests, he found out that he was dealing with a torn rotator cuff, and partially torn labrum.
The star had surgery to fix those issues earlier in the month and he is set to miss six to nine months, meaning that he will most likely miss WrestleMania 41.
#6. Tyler Bate should be back to WWE in early 2025
Tyler Bate got injured during an appearance on NXT back on July 2. Medical tests showed a torn left pectoral muscle, which required surgery, with Bate being out since then.
If his recovery goes as planned, he is expected to be back at some point in early 2025, with January or February as the likely timetable for a return.
#5. Ilja Dragunov could miss up to 9 months
The former NXT Champion is dealing with a torn ACL, an injury he sustained during a match against Gunther at a WWE live event back in late September.
He had surgery to repair the damage, but he will miss six to nine months, meaning that he should be able to return on The Road to WrestleMania.
#4. Jade Cargill should be back on time for WrestleMania 41
Jade Cargill will be out for a significant amount of time after reportedly having a legitimate injury. As a result, she was written out of storylines due to a backstage assault on SmackDown this week. She sustained multiple injuries and she could be out for more than three months.
WWE will need to find a replacement for her, not only for Survivor Series: WarGames but for the Women's Tag Team Titles, as Bianca Belair will need a tag team partner to avoid vacating the titles. Cargill should be back in time for WrestleMania 41.
#3. Becky Lynch could come back to WWE in January 2025
She left WWE on June 1, when her contract expired. There were reports that the two sides were negotiating a new deal, and it appears that Becky Lynch will return to WWE on the RAW premiere on Netflix on January 6, 2025.
There is no official update on whether she has already signed a new deal, but if she returns in early January, it will be seven months since her last WWE appearance on a RAW episode on May 27.
#2. John Cena will kick off his retirement tour on the RAW premiere on Netflix
The WWE legend returns for a farewell tour that will start on the RAW premiere on Netflix on January 6, 2025. His retirement tour will last through December 2025, when he will officially retire.
The Cenation Leader will work the majority of premium live events, and it remains to be seen if he will break the tie with Ric Flair and become a record 17-time world champion.
#1. The Rock will return in January 2025
The Rock was on a six-month hiatus before coming back to WWE at Bad Blood in early October and staring down Roman Reigns and the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
It is unclear when he will come back again, but the expectation is that he will show up on the RAW premiere on Netflix.
What he will do next remains to be seen, but fans can expect John Cena, Roman Reigns, and Cody Rhodes to be among his next opponents.