Top WWE star not expected to return until 2025 - Reports
The WWE roster is constantly changing. Officials are focused on signing new names like Stephanie Vaquer and Jacob Fatu, while talents such as The O.C. and Baron Corbin are sent to NXT. The process also includes inactive talents, and word now is that one veteran star will be on the sidelines for a few more months.
The New Catch Republic debuted on SmackDown earlier this year. Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne began chasing the WWE Tag Team Championship but were traded to RAW in the 2024 Draft. The former WWE UK Champions worked just one red brand match but did appear on three Main Event episodes in May and June. The British grapplers were sent to NXT in June for a handful of matches before Bate suffered a torn pectoral muscle on June 2 as he and Dunne defeated Hank Walker and Tank Ledger on NXT.
The Iron Master was announced to be out of action "for a bit," but no further details were confirmed. Now, a new report from Fightful Select notes that Bate is not expected to return to the ring until 2025.
WWE's Big Strong Boi could be back in time for the 2025 Royal Rumble or perhaps the WrestleMania 41 Season. The recovery time for a torn pec can be anywhere from 6 to 12 months, depending on the severity and surgery. Cody Rhodes' return at the 2023 Royal Rumble came after an eight-month hiatus due to his torn right pec requiring surgery.
Bate was visibly hurt during the aforementioned win over The Hank & Tank Connection on NXT. The 27-year-old covered Hank for the win but only used one hand and was protecting the injured arm.
The referee went to raise Bate's arm in victory after the match, but it appeared as if the official was unaware of his injury, as Dunne stopped him.
Tyler Bate holds several rare accolades in WWE
Tyler Bate debuted with World Wrestling Entertainment in December 2016 for the tournament to crown the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Champion, which was later renamed to the NXT UK Championship. After defeating Tucker, JD McDonagh, and Wolfgang, Bate defeated stablemate Pete Dunne in the finals to begin the first-ever WWE UK Championship reign.
At just 19, The Iron Master became the second teenager in company history to win a championship and, at the time, the second-youngest champion. Bate and Trent Seven, known as Moustache Mountain, became the first-ever duo to hold tag team gold in NXT and NXT UK.
The Big Strong Boi also ranks as the only Superstar to become a NXT UK Triple Crown Champion after reigns with the brand's main title, tag team titles, and Heritage Cup Championship.
Bate is also the only two-time NXT UK Champion and is recognized as the final holder of the title.
The records from Bate's near-eight-year WWE career do not stop there. His inaugural UK Championship reign ended at the hands of Dunne at TakeOver: Chicago in 2017.
This was named NXT Match of the Year. Bate's loss to Gunther at TakeOver: Cardiff in 2019 received a 5.25-star rating from the Wrestling Observer, making it the third match in company history to break five stars.