Monday Night’s WWE RAW in Memphis delivered major WrestleMania implications. However, a somber update during a commercial break shifted the mood inside the FedExForum.
Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller made their way to the stage without Xavier Woods at their side, and it didn’t take long to notice the missing piece of The New Day puzzle.
After trading insults with the Memphis crowd, Kingston revealed that Woods has been battling a shoulder injury for the past three months and has now been ordered by doctors to step away from in-ring action.
Kofi Kingston Shares Injury Update on His WWE Tag Team Partner
According to Kingston, the medical team has “forced” Woods to take time off to allow the shoulder to properly recover. While no timetable was given, the phrasing made it clear this won’t be a quick fix.
Waller added fuel to the segment by claiming he received a text message from Woods, reading aloud that he wished he could be in Memphis but questioned how he could recover “in a place where the people can’t even recover from being ugly.” The jab drew immediate heat, but it didn’t mask the seriousness of the situation.
Woods last competed on January 31 in Saudi Arabia. He teamed with Kingston and Waller in a six-man tag against Shinsuke Nakamura and the Motor City Machine Guns ahead of the Royal Rumble. In recent months, his appearances had already slowed, and now there’s clarity as to why.
This latest setback adds to a long injury history for Woods, including prior surgeries and extended time away in recent years. For now, The New Day will be operating with one fewer trombone in the band.
With Elimination Chamber around the corner, Woods’ absence leaves a noticeable gap on RAW. The only question now is when — not if — he’ll clap his way back into the spotlight.
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