superstar Charlotte Flair is set to miss WrestleMania 40 after suffering a devastating injury.
Last week, the former women’s champion was against Asuka with the injury occurring during an ad break as she slipped on the top rope and took a terrifying fall.
On last night’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown, it was confirmed on commentary that the Queen will need surgery after the incident.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the show, WWE said: ‘BREAKING: Due to a knee injury that will require surgery, @MsCharlotteWWE will be out of action for approximately 9 months.’
The company promised ‘more details to come’, and while Flair is yet to offer much of a comment herself, she did post a simple response to the awful news.
Minutes after SmackDown ended, she shared a broken heart emoji, fans are devastated by the update, which means she won’t be part of WWE’s biggest show of the year in April 2024.
‘Wishing u safe, speedy & healthy recovery ðŸ™,’ replied the @WrestleOps account, while follower @AmyNemmity added: ‘I’m so sorry. Rest up, heal up, and we’ll be cheering you on when you get back. â¤ï¸’
And fan account @CharFlairWooo wrote: ‘9 months ? This is so heartbreaking 💔 😢’
Footage appeared on social media last weekend showing Flair slipping and catching her leg on the top rope.
She was seen visibly in pain and distressed as she shouted about her knee to veteran referee Charles Robinson, but the incident – and the exchange – didn’t make it on air.
Flair was last weekend weekend, and PWInsider reported at the time that some people behind the scenes were ‘extremely concerned the knee injury could be fairly serious’.
Being out of action for such a lengthy spell is devastating for , who returned to SmackDown in June following a two month hiatus after her loss to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 39.
Since then, she has been embroiled in a rivalry with Damage CTRL, getting support from Shotzi as they recently teamed up with Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair against Bayley, Asuka, Kairi Sane and current WWE Women’s Champion Iyo Sky at Survivor Series: WarGames.
