Injuries are an unfortunate part of pro wrestling, and over the past 24 hours, it’s been reported that two of WWE’s biggest stars are currently sidelined. The first revealed by Ringside News was Rey Mysterio, who was spotted walking backstage at SmackDown in a walking boot, with it believed he has an injured foot. Thankfully though, it’s understood the injury isn’t severe, as if it was, it’s doubtful he’d have traveled to Indianapolis in the first place.
And the second was Kevin Owens, who, according to Dave Meltzer, suffered an MCL sprain during a match with Austin Theory on Sunday when he planted his right knee awkwardly. He would, though, finish the match, winning via Stunner, and was then helped to the back. Precisely how long he will be out is unspecified, but typically this type of injury is around six weeks, so he should be in the Royal Rumble match.
Mysterio recently moved to SmackDown from Raw due to not wanting to be around his son Dominik in kayfabe, who turned heel on him by joining Judgment Day. And within weeks of returning to the show where he found his highest level of success, he would challenge Intercontnential Champion Gunther on the October 27th episode. Subsequently, that weekend he wrestled two house shows in Mexico alongside AJ Styles and Raquel Rodriguez against Damian Priest, Finn Balor, and Rhea Ripley. Therefore it’s likely he suffered his injury in one of those battles.
With regards to Owens, he has been off television due to not wanting to travel to Saudi Arabia in support of Sami Zayn, who is effectively banned from the country due to his ethnicity. He was, however, expected back soon and had still been wrestling on house shows. Typically teaming with Johnny Gargano in tag matches against Alpha Academy or The Usos and regularly facing Theory one-on-one.
