Natalya expects to return from ankle surgery in ‘under a month’

Natalya provided an update regarding her recent injury.

On the Table Talk podcast, Natalya talked about her ankle injury, saying she hoped to return to in-ring action in the next month.

“I am two days away from running on the treadmill, so I’m very excited about that. I had screws and stuff drilled into my bone,” she said. “There were no broken bones, but it needed surgery. For some weird reason, I didn’t feel any pain. And I think it was because we were with fans….hopefully soon. For me, just to be totally transparent, the surgery was Friday. I was walking with no crustches three days later.”

“I probably have another week before I get my stitches out,” she added. “I’ve gotta let my bone heal a little bit. But probably in the next little bit, probably under a month, we’ll see, obviously I still have to get a doctor’s clearance.”

Natalya injured her knee in a match that took place on the July 26 episode of Raw. She teamed with Tamina to take on Eva Marie and Doudrop. During the course of the match, Doudrop rolled over Natalya’s leg, causing the injury that required surgery.

Natalya helped to the back after WWE Raw match

Natalya was helped to the back following a match that took place on tonight’s Raw.

Natalya and Tamina, the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, faced Eva Marie and Doudrop in what was billed as a contender’s match. Natalya appeared to be injured while wrestling Doudrop. After Doudrop went for a cradle, Natalya kicked out and when she got up, started to favor her leg, quickly tagging out to Tamima who finished the match for the team, pinning Eva Marie with a superkick. After the match, Natalya was shown being helped out to the back by medical staff.

Natalya and Tamina are the current Women’s Tag Team Champions, defeating Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler back on May 14. In recent weeks, they lost twice against the newest additions to the SmackDown roster, the new team of Nox and Shotzi.

Eva Marie was distracted during the tag match tonight by Alexa Bliss’ doll Lily, who on the video screen mocked her Eva-loution vignettes that aired prior to her return. Eva Marie then walked into a Tamina superkick, giving Natalya’s tag team partner the win.

Anna Jay suffers shoulder injury, out 6-12 months

Anna Jay is estimated to be out 6-12 months due to an injured shoulder that requires surgery.

AEW posted a video of Dr. Michael Sampson evaluating Jay. In their social media post, AEW explained that Jay was injured during training and is expected to be out 6-12 months following surgery. 

“I’m super upset about this…. all I can do now is put in the work to come back stronger,” Jay wrote on Twitter. “Thanks for all the love and support everyone. It means a lot to me!”

Jay was scheduled to compete in the AEW Women’s title eliminator tournament, facing Dr. Britt Baker in the opening round. Madi Wrenkowski, who AEW touted as a protege of Thunder Rosa, will replace her. The rest of the opening round of the American bracket will air tonight on YouTube.

Jay last wrestled on the AEW Dark that aired on January 6, where she defeated Alex Gracia.

The winner of the Japanese bracket will face the winner of the American bracket on the March 3 edition of Dynamite. The winner of that match will advance to AEW Revolution on March 7, where they will face Hikaru Shida for the AEW World Women’s title.

Kota Ibushi off NJPW New Beginning USA tour due to influenza

Kota Ibushi is off the upcoming The New Beginning USA tour due to influenza.

NJPW posted on their website this morning that Ibushi has contracted type-A influenza, and as a result will not be able to participate in the tour, which begins Friday in Tampa, Florida.

He will also be unable to attend the scheduled meet and greet in Miami. Information on refunds can be found here.

A number of changes to the cards have taken place as a result of Ibushi’s withdrawal. Most notably, Ibushi was set to face Chase Owens in a singles match on February 1st in Atlanta. Owens will instead face Rocky Romero. YOSHI-HASHI, who was originally set to team with Rocky Romero in the undercard, will now face Misterioso in a singles match.

Romero will now also be teaming with Hiroshi Tanahashi, as the two will face off against Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa which takes place on January 30 in Miami.

The tour will end February 1 in Atlanta, which is headlined by David Finlay & Juice Robinson defending the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles against Tanga Loa & Tama Tonga.