Big WWE Injury Updates - Bayley & Asuka

Details on when Bayley and Asuka could return to WWE programming.

Asuka Bayley
WWE.com

Bayley and Asuka have both been out injured since July 2021, making them two of WWE's most notable long-term absentees - but this could be about to change.

In a new update, Mike Johnson of PWInsider writes that WWE hopes Asuka will have returned to the ring by the end of February. This isn't completely certain, however, as she is yet to be cleared and creative would have to work her back into storylines.

The Japanese star has been out of action after having shoulder surgery following Money in the Bank 2021. September saw her undergo a dental procedure following a match with Shayna Baszler earlier in the year, which saw Asuka lose at least one tooth.

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Bayley, meanwhile, should be back sometime next month.

Johnson writes that WWE expects to have the former SmackDown Women's Champion back by the end of March. This follows her lengthy recovery from a torn ACL suffered while at the Performance Center last July, when she was training for WWE's return to attended shows. This would be in line with the nine-month timeline originally pinpointed for her comeback following last year's surgery.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.