Top WWE SmackDown Star Injured & OUT Of Royal Rumble 2022?

Bad news for one of WWE's brightest lights ahead of Royal Rumble 2022.

by Andy H Murray
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WWE

King Woods expects to miss around 4-6 weeks of action after picking up an injury on last week's episode of WWE SmackDown.

Speaking on G4's Attack of the Show, the 2021 King of the Ring winner said that he suffered a torn plantaris while teaming with Kofi Kingston to face The Usos on the show. Per the New Day man himself, he was hurt while hitting a DDT (h/t Figure Four Online/The Wrestling Observer):-

"I was jumping in the ring to do a DDT. I spring off the bottom rope and grab the guy and then run his head into the ground, hopefully shattering all the bones in his body so I can pin him and win the match and make more money. So, I did that part still. But in the process... just jumping off the ropes, so nothing like -- not a shark attack, not a steel chair hit, not a machine gun, not a machete -- I just jumped."

Woods was able to finish the match despite this. The Usos ended up defeating The New Day to retain their SmackDown Tag Team Championships in the Street Fight.

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If Woods is out of action for 4-6 weeks, his Royal Rumble 2022 status is in jeopardy. WWE's first supercard of the year takes place on Saturday 29 January. Woods hadn't yet been announced for the card, though he and Kingston would have been popular candidates for inclusion in the titular 30-man battle royal.

All the best to Woods in his recovery.

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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.