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It is definitely the season for injuries right now in WWE since there are more than 20 WWE superstars currently inactive through either injury or because they have decided to take a leave of absence.
The likes of John Cena, Nikki, and Brie Bella are all technically inactive at present but could make their return as early as The Royal Rumble if they are hoping to be part of next year's WrestleMania.
Last night on Raw, Dolph Ziggler made his return to the company following a week on the sidelines due to a foot injury, whilst Becky Lynch and AJ Styles will return on SmackDown Live tonight after almost two weeks of hiatus. Whilst these stars are making their return imminently, there are a few others who aren't expected to return to the ring any time soon.
Triple H
The Game is out of action after recently undergoing surgery for an injury to his pectoral muscle after he was part of a nostalgic match at Crown Jewel earlier this month. Triple H and Shawn Michaels defeated The Undertaker and Kane in Saudi Arabia, but Hunter had quite the lasting impression after the match.
The WWE COO recently returned to his backstage role in NXT for Survivor Series weekend, but he isn't expected to be back in the ring for a number of months and could even miss out on next year's WrestleMania.
Fandango
Fandango has been out of action since the summer after it was reported that the former NXT star had suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder and would now require surgery. Fandango has updated a number of images on Social Media in recent months that show that he is looking to make a return in the near future, but he could be out until at least The Royal Rumble.
It is thought that the first pay-per-view of the year in less than two months time would be the perfect return date for one half of The Fashion Police if he is able to be cleared in time.
Goldust
Goldust has been sidelined now since July after it was revealed that he would need surgery on both of his knees. The WWE legend has already undergone the procedure but it is unknown as to when he will be returning to the company since he is now seen as a legend who is only used when WWE has creative plans for him.
The prognosis was around eight months, but it could take much longer for him given his age so it appears that a Royal Rumble dream return could be out of the question.
Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens was last seen on WWE TV back in October when he was attacked and put out of action by Bobby Lashley so that he could be written off WWE TV to have legitimate knee surgery. Owens later updated an image that showed that he had a procedure on both legs and would now be forced to rehab if he had any hope of returning to WWE at WrestleMania.
The former Universal Champion could be looking at a return to the ring in late February, which means that there is still enough time to be slotted into next year's WrestleMania.
Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle was written off TV earlier this month when he was defeated by Drew McIntyre in what was reported to have been a passing of the torch. Angle hasn't been seen on WWE TV since and isn't even in the conversation when it comes to naming a new Raw General Manager next month.
It is thought that if Angle is hoping to walk away from the ring for good then he will want a final match at next year's WrestleMania, which means that he could be one of the surprise entrants in next year's Royal Rumble.
Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn hasn't been seen on WWE TV since Money in the Bank, the former NXT Champion was reportedly struggling with two torn triceps, which forced him to undergo double surgery and he has since been rehabbing the injury. Much like Dean Ambrose back in 2017, Zayn was given around nine months on the sidelines, but given that it was double surgery, it could be much longer, which would mean that he would miss out on WrestleMania 35 and a potential match against his longtime friend Kevin Owens.
Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns announced to the world last month that he had been diagnosed with leukemia and he would be forced to walk away from the ring in order to have extensive treatment. The former World Champion has since begun the treatment and has been spotted publically for the first time, but it's reported that his return could be years away rather than months.
Reigns is fighting the toughest battle of his life and this could be a long stretch for him on the sidelines, but rest assured, his return will definitely be seen as one of the biggest in history.
Sin Cara
Sin Cara was recently part of a feud with Andrade 'Cien' Almas, but after that came to an end this summer, Cara took some time away from the ring in order to have some much-needed knee surgery. Much like many other names on this list, he is expected to be able to make his return to the ring around next year's Royal Rumble and his participation on the match could be determined by how many stars the company is able to sign up ahead of the show.
Erick Rowan
Erick Rowan was sidelined following this year's SummerSlam when it was revealed that he had suffered a torn bicep in his match against The New Day, he and Luke Harper were then forced to drop their SmackDown Tag Team Championships the following week on SmackDown Live before Rowan was sidelined ahead of surgery.
Rowan is expected to be sidelined until WrestleMania season next year when he could potentially make his return and partner with Luke Harper so the two former Champions can look to reclaim their titles.
Luke Harper
Luke Harper was recently spotted on Social Media wearing a cast on his arm which got the WWE Universe talking since it was unknown that he was struggling with injury, but it was later confirmed that the former Intercontinental Champion had undergone surgery on his arm and would now be sidelined potentially for as long as his partner.
Tye Dillinger
Tye Dillinger has been out of action for the past month with a reported hand injury since he was forced to drop out of his United States Championship match against Shinsuke Nakamura on SmackDown Live.
No timeline was given for Dillinger's return since the severity of the injury wasn't actually revealed by the company, but it isn't thought to be a serious injury, which means that Dillinger could potentially return to SmackDown Live ahead of TLC next month.
Matt Hardy
Matt Hardy hasn't been seen in a WWE ring since August, the former Tag Team Champion was reported to have been struggling with a back injury so severe that his spine was now fused to his pelvis.
Despite there being a number of news outlets reporting that Hardy has retired from the ring, he continues to hint that he could be ready to make his return to the ring in the coming months and recently stated that he could be the next General Manager of Monday Night Raw.
Bray Wyatt
Bray Wyatt hasn't been seen on WWE TV since August after his tag team partner Matt Hardy was sidelined, but Wyatt recently made his return to WWE at Starrcade where he was able to defeat Baron Corbin. It was thought that Wyatt would return to WWE on Raw last night since he was reported to have been backstage, but this obviously wasn't the case.
There are a number of options when it comes to TLC for WWE in the coming weeks, but it is thought that Wyatt will play a role in the pay-per-view in one form or another and he was backstage last night because he is prepared to make his return to the company but creative don't actually have anything for him right now.
Maryse
Maryse hasn't been seen on WWE TV since her storyline with her husband, Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella came to an end, but it's thought that this is by design because Maryse is now busy looking after her daughter as well as recording the upcoming season of Miz and Mrs.
The fact that Miz is now a babyface means that he doesn't need Maryse by his side anymore, which means that it could be a long time before the WWE Universe sees the former Divas Champion on WWE TV again.
Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman was written off WWE TV last week so that he could undergo surgery for a pre-existing elbow injury, but it was thought that he would make his return to WWE in time to face Baron Corbin at TLC.
Last night on Raw, it was hinted that Strowman might now be recovered in time for their match, which means that WWE could be forced to come up with a backup plan. Strowman underwent the surgery yesterday and it could be an injury that is observed closely by WWE, but at present, he is still expected to make his return to be part of next month's pay-per-view but this could easily change in the coming weeks.
WWE has many options at TLC as a way to replace Strowman but none of these have been explored on WWE as of yet.
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