Xavier Woods is staying positive despite dealing with a significant shoulder issue that has temporarily sidelined him from in-ring competition.
On the February 16 episode of WWE RAW, Kofi Kingston informed fans that his New Day partner would be stepping away from wrestling after battling a shoulder injury for roughly three months. Woods’ last match took place in a dark match ahead of the 2026 Royal Rumble, and he hasn’t competed since.
Now, Woods himself has shed more light on the situation.
Speaking on the No Contest Wrestling podcast, Woods revealed that the damage to his shoulder is more serious than initially believed. According to the former King of the Ring, doctors found multiple tears, describing his shoulder as having “gone through the meat grinder.”
At this point, the hope is that physical therapy will be enough to get him back to full strength. However, Woods acknowledged that surgery remains a possibility if rehab doesn’t resolve the issue.
Despite the uncertainty, Woods made it clear he’s approaching the situation with optimism. He said he’s staying positive about the recovery process and is prepared to undergo surgery if that’s what’s required to properly heal. In his view, everything happens for a reason, and he’s choosing to focus on the bigger picture rather than the setback itself.
For New Day fans, the news is obviously concerning. Woods has been a consistent presence on WWE television for years, whether competing in tag team action alongside Kingston or carving out his own singles opportunities. His absence will certainly be felt if recovery takes longer than expected.
As of now, there’s no official timeline for his return. The next few weeks will likely determine whether rehab is enough or if Woods will need to go under the knife.
We’ll continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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