WWE Superstar Matt Cardona has revealed that he recently suffered a torn triceps that required surgery, putting an unfortunate halt to what he believed was positive momentum on SmackDown.
Cardona shared details of the injury on social media, explaining that the issue may have originated during his physical encounter with GUNTHER on the August 21 episode of WWE SmackDown. According to Cardona, the impromptu match left him dealing with significant punishment, including multiple powerbombs on the announce table, the ring apron, and inside the ring.
While he initially believed the discomfort in his elbow was simply the result of a tough match, the injury worsened over the following week.
The former Intercontinental Champion said the situation escalated during a match against Kit Wilson that was taped for WWE Main Event. Early in the bout, Cardona performed a second-rope dropkick and landed on his elbow, something he noted is routine for him. This time, however, he immediately felt something was wrong.
Cardona recalled feeling a pop in his arm and later realizing that he had likely torn his triceps. Despite the injury, he was able to finish the match before seeking medical evaluation.
An MRI conducted the following day confirmed the diagnosis, and Cardona underwent surgery earlier this week to repair the damage.
The injury comes at a particularly frustrating time for the WWE veteran, who admitted he felt he was beginning to gain traction on the blue brand following his return to the company. Cardona acknowledged that reestablishing himself in WWE was always going to be a challenge, and now the injury presents another obstacle in his pursuit of eventually becoming a world champion.
Even with the setback, Cardona expressed confidence that he will overcome the injury and return stronger once he completes his recovery.
There is currently no official timetable for Cardona’s return to WWE programming.
WWE has seemingly revealed the identity of Shinsuke Nakamura’s mystery partner, and the reveal points to another major international signing joining the SmackDown roster.
After making his first WWE appearance since May during a pre-recorded backstage segment last week, Nakamura promised that he had found an ally to help him take the fight to Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga, collectively known as The MFT’s.
Nakamura Sends Warning To New WWE Tag Team Champions
Friday night’s edition of SmackDown saw Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga capture the WWE Tag Team Championship, defeating Damian Priest, R-Truth, and AAA Tag Team Champions The War Raiders in a triple threat match.
Following the show, WWE released a digital exclusive featuring Nakamura addressing the new champions.
“Congratulations MFT’s. You are now the champions. Are you savoring the feeling, knowing it will be gone soon? Was the victory as sweet, knowing what’s coming next? Me, my partner, your destruction.”
As the promo continued, WWE showed brief glimpses of Nakamura’s mystery partner while teasing his arrival on SmackDown.
“My partner is what you all pretend to be. Experienced, vicious, deadly. He is chaos. He is a ticking time bomb. Take cover.”
Hiromu Takahashi Appears WWE-Bound
The phrase “Ticking Time Bomb” immediately caught the attention of New Japan Pro-Wrestling fans, as it has long been associated with Hiromu Takahashi.
Takahashi, one of NJPW’s most accomplished junior heavyweight stars, departed the promotion earlier this year after a 15-year run.
In February, NJPW officially announced his departure following discussions with company management.
During his career, Takahashi became one of the most recognizable stars in Japanese wrestling and competed for several major promotions, including:
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
AEW
Ring of Honor
CMLL
Pro Wrestling NOAH
The former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion has been heavily linked to WWE since becoming a free agent, and Nakamura’s latest promo strongly suggests that he will soon arrive on SmackDown.
WWE Continues Adding Free Agents
Reports earlier this year indicated that Takahashi was among several notable free agents believed to be WWE-bound.
Since then, a number of those names have already debuted, including:
Big Cass
Baron Corbin
Cruz Montana
Zilla Fatu
If the tease proves accurate, Takahashi would become the latest high-profile addition to WWE’s growing roster.
When Will Takahashi Debut?
As of now, WWE has not officially announced a debut date for Takahashi.
However, with Nakamura openly teasing his arrival and positioning him as a key ally against the newly crowned WWE Tag Team Champions, it appears only a matter of time before the former NJPW star makes his first appearance on Friday Night SmackDown.
Should Takahashi arrive as expected, WWE fans could soon see one of Japan’s most decorated wrestlers join forces with Nakamura in a battle against The MFT’s and the WWE Tag Team Champions.
WWE SmackDown may not remain a two-hour show for much longer.
According to a new report from WrestleVotes via Fightful Select, sources at USA Network expect SmackDown to return to a three-hour format beginning in January 2027.
SmackDown Expected To Expand Back To Three Hours
The report states that the tentative date for the change is the January 8, 2027 episode of SmackDown, though WWE has not officially confirmed the move.
The expected adjustment is reportedly tied to USA Network’s programming plans for the new year and would mark another shift in the blue brand’s broadcast length.
SmackDown returned to a two-hour format in July 2026 after previously airing as a three-hour program. At the time, reports indicated that the shortened runtime could remain in place through the end of the year.
WWE Expected To Alternate Formats
Since WWE’s television rights agreement with USA Network began in 2024, reports have suggested that SmackDown could alternate between two-hour and three-hour formats throughout the duration of the five-year deal.
If the latest report proves accurate, January’s return to three hours would be the latest example of that strategy.
Neither WWE nor USA Network has publicly commented on the reported change.
Timing Coincides With WWE’s European Tour
WWE has not yet announced a location for the January 8 episode of SmackDown.
The show is scheduled to take place one week before WWE kicks off its annual European tour on January 15.
The tour will begin in Brussels, Belgium, before SmackDown heads to Manchester, England. Meanwhile, Raw is scheduled to visit Glasgow, Scotland, and Dublin, Ireland as part of the international run.
For now, SmackDown remains a two-hour broadcast, but according to the report, fans may see the blue brand return to a three-hour format shortly after the start of 2027.
Just days after capturing the Interim WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam 2026, Chelsea Green is dealing with an injury that could impact her immediate future.
According to reports from Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer, Green was injured during Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown in Philadelphia. The new champion later confirmed the news herself in a video posted to Instagram, revealing that she suffered a fractured orbital bone.
Chelsea Green Confirms Injury
In the video, Green addressed her condition and explained that she was taken to the emergency room following the incident.
“I did get injured last Friday night,” Green said. “Stuff happens. It’s live television. It’s wrestling. It’s an occupational hazard. I ended up in the emergency room and I have a broken orbital bone.”
Despite the severity of the injury, Green noted that the visible damage could have been much worse.
“It looks amazing, all things considered; it feels awful, but looks pretty amazing.”
The Interim Women’s Champion admitted she is unsure what the injury means for her short-term future in WWE.
“I have no idea what that means for me. Usually, you guys have seen me play into every single injury, but this feels different. It feels frustrating. I’m upset. I feel like if I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.”
Green added that she plans to focus on healing before making any decisions about her return.
“We’re just going to take it day by day.”
Injury Comes Days After SummerSlam Championship Victory
The injury comes at a difficult time for Green, who recently won the Interim WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam.
Green emerged victorious in a chaotic Ladder Match that also featured Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, Lash Legend, and Tiffany Stratton. The victory gave her the interim championship while reigning WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley remains sidelined.
Green appeared on SmackDown intending to celebrate her championship win but instead found herself back in action. She teamed with Tiffany Stratton in a Women’s Tag Team Championship match against Fatal Influence, with Green ultimately taking the loss for her team.
At this time, WWE has not confirmed exactly when Green suffered the injury during the match.
Women’s Division Dealing With Multiple Injuries
Green’s injury is the latest setback to affect WWE’s women’s division.
Last week, Rhea Ripley revealed that she underwent knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus after initially attempting to avoid surgery. Ripley is expected to miss several months of action, which led to WWE creating the Interim Women’s Championship.
Reports indicate WWE officials are hopeful that Ripley could return in time for the Royal Rumble 2027 event in Arizona.
Meanwhile, Green’s status remains uncertain as she awaits further evaluation and recovery from the fractured orbital bone. WWE has not announced whether the injury will affect her reign as Interim Women’s Champion.
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