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Rey Mysterio sidelined by injury ahead of Royal Rumble

Jan 16, 2026, 5:45 PM20
(Update: Jan 16, 2026, 6:45 PM)
American professional wrestler
American professional wrestling and entertainment company

Rey Mysterio sidelined by injury ahead of Royal Rumble

  • Rey Mysterio was absent from WWE Raw recently due to a minor injury.
  • Charlotte Flair's absence stemmed from a legitimate illness rather than a storyline reason.
  • Both stars are critical for their brand, with eyes on their potential roles in the upcoming Royal Rumble.
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In Saudi Arabia, two WWE stars faced significant health-related challenges recently. Rey Mysterio was absent from an episode of "Monday Night Raw" due to a minor injury. The latest reports from Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter indicated that Mysterio's physical issue is not severe, suggesting that he could return to the ring shortly. Mysterio has been a critical part of the WWE brand and is recognized as a leader within the Latino World Order. There are expectations for him to make a swift recovery given his ability to perform at high levels against top stars. With the Royal Rumble event approaching on January 31, 2026, the wrestling community is eager for his potential participation. Meanwhile, Charlotte Flair was unable to perform on recent episodes of WWE programming due to a serious illness that required a rewrite of the show's script. Meltzer confirmed that Flair's on-air explanation regarding her illness was accurate and not a storyline move. Her condition was severe enough to prompt significant changes in production and creative direction. Fortunately, Flair made a quick recovery, rejoining the roster on January 15, 2026, just weeks before the major Royal Rumble event. This return is particularly crucial as the WWE roster heads into its busiest season, with speculation arising about her involvement in upcoming title matches or the over-the-top-rope event. The ramifications of these absences underscore the unpredictable nature of professional wrestling where performers' statuses can change rapidly, impacting storylines and audience expectations.

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