News

Injured Ex-WWE Champion Set To Be Out For 6-8 Months

By Monika Thapa • Published Jul 22, 2025 08:30 EDT
WWE logo over blurred Elias

Former WWE Champion Elijah faces a lengthy layoff.

During the June 17 edition of NXT, Elijah suffered a serious injury that will sideline him for a significant time. Elijah, who had been showing tremendous momentum since his WWE departure in 2023 and subsequent signing with TNA, partnered with Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura to secure a win over AJ Francis, Trick Williams, and Wes Lee in a high-stakes trios match.

The contest was hard-fought, with Elijah executing an impressive double knee move from the top rope. Unfortunately, as he landed, he instinctively put his arms out to brace his fall, which led to a devastating triceps tear. What stood out was Elijah’s determination to finish the match despite clearly being in pain from the injury.

The severity became apparent soon after, and both WWE and TNA medical staff present at the taping rushed to provide the four-time 24/7 Champion with immediate and appropriate care. Elijah was ruled out of action indefinitely and, following assessment, promptly underwent successful surgery within days to repair the damage.

TNA Slammiversary Announcement on Ex-WWE Star Elijah’s Injury

TNA Wrestling addressed Elijah’s situation during the 2025 Slammiversary event, officially confirming that the superstar would be out of in-ring action for an estimated six to eight months. This lengthy rehabilitation window means Elijah will miss out on competition for the rest of 2025, presenting a major setback to his singles run and putting any potential major TNA appearances on the back burner.

Elijah’s WWE-to-TNA journey had reinvigorated his career, with notable appearances on NXT thanks to the ongoing partnership between the two promotions. These stints not only increased his exposure but signaled a new chapter in his career. However, with this sudden and severe injury, Elijah’s return to peak form and current storylines is now on pause.