News

WWE Star Replaced On SmackDown After Serious Injury

By Lyle Kilbane • Published 15th February 2024
Nick Aldis WWE SmackDown

Shotzi will no longer have the chance to qualify for the Elimination Chamber on SmackDown with a serious injury keeping her out of action.

The 13th of February edition of NXT saw a major NXT Women’s Championship match confirmed with Lyra Valkyria set to defend against SmackDown’s Shotzi.

That match was to air on the 20th of February edition of the show with the company taping an extra week of television as WWE is heading to Australia for Elimination Chamber.

Corey Brennan of Fightful was the first to report that the match between Valkyria and Shotzi was stopped after Shotzi went for a DDT on her opponent on the apron. The match was then stopped and Shotzi was helped backstage. It is believed she may have injured her knee and reports have noted the star had to leave the arena on crutches.

WWE Makes Big SmackDown Change After NXT Injury

Following the injury, there had been questions about whether Shozti would be able to compete in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match and it’s now been confirmed that it’s bad news for the star.

In a video released on social media by WWE, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis confirmed that Alba Fyre will take Shotzi’s place and go up against Tiffany Stratton for a spot in the Chamber in Australia. (In the video Aldis noted that Zelina Vega will face Stratton but Vega is actually due to face Naomi in another qualifying match on the show).

SmackDown will also see the return of The Rock and Roman Reigns to WWE television for the first time since The Rock turned heel and slapped Cody Rhodes in the face at the WrestleMania 40 press conference.