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WWE SmackDown: Major Superstar Removed From This Week's Show, Replacement Found

One superstar will not be present for WWE SmackDown this Friday

Fernando Quiles Jr.

WWE SmackDown: Major Superstar Removed From This Week's Show, Replacement Found
WWE SmackDown: Major Superstar Removed From This Week's Show, Replacement Found /

Amid speculation, one WWE SmackDown star has indeed been pulled from Friday's episode.

WWE SmackDown this week will emanate from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. It's a massive edition of the blue brand show because Dwayne Johnson will be returning along with the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. The Rock is expected to have some words for the 2024 Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes and top WWE executive Paul "Triple H" Levesque.

Unfortunately, one superstar will be forced to miss SmackDown this week due to an injury.

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In a video announcement from on-air WWE SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, it was confirmed that Shotzi is now out of her planned Elimination Chamber qualifying match against Tiffany Stratton. Shotzi suffered what appears to have been a knee injury during a recent taping on WWE NXT. She was challenging Lyra Valkyria for the NXT women's gold.

Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that Shotzi left the NXT taping on crutches.

Stratton will still get her chance to qualify for the Elimination Chamber in Perth. As Aldis noted, Stratton's new opponent will be Zelina Vega. The recent NXT callup was heavily expected to win the qualifying match even when Shotzi was her initial opponent. Shotzi's replacement is Alba Fyre, who will be facing Naomi. 

Reports have surfaced claiming that WWE officials see big things for Stratton's future, and her main roster arrival may have been expedited thanks to her performance at this year's Royal Rumble event.

Once again, MMA Knockout would like to send our best wishes to Shotzi on her road to recovery.

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Fernando Quiles Jr.
FERNANDO QUILES JR.

Fernando has over a decade of combat sports news writing experience. He currently covers MMA, boxing, and pro wrestling. Fernando joined MMA Knockout as the Lead Writer/Editor when it was founded in 2023.

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