WWE Star Xavier Woods Taking Time Off After Shoulder Injury

Kofi Kingston reveals Woods has been battling injury for 3 months

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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During a commercial break on Monday Night Raw, Kofi Kingston announced that his New Day teammate Xavier Woods has been dealing with a shoulder injury for the past three months and is now being forced to take time off to recover.

Why it matters

The New Day is one of WWE's most popular and successful tag teams, so an injury to one of its members could have a significant impact on the group's storylines and momentum. Woods' absence also raises questions about the team's future and how WWE will handle this development.

The details

According to Kingston, Woods has been quietly and bravely battling the shoulder injury for the past three months, but the medical team has now determined that he needs to take time off in order for the injury to properly heal.

  • Woods last wrestled in a dark match before the 2026 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event.

The players

Kofi Kingston

A member of the popular WWE tag team The New Day, who announced that his teammate Xavier Woods is taking time off due to a shoulder injury.

Xavier Woods

A member of the popular WWE tag team The New Day, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury for the past three months and is now being forced to take time off to recover.

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What they’re saying

“We have some devastating news to report here tonight to you idiots. Xavier Woods has been injured. He's been battling a shoulder injury quietly and bravely for the better part of three months now and the medical team and the doctors are now forcing him to take time off in order for the shoulder to recover.”

— Kofi Kingston (Fightful)

The takeaway

The injury to Xavier Woods is a significant blow to The New Day, one of WWE's most popular and successful tag teams. It remains to be seen how the group will handle Woods' absence and what impact it will have on their future storylines and momentum.