WWE: Austin Theory & Carmelo Hayes Injuries Update, Gable Steveson Forgoes Final Year of College Wrestling for WWE Career, The Rock

Austin Theory & Carmelo Hayes Injuries Update

As noted before, Austin Theory suffered a head-related injury during his match against Carmelo Hayes at Friday’s WWE SmackDown show in Lincoln, Nebraska resulting in his match being called off. Besides Theory, Hayes also suffered a head injury during the match as well.

Following the show, WWE provided an update on Twitter stating that both Theory and Hayes had suffered facial contusions but both were also feeling okay after their match.

UPDATE: Following their match tonight on #SmackDown, @_Theory1 and @Carmelo_WWE were evaluated for injuries. They both suffered face contusions, and will both be okay.

— WWE (@WWE) January 13, 2024

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Gable Steveson Not Returning to College Wrestling & Fully Focused on WWE Career

University of Minnesota Gophers head wrestling coach Brandon Eggum announced on Twitter on Friday that Gable Steveson has forgone his final season of NCAA eligibility for collegiate wrestling for the school this year and instead will be fully focused on his professional wrestling career in WWE. Eggum also stated that Steveson’s decision was due to WWE had preferred that he solely focus on his career with them at this time.

“Also, quick update on Gable Steveson. Unfortunately, he will not be able to compete for us this season. He is a great competitor. He’s always wanted to compete for the University of Minnesota. But ultimately, the WWE would prefer that he’s solely focused on his professional wrestling career at this time. So whenever he’s not at the WWE Performance Center down in Florida, he’s up here in our realm working with our heavyweights which is awesome. We just can’t thank him enough for the impact he’s had on our program. We’ve loved following him and watching him compete on the mat, he’s amazing and now we’re excited to watch him in his WWE career so, thank you Gable Steveson from our program and from all the Gopher fans across the country and the world and we look forward to watching you in your career here moving forward.”

"Coach's Corner" is back in 2024!

You won't want to miss this one as @BrandonEggum recaps the #Gophers performances at @SoldierSaluteIA, looks ahead to the Big Ten opener Monday night at Iowa, and also provides an update on Gable Steveson. pic.twitter.com/flnICxLXrU

— Minnesota Wrestling (@GopherWrestling) January 11, 2024

Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com

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The Rock Comments on It Being Time to “Do Things Never Done Before” in WWE

As noted before, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made his surprise return to WWE at their RAW Day 1 show earlier this month in San Jose, California.

Johnson recently released a behind-the-scenes video of his surprise return on Instagram. In the video post, Johnson stated that it was time for him to “do things never done before” for his career in WWE.

These ‘electrifying’ nights are so special and unforgettable. The connection with the people, the energy, vibe, authenticity, disruption, love, mana — the CHILLS.

And now we make history, raise the bar and do things that have never been done before in @wwe.

We go all out.
And all in.
~ people’s champ

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A post shared by Dwayne Johnson (@therock)