Various: Braun Strowman Discharged From Hospital Following Knee Infection, NJPW Reveals Jake Lee Was Dealing with Patella Tendon Tear, Spinal Stenosis & Herniated Lumbar Disc for Reason for Lengthy Injury Abscense, Indies/Misc.

Braun Strowman’s Hospitalization with Knee Infection Update – Strowman Discharged From Hospital

As noted before, former WWE talent Braun Strowman, real name Adam Scherr, has been hospitalized since this past Monday due to an infection in his knee. Strowman recently underwent surgery due to issues with his knee infection getting “out of control.”

Strowman provided an update on Friday on Instagram stating that he was discharged from the hospital and he is back at his home recovering.

“Discharged!!! Lots of antibiotics to take now and gotta take it easy for a few more days before back in the gym. But I can’t wait to get home and see my pups!!!

Again thank you for all the prayers and well wishes from around the word. I’m so blessed to have the support and love from so many.

All Glory to God for his mercy and love.

#Thankyou #GodBless #ILoveAllOfYou”

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A post shared by Adam Scherr (@adamscherr99)

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NJPW Reveals Jake Lee Was Dealing with Patella Tendon Tear, Spinal Stenosis & Herniated Lumbar Disc for Reason for Lengthy Injury Abscense

As noted before, Jake Lee made his surprise return from injury and was revealed as the newest member of the United Empire at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 20 event earlier this month. Prior to his return, Lee had been out of action for NJPW since September of 2024 due to a knee injury.

NJPW recently held a interview with Lee. One of the topics discussed included Lee’s thoughts about his lengthy absence and recovery due to him recovering from a patella tendon tear, spinal stenosis, and a herniated lumbar disc. Lee opened up about the pain he was in.

“I was in pain 24 hours a day. Hurt to stand, hurt to sit, hurt to lay down. I slept maybe a few minutes a day. Five, 10 minutes, just passing out, and then the pain would wake me up. Absolute hell.”

Lee also gave his thoughts about why he left BULLET CLUB War Dogs when he made his return from injury.

“They became too strong. If I went back to them, what would I do? What becomes of that? A nice cozy little spot. They have a big name for Jake Lee to ride on. That seemed off to me.”

Lee also gave his thoughts about his reasons for joining the United Empire.

“This shaken empire. More than that, now that it has lost its sun, what is it that NJPW seeks? Safety? Stability? Or something more chaotic? I don’t know. But it’s clear that it’s in want of something, and that United Empire presents the most possibility. They’re trying to rebuild, and a flourishing United Empire needs a court jester. I can be just that. They lost an essential part of themselves. So what can they create with what’s left? If I do all that — I should — then the United Empire will naturally form itself. So first of all, it’s all about me. It’s about reestablishing the market value of this product called Jake Lee. I had my vacation in hell, so through that, what can I create? What can I make with what I have left? This title match is like a proof of that existence. If I get that belt, then I made the right choices, and maybe after that, it becomes something of influence to United Empire, or NJPW, or all of pro wrestling. Likely that is the case.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Friday’s CMLL Super Viernes show at the Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico featured MxM TV (Johnny TV, Mansoor, & Mason Madden) defeating Los Hermanos Chavez (Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja) & Soberano Jr. in a Trios match. This match was notable for Johnny TV being introduced as Johnny Consejo in reference to CMLL’s name. This was the Johnny TV’s 34th ring name change of his wrestling career, which have mainly revolved around him taking the name of the company or show he is working for the last name part of his ring name for that company.

NJPW recently announced that they will be releasing a new documentary focusing on Wrestle Kingdom 20 and Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match this February on New Japan World and their official YouTube channel.

This past Thursday’s Battle Riot VIII event for Major League Wrestling in Kissimmee, Florida featured Killer Kross being the winner of this year’s Battle Riot match. This match also featured Kross winning the MLW World Heavyweight Championship due to the title was also on the line.

MLW recently announced that their Battle Riot VIII event will be airing on their official YouTube channel on Thursday, February 5th.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Mister Saint Laurent was not in attendance backstage at this past Thursday’s MLW Battle Riot VIII event and the current word going around is that he recently departed from the company.

This past Thursday’s Ring of Honor’s ROH TV show featured indies wrestler Christyan Reid being officially introduced by Carlie Bravo as the newest member of The Infantry. Reid was announced to be going under the new ring name of Christyan XO in ROH.

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling recently announced that Brent Bankes will be making an appearance for the company at their co-promoted ROH x MLP Global Wars Canada event on March 27th and their Uprising 2026 event on March 28th in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

DDT Pro Wrestling recently announced that Evil Uno will be making an appearance for the company at their 29th Anniversary show on March 29th in Tokyo, Japan.

Josh Barnett recently announced that Miyu Yamashita will be making an appearance for Game Changer Wrestling’s Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XV event on April 17th in Las Vegas, Nevada.

GCW recently announced that Brodie Lee Jr. will be making an appearance for the company at their What’s My Name? event on February 27th in Rochester, New York.

GCW also recently announced one new match for the card of their Holy Smokes event on February 15th in Phoenix, Arizona:

• Hammerstone vs. Jordan Oliver