Kofi Kingston will not be wrestling on WWE SmackDown this week.
The former WWE Champion suffered a leg injury on the show last week but it's not clear how much time he will miss. He appeared to be hurt when catching Drew McIntyre on a dive to the floor.
WWE announced on Thursday that Xavier Woods will replace Kingston in the five-way match scheduled for Friday's show. Woods will now face McIntyre, Sheamus, LA Knight, and Karrion Kross with the winner earning an Intercontinental Championship match against Gunther at WrestleMania.
Our own Dave Meltzer addressed Kingston's injury on Sunday's edition of Wrestling Observer Radio. Meltzer noted that it's "hopeful" Kingston will avoid surgery but he could still end up missing WrestleMania.
Meltzer said:
Kofi Kingston will probably not be, almost assuredly will not be in that match [on SmackDown next week]. If he can be ready for WrestleMania, I don't want to say 100% no but it'll be touch and go if he can make it for WrestleMania if he doesn't get surgery. Like I said, he's hopeful he was not going to get surgery. So, it's going to be time off but perhaps not that much time off.
WWE SmackDown on Friday, March 10, 2023, will take place from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. Two matches are advertised for the show:
Fatal five-way: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus vs. LA Knight vs. Karrion Kross vs. Xavier WoodsThe Viking Raiders vs. Braun Strowman & RicochetClick Here: Spain football tracksuit