There is some doubt as to whether a certain WWE SmackDown star will be cleared in time for WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles.
As was announced on Friday night, it will be Kofi Kingston vs. Karrion Kross vs. Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre vs. LA Knight next week on SmackDown to determine who will challenge Gunter for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania.
Kingston is injured, so he will have to be replaced in the match on Friday and it’s likely to be Xavier Woods in his spot. Dave Meltzer confirmed on Wrestling Observer Radio that Kingston has an ankle injury. Meltzer noted that the hope is that he will not have to get surgery. If he does need surgery then that likely means that he will not be part of the Mania card.
Meltzer said, “If he has surgery, from what I understand they’re hopeful of avoiding. If he has surgery, obviously it’s gonna be a while (before he’s cleared). If he doesn’t have surgery it will be less time.” Meltzer added that Kingston will “almost surely” not be in the match this Friday. As for WrestleMania, he said, “I don’t want to say 100 percent no but it will be touch and go if he can make it for WrestleMania if he doesn’t get surgery.”
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