Nikki Garcia, formerly known as Nikki Bella, was forced to withdraw from her scheduled appearance at WrestleMania 42 due to a severe ankle injury. The WWE personality confirmed the extent of the damage, detailing a fracture, tear, and sprain that necessitated surgery. The incident occurred during the March 27 SmackDown episode, leaving her unable to compete on April 18 in Las Vegas.
The wrestler underwent surgery two weeks prior to the event in Birmingham, Alabama. Garcia shared graphic images of her injured ankle on social media platforms, depicting significant swelling and bruising. Her twin sister and tag team partner, Brie Garcia, competed in the Women's Tag Team Championship match with Paige, who served as Garcia's replacement.
Garcia has indicated plans to further discuss the injury and her recovery process on her podcast with Brie. While the timeline for her return to in-ring action remains undetermined, Garcia expressed optimism about her recovery, stating she is "feeling great" following a PFO closure procedure. Her absence from the much-anticipated event has drawn support from fans, including a message that highlighted her "Fearless and Selfless" nature.
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