Report: Xavier Woods Banged Up, Expected To Return For WWE Royal Rumble

Xavier Woods has not wrestled inside the squared circle in 2023 and the NXT Tag Team Champion is reportedly dealing with an issue.

According to PWInsider, Woods is "banged up" and has yet to be 100% cleared for an in-ring return by the company's medical team. WWE expect Woods to be ready in time for the Royal Rumble. The pay-per-view is set to emanate from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, January 28.

Woods hasn't performed since the December 27, 2022 house show in Atlanta where The New Day teamed with Madcap Moss to defeat Imperium. Woods has continued to be active on WWE TV, appearing on NXT, and he was also in Kofi Kingston's corner for his match against Kit Wilson at the January 8 live event in Huntsville, Alabama. 

Kingston and Woods are currently the NXT Tag Team Champions, following their win over Pretty Deadly at Deadline on December 10. Pretty Deadly will look to earn a rematch tonight at New Year's Evil.