Wednesday 10 January 2018 08:15, UK
Samoa Joe is facing a spell on the sidelines after injuring his foot in his Monday Night Raw match against Rhyno.
WWE confirmed the news on their website and have not confirmed how long they expect Joe to be sidelined for.
"During his match, he [Samoa Joe] felt a pop at the bottom of his [right] foot," said WWE's senior ringside physician Dr Chris Amann.
"We took a look and believe he has a plantar fascia rupture, which is a thick tissue rupture under the foot. We will get an MRI to confirm. Treatment includes a period of immobilization in a boot with crutches and platelet rich plasma injections."
The injury could not have come at worse time for Joe, who had called out John Cena as his Royal Rumble target and was on a high after an excellent match with Roman Reigns on the first Raw of 2018.
He was also the overwhelming winner in a fan vote to establish Bayley's partner for the mixed match challenge; his injury means Bayley will now be paired with Elias for the tournament.
Joe sustained a knee injury in August last year which kept him out for two months, just as his program with Roman Reigns was generating main-event level interest.
