WWE Superstar Zoey Stark officially began her recovery on May 19, 2025, following surgery for a severe knee injury sustained during a high-stakes women’s Money in the Bank qualifying match against Rhea Ripley and Kairi Sane on Monday Night Raw. The injury happened when Stark attempted a dropkick missile on Kairi Thane but landed awkwardly, injuring her knee and causing her to cry out in pain. WWE officials quickly halted the broadcast to provide medical assistance, and Stark was taken backstage for treatment.
Originally set to earn a pin in a triple threat match, Stark’s injury forced WWE to change the match outcome on the fly, with Rhea Ripley winning and securing her spot in the upcoming Money in the Bank ladder match on June 7, 2025. Stark later confirmed via Instagram that she had undergone surgery, captioning her update, "Road to Recovery is starting now! Day 1." Early reports indicated that Stark had an MRI before surgery, with Fightful Select reporting she is expected to miss the rest of 2025 due to muscle tears in her knees, requiring long-term monitoring.
Following her injury, Stark expressed heartfelt gratitude to fans on social media, saying, "Amazing love and support means more to me than you know! What hurts more than my knees is knowing I can’t play for all of you for a while. I love what I do and am blessed to be able to do this." This marks Stark’s second serious knee injury; she previously underwent surgery in 2021 after tearing her ACL and meniscus during the NXT Halloween Havoc event. Since joining WWE’s main roster in 2023 during the WWE Draft, Stark has been a significant presence on Monday Night Raw, gaining recognition for her alliances with notable wrestlers like Becky Lynch, Trish Stratos, Shayna Baszler, and Sonya Deville.
The wrestling community has rallied around Stark with supportive messages from peers, including Rhea Ripley and Kairi Sane wishing her a speedy recovery. WWE has not yet released an official recovery timeline, but Stark’s determination and prior successful comeback provide hope for another strong return to the sport.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for WWE fans as Zoey Stark is a rising star whose dynamic presence adds excitement to the women’s division. Her recovery and eventual return could bring fresh storylines and intense competition, reminding fans of the resilience and dedication it takes to succeed in professional wrestling.
