WWE’s Zoey Stark falls victim to a gruesome knee injury in front of millions on Monday Night Raw, leaving her promising career in jeopardy just as WWE announces major expansion plans that seem to prioritize south-of-the-border talent over protecting their domestic stars.
At a Glance
- Zoey Stark suffered a serious knee injury during a Money in the Bank qualifying match on Raw, potentially sidelining her for months
- The injury occurred after an awkward landing from a springboard dropkick against Kairi Sane
- This is Stark’s second major knee injury, following a 2021 ACL tear that previously derailed her career momentum
- The match continued without Stark as Rhea Ripley pinned Sane to qualify for Money in the Bank
- WWE is simultaneously pursuing expansion into Mexico, signing Mexican talent while their American wrestlers get injured
Another WWE Star Sidelined as Corporate Focus Shifts
The WWE machine keeps churning through talent with seemingly little regard for the physical toll on its performers. During Monday’s episode of Raw, Zoey Stark suffered what appeared to be a devastating knee injury during a Triple Threat Money in the Bank qualifying match against Rhea Ripley and Kairi Sane. While attempting a springboard dropkick against Sane, Stark landed awkwardly, causing her knee to buckle in a way that made viewers collectively cringe. Medical staff immediately rushed to her aid and escorted her backstage while the show, as they say in this business, simply went on.
What makes this situation particularly frustrating is that this marks Stark’s second major knee injury, following an ACL tear in 2021 that derailed her momentum just as she was gaining traction. After successfully working her way back and earning a spot on the main roster in 2023, Stark now faces another potential lengthy rehabilitation period. Meanwhile, WWE appears more concerned with its international expansion plans than ensuring the safety and longevity of the talent that built their brand.
The Show Must Go On – But At What Cost?
After Stark’s injury, the match awkwardly continued with Ripley eventually pinning Sane to qualify for Money in the Bank. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer revealed the obvious: “So Sane (was pinned in) her first match back, which obviously wasn’t the plan,” before adding, “They had no choice, they had to do what they had to do.” But did they? In what other supposed “sport” would competitors continue after one participant suffers a potentially career-altering injury? The callousness of the entertainment business was on full display.
“Professional wrestling can be very real and dangerous… Tonight continued to prove that anything can happen.” – Ripley.
That’s rich coming from Ripley, who benefited from Stark’s misfortune to advance in the tournament. What about the very real consequences Stark now faces? Stark, whose real name is Theresa Serrano, has been ranked among the top female wrestlers in the industry (No. 86 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s 2021 rankings) and had finally found her footing on the main roster after partnering with WWE legend Trish Stratus. All that momentum now evaporates as she heads to the injured list while WWE seemingly focuses its attention elsewhere.
WWE’s Mexican Investment as American Talent Crumbles
The timing of Stark’s injury couldn’t be more telling about WWE’s priorities. While American talent literally falls apart in the ring, WWE is busy planning major inroads into Mexico. Reports indicate the company has acquired Mexican wrestling promotion AAA and plans a “Worlds Collide” event featuring AAA and NXT wrestlers. They’ve also signed Mexican Superstars Penta and Rey Fenix as part of this strategic expansion, with Cody Rhodes positioned as the top star for these south-of-the-border shows.
Meanwhile, Karrion Kross’s merchandise is reportedly “selling quite well” despite his limited on-screen presence, showing that fans still hunger for American talent when given the chance to support them. But WWE seems more interested in global expansion than protecting and developing the performers who put their bodies on the line every week. As Stark begins what will likely be months of painful rehabilitation, the WWE corporate machine rolls on, already planning its next international conquest with little regard for the broken bodies left in its wake.
