Elton Prince, a WWE SmackDown performer and member of the Pretty Deadly tag team, is expected to be sidelined for over a year after suffering a serious neck injury in May 2025. The WWE SmackDown Elton Prince injury was confirmed after Prince underwent neck surgery, as revealed through his Instagram updates.
The 28-year-old, alongside tag team partner Kit Wilson, has entertained fans since their Friday Night SmackDown debut following the WWE Draft in 2023. Known for their flamboyant, humorous, and villainous personas, Prince and Wilson had previously honed their craft in NXT before joining the main roster. Despite their comedic and stylish presentation, the seriousness of Prince’s condition has brought a somber mood to the tag team division.
Details Emerge About Injury and Timeline for Recovery
Prince’s absence from WWE TV since June 2025 was initially explained by on-air comments regarding his injury. More recently, wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer shared new insights on Wrestling Observer Radio, suggesting a prolonged recovery ahead. Bryan Alvarez also weighed in, noting Prince’s last appearance came during a tag match against Fraxiom, featuring Nathan Frazer and Axiom. Alvarez highlighted two moments in the match that may have led to the neck injury: one, when Nathan Frazer’s Phoenix Splash landed on Prince’s face, and two, a combination move where Prince’s neck landed forcefully on Frazer’s forearm.
“His situation is very serious. Obviously, something like that would take the wrestler out of action for over a year. I’m not even sure what happened here — it was back in May, I think,” Meltzer said.
“That’s why [WWE] is trying to repackage Kit Wilson, because it’s either that or bench him,” he added.
This revelation indicates the extent of uncertainty surrounding Prince’s return, with Meltzer expressing doubt about the exact moment and details of the injury. The long road to recovery means the SmackDown roster and fans will likely remain without one half of Pretty Deadly for an extended period.
Impact on SmackDown and Pretty Deadly’s Ongoing Storylines
Pretty Deadly’s unique presence had been a highlight on SmackDown, despite never capturing the tag titles after arriving on the main roster. Their charisma and memorable segments, such as performing a musical during Nia Jax’s WWE Women’s Championship victory celebration after dethroning Bayley at SummerSlam, set them apart within WWE’s crowded tag division.
With Elton Prince out of action, Kit Wilson’s future in WWE is in question. WWE is reportedly considering repackaging Wilson, since his partner’s absence leaves him in a difficult position both creatively and in terms of screen time. The team’s absence will be felt both by their fans and the broader WWE Universe, as it disrupts ongoing storylines and removes one of SmackDown’s more colorful acts.
Looking ahead, the WWE SmackDown Elton Prince injury underscores the risks performers face in the ring and the uncertainties surrounding athlete recoveries. While there is little clarity on when Prince will return, the hope among fans and colleagues remains for his full recovery and eventual comeback.
