A report from Fightful Select has shed light on WWE’s strategy for keeping Liv Morgan off television during her recovery from a shoulder injury. The primary reason cited is contractual; WWE can freeze a superstar’s contract for the time they are sidelined.
According to the report, using an injured talent in a non-wrestling capacity, such as an on-screen manager or commentator, would keep their contract active and running. The company also reportedly favors saving a superstar’s comeback after a long absence to create a significant, impactful return moment for programming.
Morgan has been out of action since suffering a dislocated shoulder on the June 16, 2025, episode of Raw. The injury, which occurred at the start of a match with Kairi Sane, required surgery. Updates from mid-August indicated that her rehabilitation is progressing well, with an internal hope that she will be cleared for an in-ring return in early 2026. This timeline could potentially align with the Royal Rumble on January 6.
The decision to keep Morgan off-screen has drawn some criticism. On August 25, former WWE head writer Vince Russo questioned the move, arguing that her continued presence would help maintain her character’s momentum. Before her injury, Morgan was a member of The Judgment Day and held the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship with Raquel Rodriguez.
In her absence, Roxanne Perez has been featured alongside Rodriguez and has grown closer to Morgan’s on-screen love interest, Dominik Mysterio, setting up a clear storyline for her eventual return.