A superstar absent from WWE programming for nearly a full year may be on the verge of a return, as Kiana James is reportedly present in Lexington, Kentucky, for tonight’s broadcast of SmackDown. A report from Fightful Select confirmed that James is slated to be backstage for the June 13 event, though it remains unknown if she is scheduled to appear on the show itself.
Her extended hiatus stems from a leg injury sustained in June 2024. The incident occurred during her last televised appearance on the June 17, 2024, episode of WWE RAW, where she was competing against IYO SKY and Zelina Vega in a Money in the Bank qualifying match. The injury abruptly derailed what was just the beginning of her main roster tenure after being drafted from NXT to the Raw brand in April 2024.
Even while sidelined, James’s standing within the company has apparently grown. Reports from May 2025 indicated that there was significant internal support for her, with sources noting officials were “very high” on her work ethic during rehabilitation. At that time, it was suggested that WWE was preparing a notable push for her once she received medical clearance to compete again.
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This internal confidence was rooted in the momentum she had built prior to being injured. Following her main roster call-up, James had started an undefeated run, which included a victory over Natalya and two wins on WWE’s Main Event program. That promising start, combined with a successful NXT run where she held the Women’s Tag Team Championship, has heightened anticipation for her eventual comeback.
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