WWE NXT superstar Adriana Rizzo, a key member of The D’Angelo Family, has announced that she has suffered a significant knee injury that will keep her out of action for the foreseeable future. In a post on her social media, the 26-year-old revealed that she has torn her ACL and meniscus, a major setback for the rising star.
Adriana Rizzo Announces Second Major Knee Injury
Adriana Rizzo took to her Instagram account to share the unfortunate news with her fans. She confirmed that she has suffered a torn ACL and meniscus, a serious combination of injuries that typically requires surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period of six to nine months, or longer. Making the situation even more difficult, Rizzo noted in her announcement that this is the second time in her athletic career that she has torn her ACL, which can often complicate the recovery process. The injury brings a halt to what has been a promising start to her WWE career.
A Troubling Trend in NXT
Rizzo’s injury adds her to a growing and concerning list of female superstars in NXT who have been sidelined with severe knee injuries, specifically ACL tears, in recent years. This type of injury has plagued the women of WWE’s developmental brand, with stars like Gigi Dolin, Cora Jade, Nikkita Lyons, Arianna Grace, and Sol Ruca all having their careers and momentum significantly impacted by the same devastating injury.
While medical studies have shown that female athletes are statistically up to eight times more likely to suffer an ACL tear than their male counterparts due to biomechanical differences, the high frequency of this specific injury occurring among women training at the WWE Performance Center has led some fans and critics to suggest that the company should review its training regimens and protocols to better protect its female talent. The demands of the modern, high-impact style of professional wrestling, combined with the intense daily training schedule at the Performance Center, create a high-risk environment for these types of injuries.
A Promising Career Put on Hold
Adriana Rizzo’s journey to WWE began during the SummerSlam weekend tryouts in 2022. A former collegiate track and field star, her impressive athleticism and potential quickly earned her a developmental contract. After honing her skills at the Performance Center, she made her debut on NXT television as the newest member of The D’Angelo Family, aligning herself with Tony D’Angelo, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, and Luca Crusifino. As the “Consigliere” of the group, she quickly established herself as a key player in the faction, using her strength and athletic ability to help “The Don” of NXT maintain his power. Her injury is not only a personal setback but also a significant loss for one of NXT’s most prominent on-screen groups.
Adriana Rizzo’s injury is another unfortunate setback for the NXT women’s division, which has seen many of its brightest prospects sidelined with the same devastating injury over the past few years. As Rizzo begins the long and difficult road to recovery, the wrestling world will be wishing her a full and speedy return. Her announcement, however, will also likely amplify the ongoing discussion about the training practices at the WWE Performance Center and what, if anything, can be done to better protect its female athletes from this specific, career-altering injury.
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