WWE have had to change plans fast after one of the men in the running to be John Cena’s final opponent suffered an ill-timed injury.
On SmackDown, Bronson Reed faced Carmelo Hayes and Finn Balor did battle with Penta for the right to advance in the knockout tournament.
However, a man who had already advanced and was slated to face LA Knight was Sheamus – but now he can’t.
The Irishman suffered a shoulder injury – which is the same injury that kept him out of action for a portion of 2023 – and will not be able to complete the tournament.
WrestleVotes tweeted: “With Sheamus now out of The Last Time Is Now tournament, sources indicate his replacement is set to face LA Knight in the 2nd round. In addition, we’re told his replacement will not be announced on tonight’s show.”
So there will be no bye for Knight, which you would have thought would have been the play if he was going to advance anyway. However, maybe WWE think this is a good chance to give another star exposure or pivot in a different direction.
It’s terrible luck for Sheamus. He had a great match with Shinsuke Nakamura in the opening round and was a part of John Cena’s final-ever RAW match when he teamed up with the 17-time champion in addition to Rey Mysterio in a six-man tag.
It’s widely believed that Gunther will win the tournament and retire Cena, but WWE have a habit of straying from the predictable in the Triple H era.
Sheamus exiting the tournament might not change much in the grand scheme of things, but it’s a shame that someone with such a rich history with Cena won’t be a major part of it.
Cena only has three dates left before he calls him on his legendary 23-year main roster career.
He will pull the curtain down on his illustrious career after Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 in Washington, DC.
