The WWE Universe has been fond of love stories since the beginning. From couples such as Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth to Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, superstars often get together in real-life and the storylines. A real couple has been together for a few years now, and it looks like wedding bells could be in their future.
Javier Bernal suffered a broken foot on the June 7 edition of WWE NXT Level Up as he and Drake Morreaux were defeated by Duke Hudson and Riley Osborne. Bernal took a dive to the floor from Osborne, but his leg buckled and he needed help walking after the match. The 25-year-old is expected to be out of action for 6 months, but thankfully he will have some help recovering from his girlfriend - Tatum Paxley. The NXT couple reportedly began dating some time in 2022, then announced their engagement in September 2023.
Big Body Javi took to X today with a lengthy statement for fans after undergoing foot surgery. He revealed how this was his first-ever surgery, and that it was done by Dr. Norman Waldrop of The Foot & Ankle Center at Andrews Sports Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama. He thanked WWE and the medical team.
"Surgery was a success, my foot is still there! First ever surgery in the books. I’m a lot more coherent now, so I can clearly write a message without tweaking [face with tears of joy emoji] Thankful for @WWE and the medical team for taking care of me and setting me up with the best doctors in the world. And very thankful for Dr. Waldrop and his staff in Birmingham, AL. For my first ever surgery, you can imagine I was pretty nervous but I’ve had nothing but support from everyone in WWE and to those who reached," Javier Bernal wrote.
WWE's first Colombian-American Superstar also thanked his fiancée. The former football player noted how Ms. Big Body helped him through the weekend trip to Alabama, then declared her to be "wife material" and the love of his life.
"Thankful for @TatumPaxley, because I couldn’t get through this weekend without her. Every step of the way, she has taken care of me and won’t let me do anything. She is the love of my life, and it’s obvious as to why I see her as wife material. [face throwing a kiss emoji] I’ve got the few months cut out for me, but all I know is that I want to give you something to believe in. Truth is, I’m scared, but as a man, you can’t be brave if you’re not scared," Javier Bernal wrote.
Bernal, who is already back at home in Florida, stated that this was his resolve for 6 months as he called on WWE fans to share their resolutions so that he can "walk side by side" in accomplishing those resolutions with them to come out stronger than before. Paxley responded to her fiance with three red heart emojis.
Ex-WWE Executive suggested a haircut to Javier Bernal
World Wrestling Entertainment signed Javier Bernal in 2021 after the SummerSlam Weekend tryouts in Las Vegas. His now-fiancée Tatum Paxley was signed at the same tryouts.
The former hair model made his WWE in-ring debut on January 18, 2022 at the 205 Live tapings in Orlando, FL. He lost a quick match to Draco Anthony that night. It was reported that former Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis "pretty much ordered" the rookie superstar to get a haircut before his debut.
Laurinaitis reportedly noticed Bernal's long hair during rehearsals, but did state that the choice was up to Bernal. The young NXT Superstar went ahead and made the change, and was optimistic about the new 'do.'