WWE News: NXT superstar Tino Sabbatelli reportedly sidelined for nine months

What’s the story?

As per first reported by Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, NXT superstar Tino Sabbatelli recently suffered a serious torn pectoral injury which is likely to keep him sidelined for the rest of 2018.

In case you didn’t know…

The WWE initially signed Sabbatelli to a developmental contract back in 2014, as the 34-year-old former NFL player immediately started training at WWE’s Performance Center in order to become a Professional Wrestler.

Sabbatelli made his in-ring debut for WWE under the company’s developmental brand of NXT, at a live event in 2015, competing unsuccessfully in a battle royal.

However, Sabbatelli made his televised debut on the October 12, 2016, episode of NXT, teaming with Riddick Moss in a loss to TM-61 in the first round of the 2016 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

Shortly afterward, Sabatelli and Moss eventually became a regular tag team as the two men seemingly competed against the likes of The Revival and DIY on NXT.

Sabatelli made his singles debut against Johnny Gargano, but after a string of losses Sabatelli ultimately decided to ditch Moss during a match against Heavy Machinery, thus bringing an end to their tag team.

The heart of the matter

Sabbatelli reportedly underwent surgery for a torn pec, which he apparently suffered last Saturday in a match against The Velveteen Dream at an NXT live event in Largo, Florida.

As noted, Sabbatelli was seemingly dropkicked by Dream and somehow ended up tearing his pectoral muscle, as he seemed to immediately grab his chest at the time of the injury and the match evidently went right to the finish.

Also, as per the report suggests, Sabbatelli is now expected to be sidelined for a total of nine months at least, in order to completely heal.

What’s next?

As of right now, it is safe to assume that Sabbatelli will indeed miss the rest of 2018 and we indeed wish him a speedy recovery.

Author’s Take

I feel Sabbatelli was currently on the verge of igniting a feud against Moss, however, now that the former has been sidelined due to an untimely injury, the two men are likely to hold off their feud for the time being and eventually resume it once Sabbatelli makes his return.