During a match on “SmackDown” with Asuka in December 2023, Charlotte Flair suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus that required surgery and kept her out of action for over a year. While initial reports suggested a nine-month recovery timeline, Flair did not return to the ring until the “Royal Rumble” on February 1, 2025.
Since resuming her career, Flair has worn a chunky knee brace, but she recently revealed that she hopes to eventually compete without it. Speaking in an interview with Men’s Health, Flair discussed the “Don Joy” brace she is currently required to wear and her desire to move past it.
“The only thing is I still am in my brace. I don’t even know if I’m still in that time period. I know we are required to wear, oh my gosh, I’m going to forget the name, the Don Joy. I hope I’m saying that right. Mine’s bedazzled, so it doesn’t matter.
Mine is crystal. My stylist crystalized it for me because we’re like, ‘oh, this knee brace is ugly. It doesn’t go with my outfit.’ Do I need to be in it? I don’t know. So that I think is my next, my next hurdle,” Flair said.
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Beyond her physical recovery, Flair also addressed her long-term future with the company. Speaking elsewhere, the multi-time champion admitted that she doesn’t know what WWE has in store for her in 2026. She noted that while she has historically strived for championship gold and perfection, her time away has shifted her perspective, leaving her without a concrete plan for the next calendar year.
Her primary goal now is to continue improving and developing as a performer, rather than solely chasing titles. However, she was quick to deny any suggestions that her motivation to compete has dipped, emphasizing that the injury only gave her “more hunger” to perform.
Since her return, Flair has already made waves, winning the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble match and securing a championship opportunity at “WrestleMania 41”. As she looks toward 2026, her focus remains on evolving her character and proving she can still go at the highest level—with or without the brace.
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