JD McDonagh, a rising WWE star and member of The Judgment Day, has been out of action since January due to a serious injury. Now, he has provided an important update on his recovery, giving fans hope for a return soon.
What Happened to JD McDonagh?
During the January 27 episode of WWE RAW, JD McDonagh teamed up with Dominik Mysterio to challenge The War Raiders for the World Tag Team Championships. In a dangerous spot, McDonagh hit a moonsault on Ivar outside the ring, but his momentum carried him onto the announcers’ table, causing a brutal impact.
Although he bravely finished the match, it was later revealed that McDonagh suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung. WWE doctors immediately ruled him out for at least two months, and he has been absent from WWE TV ever since.
JD McDonagh Gives Recovery Update on Chris Van Vliet Podcast
Appearing on “Insight with Chris Van Vliet”, McDonagh opened up about how he is feeling now. While he has not been cleared to wrestle yet, he says he is feeling much better than in the weeks following the injury:
“Time heals all. I wasn’t like this the first week or two after, but I’m feeling a lot better now. [I’m feeling] pretty good. My lungs are good. My ribs are good. I’m just kind of waiting for the bones to knit back together before they clear me.”
McDonagh emphasized that while his lungs and ribs have healed significantly, he still needs final clearance from WWE medical officials before returning to the ring.
JD McDonagh’s Road to Recovery: Back in the Gym, Not Yet in the Ring
JD McDonagh also shared that although he hasn’t taken any bumps yet, he’s been working out and doing light cardio to regain strength:
“I’ve been in the gym. I was doing skipping and really low-impact cardio for a couple of weeks, and now I’ve kind of progressed in doing Pilates and other non-impactful [exercises]. So, I haven’t taken a bump yet. That’ll be the next step. Get back in the ring, hit the ropes. See if that hurts. Take a bump. See if that hurts.”
His focus now is to ease back into in-ring activities, starting with light wrestling drills, before returning to matches.
What’s Next for JD McDonagh and The Judgment Day?
In JD’s absence, Dominik Mysterio has been pushing to recruit a new member to The Judgment Day, but Finn Balor reportedly opposes the idea, causing tension within the faction. However, things appeared stable on this past Monday’s RAW, leaving fans to wonder what will happen when “The Irish Ace” returns.
JD McDonagh was well-received by fans, especially after fighting through injury to finish the tag team title match. His eventual return could bring new energy to The Judgment Day and possibly stir up the group’s ongoing storylines.
JD McDonagh’s road to recovery is well underway, and while he isn’t ready to wrestle just yet, the good news is he’s feeling better and progressing steadily. Fans are excited to see when The Irish Ace will return to WWE TV, and how his comeback might affect The Judgment Day’s dynamic.
With McDonagh back in the gym and planning to test himself in the ring soon, a return could be on the horizon — and WWE fans will surely be ready to welcome him back.
FAQ’s
What injury did JD McDonagh suffer on WWE RAW?
JD McDonagh suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung during a match on WWE RAW on January 27, 2025, after performing a moonsault that landed awkwardly on the announcers’ table.
When will JD McDonagh return to WWE?
JD McDonagh has not been cleared to return yet but says he is feeling much better. He is currently back in the gym and plans to start taking bumps soon to test his recovery before returning to action.
Is JD McDonagh still part of The Judgment Day?
Yes, JD McDonagh is still part of The Judgment Day. However, tensions have been teased in the group during his absence, as Dominik Mysterio wanted to add a new member, but Finn Balor opposed the idea.
Has JD McDonagh returned to the wrestling ring yet?
No, JD McDonagh has not taken any bumps or returned to the ring yet. He has resumed gym training and light cardio but is awaiting clearance to return to wrestling activities.
