Followers of the European and United Kingdom independent wrestling scene and Japan’s Pro Wrestling NOAH were already familiar with LJ Cleary before this year’s WWE Backlash premium live event. But for a lot
of fans, their first introduction to the 26-year-old from Dublin came when his fiancee Lyra Valkyria was defending the Women’s Intercontinental title against Becky Lynch at that show in May.
Or it might have come when all the folks who did know Cleary as something other than Valkyria’s beau replied to all the people clowning his looks during Backlash with pics of his wrestling glow-up…
Cleary next popped up on our radar as a participant in this summer’s SummerSlam tryout. Unfortunately, the latest news from him isn’t related to that — at least we don’t think it. Today (Oct. 10), LJ shared that he’s out for the remainder of the year with an undisclosed injury.
A bit of unfortunate news, recently picked up an injury that will mean I’m out for the remainder of 2025. I’ve been wrestling for 12 years now and have never had to take time off due to an injury, can at least confirm what I’m dealing with could’ve been much worse!
If you know me, you know the idea of time off and not being busy will kill me. However I’ve had a fantastic year up till now, a genuinely unforgettable one, and I haven’t had more than one weekend off since mid 2021! Wrestling is full of ups and downs, and this is just a small down in a life I’m extremely grateful for.
Join us in wishing LJ Cleary a complete recovery from whatever he’s dealing with.
