WWE news: Samoa Joe set to miss Royal Rumble after suffering devastating injury during Monday Night Raw

SAMOA JOE could be set to miss the Royal Rumble after suffering a devastating foot injury - just hours after announcing he was entering the prestigious event.

The 38-year-old WWE star, real name Nuufolau Joel Seanoa, picked up the blow during his fight with Rhyno on Monday Night Raw.

5

Now he is in a race against time to recover for the January 28 showpiece, which he was among the favourites to win.

WWE's senior ringside physician Dr Chris Amann confirmed the news earlier today to .

He said: "During his match, he [Samoa Joe] felt a pop at the bottom of his [right] foot.

"We took a look and believe he has a plantar fascia rupture, which is a thick tissue rupture under the foot.

5

"We will get an MRI to confirm. Treatment includes a period of immobilisation in a boot with crutches and platelet rich plasma injections."

The news will come as a crushing blow to the former NXT champion after his recent hot streak.

ROYAL RUMBLE Live stream, TV channel and the full card for the WWE extravaganza

Known as one of the most vicious stars on the roster, Joe confirmed on Raw that he would be among the 30 participants fighting it out to land a title shot at the Rumble.

And he called out the legendary John Cena as his main target during the over-the-top rope showcase.

LATEST WWE NEWS

TRUTH HURTS

WWE fans in outrage after superstar reveals he has been RELEASED after 26 years

RIGHT NOTE

Samantha Irvin turns heads while going braless after quitting WWE for music

CAPITAL GAINS

London could step in as WWE's top event WrestleMania set to exit New Orleans

'PRAYERS UP'

WWE star screams in pain and gets carried out of arena after real knee injury

Since his arrival on the main roster last year, the hugely-popular Samoan Submission Machine has become one of the biggest names in the company.

He has produced a number of epic battles with stars such as Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar and more recently with Roman Reigns.

It is not the first time that Joe has been sidelined through injury since his major breakthrough at the start of 2017.

5

5

5

Back in August he sustained a knee problem that kept him out of action for two months.

Just days ago he was the overwhelming winner in a fan vote to team with Bayler in the upcoming mixed match challenge.

However, he will now be replaced by Elias for the tournament as he battles to recover in time for this month's extravaganza.

The Royal Rumble is one of WWE's big four annual events.

It sees 30 men compete to throw each other over the top rope, with the last man standing receiving a title shot in the main event at WrestleMania.