John Cena injures shoulder, likely to miss Royal Rumble, WrestleMania

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- WWE Superstar John Cena has suffered a shoulder injury that will likely keep him out of action from the company's upcoming premiere events, the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania.

Cena, who had just recently returned to the squared circle in late December, confirmed the injury on Twitter Thursday, noting that he would be undergoing surgery in Birmingham, Ala. with Dr. James Andrews.

The news comes at a bad time for WWE who is already a little short on talent heading into WrestleMania season after their then current World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins tore his right ACL, MCL and medial meniscus in November leaving him out for 6-9 months and the legendary Sting who suffered a serious neck injury back in September.

"Rather upside down start to 2016 as tomorrow I will head to Birmingham for shoulder surgery. Life's full of set backs but #nevergiveup," the Cenanation leader tweeted.

Other top stars such as Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton, and Cesaro are also on the injury list leaving the organization to possibly lean on older stars such as The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar and The Rock to help carry WrestleMania which will takes place on April 3 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

WWE is looking to fill the stadium to its capacity of 105,000 fans to set a new WrestleMania attendance record. In December, The Rock confirmed that he would be joining the event after facing off against Cena at the annual extravaganza in both 2012 and 2013.

On Monday, Mr. McMahon of The Authority announced that WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns would be putting his title on the line inside the 30-man Royal Rumble match for the first time since 1992.