Piper Niven has shared a significant health update after undergoing neck surgery in California, marking a major step in her recovery following a lengthy absence from WWE programming.

Niven revealed on Wednesday that she had an anterior cervical discectomy after spending the past eight months sidelined with what had previously been described as a potentially career-threatening neck injury. She accompanied the update with a photo from her hospital bed and a detailed message reflecting on the experience.

“I went to California and all I got was this lousy anterior discectomy. I have so much I want to say about the past 8 months but we can get to that later. For now, I just want to express my endless love and gratitude for every single soul that has helped me and cared for me during this difficult and really scary time. Pain and heartbreak are incredible teachers and the lessons I have learned from this will stay with me forever. I am so grateful to wake up from surgery already feeling better and I know I am coming out the other side of this so much stronger for the experience.”

The procedure she underwent is typically used to treat long-term neck and nerve-related issues. It involves removing damaged disc material or bone pressing on the spinal cord or nerves, followed by inserting a synthetic implant and completing a fusion to stabilize the spine. Recovery timelines can vary, but it often takes at least six months before a full return to physical activity is considered.

Niven last competed on the August 22, 2025 episode of SmackDown in Dublin, Ireland, where she picked up a win over Charlotte Flair. In the weeks that followed, reports indicated she was dealing with a serious neck issue, with internal concern at one stage that it could potentially end her in-ring career. By September 2025, there was growing optimism that she would eventually be cleared to return.

At the time of her last appearance, Niven was aligned with Chelsea Green’s Secret Hervice faction, performing as Agent P alongside Alba Fyre. Since then, Fyre has been released as part of WWE’s April 24 roster cuts, while Green recently underwent a separate medical procedure to address a long-standing heart condition.

Niven, who turned 35 on May 6, has been part of WWE since 2019 after first appearing in the 2017 Mae Young Classic. She competed in NXT UK before moving to the main roster in 2021, initially under the name Doudrop, before returning to the Piper Niven name in 2023.

There is currently no official timeline for her return to in-ring competition, but her update suggests positive progress following surgery.

Piper Niven neck surgery

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