Steve Carrier on March 1, 2026
Adam Cole’s AEW future remains uncertain months after Tony Khan offered a hopeful update, as a new report reveals there’s still no movement toward his return while he continues dealing with serious post-concussion issues.
Back in December 2025, Cole made a surprise video appearance during the Worlds End Zero Hour broadcast, giving fans hope that his recovery was progressing. AEW President Tony Khan made it clear at the time that Cole’s health remained the priority and that the company was simply happy to have him involved in any capacity. Khan addressed Cole’s appearance and mentioned there was no pressure on him to rush back.
“Well, there’s certainly no pressure. I was just really happy to hear from Adam Cole, and I thought the fans would be so happy to see him.”
He also stressed that Cole made the right decision by stepping away from in-ring competition and focusing entirely on his recovery. At the time, Khan said Cole appeared to be doing well, though he stopped short of offering any medical timeline.
“It was important for Adam Cole to step away and prioritize his health and well-being. We love him, and he’s a great star here.”
“I don’t have any health updates other than to say you can see he’s doing well and he’s excited about AEW.”
Khan also reflected on how emotional Cole’s departure was when he was forced to vacate the TNT Championship earlier in 2025, making his Worlds End appearance even more meaningful. He even suggested Cole could still contribute outside the ring if necessary.
“Since we last heard from him when he had to vacate the TNT Championship at AEW All In: Texas—it was a sad moment. It was a hard moment for a lot of the fans and for a lot of us, so we were so happy to hear from him.”
“He’s very good at being an analyst. He’s an excellent host.”
However, a new update from Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reveals that despite those encouraging signs late last year, there has still been no indication that Cole is close to returning to AEW television in any capacity. Sapp explained that he has repeatedly checked on Cole’s status and that AEW remains committed to protecting his long-term health rather than rushing him back prematurely.
“Any word on Adam Cole being back on TV in any capacity? I've heard nothing and I ask pretty often about once a month. I know that Tony Khan would never want Adam Cole compromising his health or recovery just to be on TV or the road.”
He also pointed out that AEW has seen firsthand how returning too soon can worsen injuries, which is part of why they are taking such a cautious approach with Cole.
“We have seen that happen with Kenny Omega and Bryan Danielson. They return to the road to do commentary or agenting or creative work and it worsens their injuries.”
Sapp then revealed the severity of Cole’s condition, explaining that post-concussion syndrome can create unpredictable and debilitating symptoms that make even basic travel difficult. He continued by describing just how difficult recovery from concussion-related issues can be on a daily basis.
“I know Adam Cole was dealing with some post concussion syndrome symptoms around the time he retired. And I mean like, listen, I've dealt with that myself and I know the uphill battle that he faces and his is probably way more severe than mine was.”
“And it's horrifying. Some days you wake up and you're dizzy and you can't focus and there's light sensitivity and if you ride in cars sometimes you'll get sick. Like it's very sucky to deal with. So there aren't like a lot of great travel options.”
Cole has not wrestled since July 2025 and stepped away officially due to concussion-related complications. While AEW has made it clear that he remains part of the company, this latest update confirms that his return timeline remains completely uncertain as his recovery continues.
Do you think Adam Cole will eventually make an in-ring return, or should AEW keep him in a non-wrestling role moving forward to protect his long-term health? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
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