AEW Star’s Current In-Ring Return Status Amid 20-Month Absence

The Blade underwent successful back fusion surgery back in September 2024 and it’s been a long road to recovery since then. While his recovery continues, his current in-ring status has been revealed.

While speaking on Talk’N Shop podcast, The Blade revealed his current in-ring return status. He talked about undergoing spinal fusion surgery on September 10, 2024 and now, a year later, he is preparing to go back to the doctor for clearance.

Being out of the ring for over a year has been strange for him after wrestling for 25 years, but he admits the fear has passed and the excitement of returning is starting to take over.

“I had a back fusion, spinal fusion, on September 10th, 2024. So, it’s been about a year now, and I’m getting close to going back to the doctors, getting cleared, the whole thing.

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Is it weird thinking about taking a back bump after that? Yeah, the thought of like—you know, I haven’t been in… doctors don’t want me in a ring, so like it’s been over a year. Yeah. It’s crazy. Yeah. I’m nervous. Like, I want you to be careful when we’re walking.. I mean, I’ve been wrestling 25 years and to not be in a ring for over a year now—weird, right? But now it’s to the point where I’m excited. Yeah. Like the scary stuff is over and now it’s just get excited.”

The AEW star explained that surgery was the last option after physical therapy, injections, and other treatments failed to fix the issue. His injury was at the L5-S1, the lowest vertebra, which is one of the most common and serious spots for back problems. After months of highs and lows where the future was uncertain, he feels encouraged that things are now moving in a positive direction.

“Yeah, ‘cause with back stuff, surgery is the last option. So they’ll do physical therapy, they’ll give you a round of shots. They tried a whole bunch of different stuff, but it just got… it just got—what was the actual, like, what’s the nature of the injury? Yeah, it’s my L5-S1, which is the very last vertebrae, but that’s like the… when people get back [injuries], that’s usually the major one. It’s the bottom, right? Yeah. Yes, it’s the bottom. So, they fused that one.

I mean, you know, there were definitely some highs and lows that year where you don’t know what’s going to happen, but it feels really good that now it’s—that’s at the excitement.”

The Blade hasn’t set foot inside the squared circle since February 2024 and hasn’t appeared on AEW/ROH programming since January 2024. With over 20 months of absence, only time will tell when the Blade will get cleared to make his in-ring return, as fans definitely miss him.

What do you think about The Blade’s recovery journey? Do you see him making a strong comeback once he’s cleared? Share your thoughts and well-wishes in the comments below!

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