Buddy Matthews is officially cleared to wrestle again, bringing an end to a brutal injury layoff that has kept him out of action since February 2025.
Matthews announced the news through a video posted to Instagram on August 6, 2026. The AEW star documented the final medical evaluations behind his comeback and confirmed that he has now received the news he has been waiting more than a year to hear.
“Before stepping back into the ring, there was one final hurdle.”
Matthews suffered a serious ankle injury during his entrance at AEW Grand Slam: Australia before facing Kazuchika Okada for the Continental Championship. He attempted to work through the damage before eventually undergoing surgery.
The recovery became even more difficult when Matthews revealed in December 2025 that he was dealing with lingering nerve damage and numbness. Those complications slowed his rehabilitation and left his return timetable completely up in the air.
Matthews recently appeared for a wrestling promotion in Australia and got physical inside the ring, but he made it clear at the time that he had not yet received full clearance to compete. He expected that final approval to come before World Series Wrestling’s October tour. That approval has now arrived.
“After suffering a serious ankle injury at AEW Grand Slam: Australia, Buddy Matthews begins the final stage of his comeback—getting medically cleared to compete again.”
The video showed Matthews going through medical evaluations and rehabilitation before finally receiving clearance to return to the ring. He also addressed the physical and mental toll that came with spending months wondering whether his body would allow him to wrestle again.
“This video follows the process behind the scenes, from medical evaluations and rehabilitation to the moment he receives the news every athlete waits to hear.”
“It’s a look at the physical and mental challenges of returning from injury, and what it takes to get back to doing what you love.”
Matthews previously teased that his comeback was close with a darker message declaring that nothing was standing in his way anymore.
“The Devil signed the clearance. Hell stamped its approval. No more barriers. Only timing.”
Matthews remains under contract with All Elite Wrestling, but the company has not announced when he will return to television. He is also expected to wrestle during World Series Wrestling’s October and November tour across Australia and New Zealand.
After surgery, nerve damage, numbness and one setback after another, Buddy Matthews has finally cleared the last medical hurdle. The only question left is whether his first match back happens in AEW or during his return home to Australia.
Where do you want to see Buddy Matthews wrestle his first match back? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback in the comments.
