Tony Khan Reveals Backstage Details on Adam Cole’s AEW All In Withdrawal

Adam Cole’s unexpected absence from AEW All In: Texas wasn’t a storyline twist—it was a real-life scare that upended Tony Khan’s plans just hours before the show.

During an interview on Good Karma Wrestling, Khan revealed that Cole had been fully scheduled to defend the TNT Championship, but things unraveled fast. After finishing up the ROH event the night before, Khan said his brief window for sleep was interrupted by a call that changed the show.

“It was actually very early Saturday morning technically. I was just getting to bed for a few hours. I was planning to sleep and it didn’t really work out that way because unfortunately we had to make major changes and I had to spend the night really thinking about how to make it up to the fans and to treat Adam Cole with respect that he has earned and that he deserves.”

Cole contacted Khan and admitted he was feeling off. The AEW President said there was no debate—no push to gut it out—just a mutual understanding that wrestling was off the table.

“It was a hard conversation, but I’m glad he told me the truth—that he just didn’t feel well, he was having trouble sleeping, he didn’t feel good, and he was having… just not feeling like it would be a good idea for him to wrestle. And I agreed with that.”

Rather than shuffle things behind the scenes, Khan gave Cole the mic and let him explain the situation directly to the crowd. It was a difficult moment, but one both men felt was necessary.

“I knew that it would be the right thing for Adam Cole—and it was what he wanted to do too—to go out and speak to the fans from his heart and explain that he wouldn’t be able to wrestle.”

Still, Cole blamed himself in the segment, something Khan wasn’t okay with.

“The only thing I disagreed with is one of the first things he said. I don’t think at all that he let people down.”

With Cole out, AEW pivoted fast—booking Dustin Rhodes to win the now-vacant TNT Title. The match delivered, but Cole’s emotional promo and Tony Khan’s honest breakdown show how serious the situation really was.

“Even though we are all sad we don’t get to see Adam Cole wrestle for a while, hopefully he will be able to return in some capacity. But definitely, he needs time off after talking to him.”

This wasn’t just a title change—it was a real-life health decision in the middle of AEW’s biggest weekend. And for now, there’s no word on when—or if—Adam Cole will be back in the ring.

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