Tony Khan Says Will Ospreay Will Return to AEW in 2026 But Admits There’s No Timeline Yet

Will Ospreay’s AEW return isn’t just a matter of time—it’s a matter of when. And right now, even Tony Khan doesn’t have that answer.

In an interview on Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez, AEW’s president was asked directly about Ospreay’s condition following his September 2025 neck surgery. Khan confirmed that the British star is recovering, but he made it clear the timeline remains uncertain. Khan started by revealing that he had just spoken to Ospreay shortly before the interview.

“Well, I was just talking to him on my way over here to do this interview, actually. He’s doing better, and I’m very grateful.”

He then addressed the elephant in the room—Ospreay’s absence from AEW programming since Forbidden Door: London, and how that injury cut short what was shaping up to be one of his best years yet.

“You know, again, I’ll be going to the SI Awards tonight where the journalists picked Will Ospreay as the best in-ring wrestler of the year. And he didn’t get to finish the year healthy. He was injured.”

“He’s been out since Forbidden Door, which was a huge success for us in London. And Will Ospreay is recovering from serious neck injuries.”

When pressed about when Ospreay might be cleared to return, Khan was transparent—there’s no firm date. All he could say is that AEW expects to have him back sometime this year.

“And I’m very grateful that Will Ospreay is in AEW. And I’m also very grateful that he’s recovering and he will be back in 2026.”

“I can’t say exactly when, but I can tell you that in 2026, he will be back.”

“And we’re so excited to have Ospreay here.”

Khan also took a moment to reflect on one of Ospreay’s biggest AEW matches before his injury: his bout with Hangman Page at Double or Nothing 2025. According to Khan, that match was a major reason the show was honored by Sports Illustrated.

“One of the great matches of the year, and I think one of the great reasons why Sports Illustrated picked Double or Nothing as the best show of the year — what a match.”

“Will Ospreay versus Hangman Page.”

“And some great moments leading into the match too, where both men said they would support the other if whoever lost the match, they said, ‘I’ll support you if you support me. Let’s go out there and fight and then have each other’s backs against the Death Riders,’ and it was awesome.”

Since undergoing surgery in late 2025, Ospreay has stayed relatively low-key, focusing on rehab and recovery. Khan’s update confirms that AEW still views him as a key piece of its roster—but until there’s a medical green light, the return remains open-ended.

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