Wardlow Says His AEW Return Is Very Close After Long Injury Layoff

Wardlow says the wait may finally be coming to an end. After being off AEW television since March 2024, Wardlow made a brief return at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view in August 2025. Not long after that, reports surfaced that he may have suffered a torn pectoral muscle, adding to a long list of setbacks that kept him sidelined.

While speaking during an interview with BCP+, Wardlow addressed fans who have been wondering when he’ll finally step back into the ring. He admitted that the time away has been brutal, but made it clear that the comeback is getting close.

Wardlow explained that being away from wrestling for so long has taken a major toll on him, especially after dealing with injuries and a serious car accident that disrupted his momentum.

“I miss wrestling so much I can't even put into words. It's been over two years since I've wrestled. So it has been a rough two years.”

He went on to say that despite everything he’s been through, the end of his recovery is now in sight and he’s ready to get back in front of fans.

“I am so excited to get back to wrestling in front of a live crowd… And we're very, very close to being ready.”

Wardlow didn’t stop there, promising that when he finally returns, fans won’t be seeing the same version of him that left.

“We are most definitely going to come back the biggest baddest version of Wardlow that anybody's ever seen.”

Wardlow’s comments make it clear that his return isn’t just talk — it sounds like he’s entering the final stages of recovery and preparing to step back into action after more than two years away from regular competition.

Wardlow has stayed mostly quiet during his absence, but with his latest update pointing to a return happening soon, the spotlight could be shifting back toward one of AEW’s most physically dominant stars.

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