Adam Cole remains positive about his future wrestling career despite confronting multiple injury setbacks since joining AEW in 2021.

During an appearance on Close-Up with Renee Paquette, Cole addressed the challenges he has encountered, including a concussion that sidelined him for months and an ankle injury that kept him away from in-ring competition for over a year.

Cole expressed full confidence that his best professional years remain ahead of him, despite these obstacles.

To me, there’s just no other choice. I know these challenges have been difficult, but everyone goes through their own challenges in their own way. I’m not even close to wanting to be done with wrestling—I feel like I have a lot more to offer, especially here in AEW.

Cole emphasized that his perspective and determination have remained constant throughout his recovery periods.

Even with these roadblocks or challenges, my mentality has never changed. I’m fully confident that I’ll be able to come back from all this and have the best years of my career ahead of me.

Cole also shared his thoughts about returning to NJPW during a conversation with Chris Mueller for Bleacher Report.

When asked whether this represents the best time to be a professional wrestler, Cole affirmed this assessment without hesitation.

Without question. It’s a fact. Since I’ve started wrestling, this absolutely is the best time to not only be a wrestler, but to be a wrestling fan. It’s so incredible to see so much great pro wrestling across the board. All the opportunities that so many different wrestlers are getting. It feels like a golden age, or like a boom period for pro wrestling. I love that. It makes me so so happy. 2025 At this moment, this has been the most exciting time to be a wrestler or a fan.

Cole’s concussion forced him to miss significant ring time, while his ankle injury disrupted a storyline involving MJF.

Britt Baker has not appeared on AEW Dynamite since November 13, 2024. In a December video on Diamond Dallas Page’s YouTube channel, Baker stated she was “off the road” from AEW but staying busy.

Wrestling analyst Wade Keller discussed Baker’s status on PWTorchVIP.com, citing sources within AEW. According to Keller’s sources, Tony Khan might be treating Baker similarly to other wrestlers who are not currently receiving communication from the company.

People have been wondering where Britt Baker is. She might be done with AEW, at least the feeling I’m getting from talking to people in AEW is Tony Khan might have her in the same category as some other wrestlers, where they just don’t get phone calls and don’t get called in to show up.

Keller reported that sources described issues in the women’s locker room, with one source indicating widespread opposition to Baker’s return. He noted these tensions predated her rise to prominence in the company.

There was the incident with her in MJF, and I’m told that factors into her being off television. But there are other issues with her that have come up. She has become increasingly difficult to work with in a general sense.

Sources emphasized that Adam Cole’s status with the company has no bearing on Baker’s television absence. Keller noted that while changes could occur, his sources do not expect Baker’s imminent return to AEW programming.

Background on Britt Baker’s AEW Career

Baker established herself as a central figure in AEW’s women’s division during her tenure with the company. She gained prominence through notable matches and character development, though sources indicated to Keller that concerns about her backstage interactions existed throughout this period.

Obviously, she had some stand-up moments in AEW and became a star and was seen as the centerpiece act. But even back then, I was hearing about her reputation and being unpopular in certain circles and difficult to work with.