Big Bill issued a direct challenge to Eddie Kingston during a backstage promo on this week’s AEW Collision. The segment saw Bill call out Kingston by name, accusing the New York native of only pretending to be a tough guy.
He explained the motivation behind his challenge, referencing a low point in his own career that occurred in Philadelphia. “In Philadelphia, I hit rock bottom, and the residents showed their true colors and mocked me,” Big Bill stated. He credited that moment for fueling his current success, saying, “Since then, I’ve been in the best shape of my life and on the run of my career.”
Bill contrasted his experience with Kingston’s background, declaring, “That was because I came from New York City, where real tough people were made.” He then concluded his promo by “[I am] calling out someone from New York who only pretended to be a tough guy: Eddie Kingston.”
Kingston has been recovering from a fractured tibia, a torn meniscus, and a torn ACL sustained during a No Rope Last Man Standing match against Gabe Kidd at NJPW STRONG Resurgence.
In a video update from August, Kingston discussed the recovery timeline and his disappointment over likely missing the Forbidden Door pay-per-view for a second consecutive year. “My favorite was always Forbidden Door. It’s s—t I like to do,” Kingston said. “Missing it, as of right now, missing it two years in a row sucks.”
Before the injury, Kingston was a Triple Crown Champion, holding the AEW Continental Championship, the ROH World Championship, and the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship.