Wardlow’s return to AEW television has been abruptly halted, as a new report from Fightful Select indicates he has suffered a significant injury. Sources within AEW state the injury is feared to be a torn pectoral muscle.
The setback occurred almost immediately after his return at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view on August 24. During that show, Wardlow made his first appearance in over a year, attacking Prince Nana after the AEW Unified Championship match between Kazuchika Okada and Swerve Strickland. He then aligned himself with The Don Callis Family, joining Don Callis, Okada, and Kyle Fletcher on the entrance ramp.
According to the report, the suspected torn pec is an injury that would sideline the former TNT Champion for “quite some time.” This type of injury often requires surgery and carries a lengthy rehabilitation period, typically between six and nine months, which will significantly delay his planned in-ring comeback.
This new injury is a considerable blow, as Wardlow had just come back from a prolonged absence of over a year. That time away was due to a shoulder injury compounded by a car accident, as well as a delay to complete filming for the reboot of “American Gladiators.”
While the injury derails a planned push for Wardlow, there is a possibility he could remain on television in a non-physical, enforcer-type role during his recovery. The news was met with disappointment by his peers, who were reportedly, “bummed out about the news after Wardlow had waited so long to get back on TV and battled injuries.”