AEW star Wardlow has reportedly suffered an injury almost immediately after making his return to television from a year-plus absence. The injury is a setback for the former TNT Champion, who had just completed filming for the “American Gladiators” series, and was set for a push in AEW.
According to a new report from Fightful Select, sources within AEW have confirmed the injury. “Sources in AEW that we spoke to said that the injury is feared to be a torn pectoral muscle, which would sideline him for quite some time,” the report states. A torn pectoral muscle is an injury that typically requires surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period, often sidelining a wrestler for six to nine months. Wardlow had just battled back from a previous injury and was ready to resume his career.
The report notes that there is a possibility that he could remain on television in a non-physical, enforcer-type role, but his in-ring return will be significantly delayed. It was also suggested that the injury may have occurred during the angle where he made his return, though that has not been confirmed. Wardlow had been out of action for over a year with a shoulder injury that was compounded by a car accident, but he had been medically cleared to return for several months.
His return was delayed so that he could film the first two seasons of the upcoming “American Gladiators” reboot, a project that has now been completed. The report notes that many of his fellow talent were “bummed out about the news after Wardlow had waited so long to get back on TV and battled injuries.”
Wardlow’s surprise return to AEW television took place at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view on August 24. He appeared after the AEW Unified Championship match between Kazuchika Okada and Swerve Strickland, attacking Prince Nana and revealing himself to be the newest member of the Don Callis Family.
We wish Wardlow a speedy recovery. The full report on his status can be found on Fightful Select.
