After being on the sidelines for more than a year with a leg injury, AEW star Eddie Kingston has confirmed that he is physically and mentally ready to get back in the ring. In a new video documenting his recovery, the “Mad King” stated that he feels he “can go right now” and is just waiting for the final clearance and for a match to be booked. He also opened up about the difficult and complicated recovery process, which was made even more challenging by issues with his health insurance that required AEW President Tony Khan to step in and pay for his surgery.
During his long recovery, Kingston has been training with fellow AEW star Cezar Bononi and documenting the journey on Bononi’s YouTube channel. In the latest video from the series, which was recorded before his return plans were revealed, Kingston spoke about his physical readiness to compete again after a grueling rehabilitation.
“I feel ready to go today if I had to — if I had to,” Kingston said. After more than a year away, the feeling of competing is something he has deeply missed, and he is looking forward to getting back to what he does best. “All I do know is — this is the only fact I know — is that when I do come back, I’m at least going to have fun beating the shit out of somebody,” Kingston said. “And if they beat the shit out of me, fine. Here’s the list, add your name to it. But I’m also going to beat your ass, whoever it is.”
He revealed that this was not the first time he had problems with the company, as they had also denied coverage for a hernia surgery three years ago on the day of the procedure. The same thing happened again with his recent knee surgery, but this time, his boss stepped in to make sure he got the care he needed.
“And then it happened again, same insurance, with the knee surgery. The day of the knee surgery, they said, ‘Oh no, we’re not covering,’” Kingston recalled. “And the surgeon kind of knew that was going to happen because he’s seen this before with this kind of insurance. And he was like, ‘Let me make a couple of calls.’ And then, of course, you know, Tony took care of it. I’ll say it, thank god.”
Kingston has been out of action since May 11, 2024, when he suffered a broken leg, a torn ACL, and a torn meniscus during a No Ropes Last Man Standing match against Gabe Kidd at an NJPW Resurgence event. His AEW return is now officially on the horizon, as he has accepted a challenge from Big Bill, though a date for the match has not yet been announced. The full interview with Eddie Kingston can be seen on Cezar Bononi’s YouTube channel.
