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AEW Star Still Not Cleared for Full Contact Despite Surprise Return

By Monika Thapa • Published Jul 13, 2025 09:16 EDT
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AEW All In Texas delivered plenty of surprises, but one moment that stood out during the Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match was the unexpected return of Harley Cameron.

The Aussie AEW star, who had been out of action since May, appeared in the ring once again, but fans quickly noticed her involvement was limited. Despite a big crowd reaction and presence in the match, Cameron didn’t get physically involved the way many expected.

Now, Tony Khan has provided clarity on the situation during the All In Texas post-show media scrum.

AEW Head Tony Khan Provides Update on Harley Cameron’s In-Ring Status

The AEW President confirmed that Harley Cameron is still recovering from an injury and has not been cleared for full-contact competition. While he made sure she was featured during the event, her physical role was kept minimal due to medical limitations.

“Harley’s another great example. I did get Harley physically featured but there’s only so much she can do, she’s still limited from contact. Obviously she’s wearing that mask but I did wanna have Harley out there and she did have a great reaction,” Khan said. [H/T Ringside News]

Cameron had been sidelined in May following a brutal injury angle and later underwent surgery in June. The segment saw her written off television after a storyline assault from Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford, which reportedly mirrored a legitimate nose injury.

Wearing a protective mask during her return, Cameron’s appearance seemed to be designed to keep her presence alive in the minds of fans while she recovers. The pop she received at All In proved that audiences haven’t forgotten her.

AEW has used similar tactics in the past, featuring recovering stars in non-contact roles to maintain storyline continuity without risking further injury. In Cameron’s case, this brief appearance could be setting the stage for a bigger return once she’s cleared.

The Women’s Casino Gauntlet match itself was eventually won by Athena, who now moves one step closer to championship gold.