Ex-AEW Champion Suffers Shocking Injury

A former champion in AEW is out of action again, after recently coming back from a long layoff.

The AEW injured list features some big names right now, with Will Ospreay out with a neck injury, Swerve Strickland undergoing knee surgery, and Kenny Omega taken out during an injury angle on AEW Dynamite.

Another former champion is on the injured list because Fightful Select reports that 3-time TNT Champion Wardlow suffered what is believed to be a torn pectoral muscle. That type of injury usually requires surgery, which should lead to several months on the shelf before making a return.

At AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door, Wardlow returned to beat up Swerve Strickland’s manager, Prince Nana. Wardlow also beat up security. After his performance in the ring, Wardlow hugged Don Callis, which meant he was in the Don Callis Family.

Wardlow has been out of action since challenging Samoa Joe for the AEW World Championship on the March 13, 2024, edition of Dynamite. Wardlow missed a significant amount of time due to an injury, and also due to filming the American Gladiators show, which WWE’s The Miz hosts.

Matt Hardy Believes Wardlow Could Be A Huge Babyface In AEW

During his six-year run in AEW, Wardlow has been a babyface and a heel at different times. The fans have gotten behind him as a face, but he’s back in a heel role now.

Wrestling legend Matt Hardy worked with Wardlow in AEW and recently made the point that Wardlow could be huge as a babyface/hero character.

“It was interesting, but it wasn’t unexpected. He’d been off TV for a while; he had done his American Gladiator stuff. Thank goodness he is someone who is a star — if you have him under contract in AEW, I’m a firm believer he should be on your TV program because he looks like a star. He resonates like a star; everything about him yells and screams star.

They brought him back starting as a heel, and he’s going to come in and probably get a pretty big push with the Don Callis Family. I’d imagine before it’s all said and done, he’ll find his way back to being a hero again. I’m glad to see him back on TV and being utilized in AEW.”

Also read:Another AEW performer is dealing with a significant injury.