AEW: The IInspiration on Signing With AEW, Samoa Joe Says He Will Be Back “Sooner Than Later” From His Non-Contact Injury, Dustin Rhodes Double Knee Replacement Surgery & Return Plans Update

The IInspiration Comments on Signing With AEW

A recent For The Love of Wrestling 2026 event featured a Q&A session with The IInspiration’s Jessie McKay & Cassie Lee as the guests. One of the topics discussed included The IInspiration’s thoughts about their recent signings with AEW.

“Oh my gosh, it’s so exciting. We can’t wait. To have our debut in Brisbane, Australia, our home country, just puts the cherry on top. We’re excited. There are so many possibilities. Hopefully, we get to share the ring with girls that we’ve never been inside the ring with before. So, just so many opportunities that we’re ready for.”

Lee also gave her thoughts about who they are currently interested the most in sharing the ring with in AEW.

“It’s not so much that there’s like one or two people we want to work with, it’s the whole entire roster because a lot of them we haven’t shared a locker room or a ring with before. I think what we are most excited about is to set our eyes on the gold and make some history.”

Lee also gave her thoughts about The IInspiration’s next goal for their wrestling careers in AEW.

“We definitely have our eyes set on AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship. That would put us in the history making books. So that’s where our tunnel vision is on for the rest of the year. We’re going to make it happen.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com 1 & 2

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Samoa Joe Says He Will Be Back “Sooner Than Later” From His Non-Contact Injury

As noted before, Samoa Joe is currently out of action due to him suffering a non-contact injury while training this past January. Joe was placed in AEW’s concussion protocols over potential concerns and precautions of him suffering a concussion injury.

A recent Monopoly Events convention event featured Joe as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Joe providing an update on his potential return to AEW from injury.

“We’ll be back at AEW sooner than later. And then aside from that, season 3, Twisted Metal forthcoming. And a few other things we can’t talk about.”

Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com

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Dustin Rhodes Double Knee Replacement Surgery & Return Plans Update

As noted before, Dustin Rhodes has been out of action for AEW since this past July due to a double knee replacement surgery. Rhodes has been hopeful of being able to make an in-ring return by the end of this month.

FOX News Digital held a recent interview with Rhodes. One of the topics discussed included Rhodes providing an update on his recovery from his double knee replacement surgery and a potential return timetable.

“I just had double knee replacements. So, they’re brand-new knees. They’re feeling pretty good. It’s a little tired today from all the walking – this is such a huge venue [for the dog show]. But probably two weeks, three weeks I’ll be back – TBS, TNT, HBO Max.”

Rhodes also gave his thoughts about his current plans to retire from his in-ring wrestling career within the next couple of years and his plans to work in a behind-the-scenes role as a producer in AEW afterwards.

“I think it’s the fact that we’re just not all entertainment. We are about wrestling, about putting on the best matches that we possibly can. It’s the alternative to WWE. I was with WWE for 24 years, and I’ve been with AEW for seven now, going on eight. I’m gonna finish here and retire in the next couple of years. And then there’s still work behind the scenes as a producer.

I love it. It’s great. My boss, Tony Khan, and Shad Khan, the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and [Fulham] Football Club over here, we’re doing amazing. We’re growing year by year. It’s where the best wrestle. We do have entertainment segments but the majority of it is just all wrestling. That’s what’s different than the WWE product.”