Backstage Update on Buddy Matthews Ankle Injury & Wardlow Torn Pec Injury and Return Plans

As noted before, Buddy Matthews has been out of action for AEW since the Grand Slam Australia 2025 event in February of 2025 due to an ankle injury and surgery. Matthews revealed earlier this month that he was medically cleared for an in-ring return. Besides Matthews, Wardlow has also been out of action for AEW since August of 2025 due to a torn pectoral injury.

Fightful Select’s Seam Ross Sapp reported in a recent Q&A article that his sources stated that while Matthews has been medically cleared, an actual date for his return has yet to be set.

Sapp reported that no one within AEW spoken to during All In 2026 weekend could provide a specific timeframe for Matthews’ in-ring return. Sapp also reported that there was an internal pitch for a possible surprise appearance for Matthews in the Men’s Casino Gauntlet match at All In but this did not happen in the end.

In regards to Wardlow, Sapp reported that Wardlow has been seen in attendance backstage at AEW Dynamite shows in recent months. Wardlow reportedly is nearing his in-ring return from injury but he has yet to officially receive medical clearance.

Sapp also reported that additional commitments for the American Gladiators reboot series for Amazon Prime should not affect his potential return for the time being due to the two seasons were filmed back-to-back.