Injured AEW star "hanging in" after last wrestling 9 months back; no clear update on return
A familiar face to AEW fans is seemingly trying out a new career. Things have been fairly quiet from the veteran's end after undergoing a serious operation, but new developments revealed by his wife have provided the latest on his health, and professional life.
The Blade has been with AEW since November 2019. The 44-year-old announced in April that he was suffering from two ruptured discs and two bulging discs in his back. He also publicly thanked Khan and the company for allowing him time off needed to heal. He confirmed in June that he was still with AEW, adding that surgery was still possible but he was hopeful to be back in a few months.
Buffalo's Favorite Son then announced in September that he underwent fusion surgery on his back, and had begun his recovery. Allie provided an update this week during a live virtual signing for RDP Promotions. The two-time TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champion said The Blade was " hanging in" but his surgery went well and he was recovering. She added that he was also furthering his stand-up comedy career while waiting to be medically cleared for in-ring action.
"He’s hanging in. He just started his [Physical Therapy]. His back surgery went really well. I’m really proud of him. He’s doing a ton of stand-up comedy right now, and he’s really just focused on getting healthy," Allie said. [H/T: F4Wonline]
The Blade's last AEW match was a Rampage loss on January 5. Mark Briscoe and The Hardys in a trios match defeated the 44-year-old, The Butcher, and Kip Sabian. The NY heavyweights were beaten by Top Flight on ROH one week later, and then he wrestled his last match for Alpha-1 Wrestling on February 4, defeating Kody Lane.
AEW Dynamite updated lineup
AEW is less than two weeks from presenting its sixth annual Full Gear pay-per-view. The big event is set for Saturday, November 23 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
The TNT Championship match is now official for Full Gear, while The Outrunners have qualified for the Fatal Four-Way. Below is the updated lineup:
- World Championship Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Orange Cassidy;
- TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Kris Statlander;
- TNT Championship Match: Jack Perry (c) vs. Daniel Garcia;
- World Tag Team Championship Fatal Four-Way: Private Party (c) vs. The Outrunners vs. FTR or The House of Black vs. The Acclaimed or La Facción Ingobernable;
- MJF vs. Adam Cole and/or Roderick Strong;
- Jay White vs. Adam Page;
- Bobby Lashley vs. Swerve Strickland;
- Zero Hour Pre-show: QT Marshall vs. "Big BOOM" AJ with Big Justice of The Costco Guys.
FTR vs. House of Black will take place on Wednesday's Dynamite to determine the third team in the World Tag Team Championship match. The Acclaimed vs. La Facción Ingobernable will take place on Saturday's AEW Collision to determine the final challengers to Private Party.