Injured AEW star who last wrestled 14 months back finally nearing return - Reports
Due to the high-risk nature of AEW's in-ring product, unfortunately, injuries are a common occurrence. But surprise returns and comebacks are also happening often and word now is that a fan-favorite is preparing to hit the All Elite ring once again.
Bandido has not wrestled in more than a year now. His last match was a 15-minute Rampage main event loss to Konosuke Takeshita on June 14 in Washington, DC. The 29-year-old suffered a broken wrist that night and was forced to undergo surgery.
After another setback, the fourth-generation wrestler had a second surgery in late 2023. There had been hope that Bandido would return to the ring before the beginning of 2024, and then they were optimistic that he would be medically cleared this summer, but that did not happen in his first follow-up. The 13-year industry veteran had another exam scheduled for the end of July.
The Most Wanted was not medically cleared to compete at his most recent follow-up with doctors, but there was a sliver of good news coming out of the meeting. The Wrestling Observer reports that Bandido was not cleared at that point, but he will be ready to go soon.
Bandido made his Dynamite debut on September 28, 2022, losing to then-ROH World Champion Chris Jericho. Tony Khan offered him a contract, which was quickly signed. In addition to Khan's ROH, Bandido has been allowed to work for other promotions while with AEW, including GCW, The Crash, AAA, and PWG, among others.
AEW Rampage updated lineup for tonight
The road to AEW All In will continue with tonight's Rampage episode on TNT. The show was taped earlier this week from the LJVM Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC.
All Elite Wrestling has announced that Bryan Danielson will do commentary during Rocky Romero vs. Wheeler Yuta. Below is the updated lineup for tonight:
- Dustin Rhodes will speak
- Private Party will be in action
- Darby Allin vs. The Butcher
- Saraya vs. Nyla Rose
- Wheeler Yuta vs. Rocky Romero (Daniel Bryan on commentary)
Saturday's Collision will air live from the Esports Stadium in Arlington, TX. Next week's Dynamite is scheduled for the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, VA, and will be the final Dynamite before the trip to the UK for Dynamite and Collision in Cardiff, Wales on August 21, to serve as the go-home shows for All In.