Eddie Kingston Returns to AEW After 16-Month Injury, Aims for Change

Eddie Kingston said he considered leaving All Elite Wrestling multiple times during a 16 month absence after suffering a severe leg injury in May 2024 that required surgery, and he returned to the ring at AEW All Out on September 20, 2025. Kingston described a difficult recovery that included intense mental-health struggles, and he remains focused on using his return to push for broader improvements within the company.

Kingston, speaking in an interview with Renee Paquette, said his mindset during rehabilitation prompted repeated thoughts of quitting. "I must have quit this company eight times when I was out because of my own mental shit," he said, adding that he does not view himself as an ideal employee. He also told Paquette he feels uncomfortable accepting praise and still carries guilt about past actions, which contributes to his reluctance to embrace accolades.

The injury, sustained at an event in May 2024, kept Kingston sidelined until this year's All Out pay-per-view, where he defeated Big Bill. Parts of his recovery were documented publicly by a fellow performer, giving fans an inside look at both the physical rehabilitation and the psychological toll of a long layoff....