AEW Star Cleared For In-Ring Return After Over A Year Away

AEW

An update has emerged on AEW star Buddy Matthews’ status and potential wrestling return, after over a year away from the ring.

Buddy Matthews has been out of action since February 2025, having suffered an ankle injury during his match against Kazuchika Okada at that year’s AEW Grand Slam Australia event.

With Matthews’ recent appearances, and Rhea Ripley stating that he has been working towards an in-ring return in recent months, there has been a lot of speculation about his current status.

Per Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Buddy Matthews has been cleared to return to in-ring action.

Buddy Matthews had previously hinted that he had been cleared to compete, taking to Instagram earlier this week to write:

“The Devil signed the clearance. Hell stamped its approval. No more barriers. Only timing.”

Matthews’ actual return date hasn’t yet been announced.

The AEW star noted in an interview in April 2025 that he was dealing with a partial ligament tear and cartilage damage. At this point, he was walking, but hadn’t ran, jumped or done much cardio training.

After stating that June that his ankle wasn’t recovering as well as they thought it would be, Matthews revealed in August that he was having surgery to repair his ankle.

With Brody King briefly addressing his partnership with Buddy Matthews during his AEW World Tag Team Championship reign that same month, it will be interesting to see Matthews’ dynamics with members of the AEW roster once he returns to action.

With All In London just over a month away, Matthews has been cleared in what could be considered AEW’s most exciting period of the year.

WWE has now announced a special which will run head-to-head against All Out in September, in an arena just 20 miles away.

To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!

• AEW
• BUDDY MATTHEWS
• Return
• Injury
• Cleared

Share this article with friends