AEW Star Returns After Almost Two Years Off Television

Published: Dec 28, 2025 by Connel Rumsey | Last Updated: Dec 28, 2025 by Connel Rumsey

Connel has over five years of wrestling journalism experience writing about some of the biggest stories from across the wrestling world. Being a fan for 20 years, Connel has an expansive knowledge from a wide range of various wrestling promotions, including WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA and Joshi.

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AEW

An AEW star has made their return to television after almost two years away on tonight’s AEW Worlds End Zero Hour.

Ortiz was out of action due to injury for a number of months in 2024, with him making his return to the ring on various independent events earlier this year, before competing in Dark matches at the recent AEW tapings in the Hammerstein Ballroom.

On tonight’s Worlds End Zero Hour event, Eddie Kingston was in action against Zack Gibson of the Grizzled Young Veterans, with Eddie Kingston scoring the victory.

After the match, Gibson and James Drake continued the attack on Kingston, which led to the return of Ortiz, who made his return to AEW television, fighting off the Grizzled Young Veterans and standing alongside Eddie Kingston.

Ortiz had been out of action with a torn pectoral muscle before his return to AEW television, with him noting back in October that he had taken up an additional backstage role in the promotion.

Oritz’s former Proud ‘n’ Powerful partner Mike Santana captured the TNA World Championship back at Bound For Glory.

.@Ortiz_Powerful is back!

Watch #AEWWorldsEnd Zero Hour LIVE on X, Facebook, Youtube + HBO Max pic.twitter.com/aDZQ5iFSb3

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 28, 2025