Brian Cage, well-known AEW wrestler and former FTW Champion, surprised fans by beginning his gym recovery just four days following knee replacement surgery. The rapid return marks another step in the Brian Cage recovery after knee replacement surgery, only eight weeks after he addressed a separate torn quad tendon injury.
Returning to Training Shortly After Major Surgery
Cage revealed over the weekend that he has wasted little time in resuming his gym routine, sharing that he is already training at @projectwellbeingllc despite his recent surgeries. Cage, who had been enduring years of significant knee pain, explained that his latest round of surgeries was planned during his time on the sidelines for quad tendon repair, making use of his recovery period to address both injuries at once.
“4 days post knee replacement (8 weeks post quad tendon repair) and I’m already back in the gym @projectwellbeingllc. Love me, hate me, or somewhere in-between, you can’t deny I’m a fucking machine! I’ve been dealing with excessive knee pain for years and have been working through it with the intention of going under the knife after All In. With the unfortunate set back of tearing my quad, I figured F it, let’s just get em both done. Not an easy or fun choice, but I’m gonna come back ripping heads off. Especially if this is me right now after surgery. Shout out to @kingricochet for filming and getting our set in.”
—Brian Cage, AEW Wrestler
Injury Impact on Wrestling Schedule
Cage originally sustained his latest injury during a match with Chris Masters at an OWA event in Los Angeles on March 20. Although initially reported as a knee problem, this incident resulted in changes to the upcoming AEW Dynasty pay-per-view, where Cage and his partner Lance Archer had been booked as the Murder Machines to contend for the Tag Team Championships against the Hurt Syndicate’s Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin.
“The tag title match was a change as Brian Cage suffered a knee injury on an independent show on 3/20 in Los Angeles against Chris Masters,”
—Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
“So the originally planned but not announced Hurt Syndicate vs. Murder Machines match had to be changed and they had to pivot to new challengers, going with Bill & Keith.”
—Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Due to Cage’s injury, Big Bill and Bryan Keith were brought in as replacements for the title match on April 6, altering AEW’s original lineup.
Cage’s AEW Background and What Lies Ahead
Having been with AEW since January 2020, Brian Cage quickly established himself as a force, claiming the FTW Championship and winning the Casino Ladder Match at Double or Nothing that year. His determination to recover quickly after his knee replacement surgery demonstrates his intense commitment to returning to the ring, despite the personal and physical challenges faced during this time away.
This accelerated approach to rehabilitation has drawn both concern and admiration, with fans questioning how soon Cage might be able to compete at his usual level. With AEW’s evolving storylines and the ever-present opportunity to rejoin the competition, supporters are eager to see if his resolve leads to a powerful comeback or if the risks of rapid recovery may delay his next in-ring appearance.
