Eddie Kingston has confirmed his return to All Elite Wrestling after an absence lasting over 500 days, setting the stage for a confrontation with former WWE competitor Big Bill. The announcement comes as fans eagerly await the comeback of the outspoken New York wrestler following his lengthy recovery from injury.
Kingston had been sidelined since NJPW Resurgence last year, where he lost the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship to Gabe Kidd while suffering serious leg injuries. These injuries forced him out of action for months as he underwent rehabilitation. Despite the long break from the ring, his popularity has remained strong among AEW viewers and wrestling enthusiasts worldwide.
Last weekend on AEW Collision, Big Bill publicly called out Kingston during a promo, catching many by surprise. Responding swiftly on the social media platform Threads, Eddie Kingston confirmed he had finalized his contract with AEW under Tony Khan’s leadership and invited Big Bill to pick a location for their match.
“So got the phone call and the money is right contract is signed on my end. So Big Bill you dumb goofy b*****d just send loctation.” — Eddie Kingston
Kingston was last seen wrestling at Dynasty 2024, teaming with Adam Copeland and Mark Briscoe in a losing effort against The House of Black. Fans are now curious whether Kingston, the 2023 Continental Classic winner, will be able to overcome Big Bill, also known as The Redwood, when the two finally face off.
Kingston Opens Up About His Struggle and Thoughts of Retirement
In preparation for his upcoming return, Eddie Kingston has been training alongside former WWE and AEW talent Cezar Bononi. During a discussion on Bononi’s YouTube channel, Kingston revealed the emotional toll his injury and recovery process took on him, including moments when he questioned whether to retire from professional wrestling.
“I took my Zoloft and all that. I knew I’d get out of it, but I didn’t want to. I think a lot of people get to that. Happened to me, spiralling. That’s why the thing came out about me thinking about retirement. I don’t want to f**king retire. I don’t, but during that four or five months during PT, once in a while, I just sat in my own sh*t thinking, ‘Yeah, f**k. I did the G1. I wanted to do more, but ah, f**k it.’ I’m making excuses for why it’s okay to quit.” — Eddie Kingston
This candid reflection highlights the physical and mental challenges Kingston faced while sidelined, illustrating the intense difficulty of his rehabilitation. Despite his dark moments, he ultimately made the decision to return to the ring and continue his wrestling career.
With his contract now secured and his determination renewed, Eddie Kingston’s AEW return is expected to happen soon, potentially as early as next week’s programming. His planned showdown with Big Bill promises to be a high-stakes match that could have significant implications for AEW’s roster dynamics and storylines in the coming months.
