Pro wrestling veteran Eddie Kingston is set to make a significant in-ring return at AEW All Out this Saturday, marking his 25th year in the sport. After a long injury hiatus, Kingston’s Eddie Kingston comeback inspiration has been fueled by the encouraging words of key mentors, helping him push through doubts about retirement.
Kingston’s Challenging Hiatus and Long Road to Recovery
Eddie Kingston has been sidelined for 496 days since losing the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship to Gabe Kidd in a brutal Last Man Standing match on May 11. His injuries include a torn ACL, torn meniscus, and tibial fracture, which required multiple surgeries. Despite the physical pain, the toughest battle for Kingston during this period was mental, as he struggled with isolation and the inability to return to long-held routines like drinking alcohol.
Kingston’s challenges extended beyond his physical healing. He faced emotional hardship when his partner had to leave to manage family issues, forcing Kingston to cope alone. This period led to stress eating and self-doubt, during which Kingston seriously contemplated retirement despite having eight or nine surgeries under his belt. The New York City native has openly shared how accepting that he might be done was a way to ease the pressure, convincing himself that he was content with his career accomplishments.
Even with years of wrestling experience, Kingston admitted that he has rarely felt fully healthy. The former AEW Continental Champion said he has been accustomed to performing while injured, dating back to his earliest days after suffering a bad fall. Now 43 years old, he remains determined to wrestle at historic venues such as Madison Square Garden and Arena Mexico and still aspires to capture the AEW World Championship.
Mentors Rocky Romero and Homicide Played Essential Roles in Kingston’s Decision
Two veteran figures were crucial in turning Eddie Kingston’s mindset away from retirement. Rocky Romero, a key influencer in the wrestling world known for bridging AEW, NJPW, and CMLL, has been an important presence behind the scenes. However, it was Kingston’s mentor, Homicide, who delivered the most impactful support during the hardest moments.
Homicide, a respected wrestler with a 30-year career, was forced into retirement earlier this year due to a brain cyst that affected his speech and vision. Despite his personal setbacks, he encouraged Kingston not to quit prematurely. In an interview with CBS Sports, Kingston recalled Homicide’s powerful words:
“Eddie, I was forced to retire. You can walk, you can run now, you can cut, you can do stuff. Why leave? Are you really satisfied?”
— Eddie Kingston, recalling Homicide
Kingston explained that Homicide’s forced retirement deeply affected him, as his mentor did not have the opportunity to end his career on his own terms. This fueled Kingston’s determination to finish his journey differently.
“He didn’t get to go out his way. So he’d tell me, ‘Go out your way. I know this is not the way you want to go out.’ I want to go out on my shield. I want to go out swinging to the end. People can say whatever they want about Eddie Kingston, but one thing they can’t say is that I wasn’t defiant to the end. That’s what kept me going,”
— Eddie Kingston
Anticipation Builds for Kingston’s Battle Against Big Bill
As AEW All Out approaches, Kingston prepares to face Big Bill in their first-ever match. This bout is set to be a milestone, not only marking Kingston’s 1,200th career match but also serving as a testament to his resilience and passion for wrestling despite almost retiring during his injury recovery.
Kingston’s career, shaped by intense physical and mental challenges, shows a fighter who refuses to surrender. His strength to continue comes not just from personal ambition but also from the mentorship and encouragement that remind him of the battles worth fighting.
Fans and fellow wrestlers alike recognize Kingston’s defiant spirit. His journey from near-retirement back to the ring underscores the importance of support in an athlete’s comeback story, especially when facing prolonged adversity.
