Eddie Kingston has spoken candidly about his recovery journey following a severe leg injury, addressing both the physical setbacks and mental health struggles he faced ahead of his anticipated AEW return. The update on Eddie Kingston recovery and mental health before AEW return comes as the wrestler continues rehabilitation from injuries sustained in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and opens up about the challenges beyond just the physical healing.
Kingston’s Long Road Back from Injury
In May of last year, Kingston suffered a broken leg during his match with Gabe Kidd in NJPW, forcing an extended hiatus from wrestling. Since then, he has focused on medical treatment, including surgery for both a torn meniscus and an ACL injury. Despite more than twelve months away from competition, Kingston has continued working towards a return to AEW, the Jacksonville-based promotion.
Recently, Kingston appeared in a training video with Cezar Bononi, updating fans on how he feels in training and what’s influencing his comeback timeline. Reports had also suggested possible appearances for Kingston around the time of AEW’s Double or Nothing event, especially with ongoing storylines involving Gabe Kidd, who was featured in the Anarchy in the Arena Match. However, Kingston remained out of action, determined to ensure a complete recovery both physically and mentally.
In his own words, Kingston remarked on the pace and pressures of returning:
“Good. It feels fine… They’re trying to rush me back in the ring — training — which is fine. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ve been running and stuff like that in the ring. It’s fine. It’s just that it’s business stuff, that I need to get done before I even think about doing anything in the ring for the company, you know what I mean? It’s a lot of business stuff.”
—Eddie Kingston, Professional Wrestler
Kingston’s comments reveal a complex reality, where the needs of the business may sometimes conflict with the slow, uneven progress of recovery. Even as running drills and ring work resume, the timing of his full-time return remains uncertain, as he prioritizes his own well-being and fulfills required obligations away from the spotlight. The experience highlights the challenges professionals like Kingston face as they try to balance readiness with external pressures and expectations.
Mental Health Challenges During Rehabilitation
Kingston’s journey has not been defined solely by physical setbacks. During his convalescence, he faced intense internal battles, which he detailed in a revealing conversation with the Way of the Blade podcast. Struggling with feelings of self-doubt, Kingston found that his mind had become, as he described, a ‘minefield’ following the injury. The trauma of being sidelined and watching peers compete without him deeply affected his confidence and mental state.
The podcast interview captured Kingston’s raw emotions and his perspective on the psychological toll of being off the mat. He discussed how watching AEW programming, including the Revolution pay-per-view, left him feeling unworthy of sharing the stage with his fellow wrestlers, amplifying his doubts and sparking internal conflict.
“This will probably get clipped or f*cking whatever. I don’t care… I haven’t really watched AEW. I watched the — not Dynasty. The pay-per-view before that, Revolution, and just, you know, I’m at a place right now where I’m trying to — my mind is like a minefield right now, with this injury and trying to get back, that I’m just trying to maneuver my way around these minefields, and watching that pay-per-view made me just go, ‘I can’t hang with these guys.’ Made me doubt myself.So I’m more focused on breaking that doubt than somebody I can feud with… And here comes the egotistical side of me. No one can hang with me if they wanna feud. A lot of guys are pro wrestling-tough, are pro wrestling-crazy. I’ve done it outside.I’ve done s**t that it’s real life. I’m not saying I’m from the ghetto and all that. No. I grew up in a good neighborhood but chose to be an as**ole. I chose to go down a certain path, because I didn’t want people to f**k with me. It’s a whole psychology thing. I didn’t want people to f**k with me so I wanted to show everyone I was tough. Let me go hang out in the tough neighborhoods. That was my mental at eight, nine years old.So I don’t think anyone — if they wanna go, I don’t think they can, to be honest. But… see, the Yin and Yang, the duality of Eddie is that I gotta first feel like I can hang with them and as of right now, as of today, Yankees lose, April 8th, 2025. Right now, my body is telling me I can’t hang with nobody right now. I need time. So I can’t even think about feuding with anybody right now. First, I gotta get myself physically and mentally ready… I’ll get there. Trust me, I’ll get there.”
—Eddie Kingston, Professional Wrestler
Kingston’s remarks show a complex, sometimes conflicting sense of self. On one hand, he feels unrivaled in toughness based on hard-learned life experiences. On the other, the stress and pressure of returning in peak form spark intense worry and periods of feeling inadequate. He acknowledged his early efforts to project strength and prevent others from taking advantage, explaining how childhood psychology carried forward into adulthood and wrestling. For Kingston, the duality—the “Yin and Yang”—means he must be emotionally and physically prepared before considering rivalries or storylines with anybody else in the company.
Navigating the Next Steps in Recovery
Through several surgeries and setbacks, Eddie Kingston maintains a long-term outlook, determined to return on his own terms while respecting what his mind and body need. Although rumors about a comeback peaked ahead of AEW’s Double or Nothing event—especially as Gabe Kidd’s storyline gained traction—Kingston chose not to rush the process. Completing pending business arrangements and ensuring medical sign-offs remain priorities for the wrestler.
This approach reflects a working relationship with AEW in which recovery and readiness take precedence over storyline expectations. As Tony Khan, AEW CEO, continues to make major decisions behind the scenes—such as ending the 14-year ban on Beast Mortos—Kingston’s own journey stands as a reminder that not every comeback is simple or straightforward. His case highlights how real-life events, injuries, and mental health battles can shift plans for even the most experienced performers.
Kingston’s comments about his recovery and mental health struggles have resonated with fans and fellow wrestlers alike, opening conversations throughout the wrestling community about vulnerability, loss of confidence, and the unpredictable ways that both the body and mind can heal. As Kingston continues to train and address the business aspects of his return, both AEW and the broader wrestling world are watching for his next move.
For Eddie Kingston, the fight to come back is not just about physical readiness but also breaking through doubt and regaining his place among his peers. Whether he eventually steps through the ropes for AEW or another major platform, his open discussion of recovery and mental health sets a precedent for how wrestling stars approach adversity, showing that strength also means acknowledging one’s own struggles and taking the time needed to heal completely.
