Eddie Kingston made a powerful return to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) at the All Out 2025 event, marking the end of a 15-month hiatus with an emotionally charged performance. His comeback not only highlighted his resilience but also emphasized the essential support he received from fellow wrestlers Ortiz and HOOK during his challenging downtime.
The Road Back: Kingston’s Journey Through Struggles
<pKingston recently opened up about his difficult mental state roughly a month before his return, revealing how the encouragement from friends helped reignite his passion for wrestling. He described receiving two critical phone calls, one from Ortiz and another from HOOK, that motivated him to push forward.
Reflecting on that moment, Kingston said,
“So about what, a month ago I’d say — I think a month ago — things weren’t really going too great on a mental level. I’m not gonna get too deep into it, you know what I mean? Not now. I got one phone- well, two phone calls. I can’t forget Ortiz, you know what I mean? My man monkey, I can’t lie about that, you know what I’m saying? But the second phone call I got was from you, from HOOK, and now, you know what I mean, my man don’t talk a lot. You know, you didn’t talk a lot on the phone that day. You just said ‘what are you’re doing?’ And for some reason, I just spilt my guts out to you, and all you said back to me is, ‘so what you gonna do about it?’ I remember hanging up the phone. I remember, man, let me get up and go. I went out, ran. It’s about 3 o’clock in the morning. I went out and ran. Came back home. Went to the gym in the garage. Started working out again. Started watching All Japan again. Started seeing Kawada and everybody all over again. Then more and more and more and more of the feeling of the love for this sport came back.”
Eddie Kingston, AEW Wrestler
Kingston’s routine of late-night runs, training in his garage gym, and revisiting classic All Japan wrestling fueled his renewed dedication. He credited this process with helping him reclaim his love for the sport during a low point in his life.
Kingston’s Return Match and Its Impact
At AEW All Out 2025, Kingston faced Big Bill, a significant moment that showcased his grit and determination to reclaim his position in the ring. Despite the intensity of the showdown, Kingston expressed no personal animosity towards Bill, stating that the match was simply part of his job.
He further commented,
“I don’t hate Bill. It’s not that I don’t like Bill. Bill called me out. I had to do my job. I won. Then your boy (Bryan) Keith comes out. Hey, thank you for doing that. Thank you. Thank you. Look who came. Look who came to help me, man. Let’s be real. I know why you’re mad. I get it. I’m the first guy that’s better looking than you. You got it, right? Bro, come on. The eyebrows and everything. You can’t play with me, dog. Look, this is real. Just like what I speak and say to you guys is real. 15 months was a long, hard journey and without people like HOOK, without people like Ortiz, without people like my mentor Homicide, and others, I’m not going to mention all of y’all because, you know. But without them, I wouldn’t be here today. I wouldn’t be here still fighting, still living the dream of a nine year old kid from Yonkers, New York. But now, here’s the other problem for everyone else. I got this man with me now. My dude Youngblood’s ready to go. Youngblood is ready to go. Queens, Yakuza, 730 type sh*t right here, baby. Everyone is in trouble.”
Eddie Kingston, AEW Wrestler
This statement not only underscored Kingston’s toughness but also introduced his alliance with Youngblood, signaling upcoming rivalries and new dynamics in AEW’s storylines. Kingston’s mention of his roots and the people who supported him accentuates the personal nature of his comeback.
The Role of HOOK and Ortiz in Kingston’s Revival
The presence of HOOK and Ortiz was pivotal during Kingston’s return process. Their support provided him with the strength to overcome his struggles and reengage with professional wrestling at a high level.
AEW itself highlighted this relationship, sharing,
“Fifteen months was a long, hard journey. And without people like HOOK … I wouldn’t be here today, still fighting.”
All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
This sentiment mirrored Kingston’s words and illuminated how camaraderie within AEW continues to play a crucial role behind the scenes.
Recent Developments in AEW: Additional Updates
Along with Kingston’s return, other AEW stars are also making significant moves. Orange Cassidy is reportedly set to return to AEW Dynamite this week, after recovering from a torn pectoral injury. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio confirmed Cassidy’s medical clearance weeks prior, suggesting he will compete in an upcoming six-man tag team match against members of the Don Callis Family.
This will be Cassidy’s first appearance since a March match for the AEW International Championship, marking a notable comeback in his own right. The intertwining of these returns injects fresh energy into AEW’s evolving narratives.
Potential Expansions Within The Hurt Syndicate
While Kingston’s comeback dominates attention, other AEW storylines are moving forward, such as the possibility of expanding The Hurt Syndicate. MVP recently addressed rumors about adding a new member to the faction, including the prospect of introducing a female wrestler to the group.
Regarding this, MVP stated,
“Of course it’s possible. It’s always possible. We have said for a long time that’d we’d be interested in adding a fourth member, a younger member, kinda’ like how Cedric was. I don’t know currently what his status currently is.”
MVP, AEW Star
He further clarified the conversation about adding a woman:
“I know somebody reported recently that ‘there are talks about adding a fourth member to the Hurt Syndicate.’ News to me. I guess what is misleading about that ‘news’ is that we’re always interested in potentially adding a new member. In the past, we’ve had talks about adding a woman to the group. With professional wrestling, like everything in life, it comes down to timing. It’s all timing. Is it the right person at the right time to what the bigger picture is? There hasn’t been any definitive discussion recently where, ‘Okay, let’s call a meeting.’ It’s always a conversation that we’re open to. There are some people that we like, like yeah man, he or she would be pretty cool. It all comes down to timing and that’s life as well as the nature of the business.”
MVP, AEW Star
This openness to expansion leaves fans anticipating new developments and possible surprises in AEW’s faction storylines.
Addressing False Rumors and Nicknames
MVP also squashed circulating rumors about AEW President Tony Khan being referred to by a “Snowman” nickname within the group, dismissing the claim confidently.
He remarked,
“Not us. I don’t know where that came from, I don’t know who put that out there. The only snowman I know is Jeezy. That’s not anything I’ve ever called him or I haven’t heard that.”
MVP, AEW Star
This denial clarifies misinformation and reflects the group’s focus on their internal narrative rather than outside speculation.
Looking Ahead: The Significance of Eddie Kingston’s AEW Comeback
Kingston’s return signals a fresh chapter not only for his career but for AEW’s ongoing storytelling. His resilience and the support network around him exemplify the often unseen personal battles athletes face, framing his comeback as both inspiring and pivotal.
As Kingston partners with Youngblood and gears up for future storytelling arcs, AEW fans can expect intense matchups and evolving character dynamics that will maintain the company’s dramatic momentum. The integration of returning stars like Orange Cassidy alongside expanding factions such as The Hurt Syndicate further enriches the competitive landscape.
Overall, Eddie Kingston’s AEW comeback stands as a testament to perseverance and camaraderie, setting the stage for dramatic developments in the wrestling world ahead.
"Fifteen months was a long, hard journey. And without people like HOOK … I wouldn't be here today, still fighting."
Eddie Kingston opens up on how his alliance with fellow New York native @730hook came to be.#AEWAllOut pic.twitter.com/des3STkLHx
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 22, 2025
