AEW president Tony Khan was reportedly rattled by Adam Cole’s unexpected withdrawal from AEW All In 2025, held in Texas. The incident unfolded just before the event’s Zero Hour show, forcing Cole to vacate the AEW TNT Championship due to undisclosed health reasons and abruptly altering the pay-per-view lineup.
Unexpected Health Issue Forces Adam Cole Out of AEW All In
During AEW All In Texas Zero Hour, fans were informed that Adam Cole, known as the Panama City Playboy, would no longer compete at the event. Cole was scheduled to defend his TNT Championship against Kyle Fletcher but had to relinquish the title following a sudden health concern. Details about the issue were not disclosed, but it was serious enough to prevent Cole from participating.
Veteran wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer discussed the last-minute change on Wrestling Observer Radio, emphasizing how unexpected the situation was. Meltzer noted that no signs of trouble were reported until Friday night, just a day before the event. He described how the incident affected both Cole and Khan, suggesting it was alarming to those involved.
“Tony’s reaction, as best I could tell, was—he was really shaken up. And Adam was shaken up. You could tell from the interview. I think what he said was that he doesn’t want to make a rash decision or anything, but it was a scary situation,” he said. —Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Journalist
Adam Cole’s Emotional Message to Fans Following His Withdrawal
After the announcement of his removal from AEW All In due to health issues, speculation about Adam Cole’s future in wrestling began to spread online. Fans and commentators questioned whether he might retire from in-ring competition. In response, Cole published a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing gratitude to his supporters during both difficult and joyous times.
“Thank you all so much. Your support in not only the good times but [also] the bad times means more than I could ever explain. I love you all. Always,” he wrote. —Adam Cole, Professional Wrestler
At the event, Cole also addressed the crowd in an emotional speech prior to a replacement four-way match for the vacated TNT Championship. The 36-year-old implied that this could be his last time speaking to fans as a professional wrestler, further fueling retirement rumors.
Implications of the Sudden Change on AEW All In’s Landscape
The sudden withdrawal of Adam Cole and the vacancy of the TNT Championship disrupted AEW All In’s planned match card, forcing changes that affected wrestlers and fans alike. Tony Khan’s visible distress highlighted the seriousness of the situation, showing how unforeseen challenges can impact event management at the highest level.
Going forward, the outcome of this incident remains uncertain for both Cole’s career and AEW’s championship scene. Fans are left watching closely as the company navigates the fallout from one of its top stars’ unexpected health concerns at a major event in Texas.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Tony Khan a billionaire?
A. Forbes states that Shahid Khan, Tony Khan’s father, is worth over $12 billion. Tony Khan’s exact wealth isn’t publicly known, but he’s estimated to be worth about $1.5 billion due to his ownership of AEW.
