The saga of Adam Cole’s battle with a shattered ankle might just be nearing its end, as the AEW star inches closer to a return that fans have been eagerly awaiting. Cole, who suffered a multi-fracture ankle injury during “Dynamite: Grand Slam” last September while rushing to the aid of then-ally MJF, has been off the grid for much of his recovery. But now, there’s a glimmer of hope that “Bay Bay” could soon be back in the ring.
Cole’s injury, which required surgery, sidelined him at a pivotal time in his career, right when he and MJF were the ROH World Tag Team Champions. Despite being temporarily benched, Cole made a brief appearance at Double or Nothing in May, where he had a tense encounter with a returning MJF. This appearance hinted at the unfinished business between the two, especially after MJF’s recent descent back into heel territory.
The latest buzz from backstage at AEW’s August 14 edition of “Dynamite” suggests that Cole’s recovery is progressing well. According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, Cole was spotted backstage, a promising sign that he might be gearing up for his return to training as early as next week. While there’s still no official word on when Cole will be ready to lace up his boots and get back into action, the backstage chatter is definitely optimistic.
Cole hasn’t wrestled since his last match at All Out 2023, where he and MJF successfully defended the ROH tag titles against The Dark Order’s Alex Reynolds and John Silver. Before his former tag partner’s dramatic return at Double or Nothing, Cole vowed to the crowd that once his ankle was healed, he would “give the devil his due,” a clear warning to MJF. AEW President Tony Khan, who provided an update in July, confirmed that Cole was on the mend but was unable to provide a concrete timeline for his return.
As Cole edges closer to making a comeback, fans are left to wonder what kind of impact the former NXT Champion will have once he’s back in the ring. Will he pick up where he left off with MJF, or will a new chapter begin for the “Panama City Playboy”? One thing’s for sure: the AEW landscape is set for a major shake-up when Adam Cole finally returns.