Folks, Adam Cole—Bay Bay—is still off the ring, nursing an ankle injury that might as well have a lifetime membership in AEW’s most frustrating storylines. Cole was in the midst of a red-hot angle with MJF when he broke his ankle in an awkward, freak accident last October. Fast forward to today, and we’ve got an update—though it’s more of a tease than a full-blown reveal, because of course, why make things simple?
The Update: Walking, But No Return Just Yet
The latest “Wrestling Observer” newsletter gives us some breadcrumbs to follow. Apparently, Cole was backstage at All Out 2024 on September 7 in Chicago, walking around like everything was fine. No limp, no visible distress—just good ol’ Adam Cole, likely teasing everyone with his presence. Yet, despite his mobility, no one, including Dave Meltzer (who knows everything down to the number of flips in a Young Bucks match), has a return date for him.
Now, you’d think walking around fine would be a sign Cole’s ready to hit the ring and drop a Panama Sunrise, but Tony Khan seems to be playing it safe. And honestly? That’s probably the right call. Ankle injuries are no joke, folks. Just ask Chuck Taylor, who might never wrestle again thanks to a similar ankle disaster. Or Mercedes Mone, who, luckily, managed to bounce back from hers. Ankles have ended careers, and Tony Khan’s not about to risk rushing a star like Cole back before he’s 100%.
How Did It Happen?
Let’s revisit the moment that put Cole on the injured list. It wasn’t even in a match! Cole, in full bromance mode with MJF, was ringside during MJF’s AEW World Championship defense against Samoa Joe at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam. He rushed out to offer his moral support, but what should have been a simple leap from the ramp turned into a catastrophe, as Cole snapped his ankle in multiple places. Talk about bad timing—and not just for the angle! The injury sidelined the reigning ROH World Tag Team Champions, who had been on the verge of a storyline breakup (aren’t they all?).
Final Thoughts?
So where does that leave us? Adam Cole’s walking around just fine backstage but don’t expect him to rush back into the ring anytime soon. Tony Khan seems intent on taking it slow, which is understandable given how tricky ankle injuries can be. But rest assured, once Cole does make his return, the pop will be huge—and you know MJF is waiting to jump right back into that bromantic chaos.