Wrestlers battle during a tag team battle royal during AEW Dynamite at Footprint Center. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

AEW fan favorite sidelined for up to a year with leg, knee injury

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 5/23/24

Eddie Kingston could be out of action for the next 12 months. He suffered a fractured tibia, torn ACL and torn meniscus while appearing at New Japan Pro Wrestling's 'Resurgence' on May 11.

Kingston smashed his leg on the guardrail while being suplexed through a table by Gabe Kidd.

PWInsider is reporting that the AEW star could be out until 2025.

"AEW's Eddie Kingston met with surgeons [Wednesday] and due to the nature of his injuries, will likely not go under the knife to repair his ACL and meniscus tears until this July, at the earliest," Mike Johnson reported. "Kingston relayed to PWInsider.com that he's been advised that he'll initially have to wait for his tibular fracture to heal and do some physical therapy before surgeons can then focus on his knee. He's been advised it will likely be 10 months before he'll be able to return to the ring. That would place his comeback, if there are no changes to the expected timeline, at May 2025."

Kingston entered 2024 as a Triple Crown champion. That means he held the AEW Continental Championship, the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship and the Ring Of Honor World Heavyweight Championship.

He was poised for a massive year. His current storyline positioned him to represent Team AEW when they take on The Elite at AEW "Double or Nothing" on Sunday. Darby Allin has since returned from his own injury to fill in for Kingston.

Nevertheless, Kingston's injury is a big blow for AEW. The company is already operating without some of its top stars. Adam Cole has been sidelined since breaking his ankle in September 2023. MJF hasn't been seen since he dropped his AEW title to Samoa Joe at "Worlds End" in December. Kenny Omega is out indefinitely while he battles diverticulitis and Chuck Taylor's recent broken ankle could end his career.

Injuries are part and parcel of professional wrestling. However, AEW continues to lose some of its biggest names to long-term issues. Tony Khan will undoubtedly be hoping for a period of health for his roster, especially once the likes of MJF and Cole return to our television screens.

Kingston himself will be a big loss. His on-screen personality is infectious and provides something different from the usual concept of a professional wrestler. He's gritty, he's street savvy and, most importantly, he's relatable.

While Kingston recovers from his latest setback, other AEW talent will be able to step up. It will be interesting to see how Khan and the company's creative department pivot and who they look to push in the coming months.

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