Jamie Hayter: ‘I finally feel like myself again’ eight months after AEW return

Jamie Hayter says she’s just now finding herself again, eight and a half months after returning from a serious injury.

The former AEW Women’s World Champion was out from May 2023 to August 2024 after suffering two herniated discs in her back. In a recent interview with Justin Barrasso, Hayter said she struggled with confidence after returning.

“It was an incredibly difficult time,” Hayter said of the 15 months she missed. “I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. The only thing I could do for long periods of time was sit on my stomach.”

“When I got hurt, I didn’t know what it was. I was still training and wrestling at first. After a while, I couldn’t stand up straight. I was in excruciating pain. I couldn’t even get out of bed for PT.”

“Wrestling would always be on the back of my mind, but I needed to focus on my every day and focus on me. I was going to need surgery, but then the pain massively subsided. Weirdly, I’m now glad it happened. Personally, on the inside, I feel a million times better.”

“The injury, it rattled my whole world,” she continued. “I truly didn’t know how long I was going to be out or if I could even come back to wrestling. Even after I came back, I didn’t feel right. I don’t mean physically. It’s just the injury spooked me, it affected my confidence. I’ve been back for eight months, and now I’m finally starting to feel like myself again. When I’m in the ring, I know who I am again.”

Hayter also addressed her new look since returning, noting that her fashion is inspired by 1960s and 70s rock bands, particularly The Doors.

“I know it was jarring at first because I looked so different–but this is me,” said Hayter. “I’m bringing myself more into my wrestling. My favorite band is The Doors. When I was hurt, listening to their music would cheer me up and get me pumped. I’m really into 60s, 70s psychedelic rock. I love Kate Bush. Music makes me feel good. This is like a new album in my career. I like the whole counterculture movement, and I draw a lot of inspiration from that. We’ll see if it’s everyone’s cup of tea.”