Backstage Report On How Wardlow Injury Affected Creative Plans For AEW All Out 2025

After Kazuchika Okada retained the AEW Unified Title over Swerve Strickland at AEW Forbidden Door, Wardlow surprisingly returned from injury after the match and brutally attacked Strickland and his manager Prince Nana. However, just two weeks after the event, it was revealed that Wardlow had suffered another injury upon his return, as he tore his pectoral muscle while delivering a lariat on Prince Nana. Following the news, reports have been circulating regarding Wardlow's creative plans after Forbidden Door, and it seems as though he was going to be positioned in the main event scene.

According to Fightful Select, Wardlow was set to immediately become involved with "Hangman" Adam Page, including challenging him for the AEW World Championship. Fightful initially claimed Wardlow was Page's original opponent for AEW All Out on September 20, but has since been corrected by AEW sources, who maintain that Page vs. TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher was always the plan for All Out. However, as a new member of the Don Callis Family, Wardlow was supposedly meant to work closely with Fletcher heading into the match and be featured in the storyline, eventually being built up for a title match with Page down the road. For those hoping for a Fletcher victory at All Out, this report seems to negate that possibility.

Wardlow is reportedly expected to be out of action long-term, with many in the promotion devastated that he will be unable to compete after being already sidelined for over a year. Fightful mentioned that Wardlow's injury was a heavy point of conversation at MJF's recent wedding.