Buddy Matthews Has Received Medical Clearance
The professional wrestler is cleared to return to competition after a lengthy injury-related absence.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Wrestling
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Professional wrestler Buddy Matthews has been officially cleared to return to the ring. He has been absent from AEW programming for approximately 19 months due to an ankle injury.
Why it matters
The clearance of a former AEW World Trios champion signals a potential boost to the promotion's roster depth. His return marks the end of a significant hiatus that began in February 2025.
Buddy Matthews has been sidelined for approximately 19 months following an ankle injury. The wrestler, who turned 38 years old on September 25, 2026, previously held the AEW World Trios title.
The players
Buddy Matthews
He is a professional wrestler who has competed for major promotions including WWE and AEW.
Kazuchika Okada
He is a world-renowned professional wrestler and the opponent in Matthews last match before his injury.
The details
Buddy Matthews announced his medical clearance via an Instagram video following a phone call that confirmed his status. He had not competed since his match against Kazuchika Okada at Grandslam: Australia prior to his long-term injury.
Timeline
Buddy Matthews signed with WWE in 2013.
Buddy Matthews was released from WWE in 2021.
Buddy Matthews joined AEW in 2022.
Buddy Matthews began his injury-related absence in February 2025.
Buddy Matthews turned 38 years old on September 25, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The return of a former champion impacts the competitive balance of the promotion's roster as it navigates a crowded championship landscape. This move provides the promotion with an established veteran to bolster its weekly programming following nearly two years of absences.
His return provides AEW with additional depth for title contention in the tag team or trios divisions. Fantasy wrestling participants should monitor future episode lineups to see if he enters a program with current champions.
The takeaway
Maintaining physical longevity is a constant challenge for athletes competing at the highest level of professional wrestling. Fans can view this return as a testament to the rigorous rehabilitation required for high-impact performers to remain viable in the industry.
Further reading
For more news on the sport, visit our Wrestling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportskeeda.
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