How Wardlow Really Got Injured Minutes After AEW Return, Could Miss 6-8 Months

Written by Marc Middleton • Published Sep 09, 2025 11:03 EDT
Wardlow attack security at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025

Wardlow returned on AEW television, but unfortunately, he got injured once again. The three-time TNT Champion spent more than a year away from the company, but his surprise return at Forbidden Door ended with a devastating development that is beginning to unfold this week.

Mr. Mayhem attacked Prince Nana and Swerve Strickland at the fourth annual AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door PPV on August 24 in London, as Kazuchika Okada was punishing Strickland after retaining the Unified Championship in their second-ever singles bout. He then joined The Don Callis Family. Wardlow had been out with shoulder and knee injuries, which were exacerbated by a significant car wreck during his hiatus.

Wardlow was medically cleared to compete earlier this year, but Tony Khan gave him permission to travel to France to film two seasons of the American Gladiators reboot set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video later this year or in early 2026. After returning, fans began to express concerns when Wardlow did not wrestle with The Don Callis Family on the post-Forbidden Door Dynamite, and then was not with the heel faction on the following Dynamite and Collision tapings.

Sources revealed this week that Wardlow had suffered a torn pectoral muscle at Forbidden Door. There has been early talk of keeping him on TV in some sort of ‘enforcer’ role, but that has not been confirmed. The 37-year-old was poised for a big push upon returning, but this is not the first time he has had a main event push derailed by unfortunate events.

AEW Plans Nixed With Wardlow Back On The Injured List

Wardlow did get physical with Prince Nana, Swerve Strickland, and security in his return at Forbidden Door, but the angle was brief. Despite the limited interactions and the fact that the Ohio native just spent months filming American Gladiators, the three-time AEW TNT Champion did suffer a torn pectoral muscle at the PPV.

Mr. Mayhem could spend another 6-8 months on the shelf, depending on the severity of the tear. It was noted on Wrestling Observer Radio how multiple sources were reporting that the injury was a torn pec, but there’s no word yet on the severity, and if this is a full or partial tear.

Wardlow is expected to be out for a while, but that will depend on the severity and the need for surgery. This is another devastating setback for the fan-favorite as AEW officials did have significant plans for Wardlow in The Don Callis Family.

Wardlow last wrestled on March 13, 2024. The first match on the Big Business edition of AEW Dynamite saw the heavyweight fail to dethrone then-World Champion Samoa Joe in just over 11 minutes via referee’s decision due to the injury.