The AEW status of Wardlow has been a hot topic of discussion in the world of wrestling for months now. The 11-year industry veteran has been in line for a massive push on more than one occasion, but various setbacks have prevented a real main event run for the 37-year-old. After recently working on a mainstream project, sources are revealing why Wardlow’s big return is coming soon.
Mr. Mayhem was backstage at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland for Wednesday’s live Dynamite episode. This did not come as a major surprise as Wardlow is from nearby Middlefield, Ohio. The 37-year-old has not wrestled since failing to dethrone then-World Champion Samoa Joe at the Big Business edition of AEW Dynamite on March 13, 2024.
Wardlow reportedly suffered a torn labrum (shoulder injury) in Spring 2024 and was further sidelined with a car accident shortly after. Matt Taven noted last September that his former stablemate had been dealing with a knee injury. Fightful Select reported that sources reiterated that Mr. Mayhem’s car accident did not cause the injury, but did make the existing issue worse.
Tony Khan met with the 37-year-old earlier this year and permitted him to work on the American Gladiators reboot, which was recently filmed in France with World Wrestling Entertainment’s The Miz as host. Wardlow was joined by former WWE star Rick Boogs on the team of male gladiators, plus current OVW and former TNA star Jessie Godderz. AEW’s Kamille and former OVW star Jessica Roden were among the female gladiators featured on the Amazon Prime Video series, releasing sometime in late 2025 or early 2026. The filming reportedly caused issues due to the WWE-AEW rivalry.
Wardlow Getting Closer To AEW Return
Wardlow has been cleared to compete since earlier this year. Fightful Select notes that when Tony Khan gave the three-time TNT Champion permission to film American Gladiators, the feeling was that it wouldn’t make much sense to bring Wardlow back to the storylines, only to take him right back out for filming.
The Man They Call Wardlow has been backstage for numerous All Elite Wrestling events in recent months, including All In, but never planned for a comeback. During his visit to Dynamite in Cleveland this past week, it was revealed that Wardlow signed on for two seasons of American Gladiators, and that the second season was also filmed with the first.
AEW sources claim there have been recent talks on how to bring Wardlow back into the storylines. While another feud with MJF was rumored a few months back, the latest report from within the company notes that no details from the recent discussions were made available.