Will Ospreay Expected to Return to AEW in Early 2026

Will Ospreay Expected to Return to AEW in Early 2026 – Will Ospreay is reportedly on pace to make his AEW return in early 2026 after undergoing neck surgery earlier this year. The AEW star had the procedure in mid-September to repair two herniated discs that had affected him for several months.

On Saturday, the Body Alignment Clinic in the United Kingdom provided an update on Ospreay’s recovery, confirming that he is “doing great” six weeks after surgery. The post included a photo of Ospreay’s surgical scars and featured the caption, “Jan 2026 🚀,” suggesting a possible timeline for his in-ring return.

The clinic’s statement read, “@aew Allstar @willospreay 6 weeks post op and doing great! Still some way to go with but we’re on the right road. Jan 2026 🚀 🚨Don’t Try This At Home!”

Ospreay had been competing with neck issues for months prior to his match against The Death Riders at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on August 24. Following that bout, an injury angle was aired to officially write him off television.

The September procedure marked the first surgery of the 32-year-old’s career. Before going under the knife, Ospreay admitted during an interview with CBS Sports that he was uneasy about the situation. “I’m anxious. I’m scared. Generally, I’m terrified,” Ospreay said. “Not about the match, but just about afterwards. I don’t know what it looks like afterwards, because for the first time in my life, I have been disqualified from doing the thing that I love doing.”

While Ospreay still faces several months of rehabilitation, the latest update indicates that his recovery is progressing well and that a January 2026 return to AEW competition remains a realistic goal.