Wardlow was reportedly backstage at AEW Double or Nothing 2026, which took place tonight in Queens, New York. According to Fightful Select, the former three-time AEW TNT Champion was in attendance at Louis Armstrong Stadium. However, there is still no confirmation that he will appear on the broadcast.
This update comes as Wardlow continues his long road back to in-ring competition. He has not wrestled for AEW since March 2024, when he last competed during his TNT Championship run before stepping away. Since then, his absence has raised questions among fans, especially given his previous position as one of the promotion’s dominant powerhouses.
Recent reports have noted that Wardlow has been present at multiple AEW events while working toward medical clearance. This approach is consistent with how AEW typically reintegrates injured talent. Wrestlers often attend shows and remain active behind the scenes to stay connected with the locker room before making a full return to television.
Wardlow briefly resurfaced at the 2025 AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event in a surprise appearance. Despite the reaction, that moment did not lead to a sustained comeback. Not long after, reports indicated he may have suffered a torn pectoral muscle, further delaying any plans for a full-time return.
In April, Wardlow addressed his condition during an appearance on BCP+. He confirmed the earlier report regarding the pectoral injury. He also revealed that he tore his left bicep ahead of filming the American Gladiator reboot for Amazon Prime. Wardlow explained that he chose not to undergo surgery at the time and instead wore a sleeve during filming to conceal the visible effects of the injury.
As of now, AEW Double or Nothing 2026 features nine matches on the main card, along with three Buy In matches. While Wardlow’s presence backstage is confirmed, it remains unclear if fans will see him make an on-screen return tonight.
The Buy In:
- Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne and Lena Kross, c) vs Zayda Steel and Viva Van in a 5-Minute AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship Eliminator
- The Opps (HOOK, Anthony Bowens, and Katsuyori Shibata) vs Death Riders (Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia, and Claudio Castagnoli)
- Boom & Doom and The Conglomeration vs Shane Taylor Promotions in a 10-Man Tag Team Match
The full AEW Double or Nothing 2026 main card:
- AEW World Championship Title vs Hair Match: Darby Allin (c) vs MJF
- AEW Women’s World Championship: Thekla (c) vs Jamie Hayter vs Kris Statlander vs Hikaru Shida
- AEW World Tag Team Championship I Quit Match: FTR (c) vs Cage and Cope
- AEW International Championship: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs Konosuke Takeshita
- AEW Continental Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs Kyle O’Reilly
- Stadium Stampede: Jericho, The Elite, and The Hurt Syndicate vs The Demand, The Don Callis Family, and The Dogs
- Owen Hart Men’s Tournament Quarterfinal: Will Ospreay vs Samoa Joe
- Owen Hart Men’s Tournament Quarterfinal: Swerve Strickland vs Bandido
- Owen Hart Women’s Tournament Quarterfinal: Athena vs Mina Shirakawa
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