Buddy Matthews is finally on the other side of a long and difficult recovery. After months of rehabilitation stemming from a severe ankle injury, the AEW star has confirmed that he has been medically cleared to compete again, marking the end of a journey that began nearly a year and a half ago.
Matthews has been sidelined since February 15, 2025, when he suffered the injury during his Continental Championship match against Kazuchika Okada at AEW Grand Slam: Australia. The damage required surgery and led to nerve issues, numbness and an extended rehab process that kept him out of the ring far longer than expected.
Matthews Shares Behind‑the‑Scenes Look at His Final Clearance
On August 6, Matthews posted a video on Instagram documenting the last steps of his comeback. The footage showed the medical evaluations he underwent, the rehab work he pushed through and the physical and mental hurdles that defined his recovery. The video framed medical clearance as the final barrier between Matthews and a return to competition.
In the caption, Matthews reflected on the process and dedicated the message to anyone who has faced similar setbacks.
“Before stepping back into the ring, there was one final hurdle. After suffering a serious ankle injury at AEW Grand Slam: Australia, Buddy Matthews begins the final stage of his comeback—getting medically cleared to compete again. This video follows the process behind the scenes, from medical evaluations and rehabilitation to the moment he receives the news every athlete waits to hear. It’s a look at the physical and mental challenges of returning from injury, and what it takes to get back to doing what you love. If you’ve ever faced setbacks, injuries, or doubted whether you’d make it back, this one’s for you.”
Matthews’ update signals that his lengthy recovery is officially complete, opening the door for his return to AEW programming after more than a year away from the ring.
RELATED: Buddy Matthews Teases AEW Return After Injury Clearance
WA on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wrestlingattitude/
WA on Facebook (Women's Wrestling) - https://www.facebook.com/WrestlingDivas/
WA on X/Twitter - https://x.com/wa_wrestling
WA on Instagram (Women's Wrestling) - https://www.instagram.com/wa_wrestlingattitude/
WA on Google News - https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMJf3owsw2oG8Aw
WA on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlingattitude.bsky.social
