Adam Cole has made his return. During the January 11 episode of “AEW Dynamite,” Cole surprised fans by coming back after a six-month absence due to a severe concussion at the AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling event Forbidden Door.
Following a brief introduction by Tony Schiavone, Cole stepped into the ring to share some news. Expressing deep appreciation for the fan support during his recovery, Cole shared how it rekindled his love for wrestling. He then delivered some concerning news for the AEW roster: he is ready to compete again.
Before the Forbidden Door pay-per-view in June, Cole was already dealing with a torn labrum. During his four-way match against “Hangman” Adam Page, Kazuchika Okada, and Jay White, he suffered a concussion that abruptly ended the bout. Since then, Cole has been undergoing physical therapy for his shoulder injury instead of opting for surgery.
The concussion was the main reason for Cole’s prolonged recovery, with some speculating that he might never return to the ring, as discussed on “Wrestling Observer Radio” in October.
Following the Forbidden Door event, AEW CEO Tony Khan emphasized that Cole would not return until he was completely healed. Prior to his injury, Cole had been a remarkable presence on AEW shows since his surprise debut at the All Out pay-per-view in September 2021.