AEW fan-favorite Eddie Kingston has revealed the intense mental and emotional challenges he faced while sidelined with a serious leg injury, candidly admitting that thoughts of retirement crossed his mind during the difficult recovery period. After more than a year out of the ring following a devastating injury in May 2024, Kingston is now back in training and determined to make his in-ring return.
Kingston suffered a broken tibia along with torn ACL and meniscus during his No Rope Last Man Standing match against Gabe Kidd at NJPW Resurgence on May 11, 2024, where he also lost the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship[1][2]. The injury required multiple surgeries and an extended rehabilitation process that kept him off AEW programming for over a year.
In a poignant training video shared with former WWE superstar Cezar Bononi, Kingston opened up about the toll the injury took on his mental health. “I’m sitting in my own sh*t watching AEW and seeing all the great s*t these guys are doing in the ring. Like an emotional btch, sometimes it happens,” he said, explaining how doubt and frustration led to feelings of despair and discussions of retirement[2][3]. Kingston reflected on the spiraling mindset he experienced during physical therapy, stating, “I took my Zoloft and all that. I knew I’d get out of it, but I didn’t want to. I think a lot of people get to that… That’s why the thing came out about me thinking about retirement. I don’t want to f**king retire.”[3]
The former ROH World Champion is known for his authenticity inside and outside the ring, and his openness about mental health struggles has resonated with fans and peers alike. According to sources close to Kingston, while he entertained thoughts about ending his wrestling career briefly, the passion for the sport and desire to continue pushed him through the darkest moments[3]. “Kingston’s determination to come back is stronger than ever. He knows the timing wasn’t right last year but plans to be a major player once he’s cleared,” said a WWE insider familiar with his situation.
Despite the physical and mental hurdles, Kingston recently resumed in-ring training, signaling an encouraging step toward a full return. In late June 2025, he posted a candid video documenting his intense rehab process, captioning it, “I tried to find some ‘motivational’ quote, but let’s be real, s**t sucked and I hate doing it, but it has to be done.”[1][4] In early August, he posted a photo on Instagram showing himself training inside a wrestling ring, captioned simply, “F***ing ring,” highlighting the renewed fire within him[4].
Kingston’s injury marked a significant turning point in his career trajectory as he had previously held multiple titles simultaneously, including the ROH World, Continental, and NJPW Strong Championships in 2023. He lost the Continental title to Kazuchika Okada, the ROH World title to Mark Briscoe, and finally his NJPW Strong title to Gabe Kidd during the injury match, marking a challenging period of setbacks before his hiatus[1].
Fans have eagerly anticipated Kingston’s return given his impactful presence and natural charisma. In 2024, he made a memorable off-ring appearance in AEW programming via a video package promoting Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland at AEW All In, keeping his connection with the AEW Universe alive during his absence[4]. However, due to the injury timeline, Kingston was unable to participate in that event or any AEW storylines leading up to it.
Sources confirm that AEW and its creative team remain fully supportive of Kingston’s return plans. An insider noted, “Eddie is hugely respected backstage. Everyone wants to see him back at full strength because he brings an unmatched energy and raw realism to his matches.” The same source added that Kingston’s experience and mental resilience will likely position him as a veteran leader when he returns, helping to elevate younger talent and bring fresh intensity to AEW programming.
While no official timeline for Kingston’s full clearance or in-ring comeback has been announced, wrestling news outlets and Kingston himself have kept morale positive, emphasizing steady progress. His vulnerability in discussing mental health has been praised as an important moment in wrestling culture, encouraging conversations around the pressures athletes face while recovering from serious injuries.
In summary, Eddie Kingston’s comeback story is one of courage, introspection, and perseverance. From the depths of injury-related depression and contemplation of early retirement, Kingston has rekindled his fighting spirit and is preparing to return to the squared circle stronger than ever. WWE.com, Fightful, and multiple podcasts have highlighted the emotional resilience Kingston has demonstrated, heralding him as a symbol of determination in professional wrestling[2][3][4].
As fans await his eventual return, Kingston’s honesty serves as a powerful reminder of the mental battles wrestlers face behind the scenes, making his road to recovery both inspiring and relatable.
Keywords: Eddie Kingston injury update, AEW Eddie Kingston comeback, Eddie Kingston retirement thoughts, AEW wrestler mental health, Eddie Kingston leg injury, NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, AEW training update