Eddie Kingston, one of the most passionate and respected wrestlers in AEW, recently opened up about his ongoing recovery from a serious leg injury and his hopes for returning in time for the highly anticipated AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event in London this August. In an in-depth interview with Cezar Bononi, “The Mad King” reflected on missing his favorite pay-per-view for the second year in a row and revealed the Japanese stars he dreams of facing once he’s back in the ring[1][4][5].
Kingston has been sidelined since May 2024 after sustaining a devastating injury against Gabe Kidd at NJPW STRONG Resurgence, which resulted in a broken leg and torn meniscus and ACL. Following surgery in July 2024, his road to recovery has been slow and challenging, causing him to miss last year’s Forbidden Door event and casting doubt over his availability for this year’s show scheduled for August 24 at London’s O2 Arena[1][3][5].
During the candid conversation, Kingston expressed clear disappointment about potentially missing Forbidden Door again:
“I am disappointed that it looks like, I’m just saying it now, it looks like I’m not going to be able to do Forbidden Door again,” Kingston admitted. “Everybody else has their favorites… and my favorite was always Forbidden Door. It’s shit I like to do. That’s the shit I like.”[1][4][5]
The AEW star’s passion for Forbidden Door stems largely from the opportunity to work with top Japanese talent. Kingston named several NJPW wrestlers he has his eyes on, emphasizing his deep respect for the Japanese wrestling scene:
“The Japanese dudes are my dudes. I wanted to fight Shingo Takagi or Yuya Uemura, which is one of the young lions they got there that’s coming up in the game. I would love to fight Shota Umino. There’s so many. Taichi. I would love to fight Taichi because he was trained by Kawada.” He also referenced his historic connection to Toshiaki Kawada, a legendary Japanese wrestler, highlighting the meaningfulness of such matchups for him[1][4][5].
Despite these setbacks, Kingston remains hopeful about making a surprise return at Forbidden Door:
“Hopefully, this comes out and I’m wrong and I’m actually at Forbidden Door fighting somebody,” he said optimistically during the interview with Bononi[1][4].
Kingston’s comeback journey has been documented in recent months, showing him steadily progressing through rehab and returning to in-ring training. He has been working closely with Bononi on his fitness and recovery, sharing glimpses of his training and wrestling ring readiness on social media. On Instagram, Kingston posted a succinct, yet powerful message simply saying “F***ing ring,” signaling his eagerness to get back in action after months away[3].
Sources close to Kingston reveal that while his recovery is ongoing, the leg injury’s severity has slowed the process considerably more than initially expected. His absence has sparked serious discussions backstage about his future in professional wrestling, including speculative conversations regarding retirement. However, Eddie remains focused on making a return when his body finally allows[3][4].
AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door is a special crossover event that has quickly become a favorite among fans and wrestlers alike since its inception in 2022. Kingston’s personal attachment to this event is well-known, given his high-profile matches with NJPW talent like Shota Umino in previous Forbidden Door shows. Missing out on Forbidden Door not just once, but potentially two years running, is a significant disappointment for him[1][5].
The event scheduled for August 24, 2025, at the O2 Arena in London, UK, will be broadcast live on pay-per-view, featuring a stacked card of AEW’s best facing off against NJPW’s elite stars. Kingston’s fans widely hope to see him back competing alongside or against the very Japanese wrestlers he mentioned in the interview[1][2].
Fightful and other wrestling news platforms have highlighted that Kingston remains a highly marketable and beloved figure in AEW with a loyal fan base eager for his return. His ability to mix raw emotion with technical skill in the ring makes him a unique attraction. As such, his injury and prolonged absence are keenly felt within the AEW community[4].
According to WWE.com and numerous wrestling podcasts covering the crossover scene, Forbidden Door continues to be one of the most influential events bridging American and Japanese wrestling promotions. Kingston’s remarks add emotional weight to the event, underlining the personal stakes wrestlers have beyond their on-screen performances.
In summary, Eddie Kingston’s recovery update offers a bittersweet outlook for fans anticipating his return. While he may miss this year’s Forbidden Door event, his ongoing rehabilitation and unmistakable desire to compete again inspire hope. With his love for the Forbidden Door series, and deep admiration for NJPW talents like Shingo Takagi, Taichi, and Umino, Kingston is undoubtedly aiming to make a triumphant comeback on one of wrestling’s grandest international stages. As one WWE insider remarked, “Eddie’s passion and heart will drive him back to the ring—whenever his body says it’s ready”[1][3][4].
Fans should continue to monitor Kingston’s official social channels and Cezar Bononi’s YouTube updates for the latest on The Mad King’s journey from injury back to impact. For now, all eyes remain on Forbidden Door 2025 and the hope that in this electric atmosphere, Eddie Kingston will once again showcase why he is one of wrestling’s most compelling figures.