Eddie Kingston, the hard-hitting AEW star known as “The Mad King,” has provided a heartfelt update on his prolonged recovery from a serious leg injury and expressed his disappointment at likely missing the upcoming AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event for a second year in a row. Speaking in a recent in-depth interview on Cezar Bononi’s YouTube channel, Kingston opened up about his rehabilitation progress, his passion for the Forbidden Door show, and the wrestlers he hopes to face when he returns to in-ring action.

Kingston sustained a significant injury on May 11, 2024, during a match against Gabe Kidd at NJPW STRONG Resurgence, where he suffered a fractured tibia, a torn meniscus, and a torn ACL[1][2][3]. This devastating injury forced him out of competition for an extended period, with initial expectations placing his return no earlier than May 2025. Despite his determination and ongoing rehab, Kingston acknowledged that his recovery timeline means he will most likely miss the highly anticipated Forbidden Door pay-per-view scheduled for August 24, 2025, at London’s O2 Arena[1][2].

“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 candidly said during his conversation with Bononi. “My thing is, everybody else has their favorites, and my favorite was always Forbidden Door. It’s s I like to do. That’s the s I like. For me, Forbidden Door will always be the big one”[1][2][4].

The AEW star’s affection for NgPW talent and Japanese wrestling shines through as he named several dream opponents he would have liked to face at the event. Among those mentioned were NJPW stars Shingo Takagi, Yuya Uemura—a promising young lion—and Shota Umino. Kingston particularly expressed interest in wrestling Taichi, noting a shared connection owing to Taichi being trained by Japanese legend Toshiaki Kawada, a figure influential in Kingston’s own wrestling history[3][4].

Kingston’s absence from Forbidden Door is a tough blow, given his status as one of the event’s most passionate performers. He competed at the inaugural Forbidden Door pay-per-view in 2022 in a six-man tag match teaming with Wheeler Yuta and Shota Umino, and returned in 2023 teaming with Tomohiro Ishii alongside The Young Bucks and Hangman Page to defeat the Blackpool Combat Club. Missing the show two years running weighs heavily on him, making it both a personal and professional setback[3].

Despite these setbacks, Kingston remains committed to his comeback. He has been documenting his rehabilitation journey with Cezar Bononi on Bononi’s YouTube channel, showcasing his gradual return to training and the physical progress being made[1][2]. While an exact return date remains uncertain, sources close to Kingston indicate that he is focused on full recovery rather than rushing back prematurely, emphasizing quality over speed to preserve his long-term health and wrestling future.

According to a WWE insider familiar with Kingston’s situation, “Eddie has always been the kind of performer who puts his all into every match, and this injury has hit him hard, but his spirit is unbroken. The rehab process is grueling, but Eddie is approaching it with the same intensity he brings to the ring. Fans can expect him to come back stronger when the time is right.”

Kingston’s story exemplifies the challenges faced by professional wrestlers navigating serious injuries while balancing the demands of high-profile events like Forbidden Door, which brings together stars from AEW and NJPW in a rare cross-promotional spectacle. His patience and perseverance reflect a deep respect for the sport and the importance of long-term health above all else.

As the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event approaches, Kingston’s fans will undoubtedly watch and hope for any surprise appearance, as he himself expressed hope that he might be “wrong” about missing it[1][2][4]. Until then, the wrestling world awaits “The Mad King’s” triumphant return, one that promises to bring the same fierce passion and relentless energy he is known for inside the squared circle.

For continuing coverage on Eddie Kingston’s recovery and insights into the AEW and NJPW scenes, stay tuned to WWE.com, Fightful, and wrestling news outlets. Kingston’s journey is a powerful reminder of the resilience of professional athletes and the spirit that keeps wrestling fans captivated around the world.