Report: Backstage Note On Adam Cole's AEW Return

Adam Cole made his return to AEW on Wednesday to emphatically declare that he is back, seemingly turning face in the process.

The road back for Cole was long and gruelling, with some in AEW reportedly believing the multi-time ROH World Champion would have to retire due to back-to-back concussions that kept him out of action since June 2022.

Per a report from Fightful Select, Cole’s return was apparently a shock to many in AEW on Wednesday, with Excalibur’s line on comms about the Cole segment being marked on their call sheets as ‘TBD’ allegedly legit, with the report also indicating that many backstage were unaware of Cole’s return until he walked through the curtain.

Cole was on the shelf for over six months, last wrestling in a four-way for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Forbidden Door in June 2022. During his return promo on January 11, Cole detailed his time away dealing with the effects of concussions, as well as healing up a shoulder injury.