Eddie Kingston Reveals The Truth About His Health After Grueling Recovery

Eddie Kingston is back in the mix in All Elite Wrestling, but the “Mad King” admits that his body is still adjusting to the rigors of the ring after a lengthy layoff. Kingston was sidelined from May 2024 until September 2025 due to a devastating combination of injuries—a fractured tibia, a torn ACL, and a torn meniscus—that required extensive surgery and rehabilitation. Since his return, he has jumped straight back into the deep end, including a high-profile AEW World Championship match against Samoa Joe at Winter is Coming in December.

In a recent interview with Jeremy Lambert and Joel Pearl on In The Weeds, Kingston provided a candid update on his physical condition just over three months into his comeback. While the surgically repaired knee is holding up well, the rest of his body is reminding him of the decades of punishment he has endured.

“Still more time,” Kingston said regarding getting his in-ring timing back. “That’s also me never being happy with anything. It’s just like, ‘eh.’ The knee feels great, knock on wood. Knee feels great. All the old injuries decided to say, ‘Hey, we’re still here.’ I’m getting them more time. Those were the injuries that were just bumps and bruises over 25 years. They’ll massage it out or I’ll take a shower and put tiger balm (on them) and feel fine. The one that was big was the knee and the knee feels great. I have no worry about it whatsoever. Once I put the brace on, I’m good to go.”

Kingston’s honesty highlights the often-overlooked reality of returning from major surgery. While the primary injury may be healed, the rest of the body often loses its “callous” to the bumps, leading to other aches and pains resurfacing. Despite this, Kingston has not slowed down his schedule. His resilience is a core part of his character, and his ability to fight through pain has endeared him to the AEW fanbase. His recent reunion with longtime friend and tag team partner Ortiz has also revitalized his direction, giving him a familiar ally to watch his back as he navigates his return.

Kingston and Ortiz are set for a major test on the upcoming edition of AEW Collision: Maximum Carnage. The show, which will be taped in Phoenix, Arizona on January 14 and air on January 17, will feature the reunited duo taking on the Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake). The match stems from Kingston defeating Gibson at the Worlds End Zero Hour pre-show, after which GYV attacked Kingston, prompting Ortiz to make the save. This tag team bout will be a significant indicator of Kingston’s mobility and endurance as he continues to shake off the ring rust in 2026.