Thanks to Jade Cargill signing with WWE, the topic of notable homegrown AEW talent has never been more relevant than it is right this moment. One big (in multiple senses of the word) wrestler who fits that description but hasn’t been seen in some time is Wardlow.
The three-time TNT Champion saw his most recent reign end when he lost the title to Luchasaurus on the debut episode of AEW Collision in June — and he hasn’t wrestled since.
There haven’t been reports that Wardlow was injured, and he noted that a panel during Terrificon in August that he wasn’t happy being away from the ring. So what gives?
Tony Khan was asked for an update on Wardlow during his pre-WrestleDream media call this week, and his answer made it seem like it’s simply a lack of creative plans that has led to the big man’s absence.
“Wardlow’s a great star for us,” Khan said. “I think he’s been one of the greatest TNT Champions we’ve had. He’s been a great star, and I’m a very big fan of Wardlow. And I think that he will surly be back on AEW TV when the time is right.”
It’s interesting, though, that “the time” hasn’t happened during an unprecedented run of big AEW events, which included All In London and All Out just a week apart, followed not long after by the Grand Slam shows at Arthur Ashe Stadium in NYC.
There’s still a chance he could appear at WrestleDream this weekend. Perhaps he shows up to neutralize Lucahsaurus from interfering in the Christian Cage-Darby Allin TNT Championship match, which would be logical given the history he has with the dinosaur man. Regardless, it appears fans will just have to be patient and secure in the knowledge that it will be a matter of “when” and not “if” he’ll be back.
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