As previously reported, top AEW star Will Ospreay is currently out of in-ring action after taking a hiatus from the company due to herniated discs in his neck, which required surgery. Ospreay underwent this surgery to address his neck issues in September 2025. Although he has not yet returned to competition, he made an appearance at Wrestle Kingdom 20 earlier this month during Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony at the Tokyo Dome.
According to Fightful Select, Ospreay was backstage at last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite. While he did not appear on the show, as there were no plans for him to do so, his attendance is seen as a positive sign regarding his eventual return to the ring. The report states that Ospreay will be evaluated by the AEW medical staff as part of the process for his potential return; however, it remains early in that evaluation. Originally, Ospreay had been projected to be out of action for a full year following his last match at Forbidden Door in the UK last August.
The report further mentions that there is no specific timetable for Ospreay’s return yet, but AEW hopes to incorporate him into creative plans by spring. Additionally, during his appearance at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom earlier this month, it was indicated that Ospreay would not be sidelined for as long as is typically expected for neck injuries among wrestlers.
