5 AEW stars who are struggling with health conditions

Several AEW stars have opened up about their battles with illnesses in recent years. With their poor health conditions bogging them down, these stars find it difficult to perform at the very highest level.

Pro wrestling often takes a heavy toll on a wrestler's health. While physical injuries are pretty common in such an industry, individuals often get caught up in other ailments as well, owing to a packed working schedule.

Many superstars in the Tony Khan-led company have remained on the shelf due to various health scares, which have had a massive impact on their wrestling careers. In this article, let's look at five AEW stars who are currently struggling with health conditions.

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#5. Jim Ross has struggled with poor health in recent years

Jim Ross is arguably the most legendary commentator in the history of pro wrestling. Good Ol' JR has been the voice of many iconic wrestling moments, which may not have been as memorable if it was not for his incredible commentary.

At the age of 72, Ross' health issues have become a matter of concern. Although he is still considerably active on the AEW programming, fans often receive worrying updates about his wellness.

The iconic announcer has had several bouts with Bell's palsy, a medical condition that leads to facial paralysis. Ross has also undergone surgeries for multiple body organs, including his eyes, chest, and right hip.

In October 2021, Jim Ross shocked the wrestling world by revealing his ongoing battle with skin cancer. Thankfully, the WWE legend was deemed free of the scary medical condition by the end of the year, courtesy of an effective radiation treatment procedure.

Good Ol' JR recently paid a visit to the ER after he complained of shortness of breath. Despite his health struggles, Ross had a commentary stint at Forbidden Door 2024, further signifying his passion for the pro wrestling business.

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#4. Kota Ibushi suffered an ankle injury earlier this year

In his limited appearances in the company, Kota Ibushi has developed a genuine connection with the AEW audience. Even though Ibushi has largely featured in multi-man matches, he has made an impact every time he has stepped foot in the ring. The former NJPW star is best known for his high pain endurance, having been involved in several outrageous matches.

Ibushi battled with Naomichi Marufuji at the NOAH The New Year event in January 2024, following which he was quickly rushed to the hospital. The Golden Star participated in a 30-minute-long encounter with Marufuji, despite not having fully recovered from an injured right hand and left ankle.

The intense bout worsened Ibushi's physical condition, as his ankle was damaged to a worrying extent. The 42-year-old is currently nursing his injuries on the sidelines, with no major update regarding his return to AEW.

Having suffered multiple ligament tears, it is safe to say that the former Golden Lover will take a considerable amount of time to fully recover from his injuries.

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#3. Keith Lee's battles with illnesses are well-documented

From 2019-2021, Keith Lee emerged as the fastest-rising star in the pro wrestling business. The Limitless One was truly a force to be reckoned with in NXT before he was eventually released from WWE in 2021.

Despite an underwhelming run on the WWE main roster, Lee opted for a fresh start and joined All Elite Wrestling in 2022. After a fantastic few months, Lee soon found himself on the shelf, courtesy of his health problems.

During his WWE run, The Limitless One tested positive for COVID-19, leading to several health implications for Lee. The former NXT Champion suffered from heart inflammation post his recovery from the viral infection, which soon turned into a life-threatening condition.

The 39-year-old is out with an undisclosed injury at the moment. Keith Lee was slated to battle Swerve Strickland at last year's Worlds End Pay-Per-View before he was deemed unfit to compete by the AEW medical team. The Limitless One underwent double surgeries at the start of 2024, and there is no timetable regarding his potential return.

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#2. Adam Cole is currently absent from AEW due to an injury

Adam Cole had a memorable 2023. Following his anticipated return, the 35-year-old star found himself in a rivalry with Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF), which ended up being the main event of All In 2023.

Unfortunately, Cole suffered a career-altering injury in September 2023. During the AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam edition, The Panama Playboy hurt his ankle while trying to interfere in MJF's title defense against Samoa Joe. The X-ray scans brought unfortunate news for Cole's future, as they revealed that the 35-year-old had sustained a complex ankle injury.

Since then, Adam Cole has undergone multiple ankle surgeries, where the doctors fixed a plate and four screws into his foot. Despite his limited mobility, The Devil has been sporadically featured on AEW programming, with his most recent appearance coming at Double or Nothing 2024.

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#1. Kenny Omega has been sidelined due to Diverticulitis

Kenny Omega is an irreplaceable cornerstone of AEW. The Cleaner has been a reliable asset to Tony Khan for years, having stepped up whenever the Jacksonville-based promotion found itself in a slump. However, the former AEW World Champion has also had extended periods of absence from television in recent years.

In December 2023, The Best Bout Machine informed fans that he had been diagnosed with Diverticulitis, a gastrointestinal condition that causes inflammation in the wall of the large intestine. The major discovery put The Cleaner out of action for an indefinite period, which dealt a major blow to AEW's weekly programming.

Omega recently went for surgery to help boost his recovery from Diverticulitis. Although Omega is set to be away from in-ring competition for a long time, he remains an integral figure on AEW television. The 40-year-old star recently made an appearance on Dynamite in May 2024, where he was laid out by Jack Perry and the new Elite.

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