A number of talents are injured, but at least one AEW star has had surgery recently. And a former WWE Superstar, Matt Cardona may be out of action for a while.
AEW Star Has Surgery
Injuries are never fun, especially the severe kind. One AEW star has had surgery to correct just that.
Specifically, Legit Leyla Hirsch took to Twitter to update fans about an injury she suffered, and that she is already on her road to recovery.
On April 5th, during AEW Dark Elevation, I suffered an injury. After landing on my feet from a moonsault, I tore my ACL. Today I was finally able to get my surgery.
Thank you to everyone for the support . I promise to come back an improved, leaner, meaner more Legit Athlete. pic.twitter.com/dzDEFcRGCo
— Legit Leyla Hirsch (@LegitLeyla) May 26, 2022
Hirsch was beginning to eye the AEW women’s title picture at the time of her injury, so it’s a setback for sure.
With surgery now out of the way, Hirsch will turn her attention to grueling rehab, with an eye toward getting back into an AEW ring as soon as possible.
Given the typical timeframe for an ACL injury, it seems like a safe bet that we may not see Legit Leyla Hirsch back in an AEW ring until late 2022, or more likely, early 2023.
Matt Cardona May Be Out Of Action
In other injury news, former WWE Superstar Matt Cardona may be out of action for a bit of time too.
As with Hirsch, Cardona posted his news via Twitter.
Got a MRI today. Bicep is torn. Surgery needed. Will unfortunately need to cancel some dates.
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) May 31, 2022
Biceps tears requiring surgery can be a bit tricky to figure out, in terms of recovery times.
Video of his injury can be seen here:
WARNING! VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED! GRAPHIC VIDEO!
Video of the unsafe worker @_BlakeChristian shooting on me and legitimately injuring me last night at @GCWrestling_. pic.twitter.com/TzNFInNrJA
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) May 29, 2022
But, according to Cardona…he may be cancelling some dates…but not others.
Cardona was a guest of Busted Open, and his injury came up.
Especially as it related to his NWA title defense on June 11, at Alwayz Ready.
“The doctor is suggesting surgery…”
Right from outside the hospital, @nwa Worlds Heavyweight Champion @TheMattCardona checks in w/ @davidlagreca1 @THETOMMYDREAMER @MickieJames on his injury update #AlwayzReady pic.twitter.com/tkBqOBXm9C
— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) June 1, 2022
“I don’t care if I have to drive, walk or crawl. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but the Champ will be there,” @TheMattCardona said on the 6/1 broadcast of @BustedOpenRadio.
Please see the official statement on Cardona’s injury ahead of the #AlwayzReady PPV & stay tuned: pic.twitter.com/2jIb2eC51v
— NWA (@nwa) June 1, 2022
As he so eloquently put it, he’s not missing a show effectively named for him.
Now, considering he would enter as champion…and an injured one needing surgery…whatever plans might have been, it seems a safe bet they will change.
If he has surgery between now and June 11, would he be cleared to work? Would he delay surgery so that he could work the show, and then go under the knife?
Or, would he simply show up, after surgery, in street clothes, to surrender his title and vow to get it back quickly?
Lots of possibilities for that show, to be sure. Ultimately, if braced and protected, it may be painful but possible to have a wrestler work a match with a torn bicep.
Case in point, Matt Cardona finished his GCW match-and won-with that torn bicep. It may not be advisable, but it is possible.
And for the current NWA champ…that’s all he seems to want.
