What Happened to Adam Cole: The wrestling world was rocked this past weekend when Adam Cole, one of All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) most beloved stars, made a heart-wrenching announcement at AEW All In: Texas on July 12, 2025. The 36-year-old Lancaster, Pennsylvania native, known for his charisma, technical prowess, and signature “Adam Cole Baybay!” chant, revealed he’s stepping away from the ring due to serious health issues, vacating the AEW TNT Championship and hinting at the possibility of retirement. As fans, we’re left grappling with the news, wondering what happened and what the future holds for one of wrestling’s brightest talents. Let’s break it down.
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A Shocking Announcement at All In: Texas
The bombshell dropped just hours before AEW’s biggest pay-per-view of the year, All In: Texas. AEW President Tony Khan took to social media to announce that Cole was not medically cleared to defend his TNT Championship against Kyle Fletcher. Instead, the title was vacated, and a four-way match featuring Fletcher, Dustin Rhodes, Daniel Garcia, and Sammy Guevara was set to crown a new champion. The news was jarring, especially since Cole had competed in a trios match on AEW Collision just days earlier, teaming with Paragon members Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong.
During the event, Cole stepped into the ring to address the Globe Life Field crowd, and the moment was nothing short of emotional. Fighting back tears, he placed the TNT Championship belt on the mat and shared that he’d be “gone for a while” due to health concerns. While he avoided the word “retirement,” he acknowledged the uncertainty of his in-ring future, saying, “I’m not sure if I’ll ever be back.” The crowd roared with support, chanting his name as he shared heartfelt gratitude for their love since he was nine years old. Joined by O’Reilly and Strong, Cole led one final “Adam Cole Baybay!” chant, leaving fans in tears and the wrestling world buzzing.
A History of Injury Setbacks
Cole’s announcement wasn’t entirely out of the blue, given his history of injuries in AEW. Since joining the promotion in 2021, the former NXT Champion has faced significant physical challenges. In June 2022, at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, Cole suffered a severe concussion during a four-way match, sidelining him for nearly ten months until March 2023. Just as he was finding his groove, another devastating injury struck in September 2023 at AEW Grand Slam Dynamite. While rushing to the ring to support then-friend MJF, Cole leaped off the ramp, breaking his ankle in three places and tearing ligaments. The injury required two surgeries, four screws, and a plate, keeping him out of action for over a year until October 2024.
Despite these setbacks, Cole made a triumphant return, capturing the TNT Championship in 2025 and holding it for 97 days with three successful defenses. His resilience and in-ring brilliance kept fans hopeful, but the recent health scare—possibly linked to a lariat from Kyle Fletcher during the Collision trios match—has raised serious concerns. Commentators Nigel McGuinness and Excalibur noted Cole appeared dazed after the move, and while the exact nature of his current health issue remains undisclosed, it’s clear the toll of his injuries has caught up with him.
The Wrestling Community Rallies Around Cole
The outpouring of support for Cole has been overwhelming, reflecting his immense popularity. Social media exploded with messages of love, with #GetWellSoonAdamCole trending globally. AEW stars like Britt Baker, Cole’s former partner, and Christopher Daniels shared heartfelt posts on X, with Baker calling him “Adam Cole Forever.” WWE stars Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, who share a storied history with Cole from their NXT days, also expressed their admiration and hopes for his recovery. Fans echoed these sentiments, with one X user writing, “I hope Adam Cole recovers well, man, cause vacating the TNT title the day of a big title defense like this is so heartbreaking.”
Cole’s impact on wrestling is undeniable. From his time as a three-time Ring of Honor champion to his NXT Championship reign and headlining AEW All In 2023 against MJF, he’s been a cornerstone of the industry. His emotional embrace with O’Reilly and Strong at All In, coupled with his gratitude for fans who “changed his life,” underscored the deep connection he shares with the wrestling community. It’s no wonder the news has hit so hard.
What’s Next for Adam Cole and AEW?
The uncertainty surrounding Cole’s future is the toughest pill to swallow. Tony Khan, speaking at the All In post-show media scrum, revealed that Cole’s health issues surfaced abruptly after Collision, despite plans for him to defend the TNT title. Khan emphasized the need for Cole to take time to recover fully, but no timeline for his return—or confirmation of whether he’ll wrestle again—has been provided. This ambiguity has sparked speculation about whether Cole’s injuries, compounded over years, might force an early end to his in-ring career.
For AEW, Cole’s absence creates a significant void. The four-way match at All In crowned a new TNT Champion, but the emotional weight of Cole’s departure overshadowed the victory. Fans are left wondering how AEW will adjust its storylines, especially for Paragon, without one of its key members. Meanwhile, Cole’s legacy as a performer who poured his heart into every match remains intact, and the hope is that he’ll defy the odds once more.
As we process this news, let’s hold onto the joy Adam Cole brought us—his infectious energy, his storytelling, and that iconic chant. Here’s to wishing him strength, healing, and, hopefully, a return to the ring when he’s ready. Until then, we’ll keep chanting, “Adam Cole Baybay!”