AEW fans hoping to see Will Ospreay make his in-ring return in January 2026 might need to pump the brakes. Despite a recent optimistic update from his rehab team, a new report has revealed the comeback isn\u2019t happening anytime soon.<\/p>\n
Dave Meltzer addressed the speculation in the Figure Four Daily Update<\/a>, shutting down rumors that Ospreay would be ready to wrestle in early 2026. According to Meltzer, fans misinterpreted a recovery post made by Ospreay\u2019s therapist.<\/p>\n \u201cRegarding Will Ospreay, some people brought up to me from a social media post thinking he would be back in January. That is not the case. He is hopeful of being able to start light weight workouts in January. He is a long way away from returning.\u201d<\/p>\n The post in question came from Saminder Singh of the Body Alignment Clinic in Rainham, Essex, who shared a November 1, 2025 update saying Ospreay was progressing well at six weeks post-op<\/a> and hinted at a possible January comeback.<\/p>\n \u201c@aew Allstar @willospreay 6 weeks post op and doing great! Still some way to go but we\u2019re on the right road. Jan 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n That sparked widespread belief that Ospreay was targeting a January return to the ring. But Meltzer made it clear\u2014January only marks the potential start of gym work, not a full-scale in-ring return.<\/p>\n Ospreay has been out of action since August, after a brutal Lights Out Steel Cage Match at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door ended with a violent beatdown from The Death Riders. He was stretchered out of the arena after having a chair stomped around his neck.<\/p>\n