Wardlow made his return to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the August 23, 2024, episode of AEW Dynamite, marking his first in-ring appearance as March 2024. He had been sidelined due to a knee injury.

Following his match, Wardlow was embraced by Stokely Hathaway and the rest of his associates, signaling continued alignment with the group.However, Konosuke Takeshita’s behavior suggested a potential split from the faction. Takeshita appeared last and simply stared at Wardlow without offering a handshake or embrace, fueling speculation about a forthcoming departure.

Wardlow’s Absence and return

The 37-year-old Wardlow had been out of action as March 2024, after challenging Samoa Joe for the AEW World Championship at the “Big Business” edition of AEW Dynamite. While reports indicated a knee injury, details remained scarce during his recovery period. Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported on the quiet nature of the injury updates.

His return was met with a positive reaction from fans, who have missed his power-based wrestling style.

Konosuke Takeshita’s Ambiguous Stance

The lack of acknowledgment from Konosuke Takeshita towards Wardlow has sparked considerable discussion among wrestling fans. This cold reception contrasts sharply with the warm embraces shared between wardlow and the rest of the group, hinting at growing tensions within the faction.

Takeshita’s future within AEW remains uncertain, but this visual storytelling strongly suggests a potential heel turn or departure from the group.