AEW star shares heartbreaking update - "I'm not sure where this journey I'm on is gonna lead"

AEW fans are sending well wishes to a popular talent today. The 24-year veteran has just issued a statement on his status and future following a hiatus.

The Butcher and The Blade made their debut together on the indies in late 2017, two years later they signed with All Elite Wrestling. The Blade, formerly known as Pepper Parks and Braxton Sutter, has not wrestled frequently for AEW or ROH this year. His last match in Tony Khan's company was in January 2024 and he also competed at an indie promotion the following month. Since then he has been out of action.

The Blade took to Instagram this weekend and revealed that he's on the shelf due to a lower back injury that consists of two bulging discs, L2-L3 and L4-L5, plus two ruptured discs, the L3-L4 and L5-S1. He thanked Khan and included a photo with Dr. Anthony Albano of Albano Restoration Movement PT in Blade's hometown of Buffalo, NY.

"Hello Instagram [grinning face with big eyes emoji] My apologies, it’s been awhile. I’m currently off the road nursing a lower back injury. 2 bulging discs, L2 L3 and L4 L5. Plus two ruptured discs, L3 L4 and L5 S1. I’d like to thank @aew and @tonyrkhan for giving me this time off to heal. Plus, I’ve got the Buffalo,NY magic man pictured with me here, @anthony.albano.dpt," The Blade wrote.

The Blade then praised the doctor for his methods, while also looking ahead to the future. He continued:

"Time off can be a rough place for athletes mentally. Anthony’s physical therapy is helping me stay on track and I can’t sing praises high enough about the sweet science behind his training. I’m not sure where this journey I’m on is gonna lead. But, I have a lot of options and a great team around me and that’s a beautiful thing. Love ya everybody [red heart emoji]," The Blade wrote.

The Butcher has continued his singles career while The Blade is out of action. He has worked in recent matches for Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision, plus ROH TV. Butcher's last match was a Collision loss to Claudio Castagnoli on April 3.

Tony Khan reacts to AEW Dynasty chants

All Elite Wrestling held its inaugural Dynasty pay-per-view on Sunday night in St. Louis with several matches that are still trending topics today.

The third match from the top saw Will Ospreay defeat Bryan Danielson in their first-ever meeting. The match went almost 32 minutes and ended via pinfall after an apparent injury to Danielson.

The crowd inside the Chaifetz Arena was raucous and electric, perhaps one of the wildest wrestling crowds for one particular match, ever. Fans showed their excitement before the match even began, and later chanted "We're not worthy!" Tony Khan took to X to comment on the "AEW!" chants.

"Justified 'AEW!' chants tonight for @bryandanielson vs @Willospreay the inaugural #AEWDynasty ppv right now!" Tony Khan wrote.

AEW will return to pay-per-view on Sunday, May 26 for Double Or Nothing 2024. The sixth annual DoN event will wrap up Memorial Day Weekend at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.