Update on Chuck Taylor’s In-Ring Career Future

As noted before, the May 1st AEW Dynamite show in Winnipeg, Canada featured Orange Cassidy stating that Chuck Taylor suffered an “in-ring career ending injury” at the hands of Trent Beretta this past April. Cassidy stated that Taylor had suffered the “injury” during his Parking Lot Brawl match against Beretta at the April 27th AEW Rampage show.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that Cassidy’s comments about Taylor’s in-ring future were accurate and not just for storyline purposes. Those spoken to reportedly stated that the current belief within AEW is that Taylor won’t be able to wrestle again and his in-ring career is effectively over.

In regards to the severity of Taylor’s foot injury issues compared to others who suffered similar issues in their wrestling careers, Meltzer reported:

“Excalibur on the show said that due to the nature of the fracture and the presence of necrosis of the bone (death of the bone) in fragments underneath the cartilage, the injury is likely career ending. Granted, Sting, Bryan Danielson, Katsuyori Shibata, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage all on this very roster were all told that and may have believed that and all came back and did great things so I always think there are no absolutes. They said that even with surgery he may not be able to and more than likely won’t be able to come back. Billy Graham’s career ended due to the same issues with the death of the bone in his ankle and hip.”

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that his sources confirmed Meltzer’s report about Taylor’s in-ring career believed to be over and provided additional details.

Sapp reported that AEW officials currently do not have any plans for Taylor to wrestle again in the company.

Sapp reported that Taylor knew about the extent of his injuries in his foot ahead of his match against Beretta. Those spoken to within AEW reportedly stated that Taylor wanted to have the match due to his feeling that it could have been his last match for his in-ring career.

In regards to Taylor’s future in AEW, Sapp also reported that Taylor has been training to become a coach and backstage producer in AEW.