Buddy Matthews reportedly suffered an ankle injury at this past Saturday’s AEW Grand Slam Australia event in Brisbane, Australia, according to PWInsider.
Prior to the start of his AEW Continental Championship match against Kazuchika Okada, Matthews appeared to have hurt his ankle during his entrance but managed to wrestle through the injury and limped his way to the back afterwards.
Buddy Matthews rolled his ankle during his entrance and limped to the back at the end of the match.
— AIR (@AIRG0LD) February 16, 2025
Hopefully it isn't anything serious🙏🏽#AEWGrandSlamAustralia pic.twitter.com/A4vtrKhzTI
Matthews’ wife and WWE talent Rhea Ripley posted photos of her and Matthews on Monday showing him using a crutch.
In a recently deleted tweet, Matthews responded to his injury in a sarcastic tone stating:
“So thoughts after #AEWGrandSlamAustralia – If it wasn’t a 16×16 SHIT wrestling ring!
1: Wouldn’t have destroyed my ankle on my entrance due to holes in the padding.
2: Okada wouldn’t have been able to put his foot on the rope & I’d be champion.
Shit happens…”
In a follow-up deleted tweet, Matthews posted an image of a troll doll confirming he was only joking about his comments and likely meant as a dig over those mocking AEW for using a smaller ring that night.