8 Returns At AEW Forbidden Door 2026

On Sunday, June 28, All Elite Wrestling returns to pay-per-view with their annual AEW Forbidden Door event from San Jose, California.

With this huge co-promotional event between AEW, NJPW, CMLL & STARDOM, there could be some returning stars that appear on this special evening.

From former champions to long absent talents, the surprises may be aplenty come San Jose on June 28.

Here are eight potential returns at AEW Forbidden Door 2026.

8. Mistico

On May 17, Mistico suffered a knee injury that has sidelined him from in-ring competition over the past several weeks.

Hoping to return to the ring in early June, that should put the current CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion back in action ahead of AEW Forbidden Door 2026.

After his last appearance in the promotion back in April, Mistico could make his way back to AEW programming at the huge co-promotional show in San Jose.

Whether it be teaming with El Sky Team or competing in singles competition, it will be interesting to see Mistico back inside an AEW ring at Forbidden Door.

7. Hologram

Hologram made his AEW debut in 2024 and soon went on a lengthy undefeated streak in the ring.

However, 2025 saw Hologram face his first obstacle in All Elite Wrestling when he suffered a serious knee injury.

Since then, Hologram underwent surgery in November and is currently recovering to make his return to All Elite Wrestling.

With AEW Forbidden Door 2026 on the horizon, it feels like the perfect setting for Hologram to make his return on June 28 in front of a red hot crowd in San Jose.

6. Wardlow

At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025, Wardlow made his return after over a year on the sidelines.

Immediately joining forces with The Don Callis Family and attacking Prince Nana in front of Swerve Strickland, it looked like the former three-time TNT Champion was set to come back into a prominent spot on the AEW roster.

However, Wardlow would soon suffer another setback with a torn pectoral muscle injury that put him back on the shelf.

Wardlow making a return at the same event he made his comeback last year would be fitting and could see him reuniting with The Don Callis Family at AEW Forbidden Door 2026.

5. Ruby Soho

Back in 2024, Ruby Soho announced that she was pregnant with her first child and has not been seen on AEW television since then.

In recent months, there have been photos of Soho training inside the squared circle to prepare for her in-ring return.

While she could serve as the Wild Card in the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament, Soho might be better utilized by returning at AEW Forbidden Door 2026.

From stepping up to a current champion to forming a new duo to compete for tag team gold, Ruby has plenty of options if she decides to make her return in San Jose on June 28.

4. Buddy Matthews

At a recent World Series Wrestling event in Australia, Buddy Matthews made his first appearance in a wrestling ring in well over a year.

Back at AEW Grand Slam: Australia 2025, Matthews came up short against Kazuchika Okada with the AEW Continental Championship up for grabs.

During the course of the match, Matthews tore the ligaments in his ankle and required surgery.

After recovering from the injury, AEW Forbidden Door 2026 could be the right time for Buddy to make his return and immediately reassert himself in the company.

3. Gabe Kidd

At AEW Dynasty 2026, The Conglomeration’s Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong and Orange Cassidy defeated The Dogs to win the AEW World Trios Championships.

This loss for The Dogs came mostly down to the fact that Gabe Kidd suffered a serious shoulder injury during the course of the bout.

Since then, David Finlay and Clark Connors have established themselves as top contenders for the AEW World Tag Team Championships.

Wanting to help his brothers in arms, Kidd could return at AEW Forbidden Door 2026 to help The Dogs beat Adam Copeland and Christian Cage for the gold.

2. Keith Lee

There is no one else on the AEW roster who has been on the sidelines longer than Keith Lee.

Whether it be down to injuries or lack of creative, “The Limitless One” should have been back by now on AEW television in some way.

Having been with the company since 2022, Lee is someone who could be better utilized and should have been given a prominent spot for quite some time.

With unfinished business with his former tag team partner Swerve Strickland, AEW Forbidden Door 2026 could see Lee finally make his return and cost his former friend the Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Finals.

1. Jay White

After being announced for the 2025 Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament, Jay White looked to be one of the favorites to win.

However, White suffered a broken hand and shoulder injury that has sidelined him for well over a year now.

Recently, White’s faction Bang Bang Gang has been getting more of a spotlight on AEW TV whether it be Ace Austin, Juice Robinson or The Gunns.

Following in the footsteps of the recently returned Colten Gunn’s footsteps, “Switchblade” could be next in line to make his return with AEW Forbidden Door 2026 feeling like the perfect time for that to happen.

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