Kyle O’Reilly is set for his big return match this Saturday on AEW Collision and is just thankful he’s able to get back in a wrestling ring.
O’Reilly has been out of action for just under two years after suffering a neck injury which required double fusion surgety. However, he made his AEW return at Revolution and now has his first singles fight back against Bryan Keith.
While backstage, an AEW camera crew caught up with Kyle to get his reaction about finally being able to put the boots back on. O’Reilly revealed that he lost the ability to use his right arm after a rare complication.
“I really didn’t know if I was ever gonna wrestle again. For a long while I was pretty damn sure that in June of 2022 my match with Jon Moxley was the last of my career and I was okay with that, I really was. If I could just get my arm back and I can brush my teeth again, I can wipe my a** like a normal human again and I can take care of my daughter and be a father that’s really all that I was focused on. That’s all that mattered and it took a long time to get any of that back. I mean I couldn’t move my arm for a damn near ten months.
O’Reilly said he really had a lot support while he was away, both from the fans and his wrestling colleagues. One fan reaching out to him was all the motivation he needed to get back in the ring. Kyle is confident in his ability to still compete, but he’s still uncertain how his body will react to first hitting the mat.
“He’s a good opponent to see if I really do have that beast in me.”
He says Keith is young and hungry to make a name for himself and there’s not better way to test his own meddle against The Bounty Hunter.
EXCLUSIVE: @KORCombat opens up about his journey to recovery, and how he's feeling on the eve of his first match back in two years, against Bryan Keith on #AEWCollision tomorrow night at 8/7c live on @tntdrama pic.twitter.com/2pXDojRo2S
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 15, 2024