Adam Cole made his in-ring return tonight and not only picked up a win, but also may have earned himself a new partner and friend going forward.
After returning earlier this month after being away from wrestling for over a year due to an ankle injury suffered at AEW All Out 2023, Cole took to the ring for the first time tonight on AEW Dynamite, and beat Buddy Matthews in a singles match. Cole walked away from a win after flipping momentum on Matthews late, taking some berating words from Matthews who called him soft and fragile and a bitch before Cole hit the Panama Sunrise for the win.
After the match, Cole took to the microphone and thanked Matthews, saying that Buddy reminded him who the real Adam Cole is, and the pair shook hands. The lights then suddenly cut out, and when they came back on, Malakai Black was in the ring, also shaking Cole’s hand.
For a recap of how the match ended, check out below courtesy of our live coverage of AEW Dynamite:
Back in the ring, Matthews grounds Cole and continues to control the action. He hits a superplex, but Cole fires back with a neck-breaker. Cole rallies and spikes Matthews. Matthews counters the Panama Sunrise and targets Cole’s ankle. He stomps on the ankle while it’s on the steel steps. Doctors check on Cole, and they start to help him to the back.
Matthews talks some trash and says Cole is running away. He calls Cole fragile. He calls Cole a bitch, and Cole comes back to the ring. Cole and Matthews trade blows. Cole drills Matthews with some kicks. His ankle gives out, and Matthews blasts him with a knee strike and a stomp. Matthews talks more trash, and Cole answers with some kicks. Matthews hits a buckle bomb and a stomp. Cole hits a Panama Sunrise on the floor. He hits a running knee for the win.
Winner: Adam Cole
