Eddie Kingston Beats Big Bill at AEW All Out in 1st Match in over a Year After Injury

Competing in his first match in 16 months, Eddie Kingston had a successful return Saturday at AEW All Out, defeating Big Bill.

After Kingston picked up the victory, Bill and Bryan Keith attacked him, but Hook arrived on the scene to even the odds for Kingston and run them off.

Prior to needing time off due to a significant leg injury, Kingston was the first-ever AEW continental champion. He also held the ROH World Championship and NJPW Strong Openweight Championship at the same time, making him one of the most decorated wrestlers in the world at the time.

However, foreshadowing his absence, Kingston dropped the continental title to Kazuchika Okada in March 2024 and the ROH world title to Mark Briscoe the following month.

Then, in his final match before his hiatus, Kingston lost the NJPW Strong openweight title to Gabe Kidd in a No Ropes Last Man Standing match at NJPW Resurgence in May 2024.

To explain Kingston's absence, he was written off television via an attack at the hands of The Young Bucks and Jack Perry.

The wheels were put in motion for Kingston's in-ring return on the Sept. 6 episode of Collision when Big Bill cut a promo about being a tough guy from New York City.

Bill noted that there is another guy from New York City in AEW who claims to be tough, and he wanted to put it to the test, which led to him calling Kingston out by name.

It wasn't long before Kingston responded to Bill's challenge on social media, writing, "So got the phone call and the money is right, contract is signed on my end. So Big Bill, you dumb goofy b-----d, just send location."

With that, Kingston's return match was made official for All Out, and it was clear that he would be faced with a major challenge in the form of a near 7-footer in Big Bill.

Despite Big Bill having the advantage physically, Kingston's grit and heart made up the difference Saturday, and he was victorious in his first match since May 2024.