Jamie Hayter Didn’t Realize How Bad Her Injury Was Until She Couldn’t Walk

AEW All In was a landmark event at Wembley Stadium, drawing over 50,000 fans. Those who arrived early for the Zero-Hour kickoff show witnessed the highly anticipated return of Jamie Hayter, a former AEW Women’s Champion. This moment marked a significant comeback after a lengthy absence from the ring.

Interestingly enough, there were betting odds that Jamie Hayter would return during All In. However, those odds only applied if she came back during the main card, and her comeback took place during the closing moments of the Zero-Hour show.

Jamie Hayter made her return at AEW All In 2024 after being sidelined for over a year. During a conversation with Renee Paquette on Close Up, Hayter revealed the extent of her injury: two completely herniated discs in her back, which kept her out of action for an extended period.

“I wasn’t even aware of the injury until it was really bad. I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t even stand up straight. My body was at an angle, I just couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t laugh, I couldn’t sneeze, I couldn’t cough, I couldn’t sit down, I couldn’t stand in the shower, I couldn’t lay down on my back, I couldn’t really do anything. I thought it was like a sciatica at first. I was happy because I was not in the know for so long and just really wanted to know what it was for so long and get on the road to recovery. It was a bad place to be in.”

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“It got to a point where I was like I don’t know if I even want to do it again. I don’t know why. I think it was the pain and everything that happened. I just really wasn’t sure. It was almost like I had to find myself again, find my purpose, and find my passion to do it again. I think when the pain from my injury kind of subsided a little bit, that’s when I could see the light a little bit more. I was in pain constantly. It was not a fun injury, I was bed-bound for months, and I couldn’t do anything. I could watch stuff on my phone or lay in bed and read some books and things like that. When the pain subsided, I could start moving again. For me personally, being physical is my enjoyment, that is what I do best.”

Hayter’s most recent in-ring appearance occurred on August 28, 2024, during AEW Dynamite at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. She successfully defeated Harley Cameron, a long-awaited victory after her injury struggles.

Hayter suffered her injury prior to her match on May 28, 2023, when she defended the AEW Women’s World Title against Toni Storm at Double or Nothing. The match, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, saw Storm win the title after a brief contest lasting just over three minutes. Despite her injury, Hayter’s decision to continue the match, even in a compromised state, highlighted her relentless dedication and resilience.

Though some critical fans have drawn comparisons to Becky Lynch following her return, Jamie Hayter remains focused on her path forward. Only time will tell how soon she’ll get another shot at one of AEW’s top titles.

What’s your take on Jamie Hayter’s return to AEW? Did you miss having her around every week? Let us know what you think in the comments section!