Top 10 Horrific AEW Injuries of All Time

8. Cody Rhodes Gets Busted Open Twice

When Cody Rhodes says he bleeds for the business, he means it. The first brutal moment came at Fyter Fest 2019 when Cody took an unprotected steel chair shot to the back of the head from Shawn Spears. The sound alone was sickening, but the aftermath was even worse. Blood poured from the back of Cody’s skull as fans and officials rushed in. It was the kind of shot that made fans gasp and question how far AEW would go to stand out. Cody needed 12 staples to close the wound, and it instantly put Spears on the map as the chairman. But that wasn’t the end of Cody’s crimson sacrifices.

Fast forward to Full Gear 2019, Cody challenged Chris Jericho for the AEW World Championship, a high-stakes match where he vowed never to challenge for the title again if he lost. During the match, Cody launched himself over the ropes in a suicide dive, but landed face-first on the ramp. A deep gash opened on his forehead and blood streamed down his face for the rest of the match. Both moments showcased Cody’s old-school grit, but also highlighted the real risks behind these iconic AEW visuals. Two different injuries, same result, Cody Rhodes wearing crimson as a badge of honor.

7. Adam Copeland’s Leg Injury – Steel Cage Match vs. Malachi Black

This one was hard to watch, and even harder to recover from. In a brutal steel cage war against Malachi Black, Adam Copeland, formerly known as Edge, gave everything he had. But during a vicious spot late in the match, Copeland suffered a serious leg injury. At first, fans weren’t sure just how bad it was until he posted this: “Five more screws, another plate, more scars.” As Copeland himself joked, he’s becoming Robocop. But for fans, it was no laughing matter. Seeing a legend like him down and out, especially after such a hard-fought return to wrestling, was heartbreaking. This was more than just a physical setback. It was a moment that reminded fans just how dangerous this sport is, even for the most seasoned veterans.

6. Cash Wheeler’s arm gets torn open – AEW Fight for the Fallen, July 28, 2021

Tag team wrestling is all about timing, chemistry, and sometimes pain. During a match betweenFTR and Santana and Ortiz on AEW Fight for the Fallen, Cash Wheeler went for a routine spot off the top rope, but what followed was anything but routine. As he fell awkwardly into the turnbuckles, his arm got caught between the steel and the post, tearing his flesh open in a way that made fans instantly cringe.

He rolled out of the ring, clutching his forearm, and blood could be seen pouring down. It wasn’t just a scrape. It was a deep, exposed muscle tear that required immediate medical attention and even surgery. Wheeler was out of action for weeks, and the footage became one of the most replayed, wince-worthy injury moments in AEW history. It was brutal, unexpected, and a perfect example of how even the most basic spots can turn dangerous in the blink of an eye.