Samoa Joe returned to AEW programming Saturday during an eventful All Out in Chicago that also saw Steven Borden taken to a hospital following an apparent injury.
Joe appeared during the Tailgate Brawl after Jack Perry defeated Katsuyori Shibata. Perry had spent several weeks demanding a confrontation with the former AEW World champion and renewed that challenge following his victory.
HOOK, Action Andretti and Anthony Bowens initially came onto the stage before Joe made his entrance. Joe entered the ring and stared down Perry, who extended his hand.
When Joe ignored the gesture and attempted to leave, Perry shoved him and demanded a handshake. Joe responded by headbutting Perry before walking away, setting up a likely match between the two.
Joe had been absent from AEW television since May while working on the latest season of Twisted Metal. Perry began openly pursuing him on the Sept. 16 episode of Dynamite, telling Joe to return and “make my day.”
Joe’s return was not the only significant development at All Out.
Later in the evening, Darby Allin and Steven Borden faced Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight in a match to determine the next challengers for the AEW World Tag Team Championship.
The match was stopped after Borden and Fletcher climbed opposing turnbuckles and launched themselves across the ring for simultaneous coast-to-coast attacks. Borden appeared to land on his head upon impact, prompting the referee and medical personnel to check on him immediately.
Knight and Fletcher were declared the winners by stoppage. The broadcast kept its cameras away from the medical response inside the ring while Borden received assistance.
Tony Schiavone later announced that Borden was conscious and had been taken to a hospital for further evaluation. No diagnosis or additional information regarding his condition was provided during the broadcast.
Borden only recently made his televised AEW in-ring debut after spending much of the year competing in non-televised matches. He and Allin had earned consecutive victories before entering the number-one contender’s match at All Out.
With the stoppage victory, Fletcher and Knight secured a future opportunity at the AEW World Tag Team Championship.
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