Buddy Matthews will not be part of World Series Wrestling’s upcoming Megamania tour, with the Australian promotion confirming his withdrawal due to what it described as a scheduling conflict.
The tour is scheduled to run from October 29 through November 2. Matthews had been slated to join the lineup for the series of Australian events, but WSW announced that the AEW-contracted wrestler is no longer able to appear during the tour.
“We have just learnt, that due to scheduling conflicts, Buddy Matthews will no longer be appearing on the WSW MEGAMANIA Tour. We’re really disappointed that Buddy won’t be joining us this time around, but we completely understand that schedules can change. We hope to welcome Buddy back to World Series Wrestling on a future tour! Thank you for your understanding and continued support.”
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WSW did not provide additional details on the nature of the conflict, and there has been no announcement of a replacement for Matthews in connection with the Megamania dates. The promotion’s statement leaves open the possibility of bringing him back for a future tour, but there is no timetable for another WSW appearance at this stage.
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A Notable Change for WSW Megamania
Matthews’ removal is a significant lineup change for WSW, particularly given his standing as one of Australia’s most recognizable active wrestlers on the international stage. Before becoming established in WWE and later AEW, Matthews built his reputation in Australia, making appearances in front of home-country audiences an especially natural fit.
World Series Wrestling has regularly used touring cards to bring together domestic performers and internationally known names. A return by Matthews would have represented another opportunity for Australian fans to see a wrestler whose career has taken him from the local scene to major global promotions.
That will now have to wait. While WSW expressed disappointment in the change, its message was understanding in tone and made clear that the cancellation was related to scheduling rather than any stated dispute between the promotion and Matthews.
In professional wrestling, touring cards can be subject to last-minute changes for a range of practical reasons. Television commitments, travel demands, promotional obligations, personal scheduling and adjustments to a wrestler’s availability can all affect appearances, particularly when a performer is signed to a major company while also booked for independent or international dates. WSW did not identify any specific AEW commitment or other event as the reason for Matthews’ absence.
Matthews Was Cleared After Ankle Injury
The announcement also arrives after a lengthy period in which Matthews has not returned to the ring. He was cleared from an ankle injury in August, but he has yet to wrestle since receiving that clearance.
The available information does not connect his WSW withdrawal to the ankle issue. The promotion explicitly cited scheduling conflicts, and no new injury has been announced. Still, the fact that Matthews remains absent from in-ring action means his status will continue to draw attention from fans awaiting his next match.
An injury clearance is an important milestone, but it does not always immediately lead to a return. Wrestlers may need additional conditioning, creative plans, travel coordination or the right event setting before stepping back into competition. In Matthews’ case, there is no confirmed explanation for why he has not yet returned after being cleared, and it would be premature to assign one.
What is clear is that the WSW Megamania tour will not serve as his return date. For fans who had hoped the Australia trip might provide a first match back following the ankle setback, the promotion’s announcement closes off that possibility.
AEW Status Remains Unchanged
Matthews remains signed with AEW. His place on the roster adds another layer of interest to any outside appearance, as fans naturally watch for indications of when he may next be used on AEW programming or in an AEW ring.
There has been no statement suggesting that his absence from WSW changes his AEW status. Likewise, the scheduling conflict alone does not establish whether Matthews will be appearing for AEW during the October 29 through November 2 window. The only confirmed detail is that he will not be working the Megamania tour as originally planned.
Matthews has been a prominent name during his time with AEW, where his physical style, athletic background and presentation have made him a recognizable member of the roster. His absence from the ring following the ankle injury has therefore been notable, especially as he had been cleared months ago.
Any eventual return will bring immediate questions about where he fits into AEW’s evolving landscape. However, no return angle, opponent, match date or creative direction has been announced. Until an official appearance is confirmed, the timing and circumstances of his next bout remain uncertain.
What This Means for the Tour
For WSW, the immediate task is adjusting the Megamania presentation without Matthews. The tour still spans several dates from October 29 to November 2, and promotions operating across multiple live events often must adapt cards as availability shifts. Whether WSW announces a replacement talent, revises planned matches, or moves forward with the remaining roster has not yet been specified.
The promotion’s statement focused on the disappointment of losing Matthews while also emphasizing respect for the circumstances. That approach is notable because it avoids creating any impression that the separation is permanent. WSW openly stated that it hopes to bring him back on a future tour.
For Australian wrestling audiences, that possibility matters. Matthews’ connection to the country and his international career make a future homecoming appearance an appealing prospect. A postponed appearance can still become a major attraction when schedules align, particularly if it comes after his eventual in-ring return.
At present, though, fans planning to attend Megamania should not expect Matthews to be on the cards. Anyone looking for more information on the event lineup will need to await further announcements from WSW, including any updates on matches or talent additions prompted by his withdrawal.
No Confirmed Return Date
The key takeaway is straightforward: Buddy Matthews has been removed from the WSW Megamania tour because of a scheduling conflict, not because of a newly announced injury. He was medically cleared from an ankle injury in August, yet he has not returned to competition, and no date for his next match has been confirmed.
WSW’s October 29 through November 2 run will proceed without him, ending a planned Australian appearance that carried added significance because of Matthews’ roots and current status as an AEW wrestler. The door appears open for another WSW booking in the future, but that remains only a possibility rather than a confirmed plan.
Until more is announced, Matthews’ next in-ring appearance is unresolved. The Megamania tour will move ahead with a changed lineup, while fans of Matthews will continue waiting to see when and where he returns to action.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.