El Hijo del Vikingo has provided an encouraging update on his recovery from the torn ACL that halted his plans to compete on WWE NXT television.
The former AAA Mega Champion suffered the injury to his left knee while preparing for an NXT match and subsequently underwent surgery. Reports months ago indicated that Vikingo was expected to miss at least six to eight months of action, placing an early pause on what could have been his first WWE television appearances.
Speaking during a recent appearance on WWE Ahora, Vikingo said his rehabilitation has been going well and revealed that he has begun walking sooner than initially anticipated. While the luchador remains positive about his condition, he also stressed that he is following medical guidance and understands that a strong early recovery does not mean the process can be rushed.
“I’m doing very well. I am still young, and my recovery is going very well,” Vikingo said in comments translated by Luis Pulido. “The doctors have been impressed with my progress; I’ve started walking sooner than expected.”
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For a wrestler whose style is built around speed, balance, explosive movement, and high-risk aerial offense, an ACL recovery is especially significant. Vikingo’s performances have long depended on his ability to accelerate quickly, land with precision, and move through sequences at an unusually fast pace. Returning from this particular injury will therefore involve much more than simply being cleared to walk or resume basic training. The eventual next stages will require him to rebuild confidence and strength in the knee before he can safely return to the demands of his in-ring style.
Vikingo appears to understand that reality. Even with doctors pleased by his early progress, he said he has been instructed to proceed carefully rather than allow impatience to dictate his recovery.
“Of course, still going step-by-step. They told [me] I’m doing well, but I shouldn’t rush things,” Vikingo said.
The patience required during a lengthy absence can be difficult for any active performer, particularly one accustomed to a demanding travel schedule. Vikingo acknowledged the frustration that can come with being away from the road after spending so much of his career working a busy calendar. At the same time, he has found a positive side to the forced time at home.
“Sometimes it’s stressful being at home after being on the road for so long,” Vikingo added. “On the other hand, I’m with my kids and my wife, so I have been enjoying more time with them.”
A second major knee setback in a short span
The current left-knee injury is not Vikingo’s first significant knee issue in recent years. In 2024, he underwent surgery on his other knee after tearing his meniscus. That history adds another layer to his present rehabilitation, even as his latest update offers reason for optimism.
Knee injuries can be particularly disruptive for performers who rely heavily on lower-body explosiveness, and Vikingo’s signature offense has made him one of the most visually distinctive luchadores of his generation. The former AAA Mega Champion built an international reputation through a style that blends acrobatics, rapid counters, rope-running, and daring aerial attacks. A full recovery is the priority, not merely a quick return.
That makes his emphasis on a measured approach important. Vikingo is encouraged by how quickly he has reached certain early milestones, but he has not suggested that he is ready to set a return date. The reported six-to-eight-month timeline remains the clearest public expectation surrounding his absence, and his comments indicate that his focus is centered on rehabilitation rather than making premature promises about when he will wrestle again.
WWE television debut remains on hold
Because of the ACL tear and subsequent surgery, Vikingo has not yet competed on WWE television. The injury arrived while he was preparing for an NXT match, delaying a potentially important chapter in his career as WWE and AAA move forward under their developing relationship.
Vikingo has already established himself as one of the best-known names associated with AAA, having held the promotion’s Mega Championship. His presence carries obvious value for fans familiar with his work in lucha libre, while also offering WWE viewers an opportunity to see an athlete whose approach differs from the standard styles often seen on weekly programming.
There is no indication that the injury has changed the broader opportunity in front of him. Before discussing his rehabilitation progress on WWE Ahora, Vikingo had expressed optimism in an interview with Denise Salcedo regarding the WWE-AAA merger. However, until he is medically ready to return, his role in that evolving landscape will remain on hold.
That distinction matters. Excitement around the relationship between WWE and AAA naturally creates interest in when performers such as Vikingo could appear, but the wrestler’s own update makes clear that health must come first. His doctors have been impressed by what he has accomplished so far, yet they have also advised him not to rush. For a performer returning from ACL surgery, that caution is not a setback; it is a necessary part of getting back to the ring in the best possible condition.
What Vikingo’s update means going forward
The most notable takeaway from Vikingo’s comments is that his recovery appears to be moving in a favorable direction. Starting to walk sooner than expected is an encouraging personal milestone, and it has clearly provided him with confidence during an otherwise difficult period away from competition.
Still, the update should be viewed as a positive rehabilitation report rather than a signal of an imminent return. Vikingo did not announce a medical clearance, a target match, or a planned WWE television debut. He described progress, gratitude for the support around him, and an understanding that the recovery has to unfold gradually.
That is likely the right mindset for someone in his position. The temptation to return quickly can be intense, especially when a major opportunity may be waiting on the other side of rehab. But Vikingo’s long-term value rests in his ability to perform at the level that made him a standout in AAA and a compelling prospect for WWE audiences. A careful recovery gives him the best chance of returning with the mobility, confidence, and explosiveness his style demands.
For now, Vikingo’s schedule is defined by rehabilitation instead of matches. He is spending more time with his wife and children, working through the stages of recovery, and listening to the medical professionals overseeing his return. The early signs have been good, and doctors have reportedly been impressed. The next objective is simply to continue that progress without putting the repaired left knee under unnecessary pressure.
Vikingo’s WWE television debut will have to wait, but his latest remarks provide a promising indication that he is moving in the right direction. As he continues to recover from the ACL tear, the former AAA Mega Champion is balancing optimism with restraint—a combination that may prove crucial when the time comes for him to step back into the ring.
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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.