5 Reasons why Blackpool Combat Club must disband in AEW
In March 2022, William Regal made his AEW debut and formed the Blackpool Combat Club with Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson. Soon Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli joined the group, while Regal left the promotion in late 2022.
The stable is known for its hard-hitting matches and has been part of some of the iconic moments in the company's history. But like how all ideas risk stagnating, the time has come for BCC to evolve.
Over the past few weeks, the faction has seemingly lost its ranks in the company and many believe the next step for a stagnating wrestling stable - disbandment. How Tony Khan does it is his creative call, but it's high time the BCC disbands - here are five reasons why.
#5. Claudio Castagnoli could leave BCC to align with the Young Bucks
Claudio Castagnoli has had an incredible run in WWE and AEW, and the next step in his story's evolution is up. Turning heel is among the best options for the former WWE Tag Team Champion.
During a backstage interview, Castagnoli spoke about the Anarchy in the Arena match that pitted Danielson, Eddie Kingston, and FTR against The Elite at Double or Nothing 2024.
"But him and Eddie Kingston in Anarchy in the Arena again? Last time we were in the Anarchy in the Arena together, it was almost the end of Bryan's career, and I came in to replace Bryan against Zack Sabre Jr. because people didn't know if Bryan's gonna wrestle again because of Eddie's actions. And I know Eddie is walking around saying he's a changed man [or] whatever."
Claudio is unhappy his fellow BCC member sided with Team AEW. This could be added to the long-running feud of The Young Bucks opposing other stars and backstage names, including Tony Khan. Of course, this would put him against Bryan Danielson, setting the stage for a disbandment.
#4. Wheeler Yuta should concentrate on a singles run
Wheeler Yuta is a member of BCC, but fans think he hasn't been used to his true potential yet. Unlike other members, the former ROH Pure Champion has not been part of any big feuds.
Yuta walked away from the Best Friends stable to join BCC in April 2022, just a year after debuting in the Jacksonville-based company.
He spent some months this year nursing an injury, but 2024 should be when his fans see the talented star in some feuds and not as one of the members of a wrestling stable.
#2. Claudio Castagnoli has nothing left to prove
Claudio Castagnoli is one of the finest wrestling talents and the former WWE United States Champion will have nothing left to prove, and the only way his being in BCC will be realistic is if he decides to mentor younger wrestlers, a la Chris Jericho's Learning Tree.
Castagnoli is a true wrestling veteran and has had enough championship reigns in his career. He is a former two-time ROH World Championship, five-time RAW Tag Team, and two-time SmackDown Tag Team Champion, sharing the gold with Shinsuke Nakamura and Sheamus. He has been wrestling since 2000 and has won titles in many promotions before signing with WWE in 2011.
His last singles title match was against Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship at the April 27 episode of Collison.
#2. Blackpool Combat Club member Jon Moxley is ripe for becoming an NJPW fixture
Moxley is doing a great job defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Before his BCC membership impedes him, he must bid goodbye to the stable. After all, he was the other founding member of the Blackpool Combat Club.
Moxley leaving AEW is not happening anytime soon, with his new contract having him work with the company until 2027. As a defending champion, there's every chance his priorities lie with NJPW, which would make it difficult for him to pay attention to Blackpool Combat Club and its feuds.
In such a scenario, it makes sense for the former WWE Champion to leave the stable behind to focus on his run in Japan, which could lead him to leave the Blackpool Combat Club and potentially have a feud with its members.
#1. Bryan Danielson might soon become a part-timer
Bryan Danielson is a generational talent, and The American Dragon has had an incredible stint in AEW. The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, one of the two founding members of the Blackpool Combat Club has spoken about moving away from full-time wrestling soon, which doesn't sound good for the BCC.
But every wrestler's decision should be respected. The only way AEW and the rest of the Blackpool Combat Club members can respect this decision is by disbanding one of the most intense stables of their time.