Top AEW star to make massive return in a new avatar and join Jon Moxley's faction? Analyzing the chances
AEW has booked what could be its most intriguing storyline in some time, led by Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir. Rumors on what's next for the heel faction have picked up in recent weeks, with fans speculating on potential scenarios and swerves. Now there's the possibility of a top fan-favorite returning with a new gimmick to join forces with Moxley and his crew.
The Purveyor of Violence and The Problem arrived on AEW Dynamite weeks back, fueling rumors on a potential hostile takeover storyline. The duo then linked up with Claudio Castagnoli and PAC, while turning on World Champion Bryan Danielson. Wheeler Yuta holds the World Trios Championship with PAC and Castagnoli, but he walked out on his partners after a trios win on Saturday's Collision: Grand Slam. The Decoder's status with the faction remains up in the air as he is conflicted over how they treated The American Dragon.
Daniel Garcia has been one of the most viral wrestling topics as of late. There is heavy uncertainty over Garcia's future as he has not accepted AEW's lucrative contract extension. The matter is playing out amid major interest from Triple H and William Regal, who reportedly want to sign the PWG World Champion to a WWE contract.
Garcia has not competed in the AEW ring since failing to defeat MJF at All Out. The Red Death reportedly considered staying with All Elite Wrestling at one point, but sources have reported that Tony Khan is no longer confident in Garcia re-signing. However, it's always possible that the 26-year-old star could be enticed to sign the contract extension, perhaps with the lucrative offer combined with some creative guarantees.
Khan is known to spend significant money on talents he wants to keep on his roster, and Garcia likely fits in that category as the company has put a lot of effort into building the 26-year-old up into the star he is now.
AEW could end up turning Garcia's real-life situation into a storyline, as we've seen happen in pro wrestling over the years. A similar storyline swerve was recently speculated on with Moxley and Britt Baker.
There's a potential scenario brewing where Khan could convince Garcia to re-sign, perhaps by giving him the aforementioned contract extension, along with a key role in such a marquee faction that they are building up with Moxley, Shafir, and Castagnoli.
Garcia has an in-ring history with Moxley and Castagnoli. Mox defeated the young Buffalo native in their two singles matches on Rampage in 2021, and Dynamite in 2022. The Swiss Superman also defeated Garcia in their only one-on-one outing, on Collision in 2023.
AEW confirms Jon Moxley vs. Bryan Danielson
All Elite Wrestling will debut in Tacoma, Washington at Tacoma Dome on Saturday, October 12 for the second annual WrestleDream pay-per-view. Like the inaugural event in 2023, this year's event will be dedicated to the memory of Antonio Inoki.
AEW has confirmed the WrestleDream main event for the World Championship. Bryan Danielson will defend his title against former stablemate Jon Moxley. Darby Allin was set to use his guaranteed Royal Rampage title shot at WrestleDream, but he lost to Moxley at Grand Slam last week, with the title shot on the line.
WrestleDream will mark the third Danielson vs. Moxley singles match in AEW. The former Dean Ambrose defeated The American Dargon at Revolution 2022, then for the vacant World Championship at Grand Slam 2022.