AEW’s Pivot: Moxley’s Title Win Over Allin’s Planned Reign

One big thing: AEW changed course on WrestleDream’s main event

Jon Moxley’s AEW World Championship victory at WrestleDream wasn’t the original plan. The initial strategy involved Darby Allin dethroning Bryan Danielson.

The details:

• Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Allin was set to win the title from Danielson at WrestleDream.
• The Tacoma event was chosen due to both wrestlers’ local connections.
• Plans shifted after Moxley attacked Danielson post-match at AEW All Out in September.
• The change was described as “an attempt to jump-start interest in the promotion.”

Why it matters:

This shift represents a significant change in AEW’s long-term booking strategy and could impact fan engagement and storyline development moving forward.

By the numbers:

• Allin is a former AEW World Tag Team Champion and TNT Champion.
• Danielson won the AEW World Championship at All In 2024 in Wembley Stadium.
• “AEW Dynamite” ratings following WrestleDream were described as “pedestrian.”

The big picture:

While TV ratings haven’t shown immediate improvement, AEW’s success isn’t solely measured by viewership. The company recently secured a substantial media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, indicating confidence in their product.

What’s next:

Allin’s involvement in the post-match attack on Moxley suggests he may be positioned as a future challenger for the AEW World Championship.

What do you think about AEW’s decision to change their WrestleDream plans? Do you believe Darby Allin should have won the title instead of Jon Moxley? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!