The world of professional wrestling is abuzz with speculation surrounding Jon Moxley’s upcoming match at the AEW Double or Nothing 2024 Pay-Per-View. The recent announcement by Tony Khan has raised eyebrows, with Moxley scheduled to face Konosuke Takeshita in an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Eliminator Match. The twist, however, lies in the fact that it will be a non-title bout, with Takeshita earning a future world title shot if he emerges victorious.
Veteran wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer has shed light on the possible reasons behind this unusual booking. According to Meltzer, New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s demands may have played a significant role in this decision. With Moxley scheduled to defend his title against EVIL at NJPW Dominion in June 2024, it’s possible that New Japan wanted to avoid having their champion put the title on the line at an AEW event.
Meltzer also hinted at the possibility of political issues at play, given Takeshita’s past association with DDT Pro-Wrestling. The complexity of the situation is further compounded by the recent comments made by New Japan Pro-Wrestling President Hiroshi Tanahashi. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Tanahashi acknowledged that having an outsider like Jon Moxley as the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is not unprecedented, but emphasized that whoever manages to dethrone him would instantly gain immense recognition in the industry.
As the wrestling world waits with bated breath to see what the future holds for The Lunatic Fringe, one thing is certain – the stakes are high, and the drama surrounding Moxley’s title reign is far from over. Will Takeshita be the one to take down Moxley and earn a future title shot, or will EVIL emerge victorious at NJPW Dominion? The next few weeks will be crucial in shaping the trajectory of Moxley’s title reign and the power dynamics at play in professional wrestling.
