On this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, a new match was added to the card for AEW Grand Slam, as well as some further steps in the storyline of Wheeler Yuta’s response to Blackpool Combat Club turning on Bryan Danielson at AEW All Out 2024.
Early in the show, PAC and Claudio Castagnoli announced that they will defend the AEW World Trios Championships next week, wanting to know where Yuta’s been. They haven’t heard from him since All Out 2024. PAC was blunt, stating, “It’s time to come to work. You understand me? Pull your socks up, Yuta, and we’ll see you next week.”
Castagnoli had a softer approach, saying, “I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed. I thought I taught you better. But obviously, you’re old enough to make your own decisions. But do me this one favor and show up next week and help us defend those trios championships.”
Jon Moxley drove home the point, saying, “I know it’s a lot to handle, Wheeler, but I believe you have the strength inside you to do the right thing. It’s your choice. You’re free to leave. You’re not trapped. You can do whatever you want. It’s your choice. But you have a personal responsibility to the greater good. And you have to look yourself in the mirror every morning. What kind of man did we teach you to be?”
Later in the show, Wheeler Yuta was interviewed by Alex Marvez before he could leave the arena, where he was not in great spirits. Yuta said he was conflicted, mixed up AEW Grand Slam with AEW WrestleDream, and was approached by a stage hand who gave him his trios title belt that he had accidentally (or purposefully?) left behind in the locker room. Yuta apologized, saying, “Sorry. My head’s been all over the place, as you can tell. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from Bryan Danielson, it’s that you don’t change who you are just because people around you are changing. I’m a fighting champion. I take pride in carrying this world trios championship. So despite what those other guys want to do, if they want one more favor, if they want to defend these trios championships at Grand Slam, then next week, I’ll kick whoever’s ass I have to.”
It has yet to be clarified if this match will take place on AEW Dynamite or AEW Collision next week, let alone who will be challenging for the titles, as Private Party can be written off as an option taken out of the mix, at least.
The current lineup for AEW Grand Slam stands at the following matches for Dynamite/Collision:
Where do you think this story is going? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!