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Monday, May 27, 2019

Moxley's big AEW deal, DON notes including guests and post-show interviews, WWE Network special, Interview with Heyman, another Impact/HOH match, Cody comments picked up by popular politician, Spears-AEW update, Starrcast III official, Road Dogg's new role, Moxley speaking to Y2J, and Questions on AEW execs' schedules, Lucha Bros' future, Montreal's legitimacy, Dolph earning a title shot, the CTE attorney vs. WWE, and WWE focusing on the brand at the expense of stars

Jon Moxley has signed with AEW for a multi-year, full-time contract. He will wrestle at Fyter Fest in a currently unspecified match. Kenny Omega was scheduled to team with the Young Bucks against PAC and the Lucha Bros, so it's possible Moxley takes PAC's place. I don't expect him to face Chris Jericho at that show.

- Moxley will be taking a few outside dates before AEW's TV deal starts. More on this tomorrow.

After Double or Nothing went off the air, Cody, the Young Bucks, Hangman Page, and Matt Jackson's wife assisted Omega to his feet. Cody and Omega then spoke to the crowd.

AEW was very happy with how Double or Nothing went off, with Tony Khan particularly ecstatic about the product's future.

Bret Hart fell down backstage at Double or Nothing as he missed a step. He's had a rough past few appearances!

Double or Nothing had Mike Tyson, Shad Khan, Noelle Foley, JWOWW of Jersey Shore, Kelly Klein, Traci Brooks, Scarlett Bordeaux, Killer Kross, and Bill Apter in attendance. Klein is married to BJ Whitmer, who has a role backstage in AEW. Traci Brooks is married to Frankie Kazarian. Kross and Bordeaux being there will definitely get people talking. Both remain under contract to Impact.

Fight for the Fallen will feature the Young Bucks vs. Cody and Dustin Rhodes. So, Dustin will have at least one more AEW match.

Mark Henry did interviews at Double or Nothing on behalf of Busted Open. I wouldn't assume that means he's interested in joining the promotion.

Triple H will have a Road to WrestleMania special airing after Takeover:XXV.

Paul Heyman discussed his relationship with Brock Lesnar. Brock has definitely been made a one-of-a-kind asset.

Impact and HOH's June 8 event has added Billy Gunn vs. Joey Ryan. So, Gunn is also able to work outside of AEW, at least as far as HOH is concerned. Ryan remains a free agent.

After Double or Nothing, Tony Khan, Cody, the Young Bucks, Chris Jericho, Dustin Rhodes, Britt Baker, Nyla Rose, and Shawn Spears spoke to the media. A variety of outlets got to get press there. That's a nice contrast from how WWE does things.

Cody speaking about AEW's diversity was picked up by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. That's unfortunately going to stir up controversy.

Shawn Spears has not signed an AEW contract, but was complimentary of his Double or Nothing experience.

Starrcast III will precede All Out. So, that convention is skipping Fyter Fest and Fight for the Fallen.

Road Dogg has moved into a role in NXT. His official title hasn't been confirmed, but he's been working out of the WWE Performance Center.

Tony Khan was in charge of timing Double or Nothing. Khan also made suggestions to the show's director. He was very supportive of the wrestlers after their matches, as well, earning points with the locker room.

Awesome Kong working Double or Nothing was decided back in January. That was Kong's first match since September 2017.

Impact producer Kevin Sullivan put together Double or Nothing's video packages. I'm curious if he'll try to balance Impact and AEW when AEW goes full-time.

AEW's newest team, normally known as Super Smash Bros, will be undergoing a name change due to Nintendo's copyright of that name. I'm interested what name they'll end up with.

Jon Moxley will appear on Chris Jericho's next podcast, so they're following that angle up pretty quickly. It's unknown when they'll face off in the ring, as Jericho of course has an AEW Championship match upcoming with Hangman Page.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1.a. HHH has a lot more responsibilities, as head of talent development and talent relations. And, as alluded to, he's 49.  I expect those names will seek to be as active as possible on-screen and behind-the-scenes. That said, of course they'll also elevate other stars as appropriate. It will be interesting to see how they strike the balance of talent and management and if they get flak for how they book themselves compared to other wrestlers.

1.b. The Lucha Bros aren't locked down to any U.S. home. Since AAA has working relationships with both Impact and AEW, it's possible the pair will be able to continue to work AEW, Impact, and MLW concurrently. HOWEVER, it's definitely possible down the line one U.S. promotion gets them exclusively. I'd expect AEW to be that promotion.

2. If it's a work, it's one that's been protected for a long, long time!

3. Kofi has incentive to wrestle someone who attacked him. It's more of a grudge match than a case of a credible contender working his way up the ranks. Although, of course, let's not minimize Dolph's career accomplishments.

4. When someone's in the position he's in, they can either concede their arguments were bunk or double down. It's entirely possible he holds on to his beliefs as long as he lives rather than admit he made a colossal and embarrassing mistake with his lawsuits.

5. WWE definitely has the mentality that WWE itself is the draw rather than any particular star. It can definitely be argued that's why the show isn't as popular as it could be, because WWE doesn't really get behind but a select group of people who are stars beyond the wrestling bubble (Brock, Ronda, Cena, the Attitude Era names).

More wrestling tomorrow.

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