AEW fuels rumors & speculation on Taz and Hook after Christian Cage happening

AEW presented the final Dynamite episode of 2024 from the historic Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City this week. Taz returned to a big pop from his hometown crowd as his son Hook continued to battle Christian Cage and his faction. As the rising star looks to avenge his father, a concerning storyline presentation is fueling the rumor mill.

The Human Suplex Machine underwent a total knee replacement in October and was written off television with a mystery attacker angle in the parking lot. The actual attack was never shown, but Hook promised to find the mystery assailants, who turned out to be The Patriarchy - Cage, Nick Wayne, Kip Sabian, and Mother Wayne. While his son was tracking down The Patriarchy, Taz returned to Dynamite commentary this week in NYC, joining Excalibur and Tony Schiavone. It remains to be seen if the former ECW World Champion is cleared for travel to work Saturday's Worlds End pay-per-view.

The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil's current storyline with his father and The Patriarchy shows how ridiculously slow AEW is with storytelling at times, noted The Wrestling Observer. It was acknowledged how Christian was revealed to be the suspect in the attack on Taz, but AEW has dragged the Hook vs. Christian match out to the point it still has not happened and seemingly will not at Worlds End on Saturday. The next big issue is how Taz is already back to work before the first big match in the feud has taken place or been announced.

The Orange and Black Attack has returned to work, so now there's no reason for revenge on The Patriarchy, adds The Observer. It was noted that even a worst-case situation would have had Taz returning in the second or third match of the rivalry, perhaps with a major stipulation that Hook had to overcome to finally get the big revenge match with Cage that he's been hoping for.

Two potential ideas for the stipulation match would have seen Hook join The Patriarchy or shave his head if he lost. To continue the creative pitch, Taz could have returned out of nowhere right when Hook was about to come up short against the three-time TNA World Champion and then save his son from losing the high-stakes match.

Storyline developments in the current Taz - Hook - Christian program led to The Observer wondering why AEW even did the parking lot attacker angle in the first place. It was noted that officials booked several mini-angles to stretch the storyline and gain more time before the payoff match, and then long-term storytelling prevented the match from happening at WrestleDream in October. The match did not happen at WrestleDream because the company was telling a lengthy story, and then it was not held at Full Gear because officials were delaying the program.

Hook is still hoping for a one-on-one bout with Cage, but the recent Holiday Bash Dynamite saw Cage and Wayne defeat the final FTW Champion and Katsuyori Shibata, thanks to Christian and Nick's mother. The 19-year-old heel will now face the 25-year-old babyface on tonight's New Year's Smash Rampage.

Final AEW Rampage episode airing tonight

All Elite Wrestling will present its fourth annual New Year's Smash edition of Rampage tonight on TNT. This will also serve as the final episode of AEW's Friday night show. Below is the current lineup for the 177th Rampage episode:

1. Hook vs. Nick Wayne
2. Leila Grey vs. Thunder Rosa
3. World Tag Team Champions Private Party will be in non-title action
4. Non-Title Match: ROH World Champion Chris Jericho vs. Anthony Bowens

Rampage was taped on Wednesday at the historic Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, right after the Miracle on 34th Street Dynamite tapings. Tonight's episode will also serve as the Worlds End go-home show.