Potential reason for Jon Moxley not defending his world title at AEW Double or Nothing 2024

There was confusion among many regarding Jon Moxley's upcoming match at the AEW Double or Nothing Pay-Per-View. A veteran wrestling journalist has shared his thoughts regarding the situation and why this possibly came to be. That would be Dave Meltzer.

Tony Khan recently announced that Jon Moxley, formerly known as Dean Ambrose, will be facing Konosuke Takeshita in an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Eliminator Match at the AEW Double or Nothing 2024 Pay-Per-View. This means that it will be a non-title bout, but should Takeshita win, he would earn a future world title shot.

On a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer mentioned how this booking may have come to be due to New Japan Pro-Wrestling's demands. They may have wanted a non-title bout as Jon Moxley was scheduled for a title defense against EVIL at NJPW Dominion in June 2024.

"I would suspect Moxley vs. Takeshita being non-title is because New Japan controls the IWGP belt and doesn’t like to announce title bouts with another one scheduled. With Moxley vs. Evil at Dominion on 6/9, that would make it difficult for Moxley to defend before that date," Dave Meltzer said.

Meltzer also felt that there could be political issues involved seeing as The Alpha formerly competed in DDT Pro-Wrestling.

"In this case with a major PPV, Moxley vs. Takeshita shouldn’t be non-title, especially since New Japan won’t want their world champion to lose to a DDT wrestler. Maybe there are political issues for them approving a DDT wrestler getting a title match but from a fan standpoint on a major PPV, both sides should have worked together to make it a title match unless the idea is for Moxley to lose to set it up for later," Dave Meltzer said.

What the future has in store for The Lunatic Fringe remains to be seen.

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NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi talked about what could happen if Jon Moxley was dethroned

A few weeks ago, New Japan Pro-Wrestling President Hiroshi Tanahashi addressed how an outsider, specifically Jon Moxley, was the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in the promotion.

While speaking to Sports Illustrated, Tanahashi mentioned how this was not the first time that someone outside the company was holding their world title. However, he claimed that whoever was to take the belt off of Moxley would instantly make it in the industry, as they would have the spotlight having dethroned someone of Jon's caliber.

“This isn’t the first time that the top title has been worn by an outsider. Whoever can take it off Moxley will have a big spotlight on them, and I hope they make the most of it," Hiroshi Tanahashi said. [H/T Fightful]

It remains to be seen if Konosuke Takeshita will be the one to do so should he be victorious in his match against The Lunatic Fringe at the AEW Double or Nothing 2024 Pay-Per-View. EVIL could also emerge as the man to dethrone Moxley as he has his chance at NJPW Dominion in June 2024.