AEW Champion PAC Injured on 4/9 Dynamite

During last night’s AEW Dynamite, AEW World Trios Champion PAC appeared to have injured his right foot or lower leg. The injury may have happened when PAC landed awkwardly on his right leg after Swerve Strickland hit ‘The Bastard’ with a buckle bomb.

Afterwards, PAC rolled outside to the ringside doctor. The referee, Stephon Smith, joined Doctor Sampson to communicate with PAC. An improvised finish was created, and PAC was able to get back in the ring.

Strickland hit a superkick and then a Swerve Stomp to get the victory. Subsequently, Strickland and Prince Nana played for time to the cameras as PAC was helped backstage.

PAC’s AEW career has seen the Brit experience a range of unfortunate injuries. During his last spell on the sidelines, PAC was out for nine months. Hopefully, this may prove to be a minor injury.

At Last Word on Pro Wrestling, we wish PAC the best for a safe and speedy recovery.

What About The AEW Trios Championship?

If PAC’s injury is severe enough that he will miss a sustained period of programming, AEW will need to make a change to plans for the AEW World Trios Championship. Given the prominence of the Death Rider storyline, there may not be time to stall and wait. The foreshadowing turned into intention this past week that The Opps (Samoe Joe, HOOK, and Katsuyori Shibata) have eyes on the trios championship, a decision that will need to be made.

Does AEW replace PAC with another member of the group? Do Death Riders opt for Freebird rules with either Jon Moxley or potentially Marina Shafir stepping in? The latter would be a bold choice in storytelling.

The former could lead to a fun future title defense for the AEW World Championship. Moxley vs. Joe anyone? Or, could The Elite take their peace offering further, like loaning Death Riders someone Moxley believes is a “good kid”?

Jack Perry has been absent since losing the TNT Championship. There would be storytelling opportunities there also.

However, AEW set a precedent last year when Jay White became injured. The trios championship had to be vacated. Yet, The Bang Bang Gang did get an opportunity to reclaim them with The Gunns teaming with Juice Robinson.

A potential title change could still be facilitated through this precedent. Or a reset for Death Riders if PAC is unable to return to action straight away.

AEW has options. Even with wrestlers currently injured, the roster remains stacked, and with the current storyline, there are opportunities for new interesting possibilities.