Trios title open challenge added to AEW Grand Slam

Originally posted on F4WOnline.com | By Josh Nason | Last updated Sep 18, 2024 10:13 PM ET

Image: AEW

Even with their recent issues, the team of Claudio Castagnoli, PAC and Wheeler Yuta will defend their AEW Trios titles as part of next week’s AEW Grand Slam from Queens, New York, in an open challenge.

In a backstage segment filmed last week, Castagnoli, PAC and Jon Moxley didn’t back down from their recent attack on Bryan Danielson at All Out — one that Yuta recoiled at and had to be held back from as it was happening. PAC told Yuta it was time for him to get back to work while Castagnoli said he wasn’t mad at Yuta, but was disappointed.

Moxley then addressed Yuta and said it was up to him whether or not he showed up to defend the titles and that he was allowed to leave the team if he wanted. He said it’s a lot of Yuta for handle, but he believes Yuta has the strength inside “to do the right thing” and look himself in the mirror to ask himself if he is the man they taught him to be.

"What kinda man did we teach you to be?"
– Jon Moxley sends a message to Wheeler Yuta.

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@JonMoxley | @MarinaShafir | @ClaudioCSRO | @BASTARDPAC pic.twitter.com/g3oIyLgwu0
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 19, 2024

Yuta was later interviewed by Alex Marvez where he said he’s been distracted lately with the whole situation, later forgetting his Trios title belt and mistaking next Wednesday for WrestleDream. He said that despite all that, he has fought too hard and for too long to become a champion and will be there at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Although Wheeler Yuta is conflicted with the recent events. He has to pull focus with #AEWGrandSlam just around the corner.

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@alexmarvez | @WheelerYuta pic.twitter.com/mwiXRlJZjr
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 19, 2024

Three potential contenders were seemingly taken out during Dynamite when Private Party & Komander were decimated by Moxley, Castagnoli and Marina Shafir with Moxley taking a hammer to Isiah Kassidy’s hand. Kassidy and Marq Quen had called out the former Blackpool Combat Club earlier on the show after last Wednesday’s attack.

It’s unclear if the bout will be on Dynamite or saved for Collision which is also being taped that night.

Here’s the current lineup for Grand Slam Dynamite:

AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness in a non-title match
Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin for Allin’s AEW World title shot
AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defend against Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher

Here’s what has also been announced for that night: