We recently learned that AEW star Jon Moxley has checked himself into rehab for issues relating to alcohol, and while his recovery is obviously the most important thing now, there has inevitably been an impact on what we see on TV. Talking to PWTorchVIP.com, AEW President Tony Khan addressed the decision to have Miro replace Moxley in the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament.
"I was considering other people, but once I thought of Miro I really didn’t think much more about it," he explained. "Yes, there was a storyline ripple effect and it definitely affected this past week show. And then that was coupled and really enhanced by Eddie being out sick on Wednesday. The card was definitely thinner. And it definitely hurt to show."
"This is going to have a long term ripple effect. Absolutely. And we’ll see how things go at Full Gear. But Miro taking Jon’s place in the tournament definitely changed multiple stories and multiple plans. And you know, thankfully, we just kind of punted the can down the road, and it did affect the card, and I changed up what I was planning for the matches this past Wednesday."
Asked to elaborate on comments that last week was the second toughest since AEW started, Khan noted: "It has been a pretty challenging week. And Jon is a really good friend of mine. So for many reasons. It’s been hard. But I’ve talked Renee pretty much every day. And it seems like Jon’s doing better, which is great news for everybody. It’s great news for the fans, and especially for Jon and Renee, and for his friends of which I am one."
It's great to hear that Moxley is on the road to recovery, and while it's probably going to be a while before we see him back in the ring, something tells us he'll beat this thing sooner rather than later.
Needless to say, we wish him all the best. After beating Orange Cassady during Wednesday's episode of Dynamite, Miro will take on Bryan Danielson in the finals of this tournament at Full Gear this Saturday.