All Elite Wrestling (AEW) continues to build momentum after its highly successful stadium event, All In: Texas, earlier this month. As the promotion heads towards the upcoming pay-per-view Forbidden Door 2025, president Tony Khan is preparing viewers for surprise appearances on this week’s AEW Dynamite, which will air live from The Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom.
Tony Khan AEW Dynamite returns are generating excitement among fans, with speculation rising about which wrestlers might make unexpected comebacks. With the week’s card still under wraps, three potential returns stand out based on recent story developments and rivalries within the company.
Possible Return of Christian Cage to Clash with The Waynes and Sabian
At All In: Texas, Christian Cage and Nick Wayne teamed up in an attempt to be the first father-son duo to win the AEW World Tag Team Championship. They faced Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley, along with JetSpeed, in a three-way match but ultimately fell short as The Hurt Syndicate retained the titles. The dramatic moment came when Nick Wayne turned on his father, Christian, just before Adam Copeland intervened.
Copeland returned powerfully to chase off the antagonists, signaling his intent to take on tag team FTR—comprised of Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler—rather than save Cage directly. On the subsequent Dynamite episode, Copeland made his mission clear by spearheading Stokely Hathaway and targeting FTR. Meanwhile, Christian Cage was absent but remains a pivotal figure, especially as Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne, and Kip Sabian have been antagonizing him.
The Instant Classic, Christian Cage, is expected to come back this week to address the tensions with The Waynes and Sabian. His potential encounter with Adam Copeland could further escalate this storyline, setting up future confrontations between these key personalities.
Chris Jericho May Return to Fuel Conflict with Big Bill and Juice Robinson
Following his loss of the ROH World Championship to Bandido at Dynasty 2025, Chris Jericho publicly criticized his protégés, Big Bill and Bryan Keith, for failing both to help him retain his title and to capture The Hurt Syndicate’s Tag Team Championships at the same event. Jericho’s outburst led to a breakdown within The Learning Tree faction, culminating in Jericho’s absence from AEW television since that night.
Meanwhile, Big Bill and Bryan Keith have appeared intermittently on AEW Collision, with Big Bill recently involved in a backstage confrontation against Juice Robinson. A match between Bill and Robinson could be slated for this week’s Dynamite, and an unexpected return by Chris Jericho could dramatically influence the bout’s outcome. Jericho’s interference would serve as revenge against Big Bill, who previously stood up to him earlier this year, adding another layer of intrigue to the match.
Women’s Division Set for Possible Interference from Mercedes Mone
Mercedes Mone aimed to capture the AEW Women’s World Championship from Toni Storm at All In: Texas but was unsuccessful in her bid. On the same night, Athena won the Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match, earning the right to challenge for the Women’s World Title at any time. Athena, the reigning ROH Women’s Champion, recently promised Toni Storm she would claim the title to become a double champion.
This week on AEW Dynamite, Toni Storm is scheduled to face Billie Starkz, the protégé of The Minion Overlord. That match bears the potential for disruption, possibly due to an unexpected return by Mercedes Mone, who has not been seen on AEW programming since her defeat. Given Mone’s established history with both Storm and Athena, her return could intensify the ongoing battle for the Women’s World Title and inject fresh tension into the women’s division.
Significance of the Expected Returns and Their Impact on AEW Storylines
The anticipated returns on AEW Dynamite will significantly advance ongoing rivalries and introduce renewed energy ahead of the Forbidden Door 2025 pay-per-view. Christian Cage’s comeback could reignite family and faction disputes, while Chris Jericho’s possible involvement threatens to complicate the tag team landscape and reinforce his continued influence despite his recent absence.
In the women’s division, Mercedes Mone’s return would deepen the championship contention, potentially shifting power dynamics among Toni Storm, Athena, and Billie Starkz. Tony Khan’s strategy to unveil these surprise returns underscores AEW’s commitment to maintaining unpredictable storytelling and captivating weekly television.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Tony Khan a billionaire?
A. According to Forbes, Shahid Khan, Tony Khan’s father, has a net worth exceeding $12 billion. Although Tony’s net worth isn’t publicly available, reports say it’s about $1.5 billion due to his ownership of AEW.
