This past weekend in Chicago, All Elite Wrestling’s Worlds End event featured an unforeseen WWE star replacement as PAC, a key member of the Death Riders, was substituted for Daniel Garcia in a high-stakes Mixed Nuts Mayhem match. The sudden Tony Khan AEW match replacement drew attention because no official reason for PAC’s absence was given, prompting questions among fans and industry watchers alike.
PAC, previously renowned as Neville during his WWE tenure where he captured the NXT and Cruiserweight titles, has experienced a transformative journey since joining AEW and becoming part of Jon Moxley’s Death Riders alongside Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and Marina Shafir. He was originally scheduled to compete with his stablemates against the Conglomeration. With Daniel Garcia stepping in at the last moment, the competition saw an unexpected shift, and intrigue mounted about PAC’s absence from the bout.
Khan Shares Insight on PAC’s Absence
During a recent conversation with Q101 Chicago, AEW President Tony Khan responded to inquiries regarding PAC being removed from the card. While details remained limited, Khan’s remarks suggested the decision was influenced by factors behind the scenes but ultimately contributed to the event’s overall success.
“To be honest, it’s a long story. It worked out very well. We had a very hard hitting competition and everybody’s going to be cleared after the competition, but it just worked out.”
He said. – Tony Khan, AEW President
This statement hinted at complexities relating to the match card but reassured fans that all competitors managed to come through the contest safely. The clear indication from Khan was that, despite the last-minute change, the storytelling and intensity of AEW’s signature style were maintained, leaving fans eager for what comes next, especially with PAC’s future up in the air.
Plans Revealed for AEW’s Grand Slam: Mexico Return
Further elevating excitement, Tony Khan took the opportunity to announce AEW’s return to Mexico for the 2026 edition of Grand Slam: Mexico. This event marks the continued partnership between AEW and CMLL, signaling more international collaborations ahead. During the same interview, Tony Khan praised CMLL and their ongoing relationship, expressing enthusiasm for next year’s collaboration and gratitude toward CMLL’s Salvador and the entire Mexican wrestling community.
“100%. We have amazing partners in CMLL so I would want to work with them and we’re going to work with them. So Grand Slam: Mexico will be back in 2026 and I’m just pleased that they will have us, and I can’t wait to go back. We had a great experience in Mexico. It’s an honor, I love working with Salvador,”
he said. – Tony Khan, AEW President
The return of AEW Grand Slam: Mexico has already sparked global anticipation, as fans look forward to seeing stars like Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia, and potentially PAC, perform once more on an international stage. This ongoing collaboration ensures that AEW continues to broaden its global reach, strengthening ties with fellow promotions and providing compelling matchups for worldwide audiences.
As speculation continues about PAC’s status and future appearances, Tony Khan AEW match replacement decisions and commitments to major events underscore a period of growth and energized storytelling for the company, keeping fans invested in every twist that unfolds both in AEW arenas and beyond.
