Danhausen, known as the “Very Nice, Very Evil” star who joined Tony Khan’s AEW roster in 2022, has warned Jake Doyle, AEW’s newest acquisition, prior to their upcoming match outside the Jacksonville-based promotion. This confrontation is notable as it marks Doyle’s last bout under the ring name Jake Something at the Sanctuary Fight Club event.
The 35-year-old Danhausen, who has not appeared on AEW programming since Worlds End 2023 but continues to wrestle independently, signaled his intent to decisively end Doyle’s persona in their upcoming contest. With Danhausen’s future with AEW uncertain and Doyle freshly signed by Khan, the bout carries high stakes involving both competitors’ careers.
Sharing a promotional poster for the fight on Instagram, Danhausen acknowledged the significance of Doyle’s final match name before delivering a stark warning:
“Because I’m going to buried him alive,” Danhausen said.
Speculation Surrounds Danhausen’s Prospects for a WWE Royal Rumble Appearance
Amid questions about Danhausen’s future with AEW, his potential debut at WWE’s Royal Rumble in 2026 has been the subject of recent discussion. During a Fightful Select Q&A, wrestling journalist Sean Ross Sapp addressed the likelihood of Danhausen appearing at that event, expressing skepticism based on current contract conditions.
“I don’t think he would be able to do the 2026 Royal Rumble. I think it’s a bad mark on AEW that they extended his contract due to injury time with absolutely no plans to use him, and with him wanting to be let go… Him getting an AEW release is about the only way that could happen, which honestly isn’t out of the realm of possibility,” Sapp explained.
This commentary underscores concerns about Danhausen’s stalled position within AEW, highlighting a disconnect between contract status and active use, and fueling speculation about whether a release could open new doors in WWE.
Understanding the Significance of This Match and Its Implications
The upcoming match between Danhausen and Jake Doyle is pivotal for both wrestlers given its backdrop—a final appearance under an established ring name for Doyle and a potential turning point in Danhausen’s wrestling career. Danhausen’s ominous warning and visible frustration reflect his uncertain standing within Tony Khan’s promotion, while Doyle’s introduction as a new signee represents AEW’s ongoing talent expansion efforts.
As the professional wrestling landscape evolves, this confrontation at Sanctuary Fight Club will likely influence future contracts, character trajectories, and fan engagement. Observers anticipate how AEW’s management, led by Tony Khan, will handle Danhausen’s contract status and whether his path might lead to WWE, especially considering the speculation sparked by industry insiders like Sapp.
