It’s drama in the squared circle with a side of cryptic backstage maneuvers as AEW wrestler Willie Mack finds himself tangled in the latest chapter of the AEW vs. GCW soap opera. In true wrestling fashion, the plot is full of twists, accusations, and the faint scent of carnies holding grudges.
The drama began when Mack was pulled from GCW’s Scene of the Crime and Highest in the Room 3 events on December 13 and 14, where he was scheduled to face Joey Janela and Sidney Akeem. Mack, apparently, was also set to bring the magic of Insane Clown Posse’s Violent J along for the ride. But alas, the ride seems to have hit a roadblock labeled “Tony Khan’s Displeasure Express.”
EFFY and the Curious Case of Canceled Wrestlers
GCW sources believe Mack’s abrupt no-show traces back to comments made by GCW’s own glitter-sporting icon EFFY, who reportedly ruffled some feathers with remarks about Tony Khan’s father. AEW’s Ricky Starks was previously pulled from GCW appearances after this kerfuffle, and now Mack might be caught in the fallout.
But wait, there’s more! Sources within AEW told Fightful that the real reason might have nothing to do with EFFY. One source even tried smoothing things over with GCW. Meanwhile, GCW sources claim AEW’s talent relations team “strongly encouraged” Mack to back out. Somewhere, Violent J is probably pondering if the “Great Milenko” can fix booking disputes.
No Scheduling Conflict, Just Plain Conflict
To add more spice to the pot, AEW and ROH don’t even have shows scheduled on December 13 or 14, as the episodes of “Rampage” and “Collision” that weekend are pre-taped. That leaves the question: was Mack’s GCW cancellation a business call, a personal vendetta, or simply Tony Khan’s way of saying “EFFY who?”
Until the dust settles, one thing is clear: the AEW-GCW saga is the gift that keeps on giving. Just don’t expect Violent J to give Tony Khan a clown-to-clown handshake anytime soon.