Initially, it was thought that Darby Allin would be the next in line for the AEW World Heavyweight Title, but it turns out that Jon Moxley was always meant to take the championship after Bryan Danielson.
Danielson claimed the AEW World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Swerve Strickland in a career vs. title match that was the main event of the AEW All In London 2024 pay-per-view at Wembley Stadium. Moxley then defeated Danielson for the title at WrestleDream after previously overcoming Allin during the Grand Slam episode of Dynamite, which secured him the title shot.
Dave Meltzer reported the following in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter:
“A few notes regarding the long-term plans here. According to those close to the situation, while the story was out about Darby Allin being planned for the title this year after Bryan Danielson, the secret plan from months ago was always Danielson to Jon Moxley as a heel. The Swerve Strickland to Danielson and then to Moxley story was planned prior to Moxley winning the IWGP title, but apparently the only people who were supposed to know were Tony Khan, Moxley, Danielson and Allin. Danielson did not want to win the title but Khan talked him into it feeling that his winning would be the best possible moment for the end of the biggest show of the year. Danielson pretty much chose the end date in Tacoma as that date wasn’t locked in stone, but going to Moxley as a heel was the idea. The new Moxley version of the BCC is his idea.”