Samoa Joe will be taking time away from All Elite Wrestling, with the former AEW World Champion confirming he is “stepping away” for the next few months.

The announcement came during the third hour of Wednesday’s combined Dynamite and Collision broadcast in a backstage segment. Joe appeared alongside fellow Opps members Hook, Katsuyori Shibata, and Anthony Bowens before revealing the reason for his absence.

“Opportunity calls…and Hollywood’s ringing,” Joe said.

Joe briefly addressed the group, noting they understood how these situations work, before shaking hands and exiting. Following his departure, Hook stepped forward between Bowens and Shibata, reasserting himself as the group’s leader, a role he previously held during Joe’s last absence.

The “Hollywood” reference is tied to Joe’s involvement in the Twisted Metal series, where he portrays the physical role of Sweet Tooth, with Will Arnett providing the character’s voice. Joe is expected to film the upcoming third season of the show, which has been a strong performer for the Peacock streaming platform.

Joe’s latest AEW run has been limited in terms of in-ring appearances. The 47-year-old recently returned from a concussion and has wrestled only a handful of matches in 2026. His most recent bout took place at Double or Nothing, where he was defeated by Will Ospreay in an Owen Hart Foundation Tournament match.

With Joe now stepping away again, AEW programming will shift focus to the remaining members of the Opps faction, particularly Hook, who appears set to take on a more prominent leadership role in the group moving forward.

Samoa Joe Stepping Away From AEW for Hollywood Project

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Jake Doyle made his return to All Elite Wrestling during the May 27 episode of Dynamite + Collision in Philadelphia, marking his first appearance since being sidelined earlier this year with a torn bicep.

The comeback took place during a chaotic Superstation Showcase match and quickly added another layer to an already out-of-control situation at ringside.

Doyle had been out of action since January 28, when he suffered the injury during an AEW World Tag Team Championship match. Teaming with Mark Davis against FTR, Doyle was hurt after taking an apron DDT from Cash Wheeler. He was removed from the match, and surgery followed shortly afterward.

Before the injury, Doyle had started to build momentum as part of the Don Callis Family, positioning himself as a rising force in AEW’s tag team division.

His return came late in a four-way Superstation Showcase match involving Brian Cage, Lio Rush, Orange Cassidy, and Rush. The match had already broken down after Rocky Romero and Lance Archer entered through the crowd and targeted Cassidy.

As Archer cut off an Orange Punch attempt, Doyle suddenly appeared and attacked Cassidy from behind. The interference shifted momentum immediately, allowing members of the Don Callis Family to overpower Cassidy and Roderick Strong before dragging them away from ringside.

Doyle’s return signals that AEW may be ready to resume his push within the Don Callis Family following months on the sidelines. Prior to joining AEW, Doyle competed as Jake Something on the independent circuit and in TNA Wrestling, where he built a reputation as a hard-hitting powerhouse.

With his return now complete, Doyle re-enters a crowded and volatile storyline environment, adding further depth to AEW’s ongoing faction battles.

Jake Doyle Makes AEW Return During Chaotic Dynamite Segment After Injury Layoff

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Kevin Knight made a major statement to open the May 27 three-hour AEW Dynamite and Collision broadcast, escalating his recent actions following Double or Nothing and turning on Speedball Mike Bailey in the process.

The segment began with the TNT Champion addressing his controversial attack on Darby Allin at Double or Nothing. After Allin lost the AEW World Championship to MJF, Knight assaulted him while he was being stretchered out, delivering a UFO Splash off the top rope.

Knight explained his actions by stating he had warned Allin not to let him or AEW down heading into the pay-per-view. The crowd quickly turned on him, drowning the promo in loud chants against him. Despite the reaction, Knight continued, saying Allin failed and “blew it,” comparing the situation to the Philadelphia 76ers collapsing against the New York Knicks. He added that he was done “trusting the process” and would now take control himself.

Knight also questioned why he was not in the AEW World Title match, reminding fans that he had previously defeated MJF and suggesting he should have been in the main event. When he asked the crowd if he looked like a bench player, they responded with chants of “yes.” Knight then declared his intention to take over AEW, stating that he followed Allin’s advice about not wasting time, which led to his brutal post-match attack.

Bailey then made his way to the ring, attempting to reason with Knight. He acknowledged Knight’s intensity as both a strength and a flaw, explaining that his impatience led to mistakes, including the attack on Allin. Bailey offered Knight a chance to fix the situation if he apologized, extending his hand in reconciliation.

Knight rejected the offer. After brushing past Bailey, he suddenly struck him in the face with a microphone. He teased leaving before turning back and hitting Bailey with a Rock Bottom, solidifying his heel turn.

On commentary, Taz reacted enthusiastically to Knight’s actions, adding to the chaotic tone of the segment that kicked off the show.

Kevin Knight Turns on Mike Bailey

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