AEW Double Or Nothing is in the books, but there was almost another big surprise on the show. However, Impact Wrestling wouldn’t let it happen.

PW Insider reports that current Impact World Champion Brian Cage was at Double Or Nothing and ready to be a big surprise in the Casino Royale battle royal during the Double Or Nothing Buy In kickoff show. However, he wasn’t allowed to perform.

Apparently, Impact Wrestling officials didn’t know he was there and preparing to work the match. This is when they made a call to their champion and said he wasn’t allowed to compete.

Cage was backstage at the PPV and prepared to compete in the match but when Impact Wrestling officials learned he was there, they contacted Cage and informed him he could not appear due to his Impact deal.

Brian Cage performed in the Over Budget Battle Royal before ALL IN, but he had a different standing in Impact Wrestling at the time. Now he is their top champion so it’s no real surprise that he wasn’t allowed to perform. It is still rather interesting that Impact wouldn’t let him work the show considering how they previously extended an offer to work with the new company.