Daniel Garcia has officially turned heel and allied himself with The Death Riders in a dramatic closing segment of the most recent AEW Dynamite, which is sure to shake up the lineup and create new conflict before AEW’s All Out pay-per-view.
The Build-Up: Tension with The Death Riders
The storyline involving Garcia and The Death Riders has been simmering for several weeks now. Jon Moxley, the faction’s de facto leader, has been trying to persuade Garcia to join, offering advice, interacting with him in the ring, and possibly testing his resolve. Garcia, known for his fiery intensity and pride, appears to be drawn to the offer while also conflicted about it.
Garcia’s recent losses to Moxley have also influenced the narrative: those defeats appear to have pushed him to the brink, making the temptation to join Moxley and the rest of the Death Riders more appealing.
The Moment: Chaos, Revelation, and Battle
The announcement happened following a high-stakes main event, the $500,000 10-man tag fight. Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and The Young Bucks against Brodido and The Opps. Despite the anger and tension, the Death Riders emerged victorious under unclear circumstances.
After the contest, chaos ensued. The Opps were reeling from attacks, but Darby Allin stepped out to even the odds, but a cloaked stranger ambushed Allin from behind in a classic heel turn move. The figure was identified as Daniel Garcia. Garcia savagely attacked Allin, concluding with a curb stomp into a steel chair, before walking out arm-in-arm with Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir to officially join The Death Riders.
What This Means for Garcia & The Death Riders
For Daniel Garcia, this marks a significant transition. Until recently, Garcia has mostly been cast in the “underdog / fight against the grain” mold. Turning heel and joining such a powerful, feared faction alters his character trajectory. He is no longer resisting or competing; he is allied with power. This decision gives him additional narrative weight, new allies, and a darker side to explore.
Garcia’s enlistment increases the ranks of The Death Riders. Garcia joins Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Marina Shafir, and others in the group. With members who have both ring experience and character credibility, the Death Riders appear to be a stable constructed not only for disruption, but also for dominance, both in terms of storyline momentum and match results. It also raises the stakes for anyone opposing them, particularly Darby Allin, who is one of Garcia’s first targets.
The Stakes: All Out & Beyond
Fans are aware that Jon Moxley and Darby Allin will face off in a coffin match at All Out. This twist gives the match a more personal feel. Garcia’s betrayal hurts, disrupts Allin’s mental and physical momentum, and provides the Death Riders a psychological edge. Allin now has more to prove, not only to Moxley, but also to this new group of adversaries.
Furthermore, the heel change promises to have impacts across AEW’s storytelling: alliances shift, fan loyalties are tested, and upcoming shows (Dynamite, Collision, and possibly even Rampage) will most likely involve fallout segments, revenge plots, and momentum plays. The shift positions Garcia as more than just “another challenger” – he has the potential to become a huge factor if he can ride this wave successfully.
Fan Reaction & What’s Next
The response has been overwhelming: AEW’s fan base values a well-executed heel turn, especially when it adds dimension to the personalities involved. Many people were surprised, some were excited, and others even felt betrayed (which is just the idea). Garcia’s heel turn brings him back into the spotlight and adds a lot of heat to the plot between him, Allin and Moxley.
Next steps to watch for:
How Allin responds: Will he go on the offensive? Will there be revenge segments?
How The Death Riders capitalize on the addition of Garcia in upcoming matches.
If Garcia’s new alignment opens up title opportunities or makes him a more prominent built-in antagonist.
Final Word
Daniel Garcia’s stunning heel turn on AEW Dynamite, as well as his betrayal of Darby Allin and alliance with The Death Riders, represent a significant turning point in the tale. It offers Garcia a new character, The Death Riders greater muscle, and Allin a new, personal battle to wage. For fans, it’s a mix of betrayal, intensity, and promise, setting the stage for some unforgettable episodes leading up to All Out. AEW appears prepared to up the stakes. So brace up, because things just got more exciting.