Two wrestlers scheduled to appear on AEW Collision walked out before showtime, resulting in a last-minute card change and raising new questions about how the company manages its women’s division.
Former WWE star Nixon Newell (also known as Tegan Nox) and independent standout Miranda Alize were initially set to compete against Tay Melo and Anna Jay in a tag team match on Saturday, November 8. Instead, the bout was restructured after Newell and Alize exited the building shortly before the show began.
According to multiple reports, the disagreement centered on the timing of the match, rather than the match's outcome. Sources told Fightful Select that Newell and Alize did not expect to win but were hoping for more time in the ring than the three minutes allocated. Production staff communicated that the timing for the night had already been finalized and could not be adjusted, leading to the decision by both wrestlers to leave the venue.
PWInsider reported that their replacements, Hyan and Maya World, were called in on short notice and wrestled in the segment instead. The match lasted under two minutes, with Tay Melo and Anna Jay securing a quick victory. Individuals backstage were said to have thanked Hyan and World for stepping into the role on short notice.
In the hours surrounding the incident, both Newell and Alize acknowledged the situation on social media, though neither offered specific details. Alize wrote, “We have SOOOOOOOO much to say,” while Newell later took to her Instagram Stories and posted, “Not everything you read is true. Remember that.”
Neither wrestler is currently signed to an AEW contract, which may influence how the company addresses the situation in the future.
Backstage reactions reportedly varied: some felt the pair should have accepted the timing restriction. In contrast, others expressed sympathy, particularly given Newell’s recent public comments about struggling to reignite her passion for wrestling after leaving WWE. She previously shared that if she cannot reconnect with the sport within two years, she may consider retirement.
The match in question would have been Newell and Alize’s second appearance together in AEW. Their Collision debut came on the Halloween-themed episode the week prior, where they faced Marina Shafir and Megan Bayne.
AEW has not issued a public statement regarding the walkout, and it remains unclear whether future bookings for either wrestler will be affected.