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LECLAIR’S AEW WRESTLEDREAM 2024 REPORT
OCTOBER 12, 2024
TACOMA, WA AT TACOMA DOME
AIRED LIVE ON TRILLER
Announcers: Excalibur & Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness & Jim Ross
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-Fireworks exploded around the entrance stage as Excalibur welcomed the audience to the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. He welcomed his broadcast partners, Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness.
-Jay White’s music hit and he emerged from the tunnel, accompanied by Juice Robinson. Juice returned to the back as Switchblade headed to the ring.
The crane camera shot Adam Page from above as he sauntered through the heel tunnel. He marched triumphantly down the ramp as fireworks shot from the stage. The crowd booed him as he posed on the apron.
(1) JAY WHITE vs. “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE
Jay White and Adam Page locked up to begin the match. After working each other into the northeast corner, they traded quick slaps to the face. White exploded with a flurry of right hands to Page, working him into the northwest corner. Page ducked a punch and began swinging wildly on Switchblade, downing him in the corner. Page whipped White to the opposing corner, but got caught with an elbow on the pursuit. White twisted Hangman’s leg and gave him a hard chop to the chest.
White grabbed at Page’s leg, looking for a hold. Hangman wriggled his way underneath the bottom rope. White smartly guillotined him. The action briefly spilled to the floor. Page overtook White, catching him with a clothesline off the apron. The crowd started a loud “Swerve’s House” chant, trying to get under Page’s skin. McGuinness and Schiavone argued about whether or not Hangman cared. Back in the ring, Page whipped White hard into the northeast corner. Jay collapsed to the mat. Hangman argued with the referee, then dragged Jay to his feet. He gave him a hard chop as the match crossed 4:00. Page followed up with a Fallaway Slam into the turnbuckle. He covered, but White immediately got his hand on the bottom rope.
Excalibur noted that the Gunns were not cleared to travel to Tacoma due to the attack they suffered at the hands of Hangman Page. Adam mounted Jay in the corner, looking for ten punches. White countered out with an Atomic Drop. Page shook it off and grabbed a Sleeper, lifting White off his feet and swinging him around for a slam and cover. After scoring a two count, Hangman delivered a few more punches. He rocked White with a hard elbow, then threw out his arms for a chorus of boos from the crowd. After being hoisted over the ropes in a counter attempt from White, Page called for the Buckshot Lariat. White stumbled out of the way before Hangman could take off.
Page missed wildly with a clothesline in the northeast corner. Jay caught Page with quick jabs to the jaw, then a running uppercut. He delivered a a spike DDT for a cover and two count just before 8:00. White hooked Page for a Suplex, but Page dropped to his knees to block. He hoisted Jay over his head, but White caught him with a hard chop. White went for a German Suplex, but Page landed on his feet. White hit another chop, then connected with the German Suplex on the second attempt. He bridged for a two count. Page came up favoring his knee.
In the southwest corner, White hoisted Page onto the top turnbuckle. Page drove his thumbs into White’s eyes to create separation. White gave him a chop, flipping Page upside down and trapping him in the ropes. White chopped at Page’s exposed chest repeatedly, then stuck his thumbs in Hangman’s eyes for turnabout. Page slumped free against the apron. White tried to lift him, but Page countered and delivered a Death Valley Driver on the apron. He called for the Buckshot Lariat as White rose slowly. Switchblade got too close to Page. Hangman threw punches to stagger him backward. White charged at Page, but Hangman caught him with a forearm to the face.
Hangman pulled White out to the apron, striking him again. White ate the punch, but grabbed at Page’s leg and delivered a Dragon Screw to the floor. Both men fought to their feet. Page gave White a Powerbomb onto the steel steps. Schiavone said White may be done. Jay crawled toward the ramp, Page in pursuit. Referee Paul Turner tried to force Hangman back toward the ring, but he refused. Page removed his belt, stalking White. Turner tried to take the belt from him, threatening Page with a disqualification. Jay White taunted Page, welcoming the belt. Hangman swung, but White pulled him in and delivered a knee-breaker right on the edge of the ramp.
Switchblade followed Turner back to ringside, sliding in the ring to break his count. Then, he went to retrieve his opponent. White gave Page another Dragon Screw, setting him up in the northeast corner. Jay threw a wild right hand. Page countered with a back elbow. White exploded with a Uranagi and covered Page for a two count just after 15:00. White set up for Blade Runner, but Page grabbed on to Turner’s shirt to block and steady himself. He caught White with Deadeye, but couldn’t capitalize, heavily favoring his injured knee.
A dueling chant broke out as Hangman rolled to the apron, looking for the lariat. The knee made him hesitate just a moment. He flipped in, but White caught him. He turned it into Blade Runner for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Jay White in 16:29
Juice Robinson met Jay White at ringside and the two celebrated. Hangman was incensed. He argued with fans on his way up the ramp, continuing to sell the knee.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Strong opener with a good crowd throughout. Jay White finally appears to be on the upswing of his AEW journey, and it feels like a long-time coming. Generally, I wouldn’t be such a fan of Hangman Page taking a loss in a PPV opener coming off a huge win at All Out against his arch rival, but I think if anyone can withstand putting over a deserving talent in a good back and forth match, it’s Page. I might be quicker to judge if I didn’t see so much potential in Jay White. I liked the story of the match, with Hangman’s selling of the damage to his knee ultimately serving as his undoing. I expect these two to meet again.)
-Excalibur tossed to a quick video package for the AEW Women’s World title match.
Willow Nightingale danced to the ring to a solid ovation. She gave the crowd, and the camera a big thumbs up. Mariah May followed. Nigel McGuinness said she’s “at the very top.”
(2) MARIAH MAY (c) vs. WILLOW NIGHTINGALE – AEW Women’s World Championship match
Mariah May and Willow Nightingale circled one another out of the blocks. A small “let’s go Willow” chant started things off. Nightingale responded by delivering two body-slams to the champion in quick succession. She dragged May to the northwest corner and gave her a pair of chops. Willow circled the ring, gaining steam. May cut her off with a running dropkick out of the corner. She tied May up in the ropes and pulled at her cheeks. May looked to charge at Nightingale, but the challenger caught the champion with a pounce.
Nightingale climbed to the middle turnbuckle, sizing May up. Mariah cut her out at the knee. Nightingale hit her head on the turnbuckle on the way down. Mariah dragged her to the northeast corner and stomped her to the mat. She delivered a Snapmare, then a basement dropkick for a cover and one count at 3:00. Mariah grabbed a seated headlock. Willow powered to her feet, but May quickly dropped her again. Willow pulled May in the by the hair and bit her ear. McGuinness called it “Mike Tyson-esque.”
Off the ropes, Nightingale anticipated May’s cold stop and took her down by the hair. She worked her to the corner and hit a running hip check, then a clothesline. She closed the combo with a strike kick to the chin. Willow delivered a Spinebuster with a high stack for a two count. She set May up in Gutwrench position, but May blocked it. She slipped behind Nightingale and hit a low-angle German Suplex for a cover and two count. May went to retrieve her challenger from the mat, but Willow tripped her up and applied an Indian Death Lock. Mariah threw a slap, trying to break the hold. Willow slapped her right back. Willow grabbed May by the hair and slammed her head into her own knee repeatedly.
Nightingale broke the hold. The champion crawled to the corner, looking for a respite. Willow hit her with a Cannonball. She went for a top rope Moonsault, but May moved. She followed up with a big drop kick, then May Day. Mariah hooked the leg for a near fall at 7:50. Willow fought to her feet and caught the champion with an elbow strike. Both women charged from adjacent ends. May caught Willow with a headbutt. Willow stumbled into the ropes and exploded back with a huge lariat.
Both women were down. Nightingale answered the count at seven and pulled May to her feet with her. May flipped free of a Powerbomb attempt, then the two traded roll-ups for two counts. Willow kicked Mariah in the face, then caught her with a Dead Valley Driver into the turnbuckle. Nightingale covered for a near fall just before 10:00. Nightingale headed back to the corner, climbing the turnbuckles. The champion sprang to her feet, leaping to the top rope to meet her. Willow went for a Powerbomb off the top, but Mariah turned it into a super ‘rana. She followed up with Storm Zero for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Mariah May in 10:52 to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship
(LeClair’s Analysis: Good match, but it felt like a bit of a placeholder. The issue with challengers to Mariah May is that they’re all going to feel like fodder until the inevitable Toni Storm return and rematch. Willow is one of the most consistent performers AEW has, and I never think it’s a bad idea to get her in a featured match on a Pay-Per-View, but this suffered from a short build and feeling like the result was more or less a foregone conclusion.)
-Excalibur tossed a video for the TNT Championship match
Katsuyori Shibata was out first to a good reaction. Excalibur said it wasn’t lost on the audience in Tacoma how meaningful it is for Shibata to be competing after nearly losing his career years ago. Jack Perry entered next, adorning his goat mask. He gave the camera the middle finger and spit his gum at it.
(3) JACK PERRY (c) vs. KATSUYORI SHIBATA – TNT Championship match
Jack Perry and Katsuyori Shibata stepped to center and locked up. Shibata quickly took Perry to the mat and wrestled him to the ropes. The TNT Champion rolled to the outside and took a lap around the ring. Fans heckled him as he passed. Perry walked the steps and returned to the ring, locking up with his challenger again and taking him over into a bridge attempt for a quick two count. Shibata quickly turned him over into an arm bar. Perry broke free and rolled to the floor again.
The TNT Champion grabbed a bottle of water from ringside and splashed some on his face, then tossed the rest at Shibata. Katsuyori hurriedly left the ring to charge the champion. Perry beat him back to the ring and took him down. He kicked Shibata in the back. Katsuyori literally brushed it off and invited more. Perry tossed Shibata to the corner instead and choked him against the turnbuckle with his knee. Jack gave Shibata couple of hard chops, but Katsuyori shrugged them off, again inviting more. Perry raked his eyes instead.
As Shibata wiped his eyes, Perry kicked him in the gut. He gave Shibata a hard chop. Shibata no-sold it and delivered one of his own. Perry went flying against the ropes, then walked right into a second one and then a third. Shibata backed Perry against the ropes and chopped him repeatedly. The champion fell to his knees, chest reddened. The Wrestler followed up with a hard forearm, then a Suplex as the match approached 5:00. Shibata sat up, cross-legged in the center. Perry kicked him in the chest and spit in his face. Shibata invited more kicks. Perry obliged, but Shibata shrugged them all off. He popped to his feet and dropkicked the champion hard into the corner.
Katsuyori Shibata fired off rapid chops, sending Perry to the mat and out of the ring. The challenger followed, giving Jack a Suplex against the apron. He slid Jack back in the ring and hit a leaping dropkick in the corner. Shibata followed up with an underhook Suplex for a cover and two count just after 7:00. Perry stumbled around the ring. Shibata dropped him again, then went for a P.K. The Champion caught the leg and pulled Shibata to the mat, applying an S.T.F. Shibata crawled valiantly toward the rope, breaking the hold. Perry immediately broke, slid to the outside and gave Shibata a draping DDT onto the floor. He tossed his challenger back in the ring in a hurry and covered for a two count.
Perry set up in the corner, looking deliver a knee to the head. On the charge, Shibata hoisted Perry into the air and hit a Death Valley Driver. He went for a second, this time onto the knee. Perry blocked it. Shibata grabbed a Sleeper and rolled onto his back. Shibata’s shoulders were down and the referee counted to three, hold still applied.
WINNER: Jack perry in 9:20 to retain the TNT Championship
Shibata argued with the referee while Perry recovered. Jack attacked Shibata from behind, then spit at the referee. He grabbed the TNT title, sizing Katsuyori up. Daniel Garcia’s music hit and he rushed to the ring, getting in Perry’s face. Jack stepped to him initially, but then thought better of it and rolled to the outside to a chorus of boos.
Daniel Garcia looked on at Perry. Suddenly, MJF’s music hit. Garcia spun toward the entrance. Max emerged from the tunnel and stomped to the ring. He motioned for his music to be cut. Max stepped in the ring and stood face-to-face with Garcia. Suddenly, Jack Perry returned and clocked Garcia in the back of the head with the TNT title. Max stepped back, throwing his hands up and cracking a smile.
While Perry left, Max removed his sports coat and unbuttoned his cuff-links. He mounted Garcia and punched him several times, then called out for a microphone. Max stepped on Garcia’s throat. He said last time he saw Daniel, he beat him without breaking a sweat. “Then I went on to make several movies and several millions,” MJF smiled. He paused to punch Garcia a few more times. He said Garcia was busy, too, having his own “bidding war.” He said it was about as real as the Seattle Supersonics in 2024. He purposefully mistook Tacoma for Seattle and told the crowd to shut up as they booed.
Max said that he found his Dynamite Diamond Ring at a pawn shop in Buffalo. “I found it, and now you’re gonna kiss it!” Max took the ring from his pocket and put it on, sizing up Garcia for a shot. Adam Cole’s music interrupted him. Cole sauntered onto the stage to a huge reaction. MJF mocked his injured foot. Cole bolted toward the ring, no longer injured. MJF leapt out of the ring and into the crowd. C0le posed on the top rope, then offered a hand to Daniel Garcia. They shared a fist bump. Cole talked to the camera on his way up the ramp, saying he’s back, better than ever, and ready to take on everyone.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Match was solid, though the finish was a bit underwhelming. Shibata’s offense, particularly his strikes, looked great and the crowd ate up the chops to Perry. This was all just setting the table for the post-match angles, though. Garcia always felt like the next natural challenger to Perry’s title, and quickly moving Shibata aside in favor of him telegraphed just how much this was a stepping stone/place-holder. Unfortunately, Garcia was quickly undermined by a returning MJF, who cut Garcia down and furthered their angle, throwing the TNT title picture into question. To make matters more confusing, Adam Cole returned as a full-fledged babyface, unintentionally undermining Garcia even further.
Look, I love Adam Cole. I’m happy to see him back and excited to see him settle back in to the flow of AEW. What I don’t love, though, is the knots they’re content to twist themselves into to keep he and MJF at odds through multiple turns nearly a year later, all against the backdrop of an angle that marks what most consider a low point in AEW history. I just think it’s time for everyone to move on.)
-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the International Championship match
Kinosuke Takeshita was out first, flanked by Don Callis. Excalibur said it unfortunately meant he’d be joining them on commentary. Ricochet entered next. Will Ospreay entered last to a big reaction and a sea of fireworks as he marched down the ramp. Schiavone said he’s taken AEW by storm.
(4) WILL OSPREAY (c) vs. KINOSUKE TAKESHITA (w/ Don Callis) vs. RICOCHET – Three-Way AEW International Championship match
Will Ospreay and Ricochet immediately attacked Kinosuke Takeshita when the bell rang. Excalibur called it revenge for Wednesday. McGuinness said there’s no way they’d be able to keep their partnership for long. Ricochet tossed Takeshita to the outside and he and Ospreay immediately came to blows. They traded quick counters and ended their exchange with backflips into the center of the ring. Instead of soaking in the moment, Takeshita dropped them both with a missile dropkick.
Takeshita tossed both opponents to the floor and ran them into the barriers. he gave Ricochet a quick DDT on the floor, then retrieved a table from underneath the ring. Ospreay cut him off during the set-up, but Kinosuke gave him a hard elbow to the jaw. He dragged Ricochet back toward the ring and slammed his head off the apron. Takeshita looked for a backdrop off the apron, through the table, but Ricochet held onto the ropes and flipped into the ring. He gave Kinosuke a pair of forearms, trying to knock him back into the table. He missed on the third, allowing Takeshita to re-enter the ring safely.
Ricochet knocked Takeshita to the floor, then dropkicked Ospreay off the apron. He attempted a handspring back-flip to the outside onto Takeshita, but Kinosuke caught him. Ospreay executed the same move and took down both. He tossed Takeshita back in the ring, then caught him with a flying forearm off the top for a cover and two count just after 4:00. Ricochet returned to the fold and caught both his opponents with kicks. Takeshita tried for a DDT on Ospreay, and hit it only because Ricochet kicked him in the head. Ricochet booted Ospreay to the floor, then chopped Kinosuke. He and Ricochet traded elbows in the corner. Ricochet tried to monkey-roll out of the corner, but Kinosuke caught him with a fastball elbow. Ospreay re-entered by rolling over Ricochet’s back. He hit the ropes and dropped Takeshita.
The crowd broke into a big “Ospreay” chant as the challengers worked him onto the apron. He and Takeshita traded Suplex attempts through the table from the apron. Ricochet joined the fray. All three men traded chops. Ospreay missed a Os-Cutter. Takeshita pulling Will into a Death Valley Driver on the apron. Ricochet gave Takeshita a Meteora. The night’s first “this is awesome” chant ensued. Ricochet tossed Takeshita onto the table, then pondered his options. He hit the ropes, but Ospreay cut him off with a Spanish Fly for a cover and two count at 8:15. The champion set up for a Storm Breaker, but Ricochet countered into a ‘rana and roll up for two.
Ospreay popped to his feet, catching Ricochet with a heel kick. He set up for a Hidden Blade, but Ricochet countered it into a back-slide bomb. Ricochet leaped to the top turnbuckle, looking for a 450 Splash. Ospreay rolled out of the way and gave Ricochet a Powerbomb. He covered, but Takeshita broke it up at two. Takeshita ducked a kick from Ospreay and gave him a package Piledriver. He rolled Ospreay to his feet and hit a snap German Suplex. Ospreay popped up and charged, but Kinosuke hit him with a massive lariat. Ricochet exploded in with a handspring cutter off the ropes for a cover and two count.
“Kinosuke is just too big for Ricochet!” Callis exclaimed as his man overwhelmed his opponent. Ospreay returned to his feet and he and Ricochet made a temporary pact to take out Kinosuke again. Callis called it despicable. Takeshita rose slowly and removed his elbow pad. He struck Ospreay and Ricochet down with two violent back elbows. Ricochet caught him with an Enziguri. Ospreay kicked Ricochet by accident, then caught Takeshita with the flip kick. He went for an Os-Cutter, but Takeshita blocked it. Both men hit the ropes. Takeshita went for another lariat, but Ospreay landed on his feet. He leapt to the ropes and caught Takeshita with an Os-Cutter. Ricochet flew in immediately for a 450 Splash for a cover and very close near fall just after 13:00.
McGuinness said that Ricochet was a hair’s breath away from winning the International Championship. Ricochet hoisted Will Ospreay onto the northwest turnbuckles. The two teetered on the top. Ricochet shoved Will to the apron. Takeshita came in underneath Ricochet, placing him in Electric Chair position. Ospreay came in with a clothesline, but Ricochet landed on his feet. Both he and Ospreay gave Takeshita clotheslines. Ospreay and Ricochet traded Poison-ranas. Takeshita gave them both a German Suplex. The crowd rose to their feet.
Will and Ricochet rolled to the floor. Takeshita dove onto both of them, then slid Ricochet back in the ring. He gave him a bit clothesline for a cover and two count. McGuinness said it’s Takeshita’s match to lose. Ricochet used the northeast corner to steady himself. Takeshita gave him a running kick, then hoisted him onto the top turnbuckle. Ospreay ripped him down. He climbed the ropes and gave him a ‘rana off the top, onto Takeshita. Kinosuke fell. Ricochet improvised, rolling him into a cover. Ospreay broke it up. He called for a Hidden Blade. Ricochet cut him off with a spin kick. He ascended the northeast corner and hit a Shooting Star Press. Takeshita rushed in with a running knee, covering both Ospreay and Ricochet. Both kicked out just in time.
Takeshita looked toward the table as the match crossed 18:00. He dragged Ricochet onto the apron, setting up for a Blue Thunder Bomb. Ricochet fought free and kicked Kinosuke. He gave Takeshita leaping axe kick to the back of the head. Takeshita dead-lifted Ricochet and slid him into position, delivering a Tombstone off the apron and through the table. Takeshita rolled into the ring and immediately got hit with a Hidden Blade from Ospreay. He covered, but Takeshita kicked out at one. Ospreay hit it again, hooking the leg. Don Callis pulled the referee out of the ring before three.
Callis entered the ring, screwdriver in hand. Ospreay grabbed him and pulled him in for a Tiger Driver. A man in a hoodie slid in the ring. He hit Ospreay in the back of the head with a screwdriver. It was Kyle Fletcher. Callis barked orders. Takeshita kneed Ospreay in the head and covered him. Fletcher tossed the referee back in the ring to count to three.
WINNER: Kinosuke Takeshita in 20:42 to win the AEW International Championship
Takeshita celebrated with his title while Fletcher stood over the ailing Ospreay. Kyle pulled Will up and gave him a release Tiger Driver. Ospreay immediately clutched at his neck, shaking and screaming. Fletcher looked down at Ospreay, expressionless. The crowd celebrated with Takeshita.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Excellent match, easily the best of the night to this point. Ricochet, for as talented as he is, felt like a bit of a third wheel here. Don’t get me wrong, he contributed some incredible spots in the match, but a night that felt so low on personal angles and well-built feuds, it would’ve made more sense for this to be a one on one match between Ospreay and Takeshita. The closing minutes were a little overbooked, but ultimately, served their purpose. Fletcher’s turn on Ospreay felt timely and well-choreographed and I’m glad to see Will firmly established as a opposition to Callis and company, with no need for nuance or second-guesses. Takeshita gets a well-deserved title win that I hope will propel him to new heights. If there is anything to nit-pick here, it’s that the crowd was so happy for Kinosuke that the Fletcher turn and attack didn’t garner nearly the amount of heat it otherwise should have. This is an on-going issue with AEW – they’re constantly fighting uphill battles to keep fans invested in stories when the default position is to “ra-ra” the talented wrestlers regardless of designation.)
-Backstage, Renee Paquette was joined by Orange Cassidy and Jerry Lynn. Jerry said that Cassidy is a special talent. He said he’s seen him step up and connect with the fans, and said he believes that Cassidy could “be the man” if the really wanted to. “Just food for thought,” Lynn said as he turned to walk away. Hook walked into frame. He told Cassidy that he’s right, “you are the man.”
-In the ring, Prince Nana introduced Swerve Strickland.
Swerve Strickland headed to the ring while Prince Nana danced in it. Excalibur said that Swerve is coming off of back-to-back losses. He and the announcers discussed the merits of MVP’s offer to Swerve versus his standing relationship with Nana.
“Welcome home!” the crowd chanted as Strickland stood in the center of the ring. He said it feels a little weird without the AEW World Championship, but he’s happy for the home welcome. He thanked the crowd. He said he still feels some tingles in the back of his neck, his legs, and into his fingers. He said everything he told Bryan Danielson seems to be “coming back on him.” Despite that, Swerve said he’s medically cleared. He was cut off by MVP clearing his throat.
MVP headed to the ring, flanked by Shelton Benjamin. He said Swerve hasn’t called him back, or answered his emails or DMs. MVP said he’s assuming Swerve has been in “deep contemplation” about his future. He said he and Swerve has history, and that he believed in Strickland before Strickland believed in himself. The crowd chanted “Swerve’s House” over MVP, but Porter agreed with them. “It is Swerve’s house!” He said, right now, Strickland’s career seems to be floundering a bit. He said his resume speaks for itself, and he’s known for making former champions great and helping them regain said titles.
“Now that I’m here, let’s talk some business, shall we?” MVP asked. The crowd booed. Swerve said he learned a lot from Porter. He turned to Shelton Benjamin, calling him an inspiration. He said Benjamin paved the way for black wrestlers to do what they do. “That’s cause of you,” he said. He told Nana that MVP isn’t wrong. Swerve said he lost in the steel cage, lost his childhood home, and lost the AEW World Championship. “On the other hand, though, I wouldn’t have had those things without you, Nana!”
Swerve turned back to MVP. He talked about how much more dangerous he could be with he and Shelton. Swerve said a lot of things annoy him about Nana. “You’re still selling weed to kids in hotel parking lots,” he laughed. Strickland said the biggest thing about Nana, though, is that he’s family, “and I don’t turn my back on family.” Swerve declined MVP’s offer. Benjamin stepped in. He said they weren’t offering. “You’re either with us, or you’re against us,” Benjamin said. Strickland shoved him. Official spilled from the back, separating everyone. MVP led Benjamin away from the ring as he and Swerve continued to talk trash to each other.
-Excalibur announced that Mercedes Mone will face Queen Aminata on next week’s Dynamite, then tossed to a video for Hologram vs. The Beast Mortos.
Hologram headed to the ring first. Tony Schiavone talked up his winning streak. Excalibur noted that he’s making his Pay-Per-View debut. The Beast Mortos headed to the ring as Excalibur briefly threw to the Spanish announce team.
(5) HOLOGRAM vs. THE BEAST MORTOS – 2 Out of 3 Falls match
Hologram got shoved into the northwest corner as the bell rang. He flipped out quickly, climbing the ropes and giving Mortos an arm drag. Mortos shot to his feet, but got taken down with another headscissor arm drag. Hologram leapt onto Mortos’ shoulders and flipped off of them. Mortos charged at Hologram, but got flipped over the top rope. Hologram leapt onto him on the floor. McGuinness said he’s like a torpedo. Hologram tossed Mortos back in the ring and charged him. Mortos kicked him in the face, then dropped him with a huge Samoan Drop for a cover and two count at 2:45.
The Beast Mortos hoisted Hologram onto the top rope and gave him a hard chop. He climbed the northeast turnbuckle to meet him. Hologram flipped him off, then hit a diving crucifix bomb for a roll up cover and three count at 3:44, securing the first fall. Referee Aubrey Edwards checked on The Beast Mortos as he rose slowly. He charged at Hologram and shoulder blocked him right out of the ring. Mortos threw himself through the middle rope, spinning in the air and colliding with Hologram on the outside. Mortos rolled Hologram in the ring at Edwards’ count of six, then dragged him right back out. He military pressed Hologram and tossed him violently onto the stage ramp.
Aubrey Edwards checked on Hologram and cleared him to continue. Mortos walked him back to the ring and gave him a hard chop. He tossed him into the ring and covered him for a two count. Mortos gave Hologram a couple of headbutts, then an overhead belly-to-belly into the corner. He hanged Hologram in tree-of-woe position, then hit a running spear to the mid-section. He went for another, but Hologram wiggled free. Mortos collided with the turnbuckle and fell to the floor. Hologram dove off the top onto Mortos. Back in the ring, Hologram connected with a Poison-rana. He charged at Mortos, but the Beast turned it into a Backbreaker and Powerbomb on the knee. He finished the combo with a big lariat for a cover and three count at 8:55, evening the match at 1-to-1.
A small “Mortos” chant broke out as the Beast struggled to his feet. He gave Hologram another huge lariat and covered for a very close near fall. Hologram struggled to his feet. Mortos gave him a hard slap to the face. He whipped him toward the southwest corner, but Hologram countered with a hard toe kick. The two teetered on the middle turnbuckle. Hologram managed to connect with a headscissor off the top. He slid onto the apron, leapt to the top rope, and then flipped over a charging Mortos. Hologram caught Mortos with an Enziguri, sending him to the apron. Hologram followed. He leapt onto Mortos’ shoulders, spun around and delivered a Poison-rana on the apron.
Mortos was down on the outside. Hologram ascended the southeast turnbuckle, walked the ropes and flipped onto Mortos. Hologram grabbed at his right knee and ankle upon landing. He tossed Mortos back in the ring as the match crossed 12:45. Hologram climbed to the top rope and hit a diving foot stomp, immediately ascending the ropes again. He went for a 450 Splash, but Mortos got his knees up. The Beast charged and hit a big inside-out lariat again.
Both wrestlers rose slowly, working back to the corner and up the turnbuckles. Mortos gave Hologram a press slam off the top, covering for a near fall. Mortos gave Hologram another Backbreaker, followed by the Powerbomb to the knee and a third big lariat. He covered, but Hologram got a shoulder up just in time. McGuinness said Mortos appears to be favoring his mid-section. The Beast climbed the northeast corner. Hologram leapt to meet him, connecting with a super Hurricanrana. Hologram hit a Swan Dive Crucifix Bomb and rolled Mortos into a cover for another near fall just past 16:00.
Both men traded hook kicks. Hologram managed to hoist Mortos into the air for a spinning Blue Thunder Bomb, covering him for a three count.
WINNER: Hologram in 16:43, 2-1.
(LeClair’s Analysis: This match died a slow death for the majority of its runtime. No fault to Mortos or Hologram, who worked their tails off and had a very good match. The crowd was simply given nothing to sink their teeth into here. These two acts have largely only been featured on Collision and Rampage, and you could tell the live crowd’s exposure to them was minimal. Couple that with the relatively low stakes and this just wound up feeling like an albatross. It seemed clear that this was on the card to tout the new partnership with Fox Sports and hype the Spanish announce team, but it simply didn’t belong on this card at this juncture.)
-Excalibur quickly turned focus to Brody King vs. Darby Allin and tossed to a video.
Darby Allin received a special video of him skateboarding through Tacoma and arriving at the arena. His music hit and he threw himself onto the stage, laying in the glow of his blue lighting. In the ring, Allin slid into the corner and pounded the mat, looking toward the entrance for his opponent. Brody King entered through a sea of flames on the stage.
(6) DARBY ALLIN vs. BRODY KING
Schiavone and Excalibur talked about the history between Darby Allin and Brody King as the two wrestlers stepped toward each other. Allin gave King a couple of chops, but Brody just tossed him out of the ring with ease. He joined him on the floor, picking him up by the shorts and tossing him haphazardly into the ringside barrier. King moved the steel steps away from the ring and Allin dove onto him from the apron. King caught him and dropped him again. He gave Darby a violent chop to the chest, then tossed him toward the steps. Darby cleared them. He came charging back at King, leaping over the steps. King picked him clean out of the air with a massive clothesline.
Brody dragged the steps over Allin’s lower body, then climbed them. He stomped on the steps, applying more pressure and causing the edge of the stairs to dig into Darby’s stomach. The camera cut to a very concerned woman in the crowd. King rolled Darby in the ring and covered him for a two count at 3:10. Allin dragged himself to the corner and used the ropes to stand. King chopped him so hard, Allin collapsed. The crowd asked for another. King obliged. Referee Paul Turner checked on Allin, but Darby waved him off. King tossed Darby across the ring, then gave him a running clothesline in the corner. He turned Allin upside down into tree of woe and began barking. King charged for a cannonball, but Allin pulled himself up. King crashed into the turnbuckles and fell to the floor.
Allin came flying out of the ring, colliding with King. He ascended the southwest ring post and gave King a Coffin Drop on the floor. Darby slid in the ring to break the count and catch his breath. King returned at five. Darby gave him a Code Red for a near fall at 5:35. Both men were writhing on the mat. King rolled to the apron. Darby climbed the ropes to gain leverage and applied a sleeper. King pulled him over to join him, then fell back on Darby. King returned to the ring and returned the favor, climbing the ropes for added leverage as he choked Darby out on the apron.
“Get up!” King barked at Allin. When Darby did, he chopped him right back down. Brody hit him with another chop, but Allin kept coming back for more. He leapt off the ropes, looking for a springboard Coffin Drop. Brody telegraphed it and grabbed another Sleeper. Allin fell into the ropes. necessitating a break. King gave him a German Suplex. Allin rolled to the apron. Brody gave him a German Suplex up and over the ropes, back into the ring. King hoisted Darby onto the southeast turnbuckle, back-to. He gave him a German Suplex off the top. The referee checked on both men as the match ticked toward 10:00.
After a double count to six, Brody crawled over for a cover and two count. King positioned Allin on the apron and exited to the adjacent one. He tried to pull Allin up the turnbuckle, looking for a German Suplex onto the steps below. Allin shoved King off the turnbuckle. Brody fell onto the side of the steps. Darby climbed the turnbuckles and delivered a Coffin Drop onto the propped steps and King. Allin broke the referee’s count at four. King just barely answered it at nine. He didn’t get a chance to stand, because Darby was waiting on the top for another Coffin Drop. He covered King for a three count.
WINNER: Darby Allin in 12:27
Schiavone said Darby has won 14 of his last 19 matches. Excalibur noted that it’s the first time Allin has ever pinned Brody King. The two men rolled to opposing corners, using the ropes to steady themselves on opposite sides of the ring. King stumbled toward center. Darby reluctantly stepped forward to meet him. They exchanged a handshake and the crowd cheered.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Good match with an effective layout. Brody tossing Darby around like a rag doll was visually captivating while not extending into the “grossly dangerous” territory Darby often wanders into. I thought the finishing sequence was really creative and well executed, too. King is a real talent who could benefit from a sustained singles push, but the crowded roster may prevent that from happening anytime soon.)
-Excalibur tossed to a video for the AEW Tag Team title match.
The Young Bucks entered first, through their special set-up in the center of the stage. The camera showed Top Flight, seated at ringside. The broadcast faded into a video for Private Party, featuring Amazing Red, while Nigel was still talking. Zay and Quen headed to the ring. Stokely Hathaway was shown watching from ringside.
Matthew Jackson asked for Private Party’s music to be cut. He said Private Party beat them five years ago, and now tonight’s match is the biggest of Zay and Quen’s careers. He said they did absolutely nothing afterward. “I’m looking at two guys who will always just be a mid-card act,” Matthew said. Private Party attacked the Bucks. They slid to the outside and tried to leave. Private Party charged at them. The Bucks cut them off with Superkicks on the ramp. Nicholas hit a rolling neckbreaker on Zay. Quen returned and planted both Bucks with DDTs on the stage. Zay climbed the entrance tunnel and dove onto both Bucks.
Nicholas rolled down the ramp, back toward the ring, hand over his eye.
(7) THE YOUNG BUCKS (Nicholas & Matthew Jackson) vs. PRIVATE PARTY – AEW World Tag Team Championship match
The referee called for the bell as soon as Nicholas rolled into the ring. Quen gave him a rolling DDT and covered him for a two count. He tagged in Zay. Nicholas flipped over Quen on the outside and tried to kick him, but he caught his brother instead. Zay flew over the top rope and torpedoed onto both Nicholas and Matthew. Back in the ring, Zay hit Nicholas with a Twist of Fate and Quen delivered a Swanton Bomb for a cover and near fall.
Quen lifted Nicholas for a back drop, but Jackson flipped through it and tagged his brother. They hit Quen with tandem Superkicks. Zay jumped in the ring but was quickly thwarted. The Bucks worked over Quen until he finally managed to roll through a clothesline attempt and reach Zay for a tag. Zay tossed Nicholas to the floor, then dropped Matthew with a quick kick from the apron. He flipped onto Nicholas, then leapt back into the ring with a springboard tornado DDT on Matthew for a cover and two count at 5:10. The camera showed Top Flight, and Stokely Hathaway again.
In the ring, the Bucks countered an Enziguri attempt into a corner Powerbomb. Nicholas stomped on Zay’s back, but Zay used the natural bounce of the rope to flip right through it and launch himself at Matthew. Nicholas leapt into the ring, trying to cut off the flurry. Zay took him down. Nicholas tried to toss Zay to the floor, but Quen caught him on the apron. Matthew was waiting below to cut the legs out. Nicholas leapt to the top rope and dove onto Zay and Quen below.
Matthew and Nicholas tossed Private Party into the laps of Top Flight at ringside. They called for a TK Driver on the floor, but Zay slid free. Nicholas caught Zay with a Canadian Destroyer off the barricade. Quen immediately flew off the same ledge with a 450 Splash. The referee reached a count of nine before all four men dove into the ring to save the match. Zay and Nicholas traded some shoves, then some forearms. Nicholas challenged him to bring more. Zay fired off a number of shots. Nicholas kicked him in the face, then tried to walk the ropes. Zay cut him off and leapt to meet him. Nicholas saw it coming and pulled Zay into a top-rope cutter for a cover and near fall just after the 10:00 mark.
The E.V.P.s set up for the TK Driver after a tag in to Matthew. Zay blocked it and rolled him up for a two count. The Bucks quickly regained control, whipping Zay into the corner and then pumping up their signature shoes. They gave Quen tandem Superkicks, then set up for More Bang For Your Buck. Quen rolled free. Zay tossed Matthew to the floor. Private Party hit Gin and Juice for a cover and near fall. A small “Private Party” chant began to grow. They gave both Bucks tandem Superkicks. They hit More Bang for Your Buck against the Bucks. They covered, but Matthew broke it up.
Zay hoisted Nicholas onto the top of the southwest turnbuckle. Nicholas tired to fight him off, but Quen steadied his partner. Matthew returned and the Bucks fought Private Party out of the corner, in an Electric Chair position. They gave Quen a dropkick, which caused him to eat a Poison-rana from his own partner. The Bucks gave Zay a TK Driver, then an EVP Trigger. They covered, but Zay kicked out at the last moment. They went for another one, but Zay ducked. The Bucks’ knees collided.Zay came alive with a surge of adrenaline. Matthew fought him off and the Bucks delivered another TK Driver for a cover and three count.
WINNERS: The Young Bucks in 15:49 to retain the AEW World Tag Team Championships
Zay sat in the center of the ring with his head in his hands. He was helped to his feet by a trainer and the referee. He and Quen hugged and they received a small ovation from the crowd.
(LeClair’s Analysis: A fine match, but I don’t think there was a person in that building or watching at home who believed Private Party were winning the titles. As a result, the crowd felt like it was going through the motions, respectfully coming up for Private Party at key moments in the match, but never displaying any true investment. The Bucks are a cold act, and pairing them against one that hasn’t been relevant in years felt like a questionable choice for a Pay-Per-View. Again, nothing wrong here, but this just felt like it should’ve happened on weekly TV. The tag team division is in need of a pretty significant overhaul right now.)
-Excalibur tossed to a video for the ROH World Championship match.
Chris Jericho came through the tunnel grinning, Big Bill at his side. Excalibur welcomed Jim Ross to the table for the night’s final two matches. Mark Briscoe headed to the ring, holding up his title and bearing his teeth. Schiavone said it may be the biggest singles match of Briscoe’s career.
(8) MARK BRISCOE (c) vs. CHRIS JERICHO (w/ Big Bill) – ROH World Championship match
Mark Briscoe and Chris Jericho came to blows as soon as the bell rang. Briscoe quickly overwhelmed Jericho, toppling him in the corner and then charging for a forearm. Jericho flew out of the corner and surprised Briscoe with a Codebreaker. He covered for a one count. Briscoe popped to his feet, undeterred. He tossed Jericho to the floor and the walk and brawl began around ringside. Mark gave Jericho a Suplex on the floor, then leapt onto the apron. He gave Jericho a leaping elbow drop. Excalibur said he could feel the thud at ringside.
“This thing is gonna get out of hands very quickly,” J.R. surmised, begging Aubrey Edwards to get control. Briscoe set up a chair in the ring and seemed poised to use it to leap onto Jericho, but Big Bill shoved Chris out of the way. Mark took the chair to the floor and sat Jericho down in it. He leapt onto the apron and connected with a Blockbuster, toppling Jericho and the chair. Briscoe tossed Jericho inside. Edwards went to check on him. Big Bill gave Briscoe a big boot, then retrieved a table from underneath the ring. He propped it against the announcers desk and set Briscoe up for a Chokeslam through it.
Suddenly, Orange Cassidy came into frame. He gave Big Bill an Orange Punch, sending him reeling. Cassidy followed Bill around the ring and up the ramp. Meanwhile, Briscoe gave Jericho a backdrop on the apron as the match crossed 4:00. In the ring, he gave him a rolling driver. Jericho slid back to the apron, but Mark followed. He hooked Jericho’s arms. Chris wriggled free and gave Mark a Suplex off the apron to the floor. Jericho tossed Briscoe into the ring steps, then waved to the crowd.
Jericho stole the ringside camera and filmed himself stomping Briscoe at ringside. He rolled the champion back in the ring and choked him against the middle rope. J.R. called it a mixed crowd as they booed Jericho incessantly. Excalibur said this is a borderline fight without honor. Mark caught Jericho with a chop to the throat, then ascended the northwest corner. Jericho cut him out at the legs and climbed to meet him. Chris gave Briscoe nine punches from the top, waved to the crowd, then hit a super Hurricanrana. Briscoe rolled to his feet and dropped Jericho with a pair of clotheslines. Jericho retreated to the corner, where he was peppered with chops from the champion. Briscoe followed up with a Fisherman’s Buster for a cover and two count just before 9:00.
Briscoe set up for the Jay Driller, but Jericho spun through and tripped up the champion. He turned him over into the Walls of Jericho. “Ask him!” he begged of Aubrey. Briscoe turned his body in every direction, trying to find the shortest path to the ropes. He found them on the west side. Jericho argued with Edwards, assuming victory. Bryan Keith clocked Briscoe in the head with a bat behind Edwards’ back. Jericho covered, but only scored a two count. Rocky Romero attacked Keith, leading him away from ringside. Jericho tried to hit Briscoe with a chair, but Mark kicked it back in his face. Chris spilled to the outside. Briscoe used the chair to leap up and over the top, flipping onto Jericho.
Champion and challenger fell through the table Big Bill had propped at ringside earlier. Briscoe tossed Jericho in the ring and climbed to the top, looking for a splash. Jericho picked him out of the air with a Codebreaker. He covered for a near fall just after 12:00. Chris went for the Judas Effect, but Mark ducked. He went for the Jay Driller, but Jericho dropped to a knee. He popped up and caught Briscoe with the Judas Effect. Jericho didn’t cover him. Instead, he pulled him to his feet and gave him a Jay Driller. Jericho hooked the leg, but Briscoe kicked out just before three.
Wide-eyed and through gritted teeth, Briscoe rose to his feet, shaking off every punch Jericho threw at him. He struck Jericho in the chest repeatedly, then caught him with an uppercut. Briscoe hit a rolling Death Valley Driver and climbed the turnbuckles. He hit the Froggy Bow, then the Jay Driller for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Mark Briscoe in 15:18 to retain the ROH World Championship
(LeClair’s Analysis: I’m no defender of 2024 Chris Jericho, but I thought this was on the higher end of reasonable expectations for his output. I’m pretty firmly against ROH titles being defended on AEW shows, but aside from that, this worked for what it was. Given what was to come in the main event, giving Briscoe a strong win here was an easy and correct booking call to make.)
-Excalibur plugged AEW’s next Pay-Per-View, Full Gear on November 23rd. He tossed to a video package for the main event.
Jon Moxley marched to the ring through the crowd, flanked by Marina Shafir. He leapt the barricade and posed on the apron. Schiavone said he doesn’t understand Moxley anymore, that he only speaks in riddles. “Maybe it will come to fruition tonight,” he said. “Final Countdown” ran out and Bryan Danielson shuffled emerged, arms outstretched. He slapped hands with fans on his way toward ringside. He posed in the corner, but Moxley immediately attacked him. The music continued to play.
Moxley dragged Danielson off the turnbuckle and onto the floor. Bryan fought back, throwing punches at the challenger. He backed him against the barricade, got a running start and threw himself toward Mox. Jon clubbed him in the air. He grabbed a monitor from the desk and tried to choke Danielson with the cord. Bryan slipped free and slipped the cord around Mox’s neck. Marina Shafir attacked Danielson from behind. The music continued to play. Mox tossed a chair in the ring and slid inside. Bryan followed. He delivered a Busaiku Knee right to the chair.
(9) BRYAN DANIELSON (c) vs. JON MOXLEY – AEW World Championship match
Once the referee tossed the chair outside the ring, he rang the bell. Bryan Danielson immediately hit Jon Moxley with another Busaiku Knee and covered him for a two count. Moxley rolled to the floor, overwhelmed. Danielson leapt to the top rope and dove onto Moxley. He tossed him back inside. Mox immediately rolled out the other side. Danielson gave him no reprieve, diving through the middle rope and sending his challenger crashing into the Spanish announce desk.
Moxley rose, wobbly atop the table. Bryan began peppering him with his signature “yes” kicks. Mox caught the last tone, pulled Danielson in and delivered a Piledriver right on top of the desk. It didn’t break. Bryan rolled to the floor, clutching his neck. Moxley found a cable behind the desk and began choking Bryan with it. Referee Bryce Remsburg admonished Jon, telling him he needs to win it in the ring. Mox shoved Nigel McGuinness, dislodging his headset. Mox tossed Bryan onto the apron and continued working over his neck. He re-entered the ring and distracted Remsburg, allowing Marina Shafir to punish Danielson further.
“Throw her out!” the crowd pleaded with Remsburg. Moxley elbowed Bryan in the neck as the match crossed 4:30. Mox stomped at Bryan, soaking in the boos from the crowd. He looked down at the World Champion, then dragged him to the corner for some chops. Danielson stumbled out, hardly able to stay upright. Moxley chopped him harder. McGuinness said that Moxley is “going to have to kill Bryan Danielson.” Excalibur said he thinks he’s willing to do it. Jon fired off another hard chop. Bryan tried to return the favor, but Mox easily cut him off and dropped him. He gave him another anvil elbow to the neck, then held his arms up for Danielson’s signature stomps. The crowd booed loudly. Shafir mocked the “yes” chant at ringside.
Jon covered Bryan for a quick two count just after 7:00. J.R. pleaded for the match to end. Mox gave Bryan a neckbreaker, then pulled him through the bottom rope by the ponytail. He drove the point of his elbow into Danielson’s spine, then distracted the referee for more violent knees from Shafir on the outside. Jon tripped at Bryan’s fingers. Excalibur said he’s making sure Bryan can’t perform the Labell Lock. Mox shouted orders at Shafir. She ripped the padding up off the floor at ringside while Mox beat down Bryan nearby.
“It didn’t have to be this way,” Moxley told Bryan and the crowd. He jawed with a fan in the front row. Mox tried to Pildrive Bryan on the exposed concrete floor, but Bryan countered with a backdrop. Mox still recovered first. He hoisted Danielson back onto the apron, then up the turnbuckle. he scratched at Bryan’s back and removed the tape on his neck. Jon bit Bryan’s neck. Danielson managed to fight him off and slide to the mat. He kicked Moxley into tree of woe position, then hit him with a number of quick kicks and a running basement dropkick. Moxley sat up, so Danielson gave him a German Suplex off the middle rope.
The Tacoma crowd rose in support of their champion as he climbed to the top. He went for a diving headbutt, but Moxley moved. He hit the ropes and gave Danielson a Stomp for a cover and two count. Moxley immediately gator-rolled Danielson toward center and applied a front cross-face. Bryan rolled toward the ropes, so Moxley kneed him in the back and reapplied the hold. Danielson got his fingers in between Moxley’s grip and wiggled free. He popped up and gave Moxley a Piledriver.
Both men were down as the match approached 14:00. Danielson massaged his neck, trying to loosen up. Moxley did the same. They met in the center, the challenger talking trash. Danielson invited it. He willed the crowd to life. Moxley punched him in the jaw. Bryan shrugged it off and hit one of his own. They went back and forth with violent strikes. One of Moxley’s dropped Danielson to a knee. Jon tried to follow up, but Bryan caught his boot. Danielson flew off the ropes with a flying lariat. Mox rose to his knees. The Yes Kicks commenced. Danielson laid them on thick. The last one sent spit flying across the ring.
Danielson slumped into the corner, feeling the energy. He called for the knee, but Shafir grabbed his ankle. This time, Remsburg saw it. Bryce ejected Shafir. Moxley hit Danielson with a cutter, but was too distracted by the ejection to capitalize immediately. He paced around the ring, waiting for Bryan to stand. Mox went for the Paradigm Shift, but Bryan slid free. He caught Mox with the Busaiku Knee for a cover and very near fall just before 19:00. Danielson pumped himself up. He grabbed Moxley’s wrists as the crowd begged him to “kick his f—in’ head in.” Bryan obliged, then sunk into the Labell Lock. Jon clawed at the mat, reaching desperately from the bottom rope. Bryan caught his hand and pulled it back. Jon pivoted his hip and got a foot on the rope instead.
Mox slid to the floor. Bryan charged, diving through the middle rope. Moxley caught him and gave him a Death Rider on the concrete floor. Moxley tossed Bryan inside and covered him for a two count. Moxley was enraged. He slung Bryan’s arm over his knee and anvil elbowed the open shoulder. Mox tried to apply a Sleeper, but Bryan would not allow the clutch. He dead-lifted Mox onto his shoulders and carried him all the way to the opposing corner, climbing the turnbuckles with the challenger on his back. Bryan threw himself backward, freeing himself from Moxley’s grasp.
J.R. said Danielson’s tank must be nearing the red line. Bryan applied a leg log, then kicked at Jon’s head and neck. He tried to transition into the Labell Lock, but Moxley spun free and into a Triangle Choke. Danielson flipped through it and gave Mox a capture Suplex. Jon rolled to his feet and slapped the mat. Danielson caught him with another Busaiku Knee for another near fall. He called for another. Jon caught him with a huge lariat, cutting him off. He picked up Danielson and gave him another one. Mox covered for a two count just before 25:00.
Jon Moxley signaled for the end. He dragged Bryan to his feet and hit him with a Death Rider, hooking the leg. Danielson kicked at one. The crowd erupted. “Don’t make me do this, Bryan,” Jon said. Danielson spit in his face. Moxley gave him a Gotch-style Piledriver. He transitioned into a Sleeper. Danielson tried to hoist him again, but couldn’t. His feet were sliding out from underneath him as he reached toward the rope. Bryan began to fade. He fell into Moxley’s clutches. Bryan passed out and the referee called for the bell.
WINNER: Jon Moxley in 26:52 to win the AEW World Heavyweight Championship
An exasperated groan of disappointment spilled from the crowd. Moxley sat up, emotionless. Marina Shafir returned. Claudio Castagnoli and Pac followed. Claudio had a duffel bag. Moxley unceremoniously dropped the AEW title in the bag, then pulled out a plastic bag. Wheeler Yuta charged the ring, coming to the aid of Bryan. Darby Allin followed, carrying a steel chair. Wheeler Yuta kicked the chair into Darby’s face.
Moxley and company returned to the ring, quickly swarming Darby and using duct tape to secure him in the corner. Moxley handed Yuta the plastic bag. Wheeler choked Bryan out with the bag. Private Party rushed the ring, but were quickly taken out. Jeff Jarrett followed, also thwarted. Claudio placed a steel chair around Bryan’s neck and stomped on it. Orange Cassidy, Hook, Daniel Garcia, Mark Briscoe, and Adam Cole rushed the ring, finally clearing Moxley and his crew. Security and additional referees flooded into the ring, attending to Danielson.
Excalibur and Schiavone talked about the potential effects to Danielson’s quality of life. Excalibur broke down in tears. Paramedics slid a board underneath Bryan and strapped him in. Wrestlers looked on in horror from ringside as Excalibur continued to sniff away tears. The broadcast faded out.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Excellent match. The intensity of the pre-match brawl felt earned, and the crowd ate it up. I’ll offer some muted criticism of the extended play-through of “Final Countdown” – I do think AEW has overused the spot, and and it’s pretty darn illogical. That said, it added to the chaotic feel of the thing and set the tone early. Danielson and Moxley are masters of their craft and I loved the mat work and body manipulation utilized by both guys throughout. It all felt violent, hard-hitting, and personal. I think the pass-out finished has been overused in both major companies as of late, and so I’d likely have voted for a tap out finish instead, but that’s a small critique on what I otherwise thought was the highlight of the show, match-wise.
The post match beat down was certainly a conversation piece. Yuta’s turn felt a little choreographed after going so heavy-handed to make you think he was simply with Bryan, but I will reserve full judgment until I see the follow up there. The beat down was brutal, and the babyface locker room spilling out to chase away Moxley and company was both effective an logical. I appreciated J.R. wondering, aloud, what took them so long. I like the fact that the announcers sold it so hard, though Excalibur’s tears felt like a little much.
I do wonder if the decision to go so heavy-handed was a way of masking the awkward conversation surrounding Danielson’s career status. It would’ve been a little strange to go off the air saying that Bryan’s FULL-TIME in-ring career had just ended, while clearly hedging. So, instead, they put themselves in a position to not only doubt the future of his career as a whole, but his general health and well-being, too.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: AEW Pay-Per-Views are filled with good wrestling. Tonight was no exception. Perhaps more tonight than with any PPV in recent memory, though, this card felt loaded with filler that would’ve been far better served on weekly Dynamite. I thought the main event was excellent, and the three-way, too. The post-main event angle makes this a noteworthy show for a number of reasons, and I would certainly recommend people go out of their way to check it out. With that said, I don’t think there was enough on this card to warrant its hefty price tag, which is not something I can often say about these events. It deserves a mild thumbs up on wrestling quality alone, but I do think it’s one of the company’s weaker offerings as a whole.
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