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AEW DYNASTY PPV REPORT
APRIL 6, 2025
PHILADELPHIA, PA. AT LIACOURAS CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz, Nigel McGuinness, Jim Ross
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reports that 7,899 tickets had been distributed as of right before showtime. The AEW set-up is 8,343, so it’ll be basically a sellout. The arena holds 10,200 when configured for concerts or basketball.
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[PRE-SHOW]
Hosts: Renee Paquette, R.J. City, Jeff Jarrett
Commentators: Excalibur, Matt Menard
Ring Announcer: Arda Ocal
(A) NICK WAYNE & LIO RUSH & ACTION ANDRETTI vs. TOP FLIGHT (Darius Martin & Dante Martin) & A.R. FOX
As Wayne came to the ring, Excalibur said he was selected to compete in the New Japan Super Juniors tournament which he framed as an honor and prestigious. In the end, Nick delivered his Wayne’s World finisher to win.
WINNERS: Rush & Andretti & Wayne in 12:00.
(B) MAX CASTER vs. ANTHONY BOWENS (w/Billy Gunn)
Caster came out and prompted the fans to do his signature chant, but then chastised them for bad rhythm or cadence. His former partner Bowens was his surprise opponent in his open challenge. Bowens won quickly, then yelled at the ringside camera that he is the pride of professional wrestling and a five-tool player and he’s about to take pro wrestling by storm.
WINNER: Bowens.
[MAIN PPV]
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz, Nigel McGuinness, Jim Ross
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
(1) WILL OSPREAY vs. KEVIN KNIGHT – Owen Hart Cup Tournament first round
Jim Ross joined in on commentary for this opener. Ospreay made his entrance first. Then Knight. The bell rang 6 minutes into the hour. A couple minutes in, Ospreay landed a slingshot bodypress onto Knight at ringside, then dove onto him back in the ring for an early two count. After more back and forth action, they stood mid-ring and exchanged chops.
Later, Ospreay set up a Styles Clash at ringside, but Knight countered into a DDT on the floor. Back in the ring, Knight landed a rolling DDT for a two count. When Knight springboarded toward Ospreay, Ospreay countered with a cutter. He went for an OsCutter, but Knight countered with a backslide for a two count. Ospreay landed a quick Styles Clash for a two count and then an OsCutter for a two count and finally a Hidden Blade for the win.
WINNER: Ospreay in 14:00 to advance to the semi-finals.
(Keller’s Analysis: A graceful, action-packed athletic display that matches AEW’s brand and what its fans crave. They were into the match. The only downside was the lack of drama with Knight’s near falls since it felt remote that he’s be booked to win.)
(2) HURT BUSINESS (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin w/MVP) vs. BIG BILL & BRYAN KEITH – AEW Tag Team Title match
The bell rang 26 minutes into the hour. Shelton took it to Keith at ringside a few minutes in as fans sang, “We Hurt People!” Bill tagged in and landed a side slam on Shelton for a two count at 7:00. MVP stood from the announce desk, but he claimed he wasn’t concerned, but just wanted a better perspective.
MJF showed up at ringside and punched Big Bill and smiled. MJF said, “That’s my buddy.” Shelton didn’t see it, but he and Lashley stared down at MJF, wondering what he was doing. Shelton gave Keith a German Suplex and then Lashley speared him. Shelton made the cover with a palm on the chest of Keith and got a three count. Taz said it seemed as if MVP didn’t know MJF’s plans to interfere.
WINNERS: Lashley & Benjamin in 10:00 to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles.
(Keller’s Analysis: It’s a good thing Bill was right there near where MJF was so MJF could interfere at a pivotal time like that. The action was fine and what you’d expect here. They’re telling a longer story with MJF and Hurt Syndicate right now. Fans want to like Hurt Business, but is this story that MVP eventually sees Lashley and Shelton were right to reject an alliance with MJF or will they give in eventually or will MVP side with MJF against them? In the end, Lashley & Benjamin need to be babyfaces because the fans aren’t going to buy anything other than that.)
(3) MERCEDES MONE vs. JULIA HART – Owen Hart Cup Tournament first round
The bell rang 42 minutes into the hour. Mercedes landed a Meteora at ringside a few minutes in as part of her first extended stretch of offense of the match. She rolled Julia into the ring and scored a near fall. Julia landed a crossbody at ringside at 7:00 and rolled her into the ring. Mercedes attempted a sideslam, but Julia landed a DDT as a counter for a near fall.
Julia applied an octopus at 9:00. Mercedes broke free and leveraged Julia’s shoulders down for a two count. Julia went for a top rope moonsault, although she was overshooting Mercedes badly when Mercedes lifted her boots and clipped her. Julia countered Mercedes with a Crucifix for a near fall a minute later. Julia got a rise from the crowd with a submission attempt. Mercedes countered into a two count and then attempted a Moné Makers. They battled for leverage pin attempts, which Mercedes eventually got the better of for a three count.
They showed Athena watching backstage and reacting to Mercedes’ win. She will face Mercedes if she wins her first round match.
WINNER: Mercedes in 13:00 to advance.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good competitive battle that built nicely in the closing minutes.)
(4) WHEELER YUTA & CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI & PAC vs. ADAM COPELAND & FTR – AEW Trios Titles match
FTR came out first. Then Copeland. The fans sang Copeland’s song long after the music stopped playing. Copeland loved it. The heel trio then came out. The bell rang 3 minutes into the second hour.
Cash played to the crowd a few minutes in after rallying against Claudio. Yuta took a cheap shot at Cash leading to him taking an extended beating. Dax tagged in a couple minutes later. Dax and Claudio got a rise from the crowd with a flurry of strikes and counterstrikes. Claudio got the better of it and celebrated mid-ring. When he tagged Yuta, Yuta got some Dom-like boos. Claudio gave Dax his giant swing. Yuta then dropkicked Dax on one of the revolutions for a near fall.
Dax later scored a near fall on Pac. Yuta interfered. Dax went after him, but Pac rolled up Dax for a two count. Pac then applied a Brutalizer mid-ring. Claudio cut off Copeland from helping. Yuta leaped onto Cash’s back and applied a sleeper. Cash dove onto Pac to break up the Brutalizer even with Yuta on his back. An “AEW!” chant rang out briefly.
Yuta leapfrogged a Copeland spear and then Copeland crashed into Dax in the corner. Yuta then landed a Busaiku knee on Dax for the win. McGuinness said that was a miscalculation by Copeland.
WINNERS: Yuta & Claudio & Pac in 15:00 to retain the AEW Trios Titles.
(Keller’s Analysis: A good match. The crowd heat on Yuta is really fun right now. These are six pros and the action was high-quality, as you’d expect. It felt throughout that it was more about whether Dax would turn on Copeland and whether Cash would join him than the Trios Titles mattered. I suppose some might’ve thought Dax, Cash, and Copeland would win the Trios Titles and work together for a while, but I doubt it was many.)
-After the heel trio left, Cash looked down at Copeland and Dax. Copeland stood and joined Cash in helping Dax to his feet. They all hugged. Schiavone said he was glad to see that. Cash and Dax raised Copeland’s arms, but then Dax attacked Copeland with a piledriver. Cash was on his way out of the ring, and then turned and asked Dax what he was doing. Schiavone said Dax has gone mad as he grabbed a chair and put Copeland’s head on it. Dax handed Cash a chair. Cash threw it down and shoved Dax. Dax begged off. Cash turned to help Copeland up. Dax and Cash then worked together to give Copeland their Shatter Machine. Dax and Cash then gave Copeland a leaping stuff piledriver onto a chair. Cash smashed Copeland’s head with a chair. Then Cash put on a neckbrace that had been brought to ringside and got on the gurney. He then ripped it off and said Copeland needs it more than him. Schiavone wondered if this was premeditated or a spur of the moment decision. Excalibur said only two people in the world know “and it’s those two assholes right there.” Excalibur asked if this is the last they’ll see of Copeland.
(Keller’s Analysis: The needless swerve with Cash shoving Dax was so predictable that it made no point to do it. It’s just a tired cliche at this point in situations like this. What’s the point? Why would two wrestlers upset with Copeland and ready to bash his skull in decide it’d be “fun” along the way to tease the viewers that Cash wasn’t with Dax? There’s no strategic advantage. Just do the damn angle in a straight-forward way. Ultimately, the angle worked well enough.)
(5) TONI STORM vs. MEGAN BAYNE (w/Penelope Ford) – AEW Women’s Title match
Excalibur noted all the wins Bayne has scored in recent weeks including twice against Kris Statlander, once against Thunder Rosa, and once against Toni Storm. (It’s good to underline her big push because this rise to a PPV title match came quickly enough, some PPV regulars who aren’t watching every episode of Dynamite and Collision might not know much about her hot run.) McGuiness said Bayne might be going into this as a favorite despite being the challenger. Before Storm’s entrance, a video played of her doing Rocky-style training (they’re in Philadelphia) without make-up on. She also leaped into a bed and yelled into a pillow. She then came out dressed in a boxing robe. Luther warmed up her shoulders like a cornerman in boxing. McGuiness said Storm has been drinking raw eggs and beating meat. He added, “Do with that what you will.” The bell rang 30 minutes into the hour.
When Bayne got an early flurry of offense in. Storm was consoled by Luther at ringside. Bayne leaped through the ropes onto him. Storm then attacked Bayne and went on the attack. She leaped off the top rope with a crossbody for a two count. Bayne took over again. As she struck a pose center-ring, they cut to a wide shot of the arena. Bayne kicked at Storm’s head. Ford at ringside took a cheap shot. Bayne followed with a series of short-arm lariats.
Storm fired back with some chops at 7:00, but Bayne caught her and gave her three belly-to-belly overhead released suplexes leading to a two count. Bayne methodically stayed on the attack. She climbed to the top rope. Storm suplexed her off the top rope. Both landed hard. They cut to a wide shot, then went into replays where it clear in slo-mo Bayne’s face hit the mat on impact. McGuiness said Bayne “almost didn’t make it” over enough to avoid catastrophe.
Storm rallied and went for a hip attack, but Bayne countered with a suplex and a Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Storm came back a minute later and landed four hip attacks. She then followed with a Storm Zero for a one count. “She’s in there with a monster!” said McGuiness. Bayne sat up and showed fire. She backdropped Storm, then landed a lariat and a flying clothesline followed by a sitout powerbomb. She looked to the crowd and got some cheers. Storm countered Bayne’s next move with a small package for the win.
WINNER: Storm in 16:00 to retain the AEW Women’s Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: I understand the rationale for the small package finisher. Bayne is getting this title match so quickly after earning it with dominance over several established contenders in the top tier of AEW’s women’s division. Having her lose to Storm decisively would be a setback and define her down and show that she peaked early and wasn’t able to finish the job. Where does she go from there? So they booked her to look dominant, including kicking out at one after Storm’s finisher which came after eating four hip attacks. Therefore, the idea is a roll-up type finish doesn’t hurt her too much, but keeps the belt on Storm so she’s strong going into a presumed mega-match with Mercedes this summer. The match was good, with the Bayne power advantage being the story of the match.)
(6) KYLE FLETCHER vs. MARK BRISCOE – Owen Hart Cup Tournament first round
The bell rang 51 minutes into the hour. Briscoe brushed off early offense by Fletcher and went on the attack at ringside. He ran on the ringside barricade and landed a flying elbowdrop onto Fletcher’s chest. He threw chairs into the ring next as Fletcher recovered at ringside. Fletcher suplexed Briscoe onto a chair at ringside. They cut to Konosuke Takeshita watching backstage. Callis said he won’t allow the match between Fletcher and Takeshita to happen.
Fletcher went on sustained attack including a powerbomb of Briscoe at ringside into the ring apron. Fletcher landed a released powerbomb of Briscoe onto the edge of the ringside barricade. At 8:00, Briscoe collided mid-ring with Fletcher. Both were down and slow to get up. Briscoe landed a fisherman’s buster for a near fall. Fletcher set up a move on the ring apron. Briscoe blocked it. Fletcher still landed a superkick and then suplexed him onto the ring apron. Back in the ring, Fletcher landed a ProtoBuster for a near fall. Callis leaped up and yelled at the ref, then returned to the announce desk.
Briscoe came back with a BT Bomb for a near fall. He followed with a sliding lariat and then a top rope elbowdrop for a near fall at 13:00. Briscoe let out a yell and set up a Jay Driller, but Fletcher rolled him up for a near fall. Briscoe again went for a Jay Driller and this time landed it. Fletcher sold neck damage with his arms. McGuiness said he suffered a neck injury. Fletcher rolled to the floor. Briscoe leaped at him and took him down with a flying elbow. He threw him back into the ring and went for another top rope elbow, but Fletcher lifted his boots and landed two running boots to his face in the corner. He followed with a brainbuster suplex onto the turnbuckle for the win.
WINNER: Fletcher in 16:00 to advance.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was the best match of the night so far. Everything has been good, but that was the first that was above expectations, I think, depending on your expectations of course. Just stellar hard-hitting match that, while a spotfest to a degree, also felt more like “a fight” than “a show.”)
(7) CHRIS JERICHO vs. BANDIDO – ROH World Title vs. Mask match
Bandido hugged his mother and greeted his sister at ringside. Jericho came out and stared down Bandido’s family at ringside. When the bell rang 13 minutes into the third hour, Jericho landed a quick Code Breaker for a near fall. He followed with a Lionsault for a two count.
Bandido took over. He celebrated with his family at ringside, then threw Jericho into the ring. Bandido landed a top rope bodypress. It appeared Jericho meant to catch him. It led to a two count and then completely silence in the arena. Bandido lifted Jericho for a suplex and then held him upside down as he led the crowd in counting into the 40s. He then used that spare hand to steady himself and he held Jericho in the air for a count of almost 60. It was like a “Survivor” challenge as his legs began to give out and he eventually dropped back maybe just before fans counted to 60. That led to a two count.
Jericho caught Bandido on the ring apron and then leaped off and powerbombed Bandido on the ringside mat. Jericho took the camera at ringside and filmed Bandido’s family to taunt them. He returned to the ring as the ref counted Bandido.
Bandido powerbombed a showboating Jericho out of the corner at 9:00 leading to a two count. Jericho got up and knocked Bandido off balance on the top rope. He then punched away at Bandido. He went for a Frankensteiners. Bandido held on, but Jericho powered him down anyway. Jericho charged, but Bandido pressed Jericho above his head and slammed him. He landed a frog splash for a two count.
Jericho countered Bandido and went into a Walls of Jericho mkd-ring. Bandido escaped and landed a superkick as Jericho charged at him. When Bryan Keith ran out, Gravity intervened. Jericho hit Bandido with his bat as the ref was distracted and then hid the bat. He slowly crawled over and covered Bandido and got the three count at 15:00.
-After the match, Jericho signaled for the mask to be removed. A second ref talked with Bandido’s mother and sister at ringside. They were given permission to move to ringside. They pointed out the bat wedged under the ring behind the steps. After a conversation, Roberts said the ref ruled the match must restart.
Jericho leaned through the ropes and grabbed Bandido’s sister’s hair. Bandido attacked Jericho and landed his finisher for the win.
WINNER: Bandido in 18:00 to capture the ROH World Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: The restart of the match is so inconsistent with how matches usually go. This sets a new precedent that anyone can protest and expect, with rather flimsy evidence in this case, to get a referee decision over turned. I get the idea was please fans by having Bandido’s family be part of getting retribution on Jericho for his cheating. It came at the expense of consistency in how AEW handles finishes. The match itself was what you’d anticipate with these two, with glimpses of who Jericho once was mixed with a lot of examples of him losing more than a step. Bandido was good enough to keep the match flowing, but it was clunky.)
(8) DANIEL GARCIA vs. ADAM COLE – TNT Title match
As Cole came out first, Excalibur noted Cole started his career 17 years ago to the day. The bell rang 40 minutes into the third hour. They worked a steady back-and-forth pace without massive spots and just a few near falls.
Garcia applied a standing anklelock at 9:00 and then settled on the mat and added torque. Cole reached the bottom rope to force a break. Cole got the better of Garcia at ringside including a Panama Sunrise. Cole set up a running Boom knee strike, but Garcia dropped to the mat face-first, protecting his face. Garcia surprised Cole with a small package for a near fall at 12:00. Gracia then caught Cole with a Panama Sunrise and a Boom knee strike for a near fall.
Garcia set up a top rope piledriver. Cole held on and headbutted Garcia to knock him to the mat. Cole then landed a Panama Sunrise on Garcia. He delivered a second Panama Sunrise and then his Boom for the win. After the match, Cole waited for Garcia to stand. Cole offered a handshake. Garcia accepted, then left the ring, looking dejected.
WINNER: Cole in 15:00 to capture the TNT Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: A solid, well-executed match. No games or gore or gimmickry. A good match for this spot on the show.)
(9) KENNY OMEGA vs. “SPEEDBALL” MIKE BAILEY vs. RICOCHET – International Title
Ricochet came out first. Then Speedball. And finally Omega. The bell rang 6 minutes into the fourth hour. Excalibur said he called Omega’s only singles match with Ricochet and with Speedball over a decade ago in PWG. Ricochet dropped to ringside to watch Kenny and Speedball battle. Fans chanted, “Speedball!” There was a “Kenny!” chant before his ring entrance. When Speedball shoved Omega out of the ring to break up a roll-up, Ricochet threw him into the announce desk. As Ricochet and Speedball battled, Omega hit Ricochet from behind from the ring apron. Omega then leaped off the top rope with a diving crossbody on Speedball.
Speedball landed rapid-fire kicks which led to another “Speedball!” chant. He then ducked Ricochet and leaped through the ropes to head scissors Omega at ringside. When Ricochet leaped through the ropes, Omega and Speedball took turns hitting him. Ricochet went down. Fans applauded.
At 7:00, Omega intervened during a battle between Ricochet and Speedball. As Ricochet got mouthy at ringside, Speedball attacked him and then said into a dead headset that someone had to stop him. Back in the ring, he landed a flying dropkick off the ropes and then karate kicks. Ricochet avoided a running shooting star press. Omega seized the opening and went after Speedball. Three-way action broke out, with Ricochet breaking up Speedball’s backslide attempt and then he tried to pin both of them mid-backslide. Taz said he’s never seen that before. A minute later, Omega executed a double backslide on both for a two count. They all ended up down and slow to get up at 11:00. Schiavone said the match was amazing.
With Ricochet knocked to the floor, Bayley and Omega squared off and exchanged chops. Speedball knocked Ricochet off the ring apron and then leaped off the top rope and flipped onto Ricochet. Omega then landed a running flip dive onto both Ricochet and Speedball at ringside. Fans chanted, “Kenny! Kenny!” Then a “Fight forever!” chant started. Ricochet leaped over the top rope onto Omega at ringside and landed on his feet. It was Speedball’s turn and he springboarded off the top rope onto both Omega and Ricochet.
Speedball went on the attack in the ring. He landed a spinning hook kick on Omega, with Ricochet breaking up the count. At ringside, Speedball sold a knee injury after landing on them on the ring apron on a flip that Ricochet avoided. Ricochet clipped his knee from behind and then returned to the ring to go after Omega at 18:00.
Omega gave Speedball a Snap Dragon. The he gave one to Ricochet. Omega then gave Speedball and Ricochet a double Snap Dragon. Fans stood and applauded and chanted “Kenny!” Omega landed V-Triggers on Ricochet and then Speedball. He lifted Ricochet onto his shoulders, but Ricochet slipped down and set up Vertigo. Omega countered and delivered a back suplex into a bridge for a near fall. Speedball returned to the ring and got Omega in a backslide. Ricochet added leverage out of the corner, but Omega still kicked out.
Speedball landed a running tornado hook kick to Omega’s face in the corner. He then went for a shooting star kneedrop out fo the corner, but Omega moved. Speedball sold his knee. Omega seized on it with a kneebar. Ricochet launched himself onto Omega with a 450 for a near fall at 25:00. Speedball caught Ricochet with a roll-up, but Ricochet countered with Vertigo for a near fall. Omega was at ringside.
Ricochet landed a shooting star press on Ricochet, but Omega kicked out. Speedball’s knee buckled so he wasn’t able to intervene, but it didn’t matter. Ricochet dropkicked Speedball and then leaped off the top rope with a shooting star press. Speedball raised his knees for a two count. He clutched his knee and yelled in pain. Speedball stood and slapped and kicked a kneeling Ricochet. Ricochet caught a kick and twisted his bad knee. Speedball signaled for a Crane Kick from “Karate Kid.” Ricochet said, “That’s not going to work.” Ricochet walked right into and he landed it flush and Ricochet took a great bump. Speedball then landed a leaping flip double-inee and went for the pin. Omega landed a V-Trigger to break up Speedball’s cover. Schiavone said, “I’m going to remember this match the rest of my life.”
Ricochet set up a move on Speedball on the top rope. Omega joined in and lifted Ricochet onto his shoulders as he stood on the second rope. He landed a One-Winged Angel from there. Speedball dropped backwards and hung upside down from the top rope, unable to intervene.
WINNER: Omega in 31:00 to retain the International Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was a blast. Good for Tony Khan not booking Speedball to take the fall, even though it was heavily teased with Speedball selling a knee injury half the match. That was a hell of a match and it’ll be close if this or Fletcher-Briscoe gets the most best match votes, I think. Speedball hanging with these two establishes him more with fans unfamiliar with his previous work.)
-Afterward, Kazuchika Okada came out onto the stage with his Continental Title. Excalibur said those two have engaged in some of the greatest battles that have ever taken place inside a wrestling ring. Okada entered the ring and had a brief staredown with Omega. Omega left. Excalibur oddly phrased it as “Omega was the first to flinch.” Schiavone pointed out Omega just went through a 30 minute war.
(10) JON MOXLEY (w/Marina Shafir) vs. SWERVE STRICKLAND (w/Prince Nana) – AEW World Title match
Fans chanted, “Swerve’s house!” before ring entrances began. Swerve’s music then played. The bell rang 50 minutes into the hour.
(Keller’s Analysis: I still can’t understand the belief that making everyone on the East Coast stay up past midnight on a Sunday night to see the conclusion to the main event is good business. I don’t think they get one single extra PPV buy as a result of the PPV going past the four hour mark or even past the three-and-a-half hour mark.)
They zoomed in on Moxley’s back to show the effects off the spiked bat on his flesh weeks later. Swerve took Moxley down and applied a Fujiwara armbar. They continued with a slow build including a knuckle lock mid-ring. Fans weren’t sure what to think. Mox chopped Swerve twice at 4:00. Swerve battled back and knocked Mox to the floor and then kicked him from the ring apron. Swerve kicked Mox in a folding chair and then threw him into the ringside barricade.
Mox got the better of Swerve at ringside at 6:00. He dropped some pointed elbows to Swerve’s head in the ring, then threw him back to ringside and into the announce desk area. Swerve came up bleeding. Mox DDT’d Swerve on the ringside steps. The pace remained methodical but intense.
Swerve made a comeback at 16:00 and scored a two count. Swerve gave Mox a backbreaker. Mox fired back with a cutter and then set up at Death Rider. Swerve blocked that, but Mox then applied a Bulldog headlock. Swerve countered with a kick and both were down and slow to get up. Shafir entered the ring with the briefcase presumably with the AEW Title belt in it. Nana entered and yelled at her. Fans cheered. She bashed him in the shoulder from behind with the briefcase. Mox went to deliver a leaping neckbreaker to Swerve, but Swerved moved and he gave the move to Shafir. Swerve then landed a House Call and scored a near fall on Mox. When Swerve climbed to the top rope, Moxley shoved him to the floor.
They fought to the floor. Each climbed a ladder near the announce desks. “This is scary,” said Excalibur. Mox set up a superplex off the ladder. Swerve ranked Mo’s back with his fingernails. (Swerve’s fingernails weren’t long enough to have an effect.) Swerve bit at Moxley’s forehead and then did a Swerve Stomp off the ladder through the Spanish announce desk. “Holy shit!” chanted fans.
Back in the ring, Mox and Swerve exchanged strikes. Mox threw a chair at Swerve, but Swerve ducked and the chair hit the ref hard in the face. Swerve drove Mox into the mat. Both were down and slow to get up. “Hangman” Adam Page came out and stood on the ring apron. He set up a Buckshot, but Pac, Yuta, and Claudio ran out and attacked him. The ref was still down. Hangman gave Mox a Dead Eye (although the camera angle showed Mox’s head didn’t get close). The Ops (Samoa Joe, Shibata, and Hook) ran out and fought Claudio, Yuta, and Pac to the back.
Swerve then leaped off the top rope and landed a double stomp on Mox. “We need a referee!” exclaimed Schiavone. Swerve struggled to crawl over to Mox. The lights went out. Schiavone said, “Fans. we apologize” The Young Bucks were standing in the ring, holding Swerve’s arms. The Bucks kneed him in the head with a BTE Trigger, then left the ring. Mox crawled over and covered Swerve for the win.
WINNER: Mox in 31:00 to retain the AEW World Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: A strange match given the deliberate pace and really needless length topping 30 minutes. The Bucks return was at least a big angle to give them a bit of an escape hatch from having Swerve lose clean or via lame interference from Moxley’s crew, nor having to forward the Hangman angle too much. Looks like Hangman & Swerve vs. The Bucks is part of the plan. This just isn’t how a PPV main event should end, despite the Bucks being gone for so long and being co-founders of the company. Moxley didn’t prove anything with this type of win.)
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