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LECLAIR’S AEW DYNASTY 2025 REPORT
APRIL 6, 2025
PHILADELPHIA, PA AT LIACOURAS CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON TRILLER, PAY-PER-VIEW, PRIME VIDEO, more
Announcers: Excalibur & Taz & Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness & Jim Ross
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-Excalibur welcomed the audience to the show amidst a sea of fireworks emanating from the stage. He introduced his broadcast partners, Taz and Jim Ross.
-Will Ospreay’s music hit and the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia gave him a huge ovation. Kevin Knight followed. Excalibur talked about his eventful first eight days under contract with AEW.
(1) WILL OSPREAY vs. KEVIN KNIGHT – Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal match
Will Ospreay and Kevin Knight shared a handshake as the Philadelphia crowd sang to the former. The two wrestlers locked up. Ospreay flipped out of an arm twist and applied one of his own. Knight managed to flip Will to the mat and taunt him a little bit. Will just smiled and popped up. Knight gave Ospreay a quick Monkey Flip followed by a Snapmare and sliding clothesline for a cover and one count. Excalibur said Knight has a tremendous leaping ability. J.R. agreed. Ospreay threw Knight high up into the air and then booted him through the ropes, to the floor. Ospreay dove over the top rope, colliding with Knight on the ground.
After tossing Knight back in the ring, Will kept control with a leaping forearm off the top rope for a cover and quick two count. Excalibur talked about how important the Owen Hart tournament is, reminding the audience that the winner gets an AEW World title match at All In Texas in July. Ospreay grabbed an abdominal stretch on Knight, the drove his knuckles into his opponent’s ribs. Kevin gave Will a hip toss to break free, then dropped Ospreay with a couple of quick clotheslines. After a big body slam, Knight followed up with an inverted splash for a cover and two count just after the 4:00 mark.
Knight and Ospreay traded Suplex attempts, but Will turned it into a Stundog Millionaire. He landed a corkscrew kick off the ropes and covered for a two count. Ospreay pulled at his elbow, sizing Knight up for the Hidden Blade. Knight leapfrogged it and went for a German Suplex, but Will flipped through it and hit one of his own. Ospreay maintained wrist control initially, but Knight elbowed free and staggered Ospreay with a dropkick. Both men charged, Will got the better of it with a Spanish Fly.
Referee Aubrey Edwards began to count both men down. Ospreay answered first, breaking the count at four. He pulled Knight up by the wrist and gave him a couple hard chops. Kevin asked for more. They traded chops and forearm blows. Knight peppered Ospreay’s jaw with forearm shots, then dropped him with a wind-up elbow strike. Will crumpled in a heap. Knight pulled him to his feet. Ospreay hit the ropes and tried to hit his signature flipping kick, but Knight stayed vertical and kicked Ospreay to the outside instead. Will rounded the ringside area and Knight leapt over the turnbuckle to take Ospreay down.
Both men returned to the apron, trading blows. Ospreay slid into the ring, charged the ropes and hooked Knight for a sunset bomb to the floor. He held on, looking for the Styles Clash. Knight used his core to pull himself up and out of harms way, and into a DDT to Ospreay. Both men struggled to their feet at 10:00. Knight rolled in the ring first. Ospreay began to stir at Aubrey’s eight count. Knight cut him off by diving onto him off the top rope. J.R. criticized this, saying Knight should’ve looked for the count out victory. Knight slid Ospreay back in the ring and gave him a rolling spike DDT for a cover and near fall.
Kevin tried to maintain control, charging at Will as he stood. Ospreay initially hooked him for the Styles Clash again, but Knight fought free. Will set up for the Oscutter, but Knight gave him a massive dropkick out of nowhere. Knight ascended the southeast corner and delivered a U.F.O. Splash for a cover and near fall. Knight stepped out to the apron, looking for another springboard move. Ospreay caught him with the Oscutter on the way in. He immediately followed up with a Powerbomb, then held on and finally delivered the Styles Clash. He covered for a near fall. Ospreay didn’t relent, he hit the Oscutter again for another cover and another near fall. Ospreay adjusted his elbow pad and connected with the Hidden Blade for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Will Ospreay in 13:50
Kevin Knight sat up in the corner. Ospreay bowed to him, helped him to his feet and offered him a handshake. Excalibur said we haven’t heard the last of Kevin Knight. Ospreay pointed to the All In sign on his way out of the ring.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Strong opening match. I’m always in favor of getting a hot act out in front of the crowd to kick off the show, and Ospreay certainly fits that bill. Kevin Knight was incredibly impressive athletically and worked well opposite of one of AEW’s premiere talents. Generally, I’m opposed to including first round tournament matches on Pay-Per-View cards that are destined to rung long as it is, but I won’t fault the company for wanting to get Ospreay in front of this crowd on a big show. Obvious winner aside, this was a good opener that served its purpose and didn’t overstay its welcome.)
-Tony Schiavone replaced J.R. on commentary just before Excalibur threw to a video package for the Tag Team title match.
Big Bill and Bryan Keith were out first, to their own music (rather than the Learning Tree.) Taz said Bill and Keith are highly motivated and fired up. The Hurt Syndicate entered, joined by MVP. The crowd sang along to their theme. MVP joined the commentary team.
(2) THE HURT SYNDICATE (c, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin, w/ MVP) vs. BIG BILL & BRYAN KEITH – AEW World Tag Team Championship match
Bryan Keith began the match with Bobby Lashley. Keith immediately slid between the ropes to avoid locking up with Lashley. He retreated to his own corner and tagged in Big Bill. A loud “meat” chant broke out in response. Bill quickly clotheslined Lashley over the top rope, then knocked Shelton Benjamin from the apron. MVP left the commentary desk to speak to his guys at ringside. Benjamin tagged in briefly and worked Big Bill into the corner. Lashley tagged back in and took control.
MVP said Big Bill is a force, and he wouldn’t be surprised if his guys were just a little off their game to start. “They’re back in control now, for sure,” he concluded. Benjamin tagged back in and tried for a German Suplex on Bill. He blocked it and reached Bryan Keith for a tag. Keith took Benjamin down and stomped him a bit, then tried to give him a hard forearm. Shelton shrugged it off and gave Keith a big back drop as the match crossed 4:00. Shelton tagged Bobby, who charged at Keith in the corner. Keith raised his boot, but Bobby caught it and gave him a violent clothesline. He tossed Keith to the floor. Lashley tagged in Benjamin. Shelton slammed Keith hard against the ringside barrier, then back in the ring.
Benjamin dragged Keith to his corner and tagged in Lashley. Bobby delivered a hard shot to the gut, then followed up with a stalling Suplex for a cover and two count. Lashley went for a spinning Stunner, but Keith landed on his feet and tripped Lashley into the turnbuckle. Keith tried to reach Bill for a tag, but Lashley got to Benjamin first. They traded spin kick attempts. Keith got the better of it and dove to tag Big Bill.
The Redwood tossed the tag team champions into opposing corners and delivered back and forth running clotheslines. Bill shoved Lashley to the floor, then posed for the camera. Unbeknownst to him, Benjamin had recovered and was lurking behind. He gave Bill a big German Suplex. Bill rolled to his feet and dropped Shelton. He called for the Chokeslam, but Benjamin turned it into an arm drag and Superkick. Benjamin charged at Bill, but the big man dropped him with a big boot. Bill tagged Keith. Lashley came out of nowhere and dropped Keith with a clothesline. He gave Big Bill a Flatliner, then called for a Suplex. Big Bill overpowered Lashley into Powerslam position. He gave him Snake Eyes in the corner. Lashley and Bill spilled to the outside. MJF appeared at ringside and punched Big Bill in the face with the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Lashley caught him with a Spear.
MJF hammed it up for the camera from the front row. Lashley and Benjamin stared him down, displeased. Big Bill was still down and out on the floor. Benjamin gave Keith a German Suplex in the ring. Lashley followed up with a Spear. Benjamin put a single hand on Keith’s chest for a three count.
WINNERS: The Hurt Syndicate in 10:27 to retain the AEW World Tag Team Championships
(LeClair’s Analysis: The Hurt Syndicate worked this match as heels despite being treated as babyfaces, while Big Bill and Bryan Keith worked the match as babyfaces while still technically being designated as heels. It made for a counterproductive premise, but I thought these guys worked around it well enough. Lashley and Benjamin continue to impress in appearance and size juxtaposed to much of the AEW roster, and their intensity is of a certain variety that I think is often missing in the company elsewhere. This was largely about furthering the story between the Syndicate and MJF, who made an appearance late. In that respect, it worked fine, but wasn’t particularly memorable otherwise.)
-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the opening round of the Women’s Owen Hard Foundation Tournament.
After the video, Julia Hart was out first to a strong reaction. Excalibur called her “devious and dangerous” and said she may be on the verge of shocking Mercedes Mone. Mone entered next, dancing onto the stage with her four Championships. She stopped to marvel at the Owen Hart Foundation cup set up at the bottom of the ramp.
(3) MERCEDES MONE vs. JULIA HART – Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal match
Mercedes Mone and Julia Hart circled one another in the ring. They traded quick rope runs and hip toss attempts. Hart ducked a clothesline from the quadruple champion, then tripped her into the southwest corner. Hart charged, but Mone tripped her up. She turned Hart up and over into Tree of Woe position, dragging the heel of her boot across Hart’s face. Mone pulled Julia out in Tombstone position, but Hart countered it into a roll up for two. Mone flipped it over for a two count of her own. Mercedes tried to set up for the Mone Maker, but Hart easily blocked it. Mone gave her a hard chop instead.
After slipping on the bottom rope, Mone recharged by taunting the crowd and then charging at Hart in the northeast corner. Julia held back Mone by the arm and climbed the ropes, walking them and delivering Old School. She mounted Mone and bounced her head repeatedly off the mat for a cover and two count just past 3:00. Mone tried to roll to the floor, but Hart held onto her. Mercedes swept out Hart’s legs and pulled her to the floor. She caught her with the Meteora off the edge of the ring. Mercedes walked Julia to the tournament trophy. “You see this?” This is mine!” she declared before tossing Hart back in the ring. She caught her with another Meteora for a cover and two count.
A dueling chant broke out in the Philadelphia crowd. Mone egged them on before grabbing a seated chin lock. Julia fought free with a Jawbreaker. She cradled Mercedes for a quick two count. Mone caught her with a big dropkick on the break. Mone went for the Three Amigos Suplexes, but Hart blocked the last one. Mone leapt up and caught her with double knees to the chest anyway. She carried Hart to the corner and hung her upside down in the Tree of Woe again. Mone sat cross-legged in front of her, mocking the disbanded House of Black. She gave her a quick dropkick. Mone tried to charge Hart, but Julia sat up, sending Mone careening to the floor.
Julia re-established herself atop the turnbuckle and dove onto Mone on the floor. She quickly tossed her back in the ring, gave her a DDT and covered for a near fall just before 7:30. Hart went for the DDT a second time, but Mone spun her around into Tombstone position and fell onto her back with knees up for a modified Lungblower. Mone set up for the Mone Maker, but Hart flipped free into a roll up for two. Mone turned her over for one of her own for the same count. Mercedes tried for the Mone Maker again, but Hart broke free and stumbled into the corner. Mercedes charged her. Julia spun over the ropes and pulled Mone into the Tarantula. When the referee called for the break, Hart flipped into the ring and applied an Octopus Stretch. Mone struggled for a moment, but was able to reach the ropes to break.
Both women traded blows near the northwest corner. Hart took Mone down and climbed to the top, looking for a Moonsault. She flipped right onto the knees of Mone. Mercedes followed up with two consecutive Backstabbers. Mone thought she’d weakened Hart enough for the Mone Maker, but Julia still managed to block it. She gave Mone a Crucifix Bomb for a near fall. Mone almost immediately turned her over into the Statement Maker submission. Hart began to fade, but managed to slide free into Hartless. Mone writhed in agony, lifting her hand to tap. She wriggled free and re-applied the Statement Maker. Hart initially managed to turn her over into a cover, but Mercedes pulled her back and sunk deeper into the hold.
“Julia!” the crowd chanted loudly as Hart dragged valiantly toward the ropes. “Give up!” Mone screamed. Hart briefly rolled Mone over into a cover, but Mercedes turned it back into the submission. Hart began to turn it over again, so Mone transitioned into a cradle and finally scored a three count.
WINNER: Mercedes Mone in 12:56
(LeClair’s Analysis: I thought this was another fairly strong outing on Pay-Per-View for Mercedes Mone, who has rebounded nicely after a rocky start. Julia Hart has improved dramatically in the ring, and I enjoyed their work together despite some clunky spots littered throughout. I thought the closing stretch, with Hart thwarting the Statement Maker submission multiple times was a great babyface comeback, and the Philadelphia crowd really came to life for the final couple of minutes as a result. Mone felt like the obvious winner here, and, being that there was only one other women’s match on the show, this felt like the most logical tournament match to add to the show.)
-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the Trios Championships.
Nigel McGuinness had replaced Taz on commentary when the show returned. FTR headed to the ring first, followed by Adam Copeland. The latter received a huge ovation. The announcers discussed the strained relationship between Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler. The crowd continued to sing “Metalingus” long after it had faded out. The Death Riders entered through an alcove beneath the lower bowl of the arena. They marched through the crowd and past the announcers desk before posing with their titles in the ring.
(4) DEATH RIDERS (c, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta & Pac) vs. RATED-FTR (Adam Copeland & Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) – AEW World Trios Championship match
Dax Harwood began the match with Pac. Nigel noted that Pac defeated Cash Wheeler last night on Collision, establishing some momentum. Dax and Pac locked up and worked themselves into the ropes for a quick break. Pac dropped Harwood with a shoulder tackle, then slid under his legs for a roll up and quick two count. Harwood quickly got tired up again for another roll through and two count. Pac tripped Dax up and tried to apply the Brutalizer, but Dax was close enough to the ropes to pull himself to safety before any damage was done.
Harwood retreated to his own corner for a quick pep talk from his partners. He tagged in Adam Copeland, who worked Pac to the corner. Pac came out of the tussle with Copeland’s twisted arm. He walked him to the heel corner and tagged in Wheeler Yuta. The hometown “hero” received a resounding chorus of boos and vulgar chant. Copeland tagged in Cash Wheeler. The tag specialist gave Yuta a Snapmare, then a hard chop. He worked him into the corner and tagged Copeland back in. They gave Yuta a double flapjack. Pac entered the ring and ate one, too. Yuta managed to tag in Claudio Castagnoli.
Rated-FTR surrounded Castagnoli and beat him down. Copeland and Harwood scooped Claudio onto the shoulder of Wheeler on the top rope. Cash delivered an Avalanche Powerslam for a cover and two count. Claudio slid to the outside. Wheeler got a running start and dove through the middle rope onto Castagnoli. Yuta stole the attention of referee Paul Turner while Pac tripped up Wheeler on the turnbuckle. Claudio took control, stomping at Cash and then tagging in Pac to continue the assault. The Death Riders beat down Wheeler in the corner as the match approached 5:30. Yuta tagged in. He gave Cash a Snapmare, then applied a grounded chin lock. Cash fought to his feet quickly and caught Yuta with a snap Powerslam.
Cash tried to reach his partners, but Pac rushed in to knock Dax off the apron. Copeland caught Pac with a punch. Cash managed to leap toward his corner for Copeland, but Harwood leapt back onto the apron and put his hand in front of Adam’s, stealing the tag. Dax met the freshly-tagged Claudio in the center and took him down, looking for a Sharpshooter. Yuta tried to stop it, but Copeland tripped him up and applied a Crossface. Dax wound up locking a Sharpshooter on Pac while Castagnoli put one on Cash. Claudio and Harwood were facing each other, throwing violent chops. Claudio eventually toppled Dax. Castagnoli began the Giant Swing. Yuta ended the sequence with a big dropkick. They covered Dax for a near fall just after 9:00.
The Death Riders cornered Dax Harwood and began hitting him with rapid running elbow strikes. Claudio power-lifted both Pac and Yuta into a diving splashes on Dax. Pac covered, but Cash managed to break it up just in time. After missing wildly with a shoulder tackle in the corner, Harwood managed to skirt past Pac for a diving tag into Adam Copeland. Cope gave Pac an Impaler DDT for a cover and near fall. Copeland dumped Pac on the top turnbuckle, then tagged in Dax. FTR climbed adjacent turnbuckles. Copeland gave Pac a Superplex, then FTR hit tandem headbutts off the top. Dax covered, but it was broken up. Yuta charged in the ring and dropped Copeland with a dropkick. Pac rolled up Harwood for a two count. He turned Harwood over into the Brutalizer. Claudio held Copeland back. Yuta applied a Sleeper on Cash.
Yuta maintained his grasp as Cash yanked him over the ropes and into the ring. He wound up tossing his body onto Pac to break the hold and save his partner. Pac tagged in Yuta. He ran right into the Shatter Machine from FTR. Copeland hit Pac with a Spear. Harwood covered, but Claudio broke up the count just in time. Cash and Pac went spilling to the outside. Copeland gave Castagnoli a Spear on the floor. Dax and Yuta writhed in the ring. Copeland returned to aid his partner. He charged Yuta, but he leapfrogged it. Copeland nearly speared Dax, but caught himself. Yuta kicked Copeland in the back of the head, causing him to fall into Dax. Copeland fell to the floor. Yuta gave Dax the Busaiku Knee for a cover and three count.
WINNERS: Death Riders in 14:47 to retain the AEW World Trios Championships
Death Riders escaped the ring and retrieved their titles. They escaped through the crowd, holding their titles high. Copeland and Cash returned to the ring, wearing their disappointment on their faces. They helped Dax Harwood to his feet, and the three men hugged. Cash turned to leave. Harwood grabbed Copeland and pulled him in, delivering a quick Piledriver. Cash was shocked. He immediately went to check on Adam. Meanwhile, Dax retrieved two steel chairs from ringside. He placed on under Copeland’s head and handed the other to Wheeler.
Wheeler threw the chair down and went to check on his friend. He pulled him to his feet, but immediately tossed him into the air for Shatter Machine with Dax. They gave Copeland a spike Piledriver on the chair. Dax set Copeland up for the Con-Chair-To again. “Allow me,” Cash said. He cracked the chair over Copeland’s skull twice. Officials and medics spilled into the ring. Wheeler hopped onto the stretcher and put a neck brace on himself, mocking Cope.
FTR left together to a chorus of boos while medics tended to Cope in the ring.
As they replayed the footage, Nigel McGuinness said they may never see Adam Copeland wrestle again. Excalibur agreed.
Back live, Copeland was stretchered away from the ring.
(LeClair’s Analysis: A rare Trios title defense on major AEW programming. I’ve grown tired of the Adam Copeland/Death Riders story, so this offered me very little going in. I was intrigued by the tension brewing between FTR, and was glad they continued to tease it throughout the match. The action was fine, but it all just felt like a precursor to eventually get somewhere with FTR in the post-match. The ensuing angle was a bit of a relief. I’d much rather Cash turn on Copeland and stay with Dax than any other variation. I thought breaking up FTR would be a pretty big mistake, and I’m pleased that’s not the direction they took. I could have done without Wheeler teasing both ways, though. Swerving the swerve is far too common in pro wrestling nowadays, especially in AEW. It feels like we rarely go a show without it happening at least once.)
-After condemning the actions of FTR, Excalibur tossed to a video package for the Women’s World title match.
Megan Bayne headed to the ring first, joined by Penelope Ford. The announcers touted her recent record. McGuinness called her the biggest test to Toni Storm yet. Storm’s entrance was preceded by a brief Rocky-esque training montage, billed as the “feature presentation” by Justin Roberts. She received a strong reaction.
(5) “TIMELESS” TONI STORM (c, w/ Luther) vs. MEGAN BAYNE (w/ Penelope Ford) – AEW Women’s World Championship match
Toni Storm circled her opponent to begin the match. Megan Bayne invited a lock up and easily overpowered the champion. Luther encouraged the crowd to continue singing to Toni. Bayne shot Storm at the ropes and snatched her up into Powerslam position. Toni broke free and ran to the corner, climbing to the middle rope and leaping onto Bayne for a cross body. Megan rolled to her feet and caught Storm with a kick. She scooped her up and gave her a big stalling slam. Excalibur said the challenger is in complete control.
Bayne gave Storm a Fallaway Slam, then blew a kiss to the camera. She kicked Storm to the floor. Luther checked on the champion. Bayne leapt over the top rope, toppling Luther. Storm attacked Bayne, tossing her back in the ring and catching her with another diving cross body for a cover and two count. Bayne whipped Storm toward the ropes and Penelope Ford grabbed at her ankle. slowing her down. Bayne dropped Storm with a big boot. The challenger lifted Toni and drove her hard into the northwest corner. She gave her a number of violent shoulder thrusts, then gave her a Butterfly Suplex to the center.
“Just tossing the champion around!” Excalibur said. Schiavone wondered if Bayne may be doing too much posturing. Megan draped Toni across the bottom rope and repeatedly dragged her boot across her face. While Aubrey admonished her, Ford choked Toni against the rope. Bayne grabbed Toni’s wrist and delivered a number of short-arm clotheslines. Megan distracted Aubrey Edwards again, allowing Ford to choke Storm a second time. This time. she threw a bite in, too. Bayne gave Storm a trio of belly-to-belly throws as the match hit 7:00. She covered her for a two count. Bayne choked Toni against the ropes again, then went to distract Edwards once more. Ford tried to get involved, but Luther returned and pulled her onto his shoulders. He carried her to the back.
Storm caught Bayne with a press, then a spinning DDT. she twisted the legs into an Indian Death Lock STF. Bayne used her arms to pull her upper body off the mat and crawl herself to the bottom rope. Storm was undeterred, looking for Storm Zero. Bayne hoisted her onto the apron, then gave her a back Suplex into the ring. Bayne and Storm worked into the southeast corner. Storm seated her atop the turnbuckle and executed a German Suplex off the top. Both women landed awkwardly on their necks, but answered Aubrey’s double count at seven.
Champion and challenger traded blows in the center as the match approached 12:00. Storm bested her challenger, working her into the corner and throwing wild fists. She caught Megan with a German Suplex, then called for a hip attack in the corner. Bayne caught her leg and pulled her into a stalling German Suplex of her own. She followed up with a Falcon Arrow for a cover and near fall. Bayne looked frustrated. She hoisted Toni onto her shoulders, but Storm turned it into a crucifix pin for a two count. Toni managed to connect with another German Suplex, sending Bayne into the corner. Storm hit the Hip Attack this time, but Bayne stood right up. Toni telegraphed it and gave her a headbutt back into the corner. Storm hit three more hip attacks, then a Storm Zero. She covered, but Bayne kicked out before one.
“Timeless” Toni Storm was shocked. Bayne popped to her feet and caught Toni with a leaping clothesline. She delivered a sit-out Powerbomb. Bayne set up for Fate’s Descent, but Toni over-rotated and pulled Bayne into a small package for a surprise three count.
WINNER: Toni Storm in 15:21 to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship
Storm immediately rolled to the floor, shocked. Luther retried her title and she clutched it tightly. “Toni Storm knows full well that she was lucky to survive,” Excalibur said. Luther carried her up the ramp while Bayne looked on in shock.
(LeClair’s Analysis: This worked well. Megan Bayne looked like a monster and legitimate threat to Storm’s title. Toni utilized her size and power disadvantage to deepen her connection with the audience, serving as a true underdog babyface for the first time. I thought Ford’s interference got a little cumbersome and asked too much of the audience and referee’s patience, but at least they paid it off with Luther carrying her off to the back. I thought Toni getting a big win in her first match outside of the May feud set the course for her going forward nicely, and Bayne can rebound easily if they see something more in her than just being a challenger of the month.)
-Excalibur tossed to a video for Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe.
Kyle Fletcher stepped onto the stage first, washed in pink and flanked by Don Callis. Mark Briscoe headed to the ring next, but was taken down by a leaping Kyle Fletcher. Don Callis, already on commentary, said they planned for this all week. Fletcher tossed Briscoe in the ring.
(6) KYLE FLETCHER (w/ Don Callis) vs. MARK BRISCOE – Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal match
The referee called for the bell immediately. Kyle Fletcher tried to overwhelm Mark Briscoe, but Briscoe recovered quickly and tossed Fletcher to the outside. He retrieved a steel chair and tossed it in the ring. Referee Rick Knox took it from him and disposed of it. “Boo this man!” Briscoe told the crowd. They obliged. He met Fletcher on the floor. He dropped him, then hit a leaping elbow off the ringside barrier. Callis said Briscoe is cut from the same cloth as the people of Philadelphia.
Briscoe kept retrieving chairs and tossing them in the ring, faster than Knox could dispose of them. He set one up and Kyle Fletcher promptly DDT’ed him on it. Kinosuke Takeshita was shown watching the match on a monitor backstage. In the ring, Fletcher overwhelmed Briscoe in the southeast corner. He pulled him to center and gave him a snap body slam. Fletcher paced around the ring confidently, taunting the crowd. Briscoe recovered briefly, chopping Kyle. Fletcher cut him off with another body slam and quick kick to the side of the head. Fletcher let Briscoe recover again. Mark caught him with a couple of uppercuts to the chin. Fletcher shrugged them off and booted Briscoe right over the top rope to the floor.
On the floor, Fletcher scooped up Briscoe and gave him a Powerbomb on the edge of the ring. Referee Rick Knox admonished Kyle, trying to get him back in the ring. Fletcher gave Briscoe another Powerbomb on the edge of the ring. Knox leapt the floor to try to coax Kyle back in the ring. Fletcher responded by giving Briscoe a Powerbomb on the barrier. Fletcher returned to the ring while Knox began to count Briscoe out. Mark barely made it back in the ring. He used the corner to steady himself, then ate a running boot. Fletcher positioned Briscoe atop the northeast corner. Mark fought back with right hands to the rib cage. He shoved Fletcher to the mat, then nailed a shotgun dropkick from the top.
Brody King was shown backstage watching the match. In the ring, Fletcher and Briscoe traded chops. Fletcher turned them into hard knees to the gut. Both men hit the ropes and dropped each other with flying lariats. Both men rose slowly, talking trash at each other. They began trading forearms as the match approached 10:00. Briscoe went for a chop, but got caught with a kick. Kyle missed wildly with a lariat and Briscoe dropped him with a spinning elbow on the bounce back. Mark followed up with a Fisherman Suplex for a cover and two count. Fletcher went for a half and half Suplex, but Briscoe blocked it. Fletcher scooped up Briscoe and connected with a running lawn dart.
“Pin him, that’s it!” Callis said from the booth. Briscoe used the ropes to stand on the apron. Fletcher caught him with a kick. Mark pulled Kyle to the apron. They traded shots. Fletcher hooked Briscoe and gave him a Brainbuster on the ring apron. He slid him back inside and hit the same move again. Fletcher covered for a near fall. Kyle worked Mark to the northeast corner and onto the top turnbuckle. He was looking for the top rope Brainbuster, but Briscoe flipped over him and chopped his back. Briscoe sat himself on the turnbuckle and gave Fletcher an Avalanche B.T. Bomb. Briscoe covered for a two count, then climbed to the top for the Froggy Bow. Briscoe hit it and hooked the leg, but Fletcher got the shoulder up just in time.
Both men returned to their feet. Mark called for the Jay Driller, but Fletcher rolled him into a cover for two. Briscoe popped up and hoisted Fletcher up and into a driver. Both men were down, Briscoe couldn’t make the cover. Fletcher rolled to safety on the outside. Briscoe gave him a Froggy Bow to the outside. He rolled Kyle back in the ring and called for one more Froggy Bow. He dove into the waiting feet of Fletcher. Kyle caught him with two running kicks in the corner, then the turnbuckle Brainbuster for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Kyle Fletcher in 16:20
(LeClair’s Analysis: This match was perfectly fine, but felt superfluous on a crowded show, especially at 16+ minutes. At the time, it was the longest match of the night and there was simply no reason for it. All due respect to Mark Briscoe, but I just don’t see the benefit of having Fletcher got 50/50 with him on Pay-Per-View in a tournament match, especially when he’s already lost to him twice before. This would’ve been a great opportunity to give Fletcher a dominant, showcase win over a credible opponent who’d formally had his number. A total missed opportunity.)
-Excalibur quickly tossed to a video package for the ROH World Championship match
Bandido entered first. The announcers talked about his desire to not only win the ROH title, but to exact revenge for his brother. Chris Jericho entered to a subdued reaction. Excalibur noted that Jericho has an intimate understanding of Lucha Libre and how important the mask is to Bandido.
(7) CHRIS JERICHO (c) vs. BANDIDO – ROH World Championship, Title vs. Mask match
Chris Jericho charged Bandido and hit the Codebreaker right out of the gate. He hooked the leg for a near fall right out of the gate. Tony Schiavone said that Jericho was staring down Bandido’s family as he got to the ring and now he’s looking to humiliate them. Jericho grabbed at Bandido’s mask and slapped him. “Hey mom, you see this!” he yelled toward ringside. Jericho shot Bandido toward the ropes and the challenger flipped away from him. Jericho took a step forward and dropped him with a big boot. Bandido popped up and tossed Jericho to the floor. Bandido hit the ropes and leapt on to the champion below.
The challenger walked Chris Jericho around ringside, tossing him into the barrier as he went. Bandido checked on his family at ringside before tossing the champion back in the ring. He ascended the northeast corner and hit a twisting cross body onto Jericho for a cover and two count. Bandido protested the count. He hooked Jericho and delivered a one-armed stalling Suplex for a full minute. The crowd counted every second. By the end, Bandido’s whole body was shaking. He covered the champion for a two count. Jericho worked back to his feet and gave Bandido an Irish Whip, but he collapsed from the fatigue of the Suplex.
Champion and challenger spilled to the apron. Bandido tried to leap onto Jericho’s shoulders, but the ROH Champion caught him and gave him a Powerbomb onto the floor. Jericho approached Bandido’s mother and sister, who chanted for him. “You gonna cry again?” he asked them. He stole a camera and turned it on the crowd to a chorus of boos. Bandido barely answered the referee’s count. The crowd pelted Jericho with a “please retire” chant. Chris gave Bandido a back drop and arrogant foot cover for a two count. Jericho slapped Bandido repeatedly as the match crossed 7:30. Bandido fought to his feet and began trading blows with the champion. He hit the ropes, but Jericho cut him off with a big boot for another cover and two count.
Bandido fought to his feet and caught Jericho with a tornado DDT. He hit the ropes, but Jericho popped up and dropped him with a dropkick. Chris taunted Bandido’s family again, allowing the challenger to recover and catch Jericho with a sunset Powerbomb for a cover and two count. Bandido climbed to the top rope, but Jericho cut him off. Chris climbed to meet him. He hit ten mounted punches, then tried for the top rope ‘rana. Bandido blocked it initially, but Jericho overpowered him and connected. Both men stood quickly. Bandido dropped Jericho with a body slam, then a hit a frog splash from the top rope for a cover and near fall. Bandido leapt to the apron and caught Jericho with a kick.
Both men rose slowly, standing back to back. Schiavone called it “high noon.” They began to take their five paces, but Jericho stopped and attacked Bandido from behind. Bandido recovered quickly and lifted Jericho for a flapjack. Bandido set Jericho up for the 21-Plex. Chris got tangled up in the ropes. He took Bandido down and turned him into the Walls of Jericho. “Ask him!” Jericho begged. Bandido slammed the mat in pain, but managed to reach the bottom rope. Bryce Remsburg forcefully pulled Jericho away from the hold. Jericho shoved him. Bandido caught Jericho with a thrust kick.
Suddenly, Bryan Keith came hobbling to ringside. He leapt onto the apron and grabbed the attention of Bryce Remsburg. Gravity rushed to ringside and pulled Keith down and the two began brawling. With the referee distracted, Jericho retrieved a baseball bat and cracked Bandido in the head with it. He rolled slowly across the ring and into a delayed cover for a deflating three count.
WINNER: Chris Jericho in 15:44 to retain the ROH World Championship
Jericho celebrated with the ROH title in the ring. Meanwhile, Aubrey Edwards was shown discussing something with Bandido’s family. She invited them over the barrier, and they led her to the steel steps where Jericho tucked the baseball bat. Aubrey retrieved the bat and convened with Remsburg. He ordered for the match to be restarted.
Bandido kicked Jericho in the head, then gave him the 21-Plex for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Bandido in 16:01 to win the ROH World Championship
Bandido celebrated with his family in the ring. Jericho, looking completely dejected, sauntered slowly up the ramp.
(LeClair’s Analysis: AEW had been doing a great job at firmly separating ROH from main roster television and it was disappointing to see this get added to the card, especially given their tendency to allot too much time to Jericho matches on Pay-Per-View. No surprise – it happened again here. Jericho and Bandido worked a fine, albeit slow match that had the crowd’s patience wavering. The worst offense of the match itself came not from the wrestlers, but from the commentary booth opining about sports entertainment. No one’s using that term anymore! Let it die, please! The issue, though, came in the false finish and match restart. This was one of the most illogical, counterproductive, and asinine booking decisions in the company’s history. It set a horrible precedent for referee reversal that we almost certainly won’t ever see again, and it likely won’t ever be explained why it was allowed tonight but not others. This was an inexcusable mess that flies in the face of the promotion’s own established rules. It made the announcers look like fools having to scramble to try to cover for it. Just awful.)
-Following a couple of ads for upcoming events, Excalibur tossed to a video package for the TNT title match. Adam Cole headed to the ring first, followed by the TNT Champion. The announcers talked about their history as opponents, and also the parallels between their two AEW careers.
(8) DANIEL GARCIA (c) vs. ADAM COLE – TNT Championship match
Daniel Garcia and Adam Cole came face to face in the center of the ring and then locked up. McGuinness said they could be in for a very long night, but they’re guaranteed a clean winner and a clean loser. Cole worked Garcia into the corner and hit him with some quick chops. Out of the corner, Cole missed with a pump kick. Garcia dropped him with a dropkick. The champion worked his challenger into the northeast corner and stretched his leg over the middle rope before delivering a hard chop. Garcia mounted Cole in the corner and gave him ten big punches. He went for more, but Cole dumped him to the apron and gave him a Superkick to the floor.
Cole positioned himself on the apron for Panama Sunrise on the floor, but Garcia side-stepped him. Cole immediately collapsed, grabbing at his surgically-repaired ankle. Garcia dropkicked Cole against the security guard’s chair in the corner. He attacked him, but the referee pulled Daniel away. Garcia tossed Cole back in the ring and worked him into the corner to continue attacking the ankle. Garcia draped Cole’s knee over the bottom rope and stood on it, necessitating a break. Garcia stood on Cole’s quads and danced, then stomped them into the mat. Garcia gave Cole a Dragon Screw on the left leg.
“Give him credit, he is focused on that leg,” Schiavone said. Cole tried to fight back with short-arm punches to the gut, but Garcia turned him inside out with a spinning Neckbreaker. He held on, pivoted his hips and rolled Cole to his feet to hit it a second, then a third time. Garcia pulled Cole in for a Piledriver, but Cole hoisted Garcia onto his shoulders and dropped him onto his own injured knee out of instinct. Cole tried to follow up with the Panama Sunrise, but his leg gave out. Garcia rolled through it and dropped Adam with a hard lariat. Garcia struggled to lift Cole into position, but finally managed to connect with the Gotch-style Piledriver. He covered for a near fall just before 7:30.
Garcia pulled down his knee pad. Cole battled with some knees to the gut. They began trading big boots, then charged at each other. Cole missed with a clothesline. Garcia hit a back Suplex. Cole rolled to his feet and caught the champion with a pump kick. Garcia shrugged it off and chopped Cole. Cole hit a Superkick. Garcia pulled Cole into an Ankle Lock. Cole dragged his body desperately toward the rope. Garcia laid out, trapping Cole further. It took him some time, but Adam managed to reach the rope and force the break. He rolled to the outside for a reprieve, but Garcia gave no quarter. He followed Cole to the floor and tossed him into the steel steps.
The champion taunted his challenger a bit from atop the steps. Cole climbed back up to meet him. They traded punches briefly, but Cole pulled Garcia into a Brainbuster on the steel steps. Garcia crumpled in a heap on the floor. Cole caught him with Panama Sunrise on the floor. He tossed the champion back in the ring and called for the Boom kick. Garcia collapsed, so Cole did, too. Garcia rolled Cole into a cradle for a near fall. Garcia stumbled into the corner. Cole charged him, but collapsed in front of him. Garcia saw his opportunity and hit the Panama Sunrise on Cole. He followed up by stealing the Boom kick with his already exposed knee. Garcia covered for a close near fall.
Multiple slams into the canvas left Adam Cole laid out. Garcia dragged him to his feet and hoisted him onto the top turnbuckle in the southeast corner. Garcia set up for a top rope Piledriver. Cole blocked it and knocked Garcia to the mat. He finally hit the Panama Sunrise in the ring. Garcia stumbled across the ring toward the opposite corner. Cole hit the Panama Sunrise again. He sized the champion up and connected with the Boom kick for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Adam Cole in 15:34 to win the TNT Championship
The announcers remarked that Cole just won the TNT Championship on the 17th anniversary of his debut. Cole approached Daniel Garcia and gave him room as he used the ropes to steady himself. Cole offered a handshake. Garcia shook his hand and held it up before leaving the ring. Cole limped out of the ring and swung the title over his shoulder before posing with it atop the stage.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Fine match and emotional win for Adam Cole. I liked the callback to Cole’s injury and Garcia’s work over the body part throughout. It did feel like motivations were a bit misguided, though. Both Garcia and Cole were working babyface, but Garcia made multiple attempts at dangerous offense that, by the announcers own statements, could’ve put Cole’s career in jeopardy. With that in mind, I thought they might be trying to tell a larger story with Garcia. Instead, when Cole won, he seemed to forget all about the fact that this guy just tried very hard to injure him and offered him a handshake. Not a huge deal, but it did feel like some wires were crossed.)
-Excalibur tossed to a video for the International title match.
Ricochet was out first, followed by “Speedball” Mike Bailey. The crowd gave them both modest reactions. A “Kenny” chant broke out in anticipation. Kenny Omega entered to a big reaction. He slapped hands with fans all the way down the ramp. Excalibur said its an honor to be a pro wrestling broadcaster calling Kenny Omega matches.
(9) KENNY OMEGA (c) vs. RICOCHET vs. “SPEEDBALL” MIKE BAILEY – AEW International Championship Three-Way match
Ricochet slid between the ropes as soon as the bell rang. He challenged “Speedball” Mike Bailey to take it to Kenny Omega. Kenny jogged in place on the opposite side of the ring. A dueling chant broke out for Omega and Bailey. Taz applauded Ricochet for deciding to choose his spots. Bailey and Omega locked up and jockeyed for position. Ricochet rolled in and tried to take control, but almost ate a spin kick from Bailey. Ricochet rolled back to the floor. Omega got tossed onto him. Ricochet threw Omega into the announcers desk.
Speedball and Ricochet traded quick counters while Omega watched from the floor. He leapt back onto the apron, dropped Bailey with a kick and then gave him a big cross body from the top rope. Kenny worked Bailey into the northeast corner. Bailey countered an Irish Whip to the opposing corner. Omega flipped over Speedball and gave hium a ‘rana. Ricochet hit the ring and tried for one, too. Kenny pushed him away and slid into an arm bar. Excalibur called it “an interesting wrinkle for Omega.” Speedball and Ricochet traded quick kicks. Bailey went for a German Suplex, but Omega exploded in with a big boot. Ricochet charged at Bailey, who ducked him. Speedball slid through the middle rope, kicking Omega on his way through.
All three men wound up outside. Bailey and Omega took turns slapping Ricochet on the head and yelling “bald!” The crowd laughed and applauded, then chanted “bald” themselves. Speedball and Omega worked toward the ringside barrier. Ricochet cut them both off, downing Omega and then hoisting Bailey onto his shoulders. Ricochet gave Bailey a Death Valley Driver onto Omega’s body. “I look too damn good!’ Ricochet told the camera. He tossed Bailey back in the ring as the match approached 6:00.
While Kenny writhed at ringside, Ricochet worked Bailey against the bottom rope. The announcers discussed the fact that Omega would not need to be involved in the decision to lose the title. The crowd taunted Ricochet with a “bald forever” chant. Ricochet gave Bailey a pair of side Backbreakers. Omega was trying to return to the ring, so Ricochet knocked him back to the floor. Kenny was undeterred, returning seconds later and thwarting Ricochet’s offense. He slapped his head again. Ricochet tossed Bailey at Kenny, then gave Omega a neckbreaker. The momentum caused Kenny to DDT Speedball. Bailey and Omega rolled out of opposite sides of the ring. Ricochet dove onto Kenny. He stole Tony Schiavone’s headset.
“I am so damn good!’ Ricochet said. He said he’d beat Omega and Mike Bailey at the same time. Bailey exploded into view and kicked the headset right off of Ricochet’s head. Speedball retrieved the headset and apologized to Tony. Omega recovered enough to toss both guys in the ring. They traded a number of roll up attempts for two counts, ending in a double crucifix from Bailey for double near falls. Omega followed up with double backslides. All three men popped up. Bailey and Ricochet both kicked Omega in the face, then each other.
All three men were down as the match crossed 11:20. They rose to their knees and began trading stiff jabs. Omega rose first and tossed Ricochet to the floor. He chopped Speedball. Ricochet returned, but Speedball tossed him this time. Omega caught Bailey with quick jabs, then chopped him to the mat. Bailey rose slowly and Omega opened up, inviting his kicks. Bailey dropped him. Ricochet returned to the apron, grabbing at Bailey’s hair. Speedball kicked him back to the floor, then leapt to the top rope and connected with a Moonsault to the outside. Omega dropped Bailey with a basement dropkick. The Terminator clap broke out. Omega hit the ropes and dove cleanly over, dropping both his challengers.
The International Champion shook his fist excitedly at the camera. He tossed Ricochet back in the ring, but got caught with a kick to the knee. Ricochet leapt over the top, taking down both opponents and landing on his feet. “You’re still bald!” the crowd told him. Ricochet adjusted his neck, then set up for another dive. Bailey leapt onto the apron. Ricochet saw him coming and slid between his legs to the floor. Bailey immediately hit a springboard Moonsault onto both men on the floor.
Back in the ring, Speedball Bailey hit a ‘rana, then went for a standing Moonsault on Omega. Kenny blocked it and tried for a sunset flip. Bailey stood firm. Ricochet returned and went for the same move, landing on top of Omega. Bailey hit a standing backflip double knee onto both of them. Bailey and Omega stood. Bailey caught the champion with a spin kick. He covered, but Ricochet pulled the referee away to stop the count. Ricochet and Speedball spilled to the outside as the match approached 18:00. They worked onto the apron. Speedball took Ricochet down and went for the backflip knees again. Ricochet moved. Bailey’s knees slammed against the edge of the ring. Referee Rick Knox helped Bailey stead himself, but Ricochet dropped him with a chop block.
With Speedball ailing on the outside, Ricochet turned his focus to the International Champion. He hoisted Kenny onto the top turnbuckle and mounted him for punches. He bit at Kenny’s forehead. Bailey returned to the apron and caught Ricochet with a punch to the ribs. He leapt to the top and gave Ricochet a reverse ‘rana off the very top. Speedball climbed the ropes, turning to Omega. Kenny slid between his legs and dumped him face first on the turnbuckle. Kenny gave Mike a snap Dragon Suplex. He delivered another to Ricochet.
Speedball stumbled to his feet, right into Omega’s waiting arms. He hit another Snap Dragon Suplex. “One more time!” the crowd told him. Bailey tried to fight it off. They ran into Ricochet, tying him up in the ordeal. Omega hit a double Snap Dragon Suplex. The crowd rose to their feet. Omega called for tandem V-Triggers. He hit Ricochet first, then Bailey. Speedball fell to the floor. Omega went for the One-Winged Angel on Ricochet, but he escaped. Omega blocked Vertigo. Ricochet leapt to the ropes, but Omega got underneath him and hit a German Suplex. Speedball returned and kicked Omega in the back. He pulled Kenny into a backslide. At the same time, Ricochet leverage pinned Bailey with his feet on the ropes, but both Omega and Bailey kicked out.
“I’m winning!’ Ricochet yelled while both of his opponents are down. He talked trash toward Omega. Kenny backdropped Ricochet right out of the ring. He charged at Speedball, and Bailey cut him off with a massive Superkick. Bailey set up for the Shooting Star Knee Drop, but Omega moved. Mike landed on the injured knee again. Omega immediately pulled him into a Knee Bar. Ricochet came flying in with a springboard 450 onto Omega for a cover and near fall at 25:30. Speedball cradled Ricochet for a two count. Ricochet swept Bailey’s leg, then gave him Vertigo for a cover and very close near fall.
Ricochet had Bailey alone in the ring. He called for the Spirit Gun, but Omega pulled him to the floor. Kenny went for a running knee, but Bailey moved. He caught Omega with a spinning back heel kick. He climbed to the middle rope again, but Ricochet shoved him off. Bailey landed awkwardly on Omega, knee first. Ricochet hit another 450 and covered Omega for a near fall. He gave Bailey a body slam, then climbed the southeast turnbuckle. Ricochet went for a Shooting Star Press on Bailey, but Speedball got his knees up and turned him over into a cover for a near fall. Bailey could barely stand on his injured knee. Ricochet begged off, pleading for mercy. Speedball kicked him in the face repeatedly. Ricochet clubbed wildly in defense and caught the injured leg. He pounded at the back of the leg.
Just as Ricochet began to charge, Mike Bailey raised a knee for the Crane Kick. Ricochet stopped and laughed. “That’s not gonna work!” He let his guard down. Bailey hit him with it. He immediately went to the middle rope and finally connected with the Shooting Star Knees. Bailey hooked the leg, but Omega exploded back into view with a V-Trigger. Kenny hoisted Bailey for the One-Winged Angel, but wound up safely depositing him on the top turnbuckle. Ricochet dropped Omega, then went to retrieve Bailey. Ricochet was looking for Vertigo off the top, but Omega worked back into frame. Kenny pulled Ricochet into position and hit the One-Winged Angel off the top rope. On impact, Speedball fall into Tree of Woe position. Unable to free himself, Bailey could only watch as Omega hooked the leg and scored a three count.
WINNER: Kenny Omega in 30:55 to retain the AEW International Championship
Omega collapsed in the corner, exhausted. He asked for a bottle of water. He took some sips and splashed it over his face. Suddenly, the coin drop hit the speakers and Kazuchika Okada made his way to the ring. Omega pulled himself to his feet to meet Okada in the center of the ring. Kenny and Okada shared a brief stare down, and then Omega left the ring. Okada’s music played again and he held up his Continental Championship as he left.
(LeClair’s Analysis: I thought this was the best match of the night. Though I undoubtedly would’ve preferred a one on one match between Omega and Ricochet, I thought the inclusion of Speedball created a chaotic, frenetic pace that proved to be really fun. These three challenged themselves and each other to hit a bunch of really creative spots that usually looked pretty darn innovative and realistic. There were a few occasions where some complicated set ups took too long to develop, but they were mostly covered well. Bailey did miss multiple opportunities to pin his opponents in favor of attacking the other, but commentary did a good job admonishing him for that and I appreciated them acknowledging it. I continue to be impressed by Ricochet’s heel work and am excited to see him continue to develop the character. The post-match stare down between Omega and Okada felt like the official acknowledgment of long-held belief and I’m hopeful it’s a sign of them merging their titles. I’m intrigued to see how the Omega/Okada story translates onto the AEW stage.)
-Excalibur turned to the main event and tossed to a video package.
Swerve chants filled the arena straight out of the video package. Swerve Strickland knelt coolly at the top of the stage as his music kicked in. Excalibur recounted Swerve’s AEW World title win at last year’s Dynasty. Taz said there’s a good chance we’ll witness it again tonight. Nana led a huge call and response once the music faded out. The broadcast cut backstage as Jon Moxley’s music hit. He and Marina Shafir marched toward the camera and out through the alcove into the arena. Justin Roberts delivered main event introductions.
(10) JON MOXLEY (c, w/ Marina Shafir) vs. SWERVE STRICKLAND (w/ Prince Nana) – AEW World Heavyweight Championship match
The camera zoomed in on Jon Moxley’s back as the bell rang. He still bore wounds from his match with Adam Copeland on Dynamite. He and Swerve Strickland locked up and engaged in some chain wrestling. Swerve got the better of the initial exchange, but Moxley turned him over and looked for an arm bar. Swerve slipped free. Both men jockeyed for control on the mat. Swerve wound up rolling Moxley into a crucifix for a quick one count. Moxley rolled to his feet and invited Swerve to stand. Instead, Strickland challenged Jon to a test of strength from underneath. He worked Moxley to the mat. Mox turned it into a double wrist lock and the two fought to their feet and into the corner.
“Give him what he’s dishing out!” Nana challenged as Swerve fired off a shot at Moxley in the corner. Strickland hit the Griddy, then kicked Jon in the head. The two engaged in another test of strength. This time, Strickland powered Moxley to the floor and caught him with a running kick off the apron. He sat the champion in a chair at ringside and hit him with a quick boot. Strickland grabbed a bottle of water and took a drink before continuing to walk Moxley around the ring. He tossed him in the ring and climbed the northeast corner. Moxley knocked him to the floor with a violent slug. Marina Shafir circled ringside and stuck her boot on Strickland’s neck, out of referee Paul Turner’s sight.
The AEW Champion retrieved his challenger from ringside and slammed him repeatedly into the steel steps. He distracted the referee so Marina could give Swerve a couple of cheap shots. Swerve rolled back in the ring to break the referee’s count, but Moxley swarmed him with mounted punches and headbutts as the match crossed 7:00. The crowd tried to will Swerve to life. Moxley tossed him to the floor and gave him a double axe handle off the apron. Jon threw Strickland over the announcers desk. He grazed Excalibur on his way over. Strickland came up bleeding from the forehead. Moxley laid Swerve over the ring steps and punched at his cut. Jon bit the cut. His knuckles were covered in Swerve’s blood.
Against his wishes, Moxley briefly rolled back in the ring to answer and break Turner’s count. He returned to the floor to give Strickland a Paradigm Shift on top of the ring steps. Moxley marched around the ring arrogantly. He returned to the ring to let Paul Turner continue counting Strickland out. Swerve managed to dive into the ring just after nine. Moxley pulled him to the center of the ring and gave him a stalling Piledriver for a cover and two count just before 11:00.
Strickland rose to his knees, but could hardly defend himself. He ate a number of hard knees to the chest. Turner checked on him, but Strickland just smirked. Moxley gave him a releasing Suplex, then looked out at the crowd, taking a breather. He crouched at the side of the ailing challenger, gave him a kiss on the forehead, and then bit his cut again. Swerve sauntered to his feet and began throwing chops. “You gotta hit me harder than that!” he told the challenger. Swerve caught him with a much bigger blow, staggering the champion. He smiled and nodded. Champion and challenger began trading forearms, then slaps. Swerve hit a running back elbow, but Moxley shrugged it off. He pulled Strickland into a Kimura Lock, then transitioned to an arm bar, and finally, a Triangle Choke.
Getting his feet underneath him, Swerve managed to lift Moxley and break the hold with a sit-out Powerbomb. Moxley used the corner to steady himself. Strickland caught him with a kick, then a snap Suplex for a cover and two count. Swerve wiped blood from his eye. Moxley tried to grab a sleeper from a seated position, but Swerve used his momentum to float over into a cover for two. Strickland popped up and rolled off the ropes, looking for a Flatliner. Moxley picked him out of the air with a cutter. Swerve set up for a Vertebreaker, but Moxley slid free and utilized an inverted takeover to grab the bulldog choke. Moxley wrapped his legs, trapping Swerve in the center of the ring.
Prince Nana pounded the mat in exasperation. Swerve managed to roll over enough to get on his feet and break the hold. He rolled back toward the champion, popped up and connected with the Flatliner. Swerve followed up with a House Call. Instead of looking for a cover, Swerve sized up Moxley and hit the House Call a second time. He called for a third. Moxley popped up and turned the challenger inside out with a lariat. Moxley shook off the cobwebs, but Swerve popped to his feet and hit the House Call from behind.
Both men were down as the match crossed 20:00. Marina Shafir slid in the ring, briefcase in hand. Referee Paul Turner screamed for her to stay away. Prince Nana got in the ring and stepped between she and Swerve. Shafir hit Nana in the head with the briefcase. Moxley tried to give Strickland a cutter, but he moved. Moxley delivered the move to Shafir instead. Swerve gave Mox his own Paradigm Shift for a cover and near fall. He climbed the northeast corner. Moxley stood and shoved Strickland to the floor, halting his momentum.
“That was a Championship saving move by Jon Moxley,” Excalibur said. Mox left the ring and retrieved a ladder from underneath it. He set it up in front of the steel ring steps. Swerve was using the steps to try to steady himself. “Who’s house is it now?” Moxley asked the crowd. He grabbed a front face lock and began dragging Swerve up the ladder. Mox climbed the opposite side, looking back and down at the Spanish announce desk below. Moxley continued to bite at Swerve’s cut atop the ladder. He hooked him for a Superplex on top of the ladder. Strickland thwarted him with body shots, then fingernails to the back. Swerve bit Moxley’s forehead, turning the tables. Jon began backing down the ladder, giving leverage to Strickland. Swerve connected with a Swerve Stomp off the ladder, through the Spanish announce desk.
Multiple replays were shown. Meanwhile, Moxley and Strickland began crawling out of the wreckage and back toward the ring. They met again on the mat, head to head. They traded forearms from their knees, then chops from their feet. The pace of the punches increased. Moxley kicked Swerve’s leg. Marina Shafir slid a steel chair in the ring. Moxley tossed it at Swerve, but he ducked. The chair clocked Paul Turner in the face. Strickland gave Moxley the Vertebreaker.
“Hangman” Adam Page marched down the ramp. He set up for the Buckshot Lariat, looking first at Strickland, then at Moxley. Before he could commit either way, Pac joined him in the apron. Claudio Castagnoli attacked Hangman from behind. Wheeler Yuta rushed in. Quickly, the Death Riders overwhelmed Page. Claudio and Pac held Page for Yuta’s running knee, but Page ducked. Yuta kicked his own men. Page gave Moxley a Deadeye.
The Death Riders tried to swarm Page again, but The Opps intervened. They chased the Death Riders to the back. In the ring, Swerve tossed the chair into Moxley’s face. He seemed poised to finish him off, but the lights in the arena shut off. When they returned, The Young Bucks had Swerve on his knees. They held both of his arms out wide. The Bucks hit the BTE Trigger and leapt from the ring. Moxley covered Strickland for a three count.
WINNER: Jon Moxley in 31:28 to retain the AEW World Championship
(LeClair’s Analysis: I thought this was the best of Moxley’s title defenses to date, though that isn’t a particularly high bar. The layout of this match was perplexing. Despite having the makings of a brewing blood feud, Swerve and Mox were content to engage in chain wrestling for the first several minutes, a development that even took the announcers by surprise. As the intensity ratcheted up and these two settled in, I thought they told a compelling story worthy of the main event slot. Things fell apart, though, when the interference began. As with all recent AEW main events, this devolved into a mid-2000s WWE style clunker – weapons, ref bumps, interference, more interference, even more interference, light cuts, shocking return, swerve! They’re just throwing everything at the wall all at once. It’s exhausting, it lost its appeal long ago, and when you’re doing it with this frequency, it becomes maddening. Again, the crowd left deflated and defeated – destined for another month or more of the Death Riders holding the AEW title, and the main event picture hostage.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: Another night of strong wrestling, but a show that was too long, overstuffed with matches better placed on Dynamite, and capped off by another infuriating main event debacle. The Death Riders angle is killing this company’s momentum and I don’t see how the return of the ice cold Young Bucks act is going to help matters. It would be unfair to give this show a thumbs down based on the wrestling alone, but similarly shortsighted to praise it for only checking that box.
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