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LECLAIR’S AEW ALL IN TEXAS REPORT: Alt perspective, detailed coverage of Page vs. Moxley, Omega vs. Okada, Storm vs. Mone, more

By Brandon LeClair, PWTorch contributor


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LECLAIR’S AEW ALL IN TEXAS REPORT
JULY 12, 2025
ARLINGTON, TX AT GLOBE LIFE FIELD
AIRED LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW (Prime Video, YouTube, etc.)

Announcers: Excalibur & Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness


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-The show opened with a video package set to Manchester Orchestra’s “Pride.”

-“It’s Saturday, you know what that means!” Excalibur roared after a round of fireworks exploded near the entrance stage. He mentioned that Jim Ross will join the commentary booth later in the night. For now, he was joined by Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness.

-The Death Riders and Gabe Kidd headed to the ring for the opening match. Gabe Kidd crawled on all fours through the crowd. Excalibur noted that they have people from 29 countries and all fifty states inside Globe Life Field for All In Texas.

(1) THE OPPS (c, Samoa Joe & Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata) vs. THE DEATH RIDERS (Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) & GABE KIDD – AEW World Trios Championships match

The Opps slid in the ring as soon as they reached the bottom of the ramp. After a brief brawl between all six men, Katsuyori Shibata and Gabe Kidd settled on opening the match for their respective teams. They traded hard, knife-edged chops to begin the contest. They took turns dropping each other to the mat with hard hits to the chest. Shibata tagged in Samoa Joe. Kidd tagged in Wheeler Yuta. A “Joe!” chant broke out from the faithful in Arlington. The veteran circled Wheeler Yuta, then held firm as Yuta attempted a drop toe hold. Joe grabbed a side headlock as the camera pulled back, showing the impressive crowd.

Yuta broke the hold before too long, but ate a number of quick jabs for his troubles. Joe whipped Yuta to the corner and caught him with a running Enziguri. Joe tagged Powerhouse Hobbs. A “meat” chant rang out. “They like meat here in Texas, from what I understand”, Nigel quipped. Hobbs gave Yuta a stalling Suplex as the match crossed 4:00. He backed into his own corner and tagged in Shibata. Katsuyori gave Yuta a couple of clubs to the back, then tagged Hobbs back in. Shibata and Joe took turns chopping Yuta in the corner. The referee admonished them, but Joe just shrugged him off. Yuta managed to catch Shibata with a dropkick and make a leaping dive to his corner to tag in Claudio Castagnoli.

Claudio peppered Shibata with chops and uppercuts in the southwest corner. Shibata returned the favor. Claudio hit a running uppercut into the northeast corner, but Shibata chased him back to the opposing end and hit one of his own. After a snap Suplex, Shibata covered for a one count, then tagged Joe. Samoa Joe hit Claudio with a Snapmare and kick for another cover and one count. Gabe Kidd started talking some trash from his corner, distracting Joe long enough for Castagnoli to make a recover and toss Joe to the floor. Kidd and Yuta beat down Joe on the floor while Claudio distracted referee Rick Knox.

The Death Riders worked Joe into the corner and traded quick tags, overwhelming him with punches. Castagnoli worked Joe to the mat and applied a sleeper hold. Kidd continued to jaw at Joe from the outside. Samoa Joe managed to fight free and catch Claudio with a rolling barrel kick, then a Senton. Joe tagged in Powerhouse Hobbs. He immediately went to work on all three opponents, cornering them and delivering rapid fire splashes. Hobbs pulled down the straps of his singlet and get Claudio a big Spinebuster for a cover and near fall, saved by Yuta at 10:30. Hobbs rid the ring of both Kidd and Yuta, but then ate a tossing uppercut from Castagnoli.

“Up, Yuta!” Claudio barked. He tagged in his longtime partner, then hoisted Hobbs onto his shoulders for a Doomsday Device. Yuta came flying in, but Hobbs turned it into a spinning Powerslam from Claudio’s shoulders. He covered, but Castagnoli quickly broke it up. Hobbs reached Shibata for a tag. Katsuyori hit Yuta with a P.K. and covered for a near fall. On the outside, Hobbs swung Castagnoli into the barricade. Gabe Kidd tagged in and hit Shibata with a Brainbuster for a cover and one count. Kidd gave Shibata a headbutt. Shibata responded with one of his own, rolling right into Joe for a tag. Kidd and Joe began trading short forearms. Kidd bit Joe’s forehead. He hit the ropes, but Joe picked him off with a spinning Powerslam for a cover and two count, broken up by Claudio. The Death Riders beat down Joe again. They went for the assisted splash, but Hobbs broke it up. Shibata gave Yuta a leaping knee. Joe scooped Yuta in the Musclebuster for a cover and three count.

WINNERS: The Opps in 14:31 to retain the AEW World Trios Championships

The Death Riders and Gabe Kidd attacked the Opps as soon as the match concluded. They beat them down, and Claudio placed a chair over the head of Joe. He stomped it. “Joe is out!” Schiavone exclaimed. Medical personnel rushed in the ring to aid him as the Death Riders left through the crowd. Joe was placed on a stretcher and wheeled away from ringside.

(LeClair’s Analysis: Solid opener, but it was a slight departure from AEW’s typical strategy in opening these shows. Usually, they aim to start fast-paced and hot. This held the crowd’s interest, but the first several minutes were relatively slow, standard tag team fodder. I thought things picked up as it progressed, but I wouldn’t consider this a particularly memorable opener, aside from the Doomsday-turned-Powerslam spot deep in the match. The post-match attack was fine. There’s been a consistent attempt by AEW to really push the ruthlessness of the Death Riders, but it still largely feels like the crowd is kindly playing along and not actually invested in most of what they do.)

-After a quick break, Excalibur reset the scene from ringside, discussing the triple main event with Nigel and Tony. He asked McGuinness specifically about the Women’s World title match, and whether Storm could continue her reign. Nigel said he was taking Mercedes. Excalibur tossed to a video package for the Men’s Casino Gauntlet.

Mark Briscoe was out first, having secured the first entry. He received a solid reaction from the crowd. MJF was out next, flanked by MVP. Excalibur said MJF believes that he can secure the victory before any other wrestlers enter the fray.

(2) Men’s Casino Gauntlet – AEW World Championship #1 Contender’s match

MJF slid under Mark Briscoe for a quick roll up as soon as the bell rang. He scored a quick two count, then tried again, unsuccessfully. Briscoe turned MJF over for some mounted punches, but Max slipped free and dumped Briscoe into the turnbuckle before posing to a chorus of boos. MVP had joined the commentary table. Max gave Mark a quick body slam, then mocked the crowd with some claps. He hit the ropes and gave Briscoe a crotch thrust to the face. Briscoe popped right up, unbeknownst to MJF. Mark attacked with a series of quick take downs and short-arm clotheslines in the corner. Briscoe tried to hook Max for a Jay Driller as the clock counted down to the third entrant, Ricochet. A big “bald” chant rang out as Ricochet accepted a temporary alliance with MJF.

After shaking hands, Ricochet and MJF beat down Briscoe in the northwest corner. Max held Briscoe open for Ricochet to catch him with a few gut punches as the match ticked toward 3:30. Excalibur noted that the entry clock is random as the timer appeared on screen again, eventually bringing Bandido into the fold. MJF and Ricochet discussed how best to approach the new entrant. After seeming to settle on a strategy, MJF shoved Ricochet away and slid out of the ring. Bandido quickly took it to Ricochet. MJF slid back inside and rolled up Bandido for a two count. Briscoe send Ricochet flying over the top rope, then gave him a missile dropkick through the middle rope. He caught him with a leaping elbow off the apron, then a Blockbuster on MJF.

Bandido and Mark Briscoe shared a high five in the ring before the former tumbled to the floor with Ricochet. The block brought out Konosuke Takeshita. Takeshita rushed to the ring to trade shots with Briscoe. Ricochet tired to catch him with a leaping knee, but Takeshita ducked it and delivered a Blue Thunder Bomb for a cover and near fall at 6:55. Bandido returned. He and Takeshita shared some quick counters, then running kicks in the corner. Bandido hit a Poisonrana on Takeshita, but was quickly attacked from behind by MJF. He gave the ROH Champion a stack Powerbomb for a cover and two count.

Max mimed removing Bandido’s mask. He grabbed onto the champion’s head as the clock counted down again, bringing Mistico out. Excalibur said MJF seems hell bent on humiliating Luchadors. Mistico slid in the ring, standing nose-to-nose with MJF. “You’re not in Mexico, Mistico!” MVP shouted. Mistico posed on the turnbuckles to adoration. MJF just watched. They came to blows in the center of the ring. Mistico caught Max with a handspring back elbow. Takeshita hit the ring and was taken down by Mistico with an arm drag. Mistico dropped Bandido, too. A cavalcade of wrestlers began to build outside the ring. Mistico jumped onto all of them. Mistico tossed MJF in the ring and quickly applied an arm bar. Briscoe returned and took MJF’s other arm. Takeshita broke both holds as the clock counted down again.

Josh Alexander entered next. He gave Briscoe a release German Suplex. He dropped Mistico with a belly-to-belly. Ricochet suffered one of the overhead variety. Takeshita tossed Bandido to Alexander, who gave him a Powerslam on the edge of the ring. Takeshita dove onto a group of wrestlers on the outside. He and Alexander sauntered back into the ring, surveying their prey as the match crossed 13:00. The crowd counted along with the block again. Anthony Bowens was next. Bowens beat down Alexander, then dropped Takeshita on his knee. He gave MJF a Famous-er , then ducked a roundhouse kick from Ricochet. Bowens shook hands with Briscoe, then traded punches with him. Bowens dropped Briscoe with a kick, then turned to face Takeshita and Alexander head on. They made short work of him. Ricochet dropped Josh with a kick, then hoisted Takeshita onto the top turnbuckle. Alexander hoisted him onto his shoulders and tossed him toward the turnbuckle, where Kinosuke was waiting with a stomp off the top. Takeshita covered for a two count.

MJF was shown writhing on the floor near the ramp. Roderick Strong entered the match, catching MJF with a knee to the face on his way to the ring. Strong hit Takeshita with a kick and covered him, but Alexander broke it up. The Callis Family worked together to overtake Strong. Takeshita nearly pinned Roddy with a sit-out Powerbomb as the clock ticked down again, bringing out Brody King. “Takeshita’s got another big boy to play with!” MVP said. King dropped Alexander and Takeshita with ease as the match crossed 18:00. Bandido returned, evening Kings’ odds against the Callis Family. King and Bandido worked over Takeshita and Alexander in opposing corners. Ricochet ate a Sidewalk Slam from King.

“I’m really surprised the match hasn’t ended,” Schiavone said. Excalibur said as more people enter, it becomes increasingly difficult to score a pinfall. MJF raked King’s eyes, but he shrugged it off. Brody hit rolling cannonballs into every corner of the ring, taking out MJF, Ricochet, Alexander, and Bowens. After a body slam from King, Bandido hit Ricochet with a frog splash from the top rope. The Callis Family fought King and Bandido to the floor.

Ricochet was all alone in the ring as the clock ticked down again, bringing Juice Robinson out, sporting a new look. Juice bopped Ricochet on the head, then clotheslined him in the corner. Robinson planted Ricochet and covered him for a two count. A “welcome back” chant rang out. Bishop Khan pulled Ricochet to safety. Toa Liona dropped Robinson. Ricochet hit a 450 and covered Juice, but he managed to kick out. The Gates of Agony worked with Ricochet to keep several other wrestlers from entering the ring. Suddenly, the crowd sprang to life. The Gunns were at the top of the stage. They met Gates of Agony on the ramp and took them out, then hit the ring and gave Ricochet the 3:10 to Yuma. Robinson covered, but MJF broke it up.

Gates of Agony attacked the Gunns from behind, chasing them back up the ramp and away from the action. Kota Ibushi was next to enter, just before the match crossed 25:00. Ibushi dropped anyone that moved with hard kicks. “You get a kick, you get a kick!” Nigel said. Ibushi dropped Bowens and hit a standing Moonsault for a cover and two count. The Beast Mortos entered. He laid out Kota Ibushi, then went to work on Mark Briscoe and Josh Alexander. Mortos slammed Ricochet on his knee, then began trading hard chops with Brody King. Mortos hit the ropes and dropped Brody with a Spear. Mortos gave Bowens a Lung Blower. Strong offered Mortos a hug, but the Beast gave him a violent headbutt. Mortos ascended the southwest corner. Mistico cut him off with quick kicks. He met him up top and hit a super ‘rana for a cover and two count just before 29:00.

Bandido gave Ricochet a thrust kick, then an axe knee. He lined up Ricochet for the 21-Plex, but Takeshita came in from behind and gave both opponents a German Suplex. Strong hit Takeshita with a Powerbomb for a cover, broken up by Alexander. Josh hit Roddy with a Rack Bomb for a cover. Briscoe broke it up with Froggy Bow. Bowens dropped Mark with a DDT. King gave Bowens a sit-out driver. Juice backdropped King. Mortos gave Robinson a pop-up Samoan Drop. Ibushi dropped Mortos with a leaping knee. Strong delivered End of Heartache to Ibushi. He covered, but MJF broke it up just in time. MJF gave Strong an Alabama Slam with a bridged cover for a near fall at 32:25. Strong caught MJF with a Sick Kick off an Irish Whip. MJF rolled to the floor to protect himself.

Strong was down and alone in the ring as the clock counted down again. Max Caster entered, microphone in hand. He found his former partner, Anthony Bowens, down on the ramp. Max tried to lead the crowd in his signature chant. Bowens grabbed his boot on the way into the ring. Strong kicked Caster to the floor. In the ring, Briscoe hit the Jay Driller on Strong after a brief struggle. He tried to cover, but MJF tossed him to the floor. Max covered Strong for a three count.

WINNER: MJF in 34:51

(LeClair’s Analysis: This was a lot of fun in the early going, but it definitely overstayed its welcome by several minutes. The crowd almost completely died out in the latter stages of the match as the entrants grew less interesting and the action became more fragmented. I’m much lower on this match as a concept than most seem to be, and I thought that this was the weakest version to date. MJF stealing the victory made sense for his character, and, given the build to this one, he was one of the only guys in the match that made much sense to score the win. I do think his character has recovered from its lowest point, but there’s still some work to be done to make him feel like a viable main event act again.)

-Backstage, Stokely announced that FTR would join the commentary team for the Tag Team title match later in the night.

-Excalibur tossed to a quick video package for the four way match for the TNT Championship.

Adam Cole headed to the ring to a modest reaction. Excalibur said that it must be a difficult walk to the ring, knowing that he’s had to relinquish the TNT Championship. Cole patted the belt and smiled at the crowd. Cole grabbed a microphone. A small “Adam Cole” chant built in Globe Life Field. Cole apologized for letting people down. He announced that he was dealing with some health issues that are going to keep him out of the ring for a while. Cole was choked up. He said he’s not in the right head space to discuss retirement, but this could potentially be it.

Cole said wrestling is all he’s wanted to do since he was nine years old, and he thanked the crowd for allowing him to live that dream. “Dammit, I will you forever, thank you so much.” Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly had joined Cole at ringside. Adam shared a hug with them, thanked the crowd again, and led the crowd through one more “Adam Cole bay-bay!” Excalibur said they’re all very much hoping that this is just another “see you later,” not a goodbye.

Daniel Garcia entered as Cole made his way up the ramp. He and Cole shared a hug and some words. Daddy Magic joined the commentary team as Sammy Guevara headed to the ring. Dustin Rhodes followed. Kyle Fletcher entered last. Excalibur called him the favorite to win the match.

(3) DANIEL GARCIA (w/ Daddy Magic) vs. SAMMY GUEVARA vs. DUSTIN RHODES vs. KYLE FLETCHER  – Four-Way TNT Championship match

All four men stepped out of their corners timidly. Kyle Fletcher charged at Daniel Garcia and gave him a leaping knee. Sammy Guevara and Dustin Rhodes worked together to give Fletcher a double Suplex. They tossed him to the floor. Garcia took down Guevara from behind and the two engaged in some quick chain wrestling. Fletcher watched from the outside, waiting to pick his spot. Guevara and Garcia pushed him away. Guevara danced and spun out in the ring. Garcia responded in kind. Guevara tried to do Garcia’s dance, but the crowd booed him. Fletcher broke it up and dropped both men. Dustin Rhodes cornered Fletcher and caught him with some hard rights.

Fletcher quickly regained control, dragging Rhodes to the mat and catching him with hard punches. Garcia ate a boot from Fletcher, then got tossed to the outside. “That title belongs to me!” Kyle yelled at the crowd. He draped Rhodes’ ankle over the bottom rope and jumped on it. Guevara and Garcia returned to the apron, fighting Fletcher off. Sammy and Daniel traded punches on the apron. Guevara gave Garcia a Spanish Fly off the apron to the floor. In the ring, Fletcher hit Rhodes with a driver and cover for a one count at 4:15.

Kyle applied a Figure Four to Rhodes. Garcia put one on Guevara at the same time. Referee Aubrey Edwards checked on both men. Sammy and Dustin turned the holds over in stereo. Garcia and Fletcher slapped at each other to ensure the other didn’t tap. All four men worked back to their feet. Fletcher dropped Garcia with a Superkick, then got tossed to the floor by Guevara. Garcia helped launched Sammy over the top rope onto Kyle. Back in the ring, Garcia set Guevara up in the southwest corner. He delivered a Superplex, then held on for another, this time in the southeast corner. He held again, this time walking to the northwest corner. Fletcher stopped this one, clubbing both Garcia and Guevara’s backs. Garcia managed to hang on and Superplex both Guevara and Fletcher. He covered Sammy for a two count at 8:35.

Garcia mounted Guevara in the southwest corner and mounted him for punches. He added Fletcher to the mix and pounded on both of them. After stepping down, Rhodes hit him with a snap Powerslam. He gave one to Fletcher, too. Dustin caught Kyle with a Destroyer, followed by Cross Rhodes for a cover and near fall. He worked Fletcher into the corner, splitting his legs between the ropes. Garcia stepped in front of Dustin. “Don’t do that to him,” he pleaded. Garcia turned around with a smile, taking the first shot instead. He cleared the way for Dustin. Sammy stopped him, asking for a tun. Dustin allowed it. Garcia and Guevara cheered Rhodes on, finally bringing the crowd to life. Rhodes delivered a heavy kick to Fletcher.

Guevara inadvertently kicked Rhodes in the face. Garcia tripped Sammy into a Boston Crab. “Tap!” Danny yelled. Sammy twisted to alleviate the pressure. He broke the hold and caught Danny with a Codebreaker, then the GTH for a cover and near fall, saved by Rhodes. Dustin and Sammy exchanged words. Garcia pushed Sammy into his partner and rolled him up for a two count. Guevara popped up and hooked Garcia for Three Amigos. He headed to the top turnbuckle, looking for a frog splash. Danny got his knees up. He applied a Dragon Tamer to Guevara. Fletcher ripped Garcia to the floor and gave him a Powerbomb on the edge of the ring. Sammy came flying into view, but Fletcher gave him a back drop on the edge of the ring.

The Protostar gave Rhodes a pair of quick boots in the corner. He set Rhodes up for the Brainbuster, but Sammy flew in with a cutter. Garcia gave Sammy a Piledriver. He rolled him into a crucifix cover, but Rhodes broke it up. Garcia tripped up Dustin and applied the Dragon Tamer. “Everybody’s down!” Schiavone said. Rhodes rolled Garcia into a small package for a surprise three count.

WINNER: Dustin Rhodes in 15:23 to win the TNT Championship

(LeClair’s Analysis: The final few minutes of this were enjoyable enough, but the vast majority of this was just entirely lifeless. The crowd was completely disinterested in all four wrestlers, and emotionally spent from both the previous match, and Adam Cole’s possible retirement just moments earlier. The crowd could barely muster up interest for even the biggest spots, like that brutal looking Spanish Fly to the floor. All four guys worked hard, and there was nothing inherently wrong with the match, it just felt like a it didn’t really belong on this show. Dustin Rhodes’ win was a fine surprise, and it was a nice little feel good moment for the crowd. Fletcher would’ve been the obvious winner here if this title had any real meaning or prestige, but, with the way the company has treated it for the better part of the last two or so years, it may have been more a burden for Fletcher than a sustained investment or push.)

-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the Young Bucks vs. Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland.

After a sponsored intro vignette, Will Ospreay exploded onto the stage to a huge ovation. A massive fireworks display interrupted Justin Roberts as he was announced to the ring. Taz had joined the commentary booth, replacing Nigel McGuinness.

Jojo Offerman performed a rendition of “Ain’t Nobody,” prefacing Swerve Strickland’s entrance. Strickland marched to the ring through a sea of flames. Ospreay and Swerve shook hands in the ring and posted on opposite turnbuckles while they awaited the Young Bucks.

Matthew and Nicholas sauntered onto the stage with no fanfare. The posed in front of their “Founding Fathers” tron graphic to a big fireworks show. The Bucks hopped the stage and disappeared from sight. Their music faded out. They were wheeled to the ring atop a small boat while Justin Roberts read a prepared soliloquy about preserving the “eliteness” of wrestling. “You’ve heard of Washington crosses the Deleware, but we’ve just witnessed Jacksons crossing the 1st base line,” Excalibur quipped. The Bucks entered through the crowd while Ospreay and Strickland looked on impatiently.

(4) WILL OSPREAY & SWERVE STRICKLAND (w/ Prince Nana) vs. THE YOUNG BUCKS (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) – World Title Eligibility vs. EVP Position match

Will Ospreay began the match with Matthew Jackson. After a brief headlock, Nicholas tagged himself in off of Matthew’s back and the two immediately took control of Ospreay. Will rolled to the outside to talk strategy with Swerve Strickland. Will tagged out. Swerve sized up Matthew, who’d tagged back in. Nicholas entered the ring and the two worked Strickland over. Ospreay tried to intervene, but the Bucks easily thwarted them. “Right now, Swerve and Ospreay are being schooled in tag team wrestling,” Schiavone said. Strickland rolled back in the ring and tagged out. Ospreay and Matthew sized each other up., Will dropped Nicholas to the floor, then cornered Matthew and tagged in Swerve. Strickland and Ospreay gave Matthew a double back elbow, then dropped Nicholas onto him. Will gave Matthew a body slam. Swerve gave his back to Will. Ospreay hit Matthew with a Sky-Twister Press for a cover and two count.

Trading tags, Ospreay and Strickland settled in as the match crossed 3:30. The Bucks caught Ospreay with a ‘rana, then a PK kick to Strickland on the apron. Ospreay caught Matthew with an Enziguri, then called for the Oscutter. Nicholas tripped Will up on the rope. Matthew bridged Will between his arm and the apron, and Nicholas flipped onto him. The Bucks called for the TK Driver on the outside, but Swerve broke it up. He tossed Nicholas to the floor. The Bucks recovered and dropped Strickland with double Superkicks. Nicholas shook his head arrogantly.

Back in the ring, Matthew worked over Ospreay’s back. “The hill grows steeper by the minute,” Excalibur said. The Bucks pounded at Will’s ribs in the corner. They baited Strickland into entering the ring, causing a distraction and allowing them to double team Ospreay. Matthew raked Will’s eyes and choked him over the middle rope. The Bucks continued to isolate Ospreay as the match crossed 7:30. Nicholas gave Will a flipping Facebuster and covered him for a two count. Ospreay managed to drive the heels of his boots into the chest of Matthew. He tried to reach Strickland, but the Bucks cut him off. They went for double Superkicks, but Ospreay ducked, hit the ropes, and caught them with double Pale Kicks. Ospreay made a diving tag to Strickland.

Swerve dropped Nicholas, then hit Matthew with an up kick. He gave Nicholas a leaping elbow from the middle rope. The Bucks recovered quickly, looking for a tossing ‘rana. Swerve caught Nicholas and turned him into a spinning Powerslam for a cover and two count at 10:00. Ospreay ascended the southwest corner. He had to leap over a charging Jackson. Ospreay returned and hit stereo ‘ranas with Strickland. They hyped up the crowd, then leapt over the top rope onto the Bucks. Swerve and Ospreay hit Nicholas with a double big boot. They climbed the same turnbuckle together and hit dueling Sky-Twister Presses, Ospreay to the outside, Strickland to the inside. Swerve covered for a very close near fall.

The Bucks returned to the northwest corner, all four men teetering. The Jacksons toppled Strickland to the floor, then hit a double stomp-Powerbomb combo on Ospreay for a near fall in the ring. Matthew pushed at Ospreay’s face. “Don’t be stupid,” he said as Will started to hulk up. He met each of Matt’s punches with one of his own. Nick caught Will with a cheap shot from behind, allowing Matt to regain control. Nicholas went for a Buckshot Lariat, but Ospreay countered. He hoisted Nick for a Driver, but Jackson countered. Strickland hit the ring. Superkicks flew in all directions. Strickland and Ospreay hit stereo Destroyers, then a House Call and Hidden Blade. All four men were down as the match crossed 15:30. Ospreay and Strickland ascended opposite turnbuckles. The Bucks popped to their feet, downing both opponents. The camera pulled back, showing the action on both sides of the ring. Swerve and Ospreay went for Sunset Bombs, but instead, floated their legs over the Bucks’ arms for double Styles Clashes. Both men covered for a near fall.

Ospreay hoisted Matthew onto his shoulder while Swerve climbed to the top rope. They hit a Swerve Stomp Storm Breaker and covered, but Nicholas made the save. Strickland was sizing Matt up, but Nick pulled him to the floor. He managed to tag in Ospreay as he was being pulled out of the ring. Nick rammed Strickland into the steel steps, then Superkicked Prince Nana. Matt rolled up Ospreay and put his feet on the ropes for a near fall. Matthew stepped in front of referee Rick Knox and kicked Will below the belt. On the outside, the Bucks set up Swerve and delivered the TK Driver off the apron, onto the floor.

“I’d be surprised if Swerve can recover from that, guys,” Tony concluded. In the ring, The Bucks gave Ospreay a Hidden Blade, then More Bang For Your Bucks. Matt hooked the leg, but Ospreay kicked out at the last moment, just before the match hit 20:00. The crowd began singing to Ospreay, trying to bring him back to life. The Bucks waved their arms and smiled, signaling an end. They stretched Ospreay’s arms for an EVP Trigger. Ospreay briefly countered, looking for the Oscutter again. The Bucks outsmarted him, kicked him to his knees and delivered the EVP Trigger. They covered, but Swerve threw his body onto the pile to break up the count.

Strickland tried fighting off both bucks alone. He threw a Superkick and Ospreay rolled up Matthew for a two count. Jackson popped to his feet. Ospreay charged for a Hidden Blade, but Matt ducked. Will connected with Strickland. The Bucks hit another EVP Trigger. They hooked the leg, but Ospreay kicked again. The Bucks called for, and executed the TK Driver. Another cover, another kick out. The Bucks draped a lifeless Ospreay against the middle rope and began hitting him with unprotected Superkicks to the face. Ospreay just slumped to his knees. Strickland crawled back into view. He covered Ospreay’s body with his own, calling back to the spiked shoe. Swerve took the bullet for Ospreay.

Kick after kick, Strickland teetered, but never fell. The Bucks went for the Trigger, but Strickland caught their knees. Ospreay flew in for Hidden Blades. He turned Matt into Tombstone position while Swerve ascended the turnbuckle. They hit a Tombstone Stomp for a cover and two count. Ospreay hit Matt with another Hidden Blade. He covered, but Nicholas forced himself and Swerve onto the pile to break it up. Ospreay tagged Strickland. Matt Jackson sat up on his knees. They hit a House Call and Hidden Blade in stereo and covered for a three count.

WINNERS: Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland in 26:20

(LeClair’s Analysis: Very good match. I liked the idea of giving the Bucks an overwhelming advantage in the early going while Ospreay and Strickland worked out the kinks of teaming in a major match for the first time. This felt like a consequential match with significant stakes, besting everything else on the card thus far by a significant margin. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the latter stages devolving into the typical finisher spam, but that’s to be expected with any big Young Bucks match, or, for that matter, any major match in a big promotion. Long term, I think getting the EVP title off the Bucks is greatly beneficial to their storytelling long term, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the Bucks are handled without that crutch.)

-Excalibur tossed to a brief video package for the Women’s Casino Gauntlet match. Kris Statlander was first to enter, followed by Megan Bayne with Penelope Ford.

(5) Women’s Casino Gauntlet – AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match

Megan Bayne challenged Kris Statlander to a test of strength to begin the match. It led to the two women trading Suplex attempts. Bayne won out with a Falcon Arrow for a cover and two count. Statlander recovered quickly, sending Bayne packing to the floor. She dropped an elbow on her and tossed her back in the ring. Bayne popped to her feet and dove through the middle rope onto Kris. Schiavone said Kris has to be careful with Ford prowling ringside. Statlander dropped Bayne as the crowd counted down. Willow Nightingale entered third. Nightingale slapped away Kris’ hand and gave her a big Spinebuster. Willow set up for the Doctor Bomb, but Bayne flew in with a clothesline. Megan and Kris worked together to give Willow a chokeslam. The clock ran out again, bringing Tay Melo out. She slipped under Bayne and gave her a clothesline against the ropes.

Melo thwarted a German Suplex attempt from Statlander and worked she and Bayne into opposing corners. Tay dropped Bayne to the mat and applied a double arm lock. Penelope Ford entered the ring and attacked Melo from behind. Anna Jay, backing up Melo, fought with Ford. Ford and Bayne overcame Melo and Jay. Harley Cameron returned, shoving Ford off the top rope to the apron. Jay and Cameron chased Ford to the back, clearing the ringside area. Thekla joined the match at 7:00. She caught Willow with a pair of kicks. She dove onto both Bayne and Statlander. She gave Kris a hard roundhouse kick and covered her for a one count, broken up by Tay. Melo hit the Tay-KO, then got pounced by Willow. Nightgale gave Thekla the Doctor Bomb. She covered, but Statlander flew in to break it up. Kris hoisted Willow onto her shoulders. Bayne flew in for a Doomsday Device. The clock counted down again.

Julia Hart entered to a decent initial reaction. She ran to the ring, flanked by Skye Blue. Hart dropped both Statlander and Bayne with a Moonsault into the ring. Julia walked the ropes, dropping Bayne with Old School. Skye Blue kicked Bayne in the face. Hart turned Bayne into the Flying Octopus Hold. Tay broke it up and gave Hart a Piledriver. Thekla broke up the cover attempt. Thekla spider-walked toward the corner as the clock ran down again, bringing Queen Aminata out. She and Thekla traded violent headbutts as the match crossed 11:30. Aminata pulled Thekla in for a spinning Fisherman’s Neckbreaker. She covered, but Willow broke it up with a Senton. Nightingale hoisted Aminata onto the southwest turnbuckle. Hart and Blue pulled her away. Willow cornered Julia and mounted her for punches. Blue pulled her away and kicked Nightingale in the face. Hart and Thekla hit spider Superplexes from opposite sides of the ring, then hung upside down, staring at each other. The clock brought Mina Shirakawa to the ring.

Shirakawa took down Skye Blue and Julia Hart. Statlander and Bayne attacked her from behind. Mina gave Bayne a DDT while simultaneously twisting Kris’ legs. Blue caught Mina with a kick to the face. Paul Turner repeatedly told Blue to leave the ring to no avail. Mina applied a Figure Four on Blue. She tapped immediately. Mina thought she’d won, not realizing that Blue was not in the match. Athena entered next. She clotheslined Hart and Blue on her way to the ring. Once inside, she hit a Samoan Drop/DDT combo on Thekla and Melo. Athena caught a kick from Aminata and turned it into a Tombstone for a cover and two count, broken up by Willow at 16:25. Athena gave Willow a Codebreaker off the middle rope. Thunder Rosa joined the match. Rosa sprinted to the ring and immediately dropped Athena, working her into the corner. She hit her with a missile dropkick.

After clearing Athena, Thunder Rosa got taken down by Aminata. Statlander gave her a headscissor. Willow did the same to Kris. The clock ticked down again, bringing the debuting Syuri. Mina Shirakawa looked excited. They met in the ring, traded quick ducks and kicks. Syuri kicked Mina in the back, then the chest. The clock ticked down again. Alex Windsor headed to the ring. Windsor met Syruri in the ring, catching her with a number of quick Suplexes. Windsor ate a boot from Syuri out of the corner, then a Wheelbarrow Bulldog. Syuri knocked Willow back to the floor. Windsor gave Syuri a Blue Thunder Bomb. Windsor and Syuri traded kicks again at 21:45. Alex rolled through a German Suplex attempt, then hit one of her own. She landed a headbutt. Syuri shrugged it off and caught Windsor flush with a headbutt. Syuri covered, but a whole host of women dove into the pile to break it up.

A brawl ensued with all the women in the match. Hart applied a spider submission on Mina. Thekla got one on Rosa. Bayne kicked Aminata. Statlander pulled Bayne onto the apron, but wound up eating a front-face Suplex onto the edge of the ring. Willow dropped Athena with an apron Death Valley Driver. Tay Melo dropped Syuri with a hard forearm on the floor. Megan Bayne began ascending the southeast turnbuckle. Kris stepped underneath her and Powerbombed her off the apron, onto the group of women waiting on the floor.

Thunder Rosa and Mina Shirakawa were left alone in the ring. Rosa crushed Mina with a running back elbow. She went for another, but Shirakawa moved. She climbed the ropes and hit a top rope Slingblade. Mina missed a running clothesline and ate some knee strikes. Rosa missed an Enziguri. Mina connected with a roundhouse kick, then a backfist. She dragged her toward center, looking for a Figure Four. Athena flew into view, catching Shirakawa with the O-Face. She covered for a three count.

WINNER: Athena in 27:08

(LeClair’s Analysis: Long time coming! Athena had an impressive showing back in April against Mercedes Mone, and a sustained push has felt inevitable ever since. She remains one of AEW’s greatest mysteries, being relegated to Ring of Honor during a time the division could’ve desperately used her. Now, despite a crowded field, is as good a time as any to feature her heavily. I thought this match was an improvement over the men’s variety earlier in the night, but I still generally dislike the concept. This had some of the same issues – too long, too many wrestlers the crowd just wasn’t interested in, leading to a match that dragged in several spots.)

-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the AEW World Tag Team title match.

FTR headed to the ring, joined by Stokely. Excalibur said it puts Tony Schiavone in a precarious position, being seated just right of Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler. Dax and Cash jawed with fans around ringside.

Westside Gunn and Smoke Dza played The Hurt Syndicate to the ring. Fireworks shot off from the entrance way as Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin posed on the middle ropes. Excalibur called it an “explosive” entrance. Jet Speed entered next, followed by the Patriarchy. MJF tal

(6) THE HURT SYNDICATE (c, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin w/ MVP & MJF) vs. JET SPEED (“Speedball” Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight) vs. THE PATRIARCHY (Christian Cage & Nick Wayne w/ Mother Wayne & Kip Sabian) – AEW World Tag Team Championship Three-Way match

The Hurt Syndicate rushed both opposing teams before the bell even rang. Shelton Benjamin tossed Christian Cage to the floor. Bobby Lashley took out Jet Speed by himself. MJF smashed Speedball’s face against the ringside barricade. Benjamin gave Kevin Knight a back drop on the barricade. FTR said Jet Speed and the Patriarchy need to put their differences aside and work together to take out the Hurt Syndicate, then fight over the titles themselves. Lashley and Benjamin continued to beat down everyone at ringside as the crowd let a “we hurt people” chant ring out.

Bobby Lashley tossed Speedball Bailey into the ring and stalked him. Bailey tried to pull himself up against the ropes, but Lashley smothered him. FTR shooed away MJF at the desk. Bailey slid down Bobby’s back and peppered him with kicks. Lashley shrugged them off, dropped Bailey and then pulled Cage into the ring by the neck. Nick Wayne pulled Cage to the floor to save him. Bailey dove onto both of them. Lashley ate a kick from Bailey. Benjamin hit the ring, but Jet Speed clotheslined him to the floor. They dove onto the Hurt Syndicate on the outside as the match approached 4:00.

At ringside, Kip Sabian and Mother Wayne jawed with MVP. Jet Speed caught Benjamin with super kicks, then dropped Wayne with a couple big boots. Knight covered Wayne for a two count. Wayne went for a spin kick on Knight, but Kevin ducked. Lashley pulled Knight out of the ring by the hair. Benjamin pulled the steel steps away from the ring and Lashley tossed Knight toward Shelton. Benjamin gave him a release flapjack right onto the steps. The Syndicate tossed Knight back in the ring, allowing Wayne to pick up the scraps. Wayne worked Knight into the corner and tagged in Cage. They gave Kevin a double arm drag. Cage covered for a two count at 6:15.

Cage flexed for the crowd to a smattering of boos. Knight fought back with a dropkick to both Cage and Wayne. He rolled to tag his partner. Bailey leaped over Wayne and hit him with rapid fire kicks. Bailey hit an axe kick to the back, a round kick to the chest, and a standing Shooting Star Press for a cover and two count. Knight caught Bailey with a jawbreaker, then tagged Christian. Benjamin entered the ring and dropped Bailey. He tripped up Cage and applied an Ankle Lock. Kip Sabian leapt on the apron, so Benjamin floored him with a leaping knee. Lashley entered and gave Bailey a massive Chokeslam. Bailey tried to hold onto Kevin Knight to prevent a German Suplex. He scored a tag, but Lashley shoved Knight away. Benjamin gave Bailey a German Suplex over the top rope onto a group of wrestlers below.

Benjamin retrieved the legal main, Speedball, from the pile. He and Lashley circled their prey. They speared him in the corner. Lashley hit a snap Suplex and covered Bailey for a two count at 10:00. The Hurt Syndicate traded tags, beating down Bailey for multiple two counts. MJF cheered them on from ringside. Benjamin charged Bailey in the corner, but Mike moved. Shelton kicked the turnbuckle. Bailey tried to tag Knight, but Benjamin tagged in Lashley. Bobby thwarted the tag and slammed Bailey. Cage rushed Lashley, breaking up a cover attempt. Cage went for a Spear on Bobby, but Lashley caught him by the throat and scooped him up into press position. Bailey kicked Bobby’s legs out. Jet Speed worked Benjamin into the corner. Shelton tried for a Powerbomb, but Jet Speed turned into into a ‘rana. Bailey flipped onto Lashley on the outside. At the same time, Knight hit a springboard splash onto Benjamin in the ring. He covered for a two count.

Shelton rolled right to his feet and gave Knight a pair of German Suplexes. Wayne hit Knight with a cutter in the ring, then hit one to Bailey on the apron. Cage splashed Knight and covered him, but MVP leapt onto the apron to provide a distraction. Knight and Cage began crawling to their corners. Lashley pulled Bailey to the floor. Knight tagged in Lashley instead. FTR asked if Lashley was legal, since he didn’t tag in from his corner. The announcers say there’s no disqualifications. Lashley gave Wayne a front-face slam. Cage hit Bobby with a diving reverse DDT. Knight gave Benjamin a springboard clothesline. Wayne gave Knight a Dragon Suplex. Knight hoisted Wayne onto the apron. Bailey stepped under him in Doomsday position. Knight kicked Wayne off of Bailey’s shoulders onto a group of wrestlers on the floor. Wayne’s head clipped the ring apron awkwardly. Knight and Bailey flew off the ropes, onto the pile outside.

Opposite that action, Lashley shoved Cage into FTR. They took offense when Bobby got in their face and pushed them back. FTR leapt onto the apron. Lashley shoved Cage into them, then speared him for a cover and three count.

WINNERS: The Hurt Syndicate in 18:57 to retain the AEW World Tag Team Championships

After the match, FTR entered the ring, sizing up Christian Cage. Nick Wayne slid in the ring to protect his “father.” He spun around and gave him a Killswitch instead. Kip Sabian and Mother Wayne looked on, smiling. Schiavone said this must have been a make or break match for the Patriarchy. FTR retrieved two steel chairs, placing one underneath Cage. They handed the other over to Wayne. Nick looked ready to deliver the Con-Chair-To, but “Metalingus” hit the speakers.

Adam Copeland ran into view, spiked bat in hand. He dropped everyone in site, swinging the bat at Wayne and sending the steel chair flying. Copeland gave Sabian a big spear and the crowd went wild. FTR escaped, Stokely in tow, through the crowd. Copeland pulled a microphone from his back pocket. “Don’t make us do it again!” Dax screamed at Copeland. Copeland stood over a recovering Cage, bat in hand. Christian begged off. Cope tossed the bat aside and pulled Cage to his feet. “Go…find yourself,” he told Cage. He let Christian fall back to the mat and left the ring.

(LeClair’s Analysis: AEW continues to feed challengers to Lashley and Benjamin that don’t seem like credible threats to their titles. This one felt particular egregious, with nearly 20 minutes of middling action that the crowd just simply didn’t care about. The Hurt Syndicate are hugely over, and thus far, the crowd is only interested in seeing them dominate people. The crowd seemed to enjoy those spots, but the back and forth action between the opposing teams? Met with silence. I’d hoped that bringing FTR into the title picture might lend some credibility back to the hunt, but it seems evident they’ll be otherwise occupied.

The post match action felt like a foregone conclusion, but it was least fun to finally see it come to fruition. I’ve really loved what Cage has managed to do over the last few years in AEW, and I have no issue with he and Copeland getting a send of as a tag team. It makes sense at this stage, especially with such a crowded field in the singles division. Depending on how long they’re tied up with FTR, they could certainly be worthy opponents for the Syndicate down the road.)

-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the AEW Women’s World title match.

Mercedes Mone entered first, wearing new gold gear. She wore a custom robe with the names of all the women she’s defeated since debuting in AEW. Toni Storm sauntered into a spotlight atop the stage, walking with a cane. She tossed it aside, did a theatrical kick, then spun around as the curtains rose on her tron marquee. Storm ripped her gloves off with her teeth, spitting them aside as she marched to the ring. Justin Roberts provided Championship introductions.

(7) TONI STORM (c, w/ Luther) vs. MERCEDES MONE – AEW Women’s World Championship match

A round of applause rang out as referee Aubrey Edwards called for the opening bell. Toni Storm and Mercedes Mone locked up in the center of the ring and a resounding dueling chant broke out. Storm backed her challenger in to the northeast corner and rubbed her face against Mone’s. Edwards called for a break and Storm obliged. They locked up again, dropping to the mat and rolling to the floor. Mone walked Storm up the ring steps. They broke on the apron. Mercedes sat on the ropes, inviting Toni back in the ring. Toni rolled through the bottom rope instead. She posed for Mone, comically kicking her leg to the crowd’s delight.

Mercedes was undeterred. She locked up with the champion again, rolling her into a crucifix pin for a one count. Mone leapt to the middle rope, completing an arm drag and rolling onto the Statement Maker. Storm quickly pulled her body to the ropes and used them to roll over and out. Storm hit an arm drag of her own, then a dropkick. Mone rolled to the outside to regroup. Storm looked poised to dive, but Mercedes ducked and covered. Toni stopped herself and mimicked Mone’s CEO dance. Mercedes was enraged. Storm caught her with a hip attack off the apron as the match approached 4:00.

Luther stepped under Storm, allowing her to run Mone across the apron and flip her to the floor. Storm tossed Mone under the bottom rope, but Mone spun around and kicked Storm in the face. Toni landed in the arms of Luther. Mone sprung herself over the top, toppling the champion and her butler. The crowd booed her heavily. Mone took the AEW Women’s World title and posed with it. Storm recovered and caught her with a gut shot. The women worked to the northeast corner. Mone caught the champion with a sunset bomb off the top. Toni rolled across the ring. Mone hit another one, this time into the bottom buckle. Storm gathered herself on the apron. Mone slid through her legs and delivered a Powerbomb on the floor. Mone slid inside the ring and mocked Storm’s ring roll.

Mone stopped Edwards’ count, returning the champ to the ring and stomping her in the corner. The crowd swelled with another dueling chant. Mone gave Storm a Meteora for a cover and one count. She applied a headscissor choke. Storm shook her arms, willing the crowd to life. She rolled to her feet in a waist lock, looking for a German Suplex. Mone blocked it, tripping the champion into the ropes. Mone hit a German Suplex of her own, then double knees to the back of the neck for a cover and two count at 8:40. Excalibur said it feels like a chess match. Storm popped to her feet and caught Mone with a lariat, then a press with punches. She hit Sky High and covered Mone for two.

The champion hooked an delivered a Fisherman’s Suplex for another two count. She tried it again, but Mone turned it into double knees to the arm. Mone hit an arm drag off the middle rope and transitioned into a key lock.Storm turned her over, but Mone’s weight carried her back into position. Mercedes began manipulating the fingers. She wrenched Storm’s arm, then applied a shoulder stretch. Storm turned it over relatively quickly. She created distance with a short hip attack, then a sidewalk slam. Storm went for another, but Mercedes turned it into a headscissor and arm bar. Mone clubbed at Storm’s chest and neck with her leg, flattening the champion on the mat. Toni rolled to her knees, but Mercedes kept the arm between her legs. Toni managed to swing Mone toward the ropes and catapult her neck up into the bottom one, fully breaking her grasp.

Massaging her neck, Mone pulled herself up slowly. She ducked a punch and gave the champion Three Amigos to a chorus of boos. Mone ascended the northwest corner at 13:45. She went for a Frog Splash, but Storm got her knees up. She cradled the CEO for a two count. Storm hit three release German Suplexes. Mone slumped into the southeast corner. Storm connected with the Hip Attack, then immediately delivered Storm Zero for a cover and near fall. Storm had Mone on the ropes. She locked in the TCM Chicken Wing. Mercedes struggled initially, but managed to get her teeth on Storm’s fingers, biting herself free. She hoisted Storm up for a Tombstone. Toni countered into position for one of her own, Mone slid free and into a lacked ankle lock. “That’s like being caught in a bear trap,” Taz said. Mone leg go of the vice grip to stand up and drag Toni to center. Storm used the ropes to spin herself free.

Champion and challenger traded forearms in the center. Mone threw a kick. Storm delivered a headbutt. Both women collapsed at 17:15. Mone rolled Storm up for two. She floated to her feet and pulled Toni into the Mone Maker for a cover and near fall. Mercedes was shocked. She looked to Aubrey, almost pleading for a three count. Storm was bleeding from the nose. Mone pulled Storm to her feet and planted a kiss on her. She went for a second Mone Maker, but Toni countered into another Storm Zero for a cover and near fall. Storm paced the ring, exhausted. She hooked Mone for a Snap Suplex, but Mone held on, gained wrist control and turned it into a double wrist lock. Storm dead-lifted her off the mat and deposited her into the northwest corner. Mone trapped Storm’s head between her ankles and pulled her into the turnbuckle. Storm shook off the cobwebs and hit a modified cutter off an intentionally missed clothesline.

Storm pulled Mone to her feet, but the CEO was playing possum. She slid behind Storm and gave her the Back-Cracker right into Statement Maker. Storm was too close to the ropes and was able to use them to roll Mercedes to center and apply the hold herself. Mone used the opposing ropes to float herself to her feet, right in the grasp of the champion. Storm hit her with three consecutive Storm Zeros for a cover and near fall at 22:30. Storm couldn’t believe it. Mone was motionless on the mat. Toni dragged her limp body to the northeast corner, propping her up for another hip attack. She charged, but Mone popped up and cradled her for a near fall.

Mercedes pulled Toni into the Statement Maker. Storm had a grasp of Mone’s hands, preventing a full lock. Mercedes transitioned into an STF instead. Storm crawled toward the ropes on her elbows. Mercedes rolled her into a crucifix instead. Toni fought to her feet, Mercedes on her back. Mone slid free. Toni tossed her to the northwest corner and connected with the Hip Attack. Storm hoisted Mone onto the middle rope, draping her mid-section over the top turnbuckle. Mone fought her off briefly, but Storm cut her out by the legs. She kissed Mone, hooked her and delivered an Avalanche Storm Zero for a cover and three count.

WINNER: Toni Storm in 25:12 to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship

(LeClair’s Analysis: Excellent match. Mercedes Mone has been on an absolute tear for the last several months, delivering time after time in big match situations, but none were bigger than this. This, to me, felt like only the second time in company history that AEW was able to build a women’s World title match to truly main event level. These two certainly delivered at that level. I really liked the intricate counters, roll ups, and submission attempts. The humor that Storm is known for was prevalent, but minimal, and it came at points within the match that felt earned, never taking away from the stakes of the match. I’d consider the result a relatively big surprise, too. Mone seemed poised for a date with Athena. I don’t think either direction would’ve been a bad call. Storm continues to build momentum and impress, while Mone builds her own legacy as a belt collector in an adjacent, but equal spot on the card. I expect these two will meet again before too long, and they’ll have a lot to live up to when they do.)

Toni Storm celebrated up the ramp with Luther as Mercedes Mone was helped from the ring by trainers and officials.

-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the title unification match.

Jim Ross was introduced, replacing Tony Schiavone on commentary. Kazuchika Okada was out first, accompanied by Don Callis. They shared a handshake before Callis sat down next to J.R. Kenny Omega entered to his “big match” music, performed live by Jason Charles Miller. He walked through a massive, flaming Omega logo. Justin Roberts introduced the competitors. Referee Bryce Remsburg showed off the new Unified Championship. Both wrestlers got sizable reactions.

(8) KAZUCHIKA OKADA (c, w/ Don Callis) vs. KENNY OMEGA (c, w/ Kota Ibushi) – AEW Continental & International Championship Unification match

Excalibur said these two have wrestled four times before. Jim Ross sang the praises of all four contests. The crowd gave both Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada a standing ovation as the bell rang. Omega and Okada took their time, marching slowly to the center of the ring to meet each other. They backed off, striking ready poses and preparing to lock up. “You’re going to see some improvements in Okada, we’ve been working on them,” Callis said. He called Excalibur a stooge for asking what they might be. Okada and Omega locked up. The Continental Champion gained the initial advantage, backing Omega against the ropes and giving him a friendly tap on the chest. J.R. said there’s mind games being played early on.

A second lock up netted opposite results, with Omega backing Okada against the ropes and giving him the same friendly tap. Okada kicked Omega in the gut. Excalibur immediately brought up Omega’s near-death experience with diverticulitis and the likelihood that Okada will continue to target the gut. Omega ducked a clothesline and dropped Okada with a Famous-er. Kazuchika rolled to the floor, but Kenny gave no quarter, leaping over the top onto him. Omega’s left eye was bothering him. He tended to it briefly, then tossed Okada back in the ring. Omega went for a diving cross body, but Okada ducked it. Kenny landed right on the mid-section. He clutched his abdomen gingerly. Okada gave him a quick Snapmare, settling in and slowing the pace.

The Rainmaker tried to shoot Omega off the ropes, but Kenny pulled him onto his shoulders for a rolling driver. He hit it, but immediately winced and clutched his stomach. Omega went for the middle rope Moonsault, but Okada got his knees up, exacerbating Omega’s plight. Okada hit a Senton as the match crossed 6:00. Kazuchika paced around the ring arrogantly. Kenny fired off some gut shots from his knees, then a club to the back and some chops to the chest. “Omega is laboring intensely just to deliver those chops,” Excalibur said. Okada countered an Irish Whip attempt to the northeast corner, sending Omega flying to the floor. Ibushi rushed to check on him. Okada gave him no time to recover, sliding to the outside and slamming Omega against the ring and the timekeeper’s barricade.

With referee Bryce Remsburg distracted by Okada, Callis beat Omega down at ringside. The crowd booed him heavily. Okada rolled outside and slammed Kenny’s head against the Spanish announce desk. He climbed up there and delivered a spike DDT on the desk, which didn’t budge. “That evil streak is prevalent tonight in Okada,” J.R. said. They replayed the violent thud of Omega’s skull on the desk. Taz wondered if Kenny’s head could’ve made contact with one of the steel sides of a monitor. Kenny sat up, checking for blood but finding none. He crawled back to the ring on his knees and broke the referee’s count at seven. Okada gave him another DDT and covered him for a two count at 9:45. “Okada looks strong, he’s not even breathing heavy. He’s dictating pace,” Callis said. Taz agreed.

Kazuchika grabbed a grounded side headlock, but Omega briefly turned it into an arm bar. Okada slipped free and dropped an elbow into Kenny’s gut, snuffing out his flurry. Okada let Omega return to his feet. Kenny challenged Okada to strike, and he did. Kenny fired back with chops. He chopped Okada toward the ropes and accelerated. Okada picked him off with a kitchen sink knee for a cover and two count. Okada worked Kenny into the northeast corner and drove his shoulder into the abdomen repeatedly. Kazuchika charged off an Irish Whip, but Kenny leapt into the air and caught Okada with a Hurricanrana. Okada rolled to the floor. Kenny pounded the mat, initiating the Terminator clap. He hit the ropes, flying over the top and taking Okada down. Kenny rolled to his knees, pointing fingers at Don Callis. Callis leapt out of his chair and bolted through the timekeeper’s area into the front row.

“I had to protect myself, he’s insane!” Callis said as he returned, Omega safely back in the ring. Kenny delivered a dropkick to the back of Okada’s head. He set up for a Dragon Suplex, but Okada shoved him away. He hit Omega with a driver and took a moment to catch his breath. Okada delivered a body slam, then began to climb the southwest corner. He was favoring his left arm and Excalibur pointed it out. Omega met Okada on the buckles, peppering him with chops. He hooked the Continental Champion for a Superplex. Okada tried to punch himself free. Omega tagged Okada’s back with a thunderous chop. He elbowed at Okada’s neck and upper back. Kenny hooked the leg and delivered a Fisherman’s Suplex off the top rope.

Both men returned to their feet slowly. Okada blocked a Dragon Suplex initially, but Kenny stayed persistent and hit it on the second attempt. Omega hit the ropes, looking to follow up with a V-Trigger, but Okada exploded forward with a leaping dropkick to stop Omega’s momentum dead. Both men were down as the match crossed 18:00. Okada used the ropes to steady himself, then he gave Omega a missile dropkick into the southeast corner. He hit another body slam, then waved the camera man away so he could climb the southwest buckles again. Okada hit the top rope elbow drop. Instead of going for a cover, he tried to hoist Omega into Tombstone position. Omega’s wide base and bent knees saved him. Kenny struck Okada with open palms to the ribs. He tried to lift Kazuchika, but momentum carried Okada up and over into Powerslam position. Okada dropped Omega’s shoulder right onto his knee. He delivered another top rope elbow drop, then flipped off the hard camera.

The crowd tried to will Omega to life. He called for the Rainmaker, but Omega got his elbow in front of the strike. Okada stopped himself, and, realizing Omega left his gut open, kneed him hard in the stomach. The Rainmaker had wrist control. He invited more boos from the crowd. They obliged. Kenny blocked a lariat and struck Okada with short jabs, then a rising knee. Okada crumbled. Omega let out a primal scream, then gave Okada a Powerbomb. He immediately hit a V-Trigger for a cover and near fall at 22:20. Kenny hit a second V-Trigger for another near fall. Okada crawled, back to, and slumped against the middle turnbuckle in the northeast corner of the ring. Omega charged and hit a third V-Trigger. He hoisted a limp Okada onto the top turnbuckle. Kenny shot the half. Excalibur said he’s thinking about an Avalanche Dragon Suplex. He and Okada stood tall atop the top turnbuckle, and Omega hit the Dragon Suplex. Okada turned awkwardly on the way down, landing on his face. Omega covered for a two count.

Omega called for another V-Trigger. He got a running start and connected against the middle rope. Kenny set up for the One-Winged Angel. Okada slid down his back, hoisted him up and hit a Tombstone Piledriver. Okada pulled Kenny to his feet by the wrist and connected with a Rainmaker. Okada hooked the leg for a near fall. Okada went for another one. Kenny ducked it, immediately hoisting Okada up. Kazuchika blocked the Angel, so Kenny dropped him into a waist lock and delivered a bridging German Suplex for a near fall. Suddenly, Rocky Romero hopped onto the apron. Kota Ibushi pulled him to the ground and threw him into the barricade. Don Callis tried to distract Omega. Okada was lying in wait. He pulled Omega in for the Rainmaker, but Omega ducked. He finally hit the One-Winged Angel. Omega hooked the leg, but Callis pulled Remsburg out of the ring.

Kenny called for a new referee. Aubrey Edwards sprinted down the ramp and into action. Omega called for another V-Trigger, and hit it. He pulled Okada up for another Angle. Okada slid down the back and drilled Omega with another Rainmaker for a cover and near fall at 28:30. Callis had returned to the desk, but was speechless. Ibushi pounded the mat, egging the crowd on. Both men rose to their feet slowly, trading weak punches. Okada gave Omega another open shot to the gut. Kenny chased him against the ropes, hitting another V-Trigger. Okada shrugged it off, looking for a Rainmaker. Kenny turned it into a roll up for a near fall. Okada popped to his feet, grabbed Kenny’s wrist and hit the Rainmaker for a cover and three count.

WINNER: Kazuchika Okada in 30:34 to win the AEW Unified Championship

(LeClair’s Analysis: Really good match. I think it would’ve been unwise to believe this could live up to these two’s previous bouts, and, while it certainly didn’t, it was Okada’s best outing in AEW to date, and by significant margin. I liked the story these two told, focusing heavily on Omega’s injury history and building smartly to a major crescendo in the waning minutes. Okada’s run in AEW has been a disappointment to most, largely because of the comedic booking and wishy-washy presentation. I’ve said for a while that he needed a big signature match to solidify the legacy he built elsewhere with stateside fans first introduced to him in AEW. This could be the match that does it. I’m optimistic that we’ll see some focused booking going forward with the now lone upper-mid-card title in the men’s division.)

-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the main event.

After a live, acoustic and whistle introduction, “Hangman” Adam Page’s old music rang out and a massive “Cowboy Sh–” chant built in Globe Life Field. Page marched to the ring with purpose. He removed his coat, tossed it aside, and paced around the ring with anticipation. The lights dimmed and the foreboding opening notes of Jon Moxley’s music hit. The camera cut backstage, showing a heavily modified, supped up old Ford. It was driven by Claudio Castagnoli. The rest of the Death Riders, including the AEW World Champion, Jon Moxley, rode in the bed. Moxley strode across the field level just behind Marina Shafir, leaving the rest of the crew behind. Shafir carried the signature briefcase, presumably containing the AEW World Championship. Justin Roberts introduced the combatants.

(9) JON MOXLEY (c, w/ Marina Shafir) vs. “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE – AEW World Championship Texas Death match

“Hangman” Adam Page stepped to center, challenging Jon Moxley. The world champion marched to center and booted Page right in the face. Page shrugged it off and fired off a right. Moxley responded in kind. They traded hard forearms, bringing the crowd back and forth with them. Moxley gave Page two middle fingers. Page swarmed Moxley, beating him into the corner and stomping a mud hole into his shoulder. Excalibur said Moxley and Page have wrestled four times and have a 2-2 record against each other.

Marina Shafir grabbed at Page’s leg, distracting him long enough for Moxley to pounce. He pulled out a fork and tried to stab Page in the face, but Adam ducked. Moxley stabbed the turnbuckle pad again. Page came up with his own fork. He pulled Moxley into a Triangle Choke. Hangman stabbed Moxley repeatedly with the fork. Blood began to pour out of Mox’s head. The crowd exploded. Moxley was covered in blood just 3:00 in. He applied pressure to the cut, trying to slow the river of crimson. Hangman grabbed a loose piece of barbed wire. Moxley tripped him up, using the barbed wire to pull Page into a Crossface. Page slipped free, but Mox managed to loop him back in with the barbed wire. He dragged it across Page’s face. Droplets of blood appeared on Adam’s forehead. Shafir bit at the fresh cuts on Page’s head.

The AEW World Champion stood on Hangman’s neck, jawing the jeering fans. Mox retrieved a steel chair wrapped in barbed wire. In the ring, Page blinked blood from his eyes. Mox drop the head of the chair into Hangman’s ribs, then gave him a body slam onto the steel wrapped face. He clubbed at the open cut on Page’s forehead. Moxley stomped around the ring, twitching like a caged animal. He propped the barbed wire chair between the middle and top turnbuckles in the northwest corner. Page tried to whip him into it, but Moxley blocked it. Page pulled the chair free, but Moxley kicked it right into his face.

Both wrestlers wore crimson masks. Moxley set up a table on the outside with the help of Marina Shafir. J.R. called her a “big asset.” Excalibur said she, along with the rest of the Death Riders, have been essential in Moxley’s long title run. Back in the ring, Jon set Page up on the northeast turnbuckles. They teetered over the table on the floor. Page bit Moxley, freeing himself. Moxley dropped Page with a cutter. He asked Shafir for glass. Marina retrieved a bucket of broken glass shards from underneath the ring. He dumped it out on the mat and stomped the larger bottle necks into smaller, sharper pieces. Moxley picked up a handful of shards and rubbed them across Page’s forehead. He dragged him to the pile of shards and tried to give him a Piledriver. Page blocked it and lifted Moxley up for a Deadeye. Moxley rotated all the way over, avoiding it. He dragged Page through the pile of glass, slicing up his back. Page screamed in agony.

Moxley hit the Piledriver on the shards of glass. He flexed for the crowd, boos rising. Paul Turner began counting Page down. Hangman used the corner to steady himself at six. Moxley talked some trash, walking Page toward center. Adam fired off some palm strikes. Moxley overcame the flurry with a pair of quick knees to the face, followed by another Piledriver at 12:15. Moxley began barking orders at Shafir. She retrieved a pair of chairs as Turner counted Hangman down. Moxley took a seat in a chair, waiting for Page to steady himself. Hangman needed the ropes just to answer the count. He slumped into the corner, eyes wide and glassy. Moxley grabbed a front headlock and dragged Page up the turnbuckles in the northeast corner. Jon had created a chair bridge just below. Page desperately fought free of Mox’s grasp with some gut shots, then headbutts.

The champion managed to find a loose strand of barbed wire. He wrapped around Page’s torso and pulled it back and forth, causing Page to drop back to the mat. Page turned the chairs around while he recovered. He hooked Moxley and gave him a Powerbomb on the top edges of the chair. Mox wretched and writhed, kicking the met and flexing uncontrollably. His back was covered in crushed glass. Hangman wrapped his own arm in barbed wire. He gave the champion a spinning lariat. Moxley begged off, slumping into the southeast corner.

Wheeler Yuta hit the ring, steel chair in hand. He cracked Hangman in the back. Page shrugged it off and clotheslined Yuta to the floor. Page gave Moxley Angel’s Wings, an homage to Christopher Daniels. He flipped to the apron, setting up for the Buckshot Lariat. Shafir leapt onto his back. Hangman scooped her into position and gave her a Death Valley Driver off the apron, through the table at ringside. Moxley tried to attack Page with the chair, but he missed wildly. Page pulled Moxley up and hit Deadeye on the glass.

Claudio Castagnoli took his turn, pouncing on Page and overwhelming him with forearms. He pushed Hangman to the floor, where a recovered Yuta joined in the fight. The Death Riders retrieved another table and set it up in front of the ring as the match crossed 18:30. Will Ospreay ran down the ramp, meeting Claudio with a steel chair. He fought off Yuta, but was attacked by Gabe Kidd. Castagnoli. Yuta, and Kidd triple-teamed Ospreay. Kidd gave him a Piledriver on the floor. Castagnoli put a chair over Ospreay’s neck and stepped on it, just as they’d done to Samoa Joe to start the night.

In the ring, Jon Moxley sat in the corner, catching his breath. Blood poured from his forehead. Officials poured from the back to assist Ospreay. Meanwhile, Moxley pulled Adam Page onto the north apron of the ring, right above two barbed wire tables. He hooked Page and Suplexed him through them both. “Moxley kind of sacrificed himself there as well,” Schiavone surmised. Paul Turner counted both men down. They barely answered the count. Moxley had to pull barbed wire from his pants. Outside the ring, Ospreay was stretchered away.

Hangman and Moxley crawled to each other on their knees, going nose-to-nose. They traded hard forearms, blood pouring. Moxley bit Hangman and dropped him with a lariat. He hit a Gotch-Style Piledriver, then floated in the Bulldog choke. Page coughed, struggling to breathe and stay conscious. The Death Riders began celebrating around ringside. Page went out. Moxley released the hold in confidence, letting the referee count toward the inevitable. Page began to stir at 7. He lifted a shoulder at 8, then sprang to his feet briefly after 9. Moxley was undeterred. He set up a chair and gave Page a Death Rider right on the open chair. Mox gave his cohorts fist bumps.

Turner counted as Moxley celebrated. Page shook a hand at 6, grabbed the bottom rope at 8, and hit both feet at 9. Mox was incensed. He gave Page another short-arm lariat. He shouted to Claudio, who pulled out a plastic bag. Castagnoli handed it over to Yuta, who entered the ring and hand delivered it to the World Champion. Suddenly, Darby Allin appeared in a prerecorded video from atop Mount Everest. “I’m on the top of Mount Everest, and I’m coming to take everything from you…”

A masked wrestler slid in the ring. It was Bryan Danielson. He hit Moxley with a Busaiku Knee, then dove onto both Claudio and Gabe Kidd. Danielson backed Claudio against the barricade outside and peppered him with “Yes” Kicks. Darby Allin began descending from the roof on a line. He landed on the apron and unhooked himself. Moxley stared him down. page flew in the ring with a Buckshot Lariat. Darby climbed the turnbuckle and hit the Coffin Drop on the Death Riders outside. Page hit Moxley with a second Buckshot Lariat.

Mox rolled to the apron,trying to retreat. Page gave no quarter. He pulled Moxley in and gave him a Deadeye through the table on the floor. Page slid back in the ring as Turner began to count Moxley down. Shafir dragged Mox to his feet at 9, breaking the count. “F– you!” she yelled at Page. The Young Bucks appeared in the ring behind Page. They gave him double Superkicks, the an EVP Trigger. Moxley and Shafir worked together to pull a bed of nails from underneath the ring. He placed it in front of Page and gave him a stomp on the nails. Page visibly got his hand up. Mox hit the Paradigm Shift on the bed of nails.

Jon winced through gritted teeth, sensing the end. Page began to stir at nine, and just broke the count at the last possible moment. Moxley collapsed against the turnbuckles, unsure of how to proceed. A big “Cowboy Sh–” chant built in Globe Life Field. Moxley asked Shafir for the key to the briefcase as the match crossed 33:00. Marina handed it over, then retrieved the briefcase. When she went to pull away, she found herself handcuffed to the timekeeper’s table. It was Prince Nana. Moxley tried to free her. Swerve Strickland appeared, dropping the Young Bucks with a steel chain wrapped around his fist. Strickland came face-to-face with a recovering Hangman Page. Strickland tossed the chain to Page.

Page hit Moxley in the head with the chain. He wrapped it around his neck and tried to hang him from the ropes, but Mox pulled him to the apron with him. Mox retreated to the ring. Page gave him a third Buckshot Lariat. This time, Mox landed on the bed of nails. Page wasn’t done. He wrapped the chain around Mox’s neck again and tossed him over the top, leaving him dangling and gasping for breath. Mox writhed, shook, and then full on convulsed. As the crowd swelled to a thunderous roar, he tapped out.

WINNER: “Hangman” Adam Page in 35:55 to win the AEW World Championship

(LeClair’s Analysis: The most AEW main event to ever AEW main event. Look, this was an overly-violent, convoluted, over-booked mess. It was also cathartic and satisfying in a number of ways. I think AEW resorts to this kind of main event far too often, but, occasionally, it feels warranted. And tonight, it was warranted. Moxley has held the World Title hostage for months, with one disappointing and deflating main event after another. We’ve talked for months on Pay-Per-View post shows how much his main events have dragged the overall impression of shows down. That, fortunately, won’t be the case here. Page’s redemption arc back to a babyface at the top of the card was as well told and expertly handled as any angle or story in company history, and you could feel the genuine emotion from the crowd as he finally pulled the AEW title from the briefcase. I don’t want to see this kind of match every month, but tonight, it worked.)

FINAL THOUGHTS: All In Texas delivered a great atmosphere and a stellar triple main event. The undercard certainly had its moments, but, by and large felt incredibly bloated and overwrought with matches and wrestlers that the crowd simply wasn’t all that invested in. I think the Casino Gauntlet matches dragged this down a fair amount, and crowd participation slowed to a halt in the late stages of those matches, and the matches the proceeded them. I think you’re looking a much better show with a reduced runtime for both of those contests, as well as the tag team title match, impromptu four way, and opening trios bout. This was a good show, anchored by its strong closing string of matches, but its runtime was dastardly, even by AEW standards.


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