AEW Dynamite tonight is the final show before Saturday’s Grand Slam Australia event.
Three matches and one segment have been announced for the show.
The TNT Championship will be on the line, with Tommaso Ciampa set to defend the title against former champion Kyle Fletcher.
The AEW Women’s World Championship will also be defended, as Kris Statlander faces Thekla in a Strap Match.
New number one contenders for FTR’s AEW World Tag Team titles will be determined on Wednesday in a three-way match featuring The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier and Myron Reed), and a mystery wild card team.
Elsewhere on the show, Kenny Omega and Swerve Strickland are scheduled to meet in a face-to-face segment.
Tonight’s Dynamite is set for the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. As of Friday’s edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 2,350 tickets had been distributed for the event.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Bryan Danielson before throwing it to Tony Schiavone in the ring for our opening face-to-face, as he introduces Kenny Omega & Swerve Strickland individually to big reactions.
Kenny Omega & Swerve Strickland Face-to-Face
Schiavone said they’ve seen the looks, felt the tension and it’s gone back dating to Maximum Carnage and said most has been coming from Strickland, who said he’s got a lot to get off his chest. Five years ago, Omega was on top of the world, the last time he held the AEW World Title, the God of Pro Wrestling, everyone outside of AEW was scratching their way to get there just to face Omega, himself included. When Strickland got to the top, Omega was nowhere to be found. When Strickland was becoming the best in AEW, Omega was nowhere to be found. Strickland said Omega still pops up from time to time, even teaming with him in Anarchy in the Arena last year, but he’s a false prophet whose been either in a hospital or suspended. During Omega’s absence, the congregation is looking for a new prophet and the church is saying Whose House? Now, Omega is feeling healthy and good and wants to be back in the title picture but it feels like he’s using his EVP power. Strickland said he’s had to fight EVPs the last two years, two idiots abusing their powers, which he ended last summer. It doesn’t matter if Omega calls himself a God or not, step in front of Swerve, he’ll put him down.
Omega corrected Strickland on one detail, he’s never called himself the God of Pro Wrestling, it’s a name the fans gave him. Omega never asked for their adulations, but they know if they’re seeing him wrestle, they’re getting the absolute best. Omega takes their beliefs as a great responsibility, so for them to believe in him for this one final journey to the top of the mountain (the right way), Strickland might ask Whose House, but to question Omega, maybe the lights are on, but no one is home. If Strickland needs someone to burn that house down, Omega has just the friend to help him do it. The old Kenny is feeling good and feeling championship material and not using the EVP title to do it. If it wasn’t for Strickland last week, he’d be on his way to the title again. Omega isn’t asking for Strickland to believe in him, but he is asking for a fight. Omega sees the disrespect Strickland looks at him with and whispers sweet nothings into Prince Nana’s ear about a plan, but if Strickland wants a fight, he’s got it. Accept or yield.
Strickland said Omega is scared, as this generation is lapping him. Omega cuts Strickland off about calling himself the most dangerous man in AEW, saying that title should go to Brody King. Strickland said he’ll put Omega back in the hospital and this time, he won’t get up from it. Omega said it’s one heck of an idea and slapped Strickland. Excalibur called that the spark in the powder keg. Strickland said Omega made his choice, whatever happens next, is on him. Strickland shoots a double leg and the brawl is on and they spill outside, with Strickland sending Omega into the barricade and steps until Omega launched Strickland into the crowd wielding a chair. The fight continues, up onto the entrance ramp, to the side stage, where Omega hit a V-Trigger against the Tron. Omega wanted One-Winged Angel off the stage, but Strickland had something to stab Omega in the head with, getting free and tackling Omega off the stage, both crashing through a table. Finally, security shows up to tend to both men.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Kyle Fletcher & Don Callis to talk about his TNT Title match up next and the pressure he’s under prior to Grand Slam Australia. Callis said there’s no pressure, as he’s going to win the TNT Title and head back to Australia for a Heroes Welcome. Fletcher asks Callis if he’s willing to do this on his own, as Callis said he’s more than willing to kick his feet up and watch him bring back home the title. Fletcher walks off, as Callis calls him the son he never had.
Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita, Josh Alexander & Mark Davis) vs. Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & PAC w/Marina Shafir)
(Continuing the streak of both these factions trading wins in action packed six-man tags, the ever so important momentum is now back on Moxley’s side, as he heads to defend his Continental Title on Saturday against Takeshita. They gave the fans just enough of them interacting in this one, as I wouldn’t be surprised if we continue getting Death Riders against a Callis Family trio contingent even after Grand Slam, which, I’d be more than fine with, they’ve been great.)
Davis used his size advantage to gain the upper hand on PAC early, so Moxley tagged in to fire off some corner strikes, which Davis absorbs and crumbled Moxley with one chop. Castagnoli tags in and it’s a battle of two horses, with neither giving up ground, until Davis mowed down Castagnoli with a shoulder tackle. Davis failed two suplex attempts, resulting in a visually impressive stalling suplex from Castagnoli. Takeshita comes in and immediately waffled Moxley with a running boot off the apron, as the fight is on and the whole match breaks down ringside. Takeshita & Castagnoli finally get back inside, where Castagnoli hits a tilt-a-whirl back breaker and tagged in PAC for a standing moonsault for two. Alexander comes in, misses a corner charge, as PAC floated over in the corner, booted Takeshita on the floor, but had the legs swept out, allowing Alexander to hit his signature running cross body with things heading to break.
PAC was worked over the entire break and finally hit a suplex on Alexander to get the hot tag to Castagnoli, who dished out uppercuts aplenty. Locomotion corner uppercuts ping ponging Davis & Alexander, who he locked in a Giant Swing, until Davis put a stop to it. Castagnoli fought back with a snap powerslam for two, as Castagnoli tried a Neutralizer, Davis escaped, went for a home run lariat, initially Castagnoli tried an uppercut mid-move, didn’t get it, so Davis threw another one, connecting for the double down. (We’re told during the double down that Kenny Omega will face Swerve Strickland next week on Dynamite.)
Moxley & Takeshita both tag in and ramp up the heavy shots, ending with Moxley turning him inside out with a King Kong Lariat. Davis cut-off a Death Rider attempt, as the match broke down, Alexander planted PAC with a release German, Castagnoli clears the ring of him, until Takeshita spiked Moxley with an Exploder for two. PAC hit locomotion corner splashes, until the Callis crew made the save. The brawl spills outside to AEW chants, as Moxley got a rear naked choke on Takeshita, who backed him into the corner and was tripled teamed. Trifecta of release Germans ends in the bounce back lariat from Davis for two, as PAC dove to break the count. Referee Paul Turner just continues to let the Callis Family triple team Moxley, as Takeshita went for a running forearm, but PAC & Castagnoli clear house, leaving Alexander alone in a Moxley rear naked choke into a Death Rider for the win.
Match Result: Death Riders defeated The Don Callis Family when Moxley pinned Alexander
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Tommaso Ciampa vs. Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis & Lance Archer) for the TNT Title
(Wow, this was one hell of a battle and a completely unexpected finish. I’m genuinely shocked they did a title switch this early in Ciampa’s run, which was less than 2 weeks, I can only hope he remains in the title picture after what will be the final Fletcher/Briscoe showdown in Australia at Grand Slam.)
Despite Fletcher literally asking to do this on his own earlier tonight, he’s still out with Lance Archer & Don Callis, who joins commentary. Callis said Archer is there to protect him from the sickos. After taking his sweet time at the opening bell, Fletcher hit a shoulder tackle, posed for the crowd and ate a big boot to the chops as a result. Fletcher delivered one of his own, flattening Ciampa, but had his leg dropkicked out and Ciampa lit him up with boots and low DDT. Fletcher suckered Ciampa to the floor, where he hit a back suplex on the apron and spinning backbreaker into a Side Effect back inside for two. Ciampa got a jawbreaker to escape a sleeper, as Fletcher missed two wild shots, allowing Ciampa to hit a flying forearm. Ciampa stared down Callis, but the delay saw a charging Fletcher sent to the apron and clocked with a running knee. Ciampa took the fight outside, blew a kiss to Archer before hitting another running knee against the barricade on Fletcher, patting himself on the back. Ciampa broke the count, but in doing so, Fletcher hit a Half and Half on the floor with both men down into break.
Fletcher whiffed on a Helluva Kick, spilling outside, but Ciampa missed a running knee, colliding with the steps. Fletcher brought him up, wanted a brainbuster on the steps, but Ciampa manages to counter into The Psycho Driller to a huge reaction. Fletcher slowly rolled back in the ring, right in position for Ciampa to take his head off with a running knee for a near fall. 10-minutes have gone by, as Ciampa floated over a brainbuster into a reverse DDT for two. Set up in the corner, Ciampa wants an Avalanche Psycho Driller, Fletcher slid out, hit a wild kick and hit a spinning Avalanche Back Superplex for two. Fletcher quickly followed up with a Liger Bomb for another close near fall. Helluva Kick decks Ciampa, who wound up on the apron, clipped Fletcher with a knee, leapt from the apron, but was caught with a powerbomb on the edge of the ring. Quickly back inside, Helluva Kick connects, Ciampa fought out of a Half and Half, but Fletcher was there to spike him with a Brainbuster for two and Fletcher couldn’t believe it. Danielson told Callis it’s from Fletcher not putting enough pressure on Ciampa’s shoulders.
Fletcher looks for his turnbuckler Brainbuster, but Ciampa floated over into a huge German suplex and running knee, but it was Fletcher’s turn to narrowly escape. Ciampa lowered the knee pad, ran into a superkick, but didn’t go down and hit the home run knee, only Fletcher rolled his shoulder up and the crowd went nuts. 5-minute call, as Fletcher spat at Ciampa, who keeps firing off strikes, only Fletcher lawn darted him into the corner and running kick to the neck. Screaming the title is his, Fletcher went for a final shot, but ate a Ciampa knee and Brainbuster for two. Fletcher is begging Ciampa to bring it, as Ciampa charged right into a Michinoku Driver, lariat and Sheer Drop Brainbuster for the win and the title.
Post-match, Renee Paquette came into the ring and congratulates the new champ, asking what’s next, as Fletcher said he made it clear, he’s coming home with the TNT Championship. A dejected Ciampa was shown ringside, as Fletcher said he’s heading to Sydney for a Heroes Welcome he deserved last year and he’s defending the title in his hometown against anyone from anywhere. Mark Briscoe’s music hits and asks if he heard Fletcher correctly, as he’s come a long way since being a mop headed young boy. Briscoe congratulates Fletcher and said he deserves it, but his ass isn’t going to be able to cash the check his mouth is writing. They’re 3-3 in their series of matches and he’s happy to give Fletcher home field advantage for Match 7. Fletcher said he’s sick and tired of seeing him in this ring, but did say he’d fight anyone anywhere, so he accepts. BUT, Match 7 deserves to be bigger and better than the rest, so he wants this to be a Ladder Match. Briscoe said hell yeah, he’s waiting for him.
Match Result: Kyle Fletcher defeated Tommaso Ciampa to win the TNT Title
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-Pre-sale for AEW All In London go on sale March 16 and general on sale March 20
-Video package for Babes of Wrath vs. MegaBad for the Women’s Tag Titles at Grand Slam is shown, as Harley Cameron said when they take MegaBad down, she wants to do it in her hometown, they’ll see them down under.
Orange Cassidy & Roderick Strong vs. Daniel Garcia & Clark Connors (w/Jon Moxley)
(Well, we finally got something out of this Strong/Cassidy Conglomeration adjacent story. I don’t know why Strong wrestled in a lot of this match before deciding to bail, but regardless, I hope this is going somewhere. Darby Allin has also returned, but we never found out how he was able to make his way back from the desert. The post-match, though, was the bigger story, as Shafir & Yuta sent a big message to Cassidy & Storm, who are now out for revenge on Mina Shirakawa’s behalf as they look to win at Grand Slam.)
Earlier today, cameras caught up with Connors & Garcia, who talked about leaving Darby Allin’s rotting corpse in the desert last week and this week, The Conglomeration wants to step up, so they’ll put them down as well. Cassidy had to convince Strong to walk out during his entrance and Strong just blew by him to the ring. Moxley joins commentary and said that Allin gets into a lot of stuff and talked to Gabe Kidd, who is in Japan right now and how he’d do anything for Kidd, as the Death Riders love the War Dogs. Moxley also said he respects Cassidy & Strong, but they aren’t a tag team. Strong was worked over in the corner by Connors & Garcia in the early going. Strong delivered ten corner punches to Garcia, Cassidy made a blind tag, Strong looked to throw a chop at Cassidy, who ducked and Strong connected on Garcia. Cassidy hit one corner punch before delivering a Stundog Millionaire. Garcia avoided a spinning DDT into a sleeper suplex and gained control heading to break.
Things return to Cassidy trying to go to the pockets while locked in a Full Nelson, as he kicked away Connors, who was sent throat first against the bottom rope. Cassidy went to make the tag to Strong, who jumped off the apron and left his partner high and dry, with Moxley snickering on commentary. Connors hit a Pounce on Cassidy, as Moxley can’t believe what he just saw and how it actually happened, saying there has to be more to this story. Cassidy tried to survive a handicap match, as Connors hit a Spear on the apron before sending Cassidy into the barricade. Connors tried a charge, Cassidy leap frogged and Connors crashed and burned. Darby Allin pulled Connors into the crowd and the referee never saw it, as Cassidy took out Garcia with a Tope Suicida. Back inside, Garcia tried a Dragon Tamer, but Cassidy countered into a cradle for the flash pin.
Post-match, Timeless Toni Storm’s music played, as she’s standing with Luther in the luxury box asking the children of California for their ears. She’s made peace with her life choices, Marina Shafir, at Grand Slam Australia, if she knocks Storm out cold in front of her family and former lovers, then she deserves to shave Storms head, but, she’ll evolve into the most beautiful bald bastard you’ve ever seen. If Storm beats Shafir, she’ll shave her head so close to her skull, they’ll put a price tag on her and sell her at Spirit Halloween. As for Wheeler Yuta, you’re the most annoying little sh*t she’s ever seen.
Yuta is heard screaming enough from the stage and says to bring her out. Shafir drags out Mina Shirakawa trapped in Mother’s Milk, as Garcia took out Cassidy in the ring. Yuta cut a lock of hair off Shirakawa, as Storm & Luther scramble as Garcia forces Cassidy to watch. Shafir & Yuta bail, as Shirakawa is left in tears on the ramp.
Match Result: Orange Cassidy (& Roderick Strong sort-of) defeated Daniel Garcia & Clark Connors
-Footage of Don Callis celebrating with Andrade last week, as they said they’re a team and Callis knew Andrade was the man to take out Kenny Omega. Callis knows Andrade is the next AEW World Champion and tells Hangman Page in Australia, he’ll find out if you get in the Family’s way, you get run over. Andrade thanks Callis for believing in him and said Page is in his way.
Hangman Page last week said he thought it’d be Omega vs. himself, which is what he wanted, but it’s himself against Andrade, one of the best in the business and he’ll see him down under.
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-JetSpeed are walking backstage and said while Hangman Page is about to win the AEW World Title, they also want some singles gold. Bailey said 2026, JetSet Rodeo is coming for all the gold.
The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Myron Reed w/Zachary Wentz) vs. Private Party (Zay & Quen) in a #1 Contenders Match for the AEW Tag Team Titles
(A PWG special if there ever was one, as this was non-stop action from the start and I have zero clue how anyone could tell who was the legal man throughout. Regardless, I’m somewhat surprised by the result, as The Rascalz or the returning Private Party, who haven’t been on AEW TV since January 2025, would’ve been a nice change for challenger. With that said, it’s not like FTR vs. The Bucks will be anything short of another amazing tag title match, whenever that happens, which, as of this very moment, hasn’t been announced, yet.)
Massive hometown pop for The Bucks, who had plenty of pyro and bucks raining down during their entrance. Strong reaction for The Rascalz & returning Private Party as well, as Zay & Quen got loud Welcome Back chants. Private Party & The Rascalz start lighting quick, as Zay & Quen spike Xavier with a double flapjack, as Matt makes a blind tag and The Bucks come face-to-face with Private Party, as Excalibur brings up the upset from the early days of AEW in 2019. Both teams slug it out, as Matt hits a slingshot dive on Zay, as Quen fights off both Jacksons, who ultimately hit a sunset flip/German combo. Zay gets planted with a cazadora/slingshot facebuster until Xavier tries stealing a pin on a posing Matt for two. Reed & Xavier double team The Bucks, as Reed clears the top with a dive, as Xavier was turned inside out with a Quen dropkick. Zay launched off Quen’s back with a Poetry in Motion onto the pile outside, as Xavier cut-off Nick and followed with a rope walk Shooting Star Press onto everyone heading to break.
We return with Nick delivering an arm-drag/head scissors Lucha Libre combo on Private Party to allow Matt to make the hot tag, clearing The Rascalz and hitting his rolling Northern Lights on Quen, then another with Zay as well. Double baseball dropkick on The Rascalz, Sliced Bread on Zay, as Quen avoids a charge, but Matt kept the momentum going and took out Reed with a somersault Cutter off the apron. 2-for-1 by Nick on Private Party, as The Bucks go for double dives and hit stereo Senton/Elbow Drops for two. We see HOOK sitting in a luxury box, as Excalibur said he might be scouting for The Opps.
The Bucks set up Zay for the Flippity Dippity Drop, but Zay countered into a head scissors. Quen had Nick up in a fireman’s carry, as Zay launched off his back to DDT Matt, as a DVD spiked Nick for two. Gin n’ Juice planted Xavier, as Reed mat Zay with a F5 Flatliner hanging on the ropes. Matt pump faked a superkick into a DDT, Quen planted Matt with a Side Effect, Nick & Zay traded superkicks leaving all 6 men down, until we get multiple kip ups into a double clothesline, Nick & Zay kip up and Nick hits a Destroyer for the complete reset. Xavier & Matt are the legal men (I guess) and slug it out until Xavier eats a pop-up superkick. The Bucks signal for a Meltzer Driver, but Zay puts a stop and Xavier spiked Matt with a Poison Rana. Reed cleared the top and hit a Cutter to the floor on Nick. Cancun Tornado by Xavier, 450 Splash by Reed on Matt for two, as Nick made the save. Reed kipped out of a double superkick, tried a springboard, but ate a superkick in mid-air. Handspring Pele attempt by Xavier, who was superkicked in mid-air, Zay was superkicked leaping off the top and ate a BTE Trigger. Meltzer Driver back inside on Reed, as The Bucks get the pin.
Post-match, FTR came to the ring wheeling out Stokely, who tried to toss a title belt to Wheeler from the floor, but whiffed and he sold it like gold. Harwood told The Bucks they come in piece, as they are two of the greatest teams of all time and 18 titles between them, asking how it feels for The Bucks to be sitting in 2nd place? Cutting off The Bucks, Harwood said it wouldn’t bother them, as every company FTR have wrestled in, they’ve been successful, while The Bucks had to do that by creating their own company. Harwood cut Matt off again, so he ate a superkick, as did Wheeler. Stokely frantically tried to wheel away, as The Bucks, who grabbed the tag titles, faked a superkick, but handed him the titles and let him off with a warning.
Match Result: The Young Bucks defeated The Rascalz & Private Party to become #1 Contenders to the AEW Tag Team Titles when Matt pinned Reed
-Will Ospreay video package is shown, as he said when he returns, he wonders if he can be the same. Footage of Ospreay’s rehabilitation is shown, as he wonders if they fans will still be in his corner, if the Assassin can reclaim the air? When he returns, he’ll answer every single question. When I Return. I love that they’re sprinkling these into shows lately and hope they continue to do so.
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-Video package on MJF vs. Brody King is shown and their history over the last month. When MJF’s back is against the wall, that’s when The Devil is his most dangerous and Grand Slam Australia is when he makes King is b*tch. After all the news these two got last week, I was surprised they didn’t do more for the last-minute build, but for those unfamiliar with this feud, this did a good job of showing why King is a credible challenger for the AEW World Title this weekend.
Kris Statlander vs. Thekla in a Strap Match for the AEW Women’s World Title
(These two women beat the holy hell out of one another and I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a rematch, as we’re now 1-1 in the feud and this had the interference aspect. However, they drove home how this was a No DQ match, so I have zero idea why we needed a ref distraction to lead to the finish, it’s not like Thekla would’ve been DQ’d if Aubrey saw Blue & Hart interfere. Regardless, it was time IMO to put the title on Thekla and I anticipate she has a strong and relatively longer run, just hopefully not filled with constant interference, as we have/had enough of champions depending solely on that.)
We’re at the top of the hour as both make their entrances and told this is a 60-minute time limit, which Danielson said there’s absolutely no way that happens. Danielson said the strap used in this match is the same he used in his Strap Match a few years back (the name Ricky Starks was never said) as his blood is still on it, we’re told.)
Statlander kept dragging Thekla across the ring, until Thekla rolled outside and whipped Statlander right in the face and back repeatedly, pissing off the Women’s Champion, who posted Thekla as a result. Thekla scurried away, but Statlander sent her crashing into the barricade before delivering a backbreaker. Thekla leap frogged the steps off a whip and pulled Statlander into them, as Statlander comes up bleeding with Thekla zoning in on the cut heading to break.
Back from break, Statlander battled back bloodied and battered, but Thekla responded with the head scissors in the ropes. Thekla opted to pose, allowing Statlander to choke her with the strap, but Thekla went for the eyes and pulled Statlander throat first against the top rope. Wrapping the strap around the throat, Thekla booted Statlander in the face, went up top and hit a high cross body for two. Danielson brought up “strap awareness” by Thekla, as Statlander pulled the strap and caught Thekla with a thrust kick and snap powerslam for two. Statlander went up the ropes, but ate a strap shot, as Thekla joined, was caught up in the ropes, but rose up into a Spider Superplex. Thekla again posed with her back to Statlander, allowing her to get the hell whipped out of her, as Statlander went for a Tombstone, Thekla escaped, but Statlander met her with a discus lariat for two.
Statlander whipped away until a Blue Thunder Bomb connected for a near fall. Statlander started whipping herself to wake herself up (I guess?), but Thekla countered another Blue Thunder, wrapped the strap around Statlander’s throat, missed a Curb Stomp and was whipped in mid-air. Tying up Thekla in the strap, Statlander whipped away and hit a Tombstone until Skye Blue ran out to distract referee Aubrey, as Julia Hart missed a Spear and ate a shot with the strap Excalibur told us the Babes of Wrath aren’t here to even the sides, as they’re already in Australia doing press for Saturday. Blue was knocked off the apron, but Statlander turned into a Thekla Spear. Statlander was tied up in the strap, as Thekla hit a Curb Stomp and won the title.
Post-match, Triangle of Madness put the boots to Statlander until Jamie Hayter & Alex Windsor rushed to the ring wielding a hammer and pipe. Thekla, Hart & Blue bailed and celebrated with the Women’s Title with the Brawling Birds staring them down to end the show.
Match Result: Thekla defeated Kris Statlander to win the AEW Women’s World Title
AEW Grand Slam Australia 2/14/26
- MJF defends the AEW Men’s World Title against Brody King
- Hangman Adam Page vs. Andrade El Idolo – Winner Receives an AEW Men’s World Title Match at Revolution
- Jon Moxley vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the AEW Continental Title
- Kyle Fletcher defends the TNT Title against Mark Briscoe in a Ladder Match
- Timeless Toni Storm & Orange Cassidy vs. Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta in a Hair vs. Hair Tornado Tag Match
- Babes of Wrath (TBS Champion Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron) vs. MegaBad (Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford) for the AEW Women’s Tag Team Titles
AEW House Rules Australia (non-televised house show) 2/15/26
- Jon Moxley & Marina Shafir vs. Orange Cassidy & Timeless Toni Storm
- The Brawling Birds (Jamie Hayter & Alex Windsor) Tag Team Debut
AEW Dynamite 2/18/26
- Kenny Omega vs. Swerve Strickland
