AEW Double or Nothing is live tonight from Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.
The eighth annual event is sold out, with over 14,000 tickets having been distributed to the event.
The lineup for the show is below.
- AEW World Champion Darby Allin defends against MJF in a title vs. hair match
- AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla defends against Hikaru Shida, Kris Statlander and Jamie Hayter in a four-way
- AEW International Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Konosuke Takeshita
- AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defend against Adam Copeland & Christian Cage in an I Quit street fight where Copeland and Cage must win in order to stay a team
- AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley defends against Kyle O’Reilly
- Chris Jericho, Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, Kenny Omega, Jack Perry, and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) vs. The Demand (Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona), Mark Davis, Andrade El Idolo, Clark Connors & David Finlay in a Stadium Stampede match
- Will Ospreay vs. Samoa Joe in an Owen Hart men’s tournament quarterfinal
- Swerve Strickland vs. Bandido in an Owen Hart men’s tournament quarterfinal
- Athena vs. Mina Shirakawa in an Owen Hart women’s tournament quarterfinal
- Buy In: Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe, Roderick Strong, Big Boom AJ & QT Marshall vs. Anthony Agogo, Lee Moriarty, Carlie Bravo, Shawn Dean & Shane Taylor
- Buy In: AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne & Lena Kross) vs. Viva Van & Zayda Steel in a five-minute title eliminator match
- Buy In: Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia & Wheeler Yuta) vs. The Opps (Hook, Katsuyori Shibata & Anthony Bowens)
Our live coverage kicks off with the Buy-In event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern.
The Buy In kicks off with Renee Paquette in the ring and introduces for the first time to an AEW ring, Mick Foley, who got a huge pop, as we saw his daughter, Noelle, ringside. Foley said this is one of the biggest nights of his life and has gotten goosebumps being in the back seeing the talent ready to go compete tonight. AEW is the reason he fell in love with pro wrestling again, as 15 years ago, he had lunch with Tony Khan, who he considers a friend and he’s glad he can be part of the family. We’ll hear more from them as the Buy-In continues as they throw it to Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness.
Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne & Lena Kross) vs. Zayda Steel & Viva Van (w/Christopher Daniels) in a 5-Minute AEW Women’s Title Eliminator Challenge
Bell sounds and immediately Steel bails outside to run clock, as back inside Steel tried a school girl on Bayne, who didn’t budge. Steel again went to the floor, Bayne chased after, missed the tag to Van, who connected on a springboard spin kick back inside. Van used her speed to low bridge Bayne outside, as she missed a baseball slide and was waffled by a Kross thrust kick. Van was worked over back inside, as the champs made frequent tags keeping her isolated at the 3-minute mark. Van fought back with an enzugiri on Kross and made the tag to Steel, who ran wild with elbows and head scissors on Kross to the corner. Steel dodged a pump kick and spiked Kross with a tilt-a-whirl DDT for two. Kross used her size to hit a wild hook kick, quickly tagged Bayne, as they hit locomotion corner strikes, release German Suplex and double chokeslam for the win with 15-seconds left.
Post-match, Bayne wiped out Christopher Daniels with a running boot and drove Van to the mat with another double chokeslam for good measure. TayJay’s music hit and out come Anna Jay & Tay Melo with a pipe and board in hand, causing Bayne & Kross to bail.
Match Result: Divine Dominion defeated Zayda Steel & Viva Van when Bayne pinned Steel
The Opps (HOOK, Katsuyori Shibata & Anthony Bowens) vs. Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia w/Marina Shafir)
(If this Queens crowd are going to be this loud the entire night, this is going to be a super fun show. It felt like everyone but HOOK was cheered at some point. What I took from this was I really need to see a singles between Castagnoli & Shibata and also, I’d say this was the best Bowens has looked since joining The Opps.)
During the Death Riders entrance, Garcia asked Shafir to slap him to hype him up, she obliged and he sold it hilariously. Yuta & Bowens kick things off trading quick takedowns and pin attempts, until Bowens ramped up corner chops and forearms. HOOK & Garcia tag in with Garcia relentless on his attack to the delight of the crowd. HOOK pivots into a heel trip and overhead throw before tagging Shibata, who got a big pop. Shibata demanded Castagnoli and both batter each other with forearms and uppercuts. The crowd is super loud for the Shibata corner dropkick and over/under suplex for two. HOOK back in, but he immediately was launched to the wrong corner, as Garcia dished out 10 corner punches, teased his dance, but delayed too long and HOOK hit a flying forearm. Tag back to Shibata, who ran into a corner boot from Garcia, as Yuta is back in and quickly ate an atomic drop and more forearms. Shibata wanted another stalling dropkick, but Castagnoli flew in with a huge uppercut.
Triple big boot from the Death Riders led to their group huddle celebration, as Garcia fired off chops, which Shibata no sold. Chops get louder, as Garcia changed levels with elbow, Shibata no sold lariats this time, spiking Garcia with a back heel trip. Yuta & Castagnoli beat down HOOK right as he tagged in and follow with their locomotion corner strikes. HOOK battled back with overhead throws on Yuta & Garcia before Bowens tagged in a house of fire with neckbreakers and Fame-Assers. Draping corner spinning DDT spiked Yuta for two, as Castagnoli made the save with a double stomp. Bowens spun out of a Neutralizer, hooked a Kimura as the match broke down as Shibata & HOOK got double submissions on Yuta & Garcia, until Castagnoli mowed them both down. Triple team from Death Riders, as Yuta & Garcia held him in position, as Castagnoli took Bowens head off with a charging uppercut for the victory.
Match Result: Death Riders defeated The Opps when Castagnoli pinned Bowens
-We return to Paquette & Foley on stage and they talk about the significance of the Owen Hart Tournaments kicking off tonight. They switch to the Tag Team Title match, as Foley goes way back with Cope & Cage, but remembered predicting big things from FTR when he first saw them. Foley can’t pick a winner, but one team will say I Quit.
Boom & Doom (QT Marshall & Big Boom AJ w/Harley Cameron, Big Justice & The Rizzler) & The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Mark Briscoe) vs. Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Lee Moriarty, Carlie Bravo, Shawn Dean & Anthony Ogogo w/Christyan XO)
This match is sponsored by Vita Coco, so there’s someone dressed in a mascot outfit on the babyface side. Bell sounded and immediately Marshall hit a handspring enzugiri on Bravo before every babyface hit 10 corner punches, until Cassidy wound up for…1 to stand tall. Match broke down already, as Cassidy was backed into the STP corner and beaten down. BBC in the corner by Dean, as the entire STP posed for the camera while Bravo did the trash talking. Cassidy was popped in the ribs by Ogogo and ate a stiff right from Taylor for two, as Moriarty tagged in and quickly ate a Stundog. Bravo tried a sunset flip, but Cassidy just easily slapped the hands away and walked to AJ for a hot tag. Taylor missed a corner charge and was sent outside, as AJ planted Bravo with a sit-out slam for two. Marshall went up top, as Moriarty took the ref, allowing XO to crotch Marshall. XO got in the face of The Rizzler, causing Cameron to charge in and shoot the double leg and dish out punches before high fiving The Rizzler.
Briscoe fought off Moriarty & Taylor back inside, as Redneck Kung-Fu initially got the best of TAIGASTYLE. Strong used Cassidy as a projectile before spiking Moriarty with a backbreaker, Briscoe with an Exploder (I should point out, all this is going on, Marshall is still selling being crotched in the corner), as Briscoe launched off a chair over the top onto a pile. Back inside, Tower of Doom Spot, with Justice & Rizzler spraying Vita Coco into the face of Bravo, allowing a triple powerbomb (as this happened, Marshall slipped off the top to the floor) with The Conglomeration & AJ to get the win.
Post-match, babyfaces celebrate, AJ is bleeding on the neck, as STP surrounds the apron until Eddie Kingston’s music hits and he sprints out with Ortiz & Mance Warner, as STP bails. The pop Kingston and crew got was incredibly loud, as we’re told how STP had been feuding with Kingston, Ortiz & Warner in ROH.
Match Result: Boom & Doom & The Conglomeration defeated Shane Taylor Promotions when AJ pinned Bravo
-Paquette & Foley back in the ring to put over Eddie Kingston again before talking about the main event for tonight’s show. Foley predicts big things, but talks about MJF playing not to lose. Foley talks about all his injuries and metal hips, while MJF has hair from Turkey. Foley predicts Darby Allin goes home with the World Title.
MJF storms to the ring (no music) screaming “No, No, No” as Paquette leaves and we have MJF & Foley in the ring together. MJF runs down the crowd, saying he’d care about the fan’s opinion more, if they weren’t stupid enough to believe the Knicks are going to win a Championship. Speaking of people who will let you down tonight, Darby Allin, who says is the same as Foley, underdogs, who, when their backs are against the wall, they lose. Foley said for a moment, let him take this in, he never thought he’d have a feeling like this again in his life, so thanks MJF for giving that gift to him. Foley said yes, he lost a lot of matches, mentioning The Rock (who got booed) and said none of those matches did those happen in 2 minutes or less, that’s not a loss, it’s a disgrace. Foley told MJF to put his big boy pants on if he wants to deal with Allin. Foley was content to steal the show, Allin is not, he’s willing to retain the AEW Title and take MJF’s hair. Foley said MJF’s got wavy hair and tonight, he’ll wave it goodbye.
MJF kicked Foley low, as Darby Allin sprinted out and MJF hightailed it out of there. Foley screamed into the mic for MJF not to run away. He didn’t know until a month ago that he inspired Allin’s career and brought up Allin facing Jon Moxley at Six Flags in New Jersey years ago saying that this kid can do anything and Foley stuck around and watched just that. Foley said like himself, Allin was the weird kid never picked for stardom, but showed you can and told Allin to win one tonight for the weird ones and show that you can be a legend. If Foley can quote an old friend of his, Bang Bang Darby Allin Bang Bang!
Excalibur runs down tonight’s full card and we’re told FTR vs. Cope & Cage for the AEW Tag Titles will be kicking off the show.
AEW Double or Nothing
FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler w/Stokely) vs. Cage & Cope (Christian Cage & Adam Copeland) in an I Quit New York Street Fight for the AEW Tag Team Titles (if Cage & Cope lose, they must retire as a tag team)
(What a brutal, violent, war to kick off the show, as this more than lived up to the stipulation and only furthered by the loud crowd reaction to all the holy sh*t moments. I assume this is the conclusion to this feud and it’s been quite the build and end result. One of the best openers for an AEW PPV.)
Damn, the Queens crowd absolutely crushed singing Copeland’s theme. Wheeler & Copeland spilled outside, as Cage dished out 10 corner punches and biting to Harwood. Dodging a Killswitch, Harwood took down Cage with a combo until Stokely handed him barbed wire to wrap around his fist. Cage kicked away and hit a reverse DDT, grabbing some barbed wire of his own, wrapping it around the middle rope. Drop toe hold on Harwood into the barbed wire, as Cage stood on top to choke away, but Harwood said he didn’t quit. Copeland flew in a cross body, as Cage took referee Paul Turner’s belt and whipped the hell out of both FTR. Harwood was hung over the top with the belt, but Wheeler quickly made the save, smashing Cage’s injured forearm onto a chair. Copeland brought out a ladder to a huge pop and suplexed Harwood onto it against the barricade before pulling out a table ringside. Stokely held onto Copeland’s foot on the apron before he could piledrive Wheeler off it. Harwood slugged it out with Copeland back inside before both spilled over the top to the floor. Chair shot to the back by Wheeler, who placed the chair over Copeland’s neck and posted him.
Harwood took out a toolbox, went to use it on Cage, who kicked him low and pulled out some pliers, wrenching at his nose, but Harwood yelled no. Wheeler came in and Cage used the pliers low, as Wheeler hopped around before Harwood saved his partner with a chair, laying out Cage. Copeland is bleeding from the eye and fought FTR off with the top of the announce table, as they cleared the Spanish table, wanted a piledriver on Harwood, who countered and with Wheeler leaping from one table to another, drove Copeland through the Spanish table with a Spike Piledriver. Wheeler brought out a cinderblock, I think he was supposed to shatter it on Cage’s forearm, but Cage moved the last second and they just trapped his arm in a broken piece, smashing it with a chair. Cage didn’t say he quit, instead, said “I Banged Your Mother!” Wheeler starts using pliers to take down the top rope, as they were about to hit a Spike Piledriver on Cage, who told Harwood to “Go F*ck Yourself” shot a double leg, posted Harwood and spiked Wheeler with a Killswitch. Stokely untied the top rope completely, Harwood charged at Cage, who hit a Spear, choking Harwood out with the rope. Wheeler made the save and choked Cage with barbed wire this time before hitting a Shatter Machine.
Wheeler took a crescent wrench and was about to deck Cage, when Copeland flew in with Spears on both FTR. Copeland went nuts with chair shots aplenty to the back, was about to put Harwood out of his misery with a shot when they begged off. Wheeler screamed that he would say it, but it was a distraction for Stokely to hit Copeland with the stolen watch and FTR to connect with another Shatter Machine. Beth Copeland’s music hit and she beat the living hell out of Stokely, shoving him into the steps, but Harwood blindsided Beth and sent her crashing into the steps. Harwood brought out lighter fluid, spraying the table ringside, as Stokely brought Beth up to the apron as Wheeler got into position. Harwood set the table ablaze, Wheeler charged, Beth moved and Wheeler Speared Stokely through the flaming table to huge “Holy Sh*t” chants. “It’s only the first match and they’re already burning people.” in what could already be line of the night by Tony Schiavone.
Harwood was going to give a Con-Chair-To to Copeland, telling him to say I Quit if he wants to see his daughter’s tomorrow. Beth hit a low blow on Harwood, Cage with a punt kick low for good measure, as Copeland hit a piledriver before Cage sank in a Scorpion Death Lock. Harwood screamed no, so Copeland locked in a Crossface at the same time. Harwood again yelled no, so Copeland signaled to Beth to get Spike, his barbed wired board from under the steps. She handed it to her husband, as Copeland drove Spike onto the forehead and Harwood screamed that he quit. Copeland & Cage hugged it out, Cage got his watch back, as Beth hugged her husband as the new champions stood tall with FTR & Stokely staring them down from the ramp.
Match Result: Cope & Cage defeated FTR to win the AEW Tag Team Titles when Harwood said I Quit
Kazuchika Okada vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the AEW International Title
(What a match this was, phenomenal, as the crowd wanted a new champ and they certainly got it. Even in defeat, I’d say this was one of Okada’s best showings in AEW and the Takeshita Era has begun. The post-match, that era is going to be as a babyface, as not only is Takeshita booted from the Family, it was at the hands of the returning Kyle Fletcher, as ProtoShita is no more and ProtOkada are stronger than ever.)
Don Callis is on commentary, as the bell sounds and we already have “Holy Sh*t” chants. Neither budge from initial strikes, this pace is wild to start, as Okada misses a Rainmaker, Takeshita misses Raging Fire and we get a stalemate. Takeshita ramped up the speed into a Takeshita-line, but Okada held off an Exploder and dropkicked Takeshita out of the corner outside. Okada slowed the pace considerably, keeping Takeshita grounded back inside with cocky covers, just pissing Takeshita off in the process. Okada snapped an uppercut so loud it sounded like a whip, as he smiled big, but walked into multiple Exploders. Okada got the knees up off a second rope senton from Takeshita, who was ready for the charge and hit a jumping knee that sent Okada outside to regroup, only he didn’t let him and hit a huge Tope. Back inside, Okada fought back with his Air Raid Crash neckbreaker to regain control. Bodyslam, top rope falling elbow and a Rainmaker pose middle finger to the fans and Takeshita, who fought off a Rainmaker.
Both counter Blue Thunder Bomb, Tombstones and Takeshita hits is Bastard Driver into a release German, which Okada no sold into a shotgun dropkick, no sold from Takeshita, as Okada turned him inside out with a discus lariat for the reset to a huge ovation. Each man slugs it out on the apron, as Takeshita signals for Raging Fire, but Okada slid back into the ring and hit a Rainmaker that folded Takeshita up off the apron to the floor. Okada spiked Takeshita with a DDT and was going to deliver a Tombstone out there, but Callis left commentary and begged Okada to take it to the ring. Okada obliged, went back out to get Takeshita, who spiked Okada with a brainbuster. Callis screamed at Takeshita, who gave it back to him and headed back inside for a Helluva Kick and huge Superplex, he held on, Okada floated over, they trade strikes until Takeshita hit a high bridging German Suplex for two. Takeshita calls for Power Drive Knee, but ran right into a Tombstone.
They each rise at the same time into a slugfest, as Okada flips off the crowd as Takeshita hypes up, no sells with a huge right hand. Takeshita ducks a Rainmaker into a perfect Blue Thunder Bomb, charges for the knee but ran right into an Emerald Flowsion. Takeshita rolls through Rainmaker into a wildly close cradle for two. Backslide from Okada into a Rainmaker, maintaining wrist control, missed another, but Takeshita ran right into a dropkick. Rainmaker countered into one of Takeshita’s own, as the crowd lost their minds, right as Takeshita ran into a dropkick, no sold, hit the Power Drive Knee, but Okada kicked out at one. Home run forearm collapses Okada, as Takeshita put him away with a Raging Fire to win the title clean.
Post-match, Mark Davis, Rocky Romero & Callis joined Okada in the ring and they stood across from Takeshita. They teased like they were going to have a falling out when Kyle Fletcher’s music hit and out walked The Protostar in a snazzy suit, as he ditched the jacket and stormed to the ring. Fletcher seemed to stand side by side with Takeshita before staring down Okada, as The Callis Family retreated leaving Protoshita hugging it out with Fletcher presenting Takeshita with the International Title…before taking his head off with a lariat. Callis has a huge smile on his face, as Fletcher picks up Takeshita and spiked him with a Brainbuster. Okada & Fletcher both went to pick up the International Title, as Okada let it go and backed off, as Davis & Romero picked up Takeshita so Fletcher could deck him with a belt shot.
Match Result: Konosuke Takeshita defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the AEW International Title
ROH Women’s Champion Athena vs. Mina Shirakawa in a Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal
(Very competitive match to kick off the women’s Owen Hart Tournament, but there were some awkward spots and Athena took some tough bumps in this one. Crowd were loudly supporting Shirakawa, who had plenty of moments to try to put this away, but in the end, the ROH Women’s Forever Champion was too much and now awaits the winner of Skye Blue vs. Sareee.)
Athena tried control the action early, but Shirakawa used her speed to be ready with a quick arm drag and snap dropkick to the knee. Shirakawa took too long to get to up the corner, as Athena hit a shotgun dropkick out of the corner to the apron, hit a slam and drove Shirakawa into the steps and announce table. Shirakawa stood in position for quite a while, to the point McGuinness thought she was playing possum, but no, Athena launched her with a John Woo dropkick into the LED board that caused it to go completely out. Back inside, Shirakawa dodged multiple charges and targeted the left leg. Athena still was able to use her power to catch Shirakawa trying a cross body into a brutal forward fireman’s carry slam for two. Shirakawa answered with a springboard enzugiri and Sling Blade, as Shirakawa slipped trying a Tornado DDT, so she readjusted, hit the move and Athena spiked so hard she spilled outside.
Shirakawa hit a Tornillo from the ring to the floor, as back inside, she went up top for a missile dropkick. A very awkward landing for Athena off an Electric Chair spinning slam, but she fought out of a Figure Four into a leg sweep and violent Curb Stomp ala Super Dragon for two. Athena missed an O-Face, Shirakawa countered into a roll-up, got a head of steam into a tilt-a-whirl face plant into a Seatbelt Pin for two. Both trade strikes ending with a backfist from Shirakawa, who sank in her Figure Four, but Athena got the ropes. Athena ate another backfist, as Shirakawa wanted her Glamourous Driver, Athena slid through into a Pumphandle Tombstone, went up top and hit the O-Face for the win.
Match Result: Athena defeated Mina Shirakawa to advance in the Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament
–Jim Ross tags in for Schiavone on commentary ahead of the upcoming match, as it’s great to see and hear Good Ol’ JR back on the call.
Jon Moxley vs. Kyle O’Reilly in a No Time Limit Match for the AEW Continental Title
(Simply put, this was a damn good pro wrestling match. It felt like Dynamite this past week was a prelude of what these two were going to put on tonight and it was just that. Moxley can finally say he slayed the (re)Dragon that had been haunting him for months. I can’t wait to see where Moxley goes from here and who steps up next.)
Renee Paquette is ringside and brings up O’Reilly taking Moxley to the time limit last Wednesday and continues to be the mountain Moxley can’t climb. She questions if that will continue tonight with no time limit? Dueling chants from the crowd, as both trade snap mares and punt kicks to the back before an intense stare down led to a slugfest, quick scramble into a stalemate. Combo strikes and leg sweep from O’Reilly, who sinks in a guillotine, Moxley slides out into a powerslam before pouring down forearms. Both scramble for submission attempts until Moxley rolls outside where O’Reilly met him with a diving knee from the apron. O’Reilly slammed Moxley into the steps, which only pissed Moxley off, so he flipped O’Reilly off and dodged a kick, as O’Reilly punted the ring post and collapsed. Moxley pounces back inside, after O’Reilly threw leg shots with the good leg, but continued to buckle. Smelling blood in the water, Moxley zoned in on the bad wheel, keeping O’Reilly grounded with submissions before biting at the eyebrow and lighting O’Reilly up with shots to the midsection.
O’Reilly threw everything he had behind a jump knee to the ribs with his good leg and sank in a standing guillotine before just waffling Moxley in the sternum with a knee. O’Reilly tried running, pulled up short, giving Moxley a chance to boot out the bad leg and get a guillotine in the ropes, breaking at 4, until O’Reilly wrenched at the arm and Moxley face planted into the mat out of the corner. O’Reilly fought for and got his cross arm-breaker, but Moxley escaped into a Half Crab. O’Reilly got the rope break, put on the brakes to counter a Dragon Screw into an Ankle Lock of his own before stomping the Achillies followed by a PK to the floor, where Moxley tries to hype himself up. Rolling back inside, O’Reilly met Moxley with a Curb Stomp, but Moxley exploded out into a Cutter for a double down. Both trade shots, O’Reilly stumbles back for a Nigel lariat, only both collide for a double clothesline reset.
Striking battle while on their knees only gets more intense as they got to their feet and kept it going. Moxley was able to hit a home run shot and plant O’Reilly with a Death Rider, briefly got a Rear Naked Choke, which O’Reilly slid out into an Ankle Lock. Moxley was able to pick the bad ankle and both had the submission locked in, until O’Reilly got a roll-up for two, but Moxley never let go and O’Reilly scrambled, but ultimately had to tap out. Post-match, The Conglomeration & Death Riders both came out to tend to their stablemates, as Moxley got to his feet and offered a handshake, as O’Reilly accepted. Moxley tossed Marina Shafir his Continental Title and stood tall.
Match Result: Jon Moxley defeated Kyle O’Reilly to retain the AEW Continental Title
Will Ospreay vs. Samoa Joe in a Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal
(The level of these matches tonight, my goodness. This was Ospreay’s dream match and I’m sure it lived up to the hype, as these two had a fantastic battle. The Men’s Owen Hart Tournament really is Ospreay’s to lose, but damn is it going to be a fight to get to that finish. Ospreay now awaits the winner of Jack Perry vs. Mark Davis in the next round.)
Ospreay exploded with an Oscutter right at the bell, tried to mock Joe with boot scrapes in the corner, causing Joe to pop up and mow down Ospreay with an uppercut. Loud chops ring out, as Ospreay is so fast to recover and sent Joe outside with a slingshot cross body. Quickly back inside for a springboard 450 Splash for two before trying Death Ground, only Joe got the ropes. Joe tried to take a powder, Ospreay attempted a Sasuke Special, but landed right in the grips of a Coquina Clutch before violently smashing Ospreay head first into the LED board. Joe gets boot scrapes of his own back inside and followed with Mongolian Chops ala Hiroyoshi Tenzan, targeting the neck. Kawada Kicks led to a chop that folded Ospreay up, as the chop/boot combo led to an attempted senton, but Ospreay got the knees up, but Joe was there with a corner enzugiri. Joe wanted a Muscle Buster, but Ospreay escaped into a double stomp to the left arm. Leaping enzugiri staggered Joe and both men collapsed into the reset.
Ospreay kipped up into a handspring corkscrew kick for a near fall, as he wanted a Tiger Driver, opted for Kawada Kicks of his own, followed by a Buzzsaw Kick. Ospreay tried another Oscutter, but Joe did his walk off before hitting a running senton, then stacking Ospreay with a powerbomb, spinning into a Boston Crab, STF, Crossface signature submission combo. Ospreay got the ropes and started no selling kicks, firing off forearms, so Joe responded with a combo of his own and discus forearm. Joe wound up for a lariat, but Ospreay spun out into an incredible Styles Clash for two. Ospreay hit the Hidden Blade, but Joe kicked out, as Ospreay threw away the elbow pad, went for it again, but sprinted right into a Joe snap powerslam. Ospreay connected almost on a La Mistica variation before trying Death Ground again. Joe stacked him for two and sank in a Coquina Clutch. The Bret/Piper spot as Ospreay kicked out of the corner for a near fall. Hook Kick from Ospreay, who charged in the corner right into a STJoe, who locked in the Clutch again. Ospreay started to fade, but as the arm dropped for three, grabbed the ropes. Joe wanted a Muscle Buster, walked out, Ospreay landed on his feet, exploded with Hidden Blade, only Joe kicked out at one. Another delivered to the back of Joe’s head and this time, Ospreay got the win to survive and advance. Joe bowed to Ospreay as he was ringside before heading to the back, giving Ospreay his moment.
Match Result: Will Ospreay defeated Samoa Joe to advance in the Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament
Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) vs. ROH Champion Bandido in a Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal
(Innovative counters aplenty in this one, as there’s going to be some wild gifs to come out of this match. A completely different feel to Ospreay & Joe, as these two set a much different pace initially, but once they started the holy sh*t moments, they delivered them in droves. Even in defeat, Bandido looked fantastic here and Strickland proved he’s on another level right now and I think it’s safe to assume all roads lead to Ospreay vs. Strickland in the Owen Finals.)
Strickland wasted no time going after the neck and back, talking a lot of trash in the process. Bandido answered with a dropkick to the knee and double stomp before punting Strickland between the shoulder blades. Snap hurricanrana delivered, but Strickland popped up and turned Bandido inside out with a lariat. Bandido taunted Strickland, causing him to charge in and take a one-arm Gorilla Press to the outside. Leaping dropkick connects, as Bandido sends Strickland into multiple barricades before a thrust kick sat down Strickland on a chair. Bandido went to the apron and channeled Brody King with a somersault senton, flattening Strickland and the chair. Back inside, Bandido took too long signaling for a home run shot, as he charged at no one in the corner, as rolled through into a nasty release German into the corner, as Bandido clutches the neck and Strickland zones in.
Bandido battled back with a Tornillo out of the corner and series of Superman Punches before hitting a corner superkick into release German of his own. Springing up top, Bandido hit the Frog Splash for two, as he signaled for a 21-Plex, but Strickland met him with a rolling Flatliner. Bandido floated over a suplex, Strickland charged, stood on the shoulders of Bandido and somehow hit a House Call while up there, shocking everyone, in a moment that will undoubtedly be a gif. Swerve Stomp lands flush, but Bandido kicked out at two. Strickland took Bandido to the apron, trash-talked him, as Bandido fought free with a Poison Rana from the apron to the floor in a moment that rightfully got a “Holy Sh*t” chant. Back inside, Bandido delivered the deadlift 21-Plex to Strickland, who was on his stomach, but the neck gave out and he couldn’t make the cover, causing Strickland to smile as a result. Both trade rolling through sunset flips, until Bandido somehow does a Code Red into a snap hurricanrana putting Strickland in position for a 21-Plex, but Strickland countered into a Vertebreaker. House Call cracked Bandido flush and Strickland got the win in a thriller.
Match Result: Swerve Strickland defeated Bandido to advance in the Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament
Thekla vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Jamie Hayter vs. Kris Statlander for the AEW Women’s Title
(For the most part, this came off pretty well, but there’s a lot of moving parts in 4-ways and there were times where it felt like people were waiting for others to get to their spot. I was surprised how long this went, it looked like an all-out sprint to start, as everyone had their chance to look strong here. The wheels have finally come off the Shida & Statlander “friendship” and I’m genuinely wondering who is next for Thekla, who is continuing to have a very solid reign.)
All the challengers took turns getting their shots in on Thekla to start, as Shida hit her running knee lift on the floor, before going back inside to double team Hayter with Statlander. Hayter escaped a double suplex and mowed down Statlander & Shida with lariats before Thekla returned and went to the eyes. Tilt-a-whirl head scissors on Statlander, as Thekla followed with a running boot before Shida made the save, popping her & Hayter with stiff right hands. Hayter sent Shida & Statlander into one another before two trucks in Hayter & Statlander collided repeatedly, neither giving ground. Thekla tried flying off the top with a cross body, but got caught, so Shida flew in with a dropkick onto the pile. Shida covered everyone, even going for Statlander, which pissed her off. We get a merry-go-round of school girl attempts until Hayter was clotheslined to the floor. Statlander was going to do a dive, but Thekla cut her off with a boot (had she just let Statlander leap, Hayter wasn’t there and would’ve crashed bad). With all ladies brawling outside, Thekla went up top and took out all challengers with a cross body.
Thekla sent Hayter & Shida into barricades before taking Statlander back inside, trying almost for Lockjaw, only Statlander bit at the hands to get free. Thekla locked in her spider headlock in the corner, but Statlander powered up and whipped Thekla face first onto the top buckle. Both ladies went up the ropes, as Thekla hit her Spider Suplex, but celebrated too much, as Shida sent Thekla crashing to the apron. Hayter returns as well, joins Shida up top, where Shida hit a superplex, held on, but Hayter spun out into a Saito Suplex. Statlander sprinted in and folded Hayter up with a lariat, as Thekla was back in with a Spear. Both Shida & Statlander recovered and hit dueling backdrop suplexes to cause a complete reset.
Statlander & Hayter hit dueling Buzzsaw Kicks before slugging it out themselves. They both collided with cross bodies leaving Shida to try hitting a Falcon Arrow on Thekla, who rolled through into a cradle for two. Thekla did her Spider Pose, putting her in position for Statlander to try Sunday Night Fever, but Hayter broke it up with an Exploder. Hayter whipped Statlander in and Shida decked her buddy with a jump knee, which Shida kind of shrugged off. Hayter tossed Shida outside, as she spiked Thekla with a Hayt-breaker. Thekla ducked Hayter-ade and sank in the Black Widow submission. Hayter powered out into a backbreaker and waffled Thekla with Hayter-ade for two, as Shida flew in with a flying knee. Shida did the deal with a Falcon Arrow on Hayter, but awkwardly applied an ankle lock waiting for Statlander to get back in and get in her face. Shida slapped Statlander, who fired up and beat the hell out of Shida to the floor, smashing her into the steps and popping Hayter with a pump kick. Statlander leap frogged a Thekla Spear back inside, Sunday Night Fever connects, but Shida took her head off with a kendo stick, no DQ’s in 4-ways. Hayter pulled the kendo stick and Shida to the floor and they collided with a double clothesline to take each other out. This left Thekla able to drop Statlander with a Curb Stomp for the win.
Match Result: Thekla defeated Hikaru Shida, Jamie Hayter & Kris Statlander to retain the AEW Women’s Title
Jericho, The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) & The Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) & Jungle Jack Perry) vs. The Demand (Ricochet, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun), AEW National Champion Mark Davis, Andrade El Idolo & The Dogs (David Finlay & Clark Connors) in a Stadium Stampede Match
(Whenever these Stadium Stampedes or Anarchy in the Arenas happen, I try my best to cover everything that went on and as a result, write a novel. Hopefully I caught just about everything, as this had some wild moments, cameos aplenty, some great entrances and memorable moments for sure. This was a go out of your way spectacle to check out and lived up to the billing.)
Video package of The Demand, The Dogs & Callis Family rolling up to the arena, with The Demand rocking baseball gear. Jericho’s crew were in suits, had a video package to the tune of Devils Dance by Metallica and Smokin Aces style intro (Kenny Omega choking from inhaling a cigar was hysterical). Bell sounds and the babyfaces clear the ring before Ricochet takes locomotion corner strikes from all before being literally chucked from the ring by Lashley onto the heel pile. The Elite tease Terminator Dives, but are cut-off by Finlay, Connors & Davis, as Andrade hits Three Amigos on Perry in the ring. Andrade takes too long wanting a Frog Splash, as Benjamin scaled the ropes with a knee lift, but he walked back into a high/low from The Dogs. Piledriver by Davis on Lashley onto a set-up chair, as Liona threw everyone in his path from the ring before delivering a Samoan Drop to The Bucks & Perry at the same time, which is insane. Ricochet scaled the ropes with a wild springboard Shooting Star Press onto a pile, leaving The Demand to pose.
Omega low bridged Kaun, as Liona applied an abdominal stretch to Omega, as all the heels grabbed hands for the most amount of pressure you could apply. Until, MVP walked up and smacked Ricochet’s hand away to break the hold. Omega backdropped Finaly onto a pile, as The Elite hit stereo Tope Suicidas, leaving Benjamin alone in the ring, head of steam, cleared the top onto everyone. Jericho appeared on the top rope, gave a shrug and joined the pile party, as Lashley & Kaun brawled to the back. The Elite & Jericho dish out 4-corners of stereo 10 punches before a succession of hurricanranas that was kicked off by Perry delivering one to Davis off the apron. Jericho & The Elite do a Founding Fathers pose, but Ricochet & The Dogs blindsided and cleaned house. The Elite shot double legs with Jericho and we get 4-way Walls of Jericho as Perry waffled Davis on the apron with a bag from a vacuum cleaner before hitting a moonsault off the top to the floor. The Bucks & Perry set-up tables ringside and position The Dogs onto them. Matt & Nick go up top, but The Dogs bail through the crowd.
We see Lashley & Liona brawling backstage and all of a sudden, a wild Blackheart Lio Rush appears, biting Liona on the hand. Alright then, back to the ring we go and Andrade is picked apart by the former Golden Jets. The Bucks & The Dogs brawl into the concourse, were Connors takes a superkick, falling up an escalator. When he gets to the top, The Bucks are already there to hit another superkick and he goes down the escalator. Andrade took out Jericho & Omega with a double spinning elbow, went to get digits from a female fan ringside, when we see Luchasaurus in a blonde wig planting a kiss on the cheek before misting Andrade. Jericho brought out a bag of tennis balls and suplexed Ricochet onto them to the chant of “Balls, Balls”. Ricochet responded with a DVD onto the tennis balls for I think our first cover of the match, which they cut away from. Tommy Invincible is backstage and tried saving Perry from getting beat up by Davis in catering, but got destroyed quickly. Andrade brawled in with Omega, who sent Andrade into someone, smashing their face in their food. That man, was a pissed off Satnam Singh, who stared down Andrade before yelling “Food Fight!” and everyone backstage started throwing food everywhere.
The Dogs & The Bucks fight back up the aisle, where Matt smashed The Dogs with hard trash can shots. Connors was placed in a shopping cart with a can over his head, as Matt threw him down the aisle into an awaiting Nick superkick. Liona reappeared, mowing over The Bucks & ever Rick Knox (which sent Taz into giggle fits) as he loaded Matt into the shopping cart and Kaun flew in with a shotgun dropkick to it. Liona lifted the cart over his head and threw it at Nick like it was nothing. Benjamin ran back out and was instantly cracked by Finlay’s shillelagh, as Lashley suffered the same fate, followed by Connors laying Lashley out with a Spear. We go backstage to Jericho & Ricochet brawling with Ricochet using a tennis racket until Jericho opens a door to reveal Luther, who handed Jericho an oversized racket before leaving. Jericho laid waste to Ricochet before starting a tennis ball machine firing at him. Jericho made the cover and nearly got smacked with a couple tennis balls in the process. Stereo Northern Lights/Germans from Matt Jackson & Benjamin to The Dogs in the ring, as Finlay took a trash can shot, another Northern Lights and double German from Benjamin for good measure. Superkick Party ramped up, as Benjamin joined to take out Liona, while Lashley flew in with a Spear.
We go to Davis wandering around out back, his eye bandaged up and he sees a knife stabbed through a note on the seat of a golf cart that read “Wait Here, A**hole” as the Jurassic Express bus comes barreling in and nearly ran down Davis, as Perry got out from the bus and looked bummed that he didn’t just commit murder. Back in the ring, The Dogs avoid being put through tables by The Bucks, but Omega was there for Snap Dragons to both & Andrade. Lashley fought with Liona on the apron and finally hit a German off it through a table. Davis (thankfully not ran over by a bus) is back ringside, where Lashley hit multiple throws and a final one through a table. Perry flew off the top through a table on someone I didn’t see, as The Bucks took out The Dogs with stereo dives through tables, while Omega hit a One-Winged Angel on Andrade through one final table as the crowd are going nuts. Ricochet found himself surrounded by enemies, as Benjamin hit a pump knee, Lashley a Spear, assisted Sacrifice Knee from Perry, BTE Trigger and nearly a Judas Effect, which Kaun shoved Ricochet away to take the bullet. V-Trigger from Omega, as all of Jericho’s team hit a 7-way Superkick Party on Kaun, as Jericho put him away with a Lionsault for the win.
Post-match, Jericho set up a final table ringside, did the Sabu pose and put himself through the table as a tribute and you could hear the tribute made Taz emotional, as he didn’t know Jericho was going to do that.
Match Result: Jericho, The Hurt Syndicate & The Elite defeated The Demand, Mark Davis, Andrade El Idolo & The Dogs when Jericho pinned Kaun
Darby Allin vs. MJF in a Hair vs. Title Match for the AEW World Title
(The wheels have officially fallen off for one of the best title reigns in AEW history. Darby Allin deserves an extended vacation after what he put his body through the last month as champion (I’m not sure if he’ll get it quite yet). This was an excellent main event and one I’m genuinely shocked had no interference and shenanigans, as we got a winner by hard fought win, something I’m sure MJF will boast about big time going forward. The post-match, I’m glad they saved until after everything was done, as we could see the Kevin Knight turn coming and I’m happy we have a new heel in the ranks. I’m looking forward to seeing what is next now not just for the World Champion, but TNT Champion as well.)
During Allin’s entrance, we see a video of a fan hailing a cab wanting to get to the stadium to not miss the main event. Camera goes underground to see Allin laying with his skateboard before climbing up into the arena where a table and barber chair are set up. MJF had Justin Roberts say he doesn’t hail from any of the 5 bullsh*t boroughs and instead lives in a mansion none of you can afford. Roberts introduced Allin as simply batsh*t crazy and that’s an incredibly accurate introduction if there ever was one.
Bell sounds and Allin quickly fires off three side headlock takeovers for near falls before a dropkick sent MJF to the floor where he tried a Tope, his heels clipped the top rope and Allin took an incredibly scary neck bump in the process. Thankfully he’s moving, as MJF trash talked and planted Allin with a powerbomb onto the apron. MJF missed a Heatseeker, but connected on the slingshot Cutter for two before biting at Allin. MJF swatted Allin in mid-air from a Coffin Splash attempt and hit a powerbomb back breaker for two, as MJF already looks frustrated. Allin fought free from an Avalanche Tombstone in the corner and countered into an over-the-top Avalanche Stunner. Combo of strikes from Allin, who fired off a headbutt and he briefly buckled himself in the process. Allin wanted a Coffin Drop, but MJF bailed outside, where Allin met him with a low Tope luckily having a much better landing this time than the last, as MJF flew over the announce table. Placing MJF on the edge of the apron, Allin stood up on the post and leapt for a Coffin Drop, but crashed and burned to a loud thud.
MJF positions the steps in an upward position, pulls Allin to the apron and delivers a Package Piledriver off it onto the steel. Back inside, MJF tries a side headlock, but Allin sent him into referee Bryce. Allin hit a low blow, side headlock takeover for a close two count. MJF cut off a corner charge, double stomped the left arm from the second rope, tried for Salt of the Earth, but Allin shot a double leg and sank in a Scorpion Death Lock. MJF got the ropes, Allin quickly went for a Coffin Drop, but MJF got the knees up and near fall. MJF went for another slingshot Cutter, only this time, Allin countered into a Scorpion Death Drop. Allin went up top for a Coffin Drop, thought wisely otherwise, as both trade lighting quick headlock takeovers, they exchange fast pin attempts from 2 counts to 1 count back to 2 counts, Allin flipped out of a Code Red attempt, MJF hit a throat chop, wanted a powerbomb, but Allin countered into a Code Red for two in an exhausting, yet incredible sequence.
Both roll to opposite sides of the ring for a stare down, gets up, MJF screams F You, as he’s sent outside, Allin looks for another dive, but MJF pulls the cameraman into his way to take the bullet. Doctors and attendants rush to the cameraman (I don’t think anyone checked Allin) and after all that’s happened in this match, referee Bryce started a 10-count. MJF brought Allin up the ramp and sat him down on the barber chair. MJF grabbed the clippers, but Allin kicked away into a guillotine as MJF faded (Bryce has stopped his count now). Allin placed MJF onto the table and looked up at the scaffolding. Allin climbed to the top, let out a Cactus Jack “Bang! Bang!” leaping off with a Coffin Drop, crashing through MJF & the table. Allin is bleeding badly from the back of the head, as he took MJF back to the ring, hit a Coffin Drop proper, but MJF kicked out at two. Allin applied a Scorpion Death Lock, but similar to his match with Sammy Guevara last week, Allin collapsed and had to be checked on, leaving a giant smile on the face of MJF. He shoved Bryce away, wanted a Tombstone, but Allin spun out into a Scorpion Death Drop. Allin went up for a Coffin Drop, but MJF leapt to crotch him on the top. MJF joined, spun Allin around for an Avalanche Tombstone before hitting one last side headlock takeover to get the victory and win the title a third time.
Post-match, Allin had to be loaded on a stretcher, as MJF kicked the doctors away and stood over Allin, raising the AEW Title high. Kevin Knight sprinted to the ring and chased MJF away, as you could see this coming from a mile away, as the doctors wheeled Allin right in position for Knight to go up top, stare down MJF briefly before looking down and hit a UFO Splash, dumping Allin in the stretcher over. MJF was initially shocked, but applauded, as commentary pleads asking what has Knight done? The show ends with Knight standing back looking down at Allin.
Match Result: MJF defeated Darby Allin to win the AEW World Title
