Hook defended the FTW title against Roderick Strong at Wednesday night’s AEW Dynamite Grand Slam in Queens, New York, then retired the title after the contest.
After defeating Roderick Strong to retain the Championship, Hook was interviewed by Tony Schiavone, where he announced the title’s retirement, effective immediately.
Hook then presented the title belt to his father Taz at the commentary desk, and the two embraced.
Taz created the FTW title in ECW in the 1990s, then revived the belt in 2020 in AEW when he was at the helm of the Team Taz stable, presenting the Championship to Brian Cage. Chris Jericho, Ricky Starks, and Jack Perry also held the title during its post-2020 revival.
The FTW Championship has been regularly defended in AEW ever since, with Hook eclipsing his father’s record for most title reigns at three. Hook also held the title for more days than any other wrestler.
Our live coverage of AEW Dynamite Grand Slam is ongoing here.
AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness will renew their storied rivalry one more time at AEW Dynamite Grand Slam from Queens, New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Just shy of 15 years since their last meeting at ROH Glory by Honor on September 26, 2009, Danielson and McGuinness will once again lock horns during the final countdown of Danielson’s full-time career.
Darby Allin will put his guaranteed AEW World title shot on the line in a match against Jon Moxley.
AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks will defend their titles against Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher while AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May puts her title on the line against Yuka Sakazaki.
FTW Champion Hook defends his title against Roderick Strong.
Prince Nana is also scheduled to provide an update on Swerve Strickland who has been out of action since losing an unsanctioned steel cage match to Hangman Page at this month’s All Out.
**********
AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam comes on the air with Oasis “F’n In The Bushes” hitting and out walks Nigel McGuinness for potentially the opening contest, as commentary still questions Bryan Danielson appearing. Excalibur, Taz, Tony Schiavone & Jim Ross are on the call, as Ross said he searched catering three times for Danielson.
The standard theme music for Danielson played and he didn’t show up the first go around, so McGuinness took the mic and said The American Coward dropped the ball, demanded a ten count and Danielson stripped of the AEW World Title. The count was put on but at six The Final Countdown kicked in and out walked Danielson to a huge reaction.
AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson defeated Nigel McGuinness
(I thought this was an excellent back and forth opener with McGuinness looking great for being out of the ring for such a long time. The Casino Gauntlet is one thing, but to go about 20 minutes in a singles match with the World Champ is a different story. It was almost like he got the closure he wanted, even in defeat. It’ll be interesting if he continues to wrestle or if this was it. I certainly hope we see more of McGuinness in the ring, he’s been sorely missed, as has his entrance music.)
Almost 15 years ago to the day these two last battled in the ring at Glory By Honor VIII, as both men trade uppercuts early with McGuinness standing tall, yelling to Schiavone that it’s too easy. Danielson responded with a snap mare and punt to the back before a series of wrist lock counters, with Excalibur saying it’s a time machine to the 70s and catch as catch can. Overhand chops from McGuinness only woke Danielson up, putting a smile on McGuinness’ face. Uppercut exchange led to a kick to the thigh by Danielson, but McGuinness sold it low, but it was a ploy to gain the advantage. Both traded mounts and LeBell Lock attempts, with Danielson sinking it in, but the height of McGuinness got the ropes. McGuinness pulled Danielson to the outside and targeted the right arm, trying to drop the steps onto it, but Danielson escaped. They channel back to their ROH days and tease the spot pulling each other into the ring post, but thankfully we didn’t get either going head first into it.
Back inside, McGuinness applied the London Dungeon top wrist lock, as Danielson got the rope break and met McGuinness in the corner with a charging dropkick. Underhook suplex led to McGuinness cutting off Danielson in the ropes, tried a Tower of London, but Danielson escaped into the Busiaku Knee, landing on the bad arm. Yes Kicks fired off, as McGuinees answered with his handstand in the corner, but was chopped down, allowing Danielson to wrench the neck. McGuinness flipped back to his feet and fired off a combo for a near fall. McGuinness fought off a LeBell Lock by slamming the injured arm down, leading to the reset. Danielson tried an uppercut with the injured arm and collapsed, but did his moonsault out of the corner, only for McGuinness to hit his bounce back lariat, but Danielson kicked out at one to a huge pop.
Thumb to the eye led to the ripcord lariat for a McGuinness near fall before continuously going for London Dungeon once more. Anvil elbows by McGuinness, who hits the Tower of London for a close two. McGuinness almost applied a London Dungeon surfboard combo, but Danielson rolled through into anvil elbows. McGuinness hit a Busaiku Knee of his own, sending Danielson into a Nigel lariat attempt, but McGuinness was the one who hit the lariat for two. The way McGuinness fell allowed Danielson to work a LeBell Lock and despite fighting, McGuinness appeared to say thank you (it was bleeped, but it didn’t look like F you) before tapping out.
Christian Cage’s music hit after the bell and he slowly walked out with the Casino Gauntlet contract. Cage teased signing it, but Kip Sabian snuck up from behind and stole the pen from Cage’s hands. The chase was on until Cage ran into Claudio Castagnoli & PAC standing right behind the entrance tunnel. Cage scurried away after Sabian before things went to break.
**********
HOOK defeated Roderick Strong (w/The Kingdom) to retain the FTW Title
(Relatively quick defense for HOOK, but what we saw was good, as HOOK got the respect from Strong & The Kingdom post-match. The bigger story here was the retiring of the FTW Title, as it’s a smart move to allow HOOK to finally break off into something else. He’s done a great job with the title, but it’s time to compete for other gold.)
Excalibur tried to tell us back when Strong tapped to REDRUM a few weeks ago, the ref missed the foot on the rope due to being so in the zone, which is a new one for me. HOOK tried an arm triangle early, but Taven & Bennett pulled Strong to the outside. HOOK just broke through and took the fight to Strong, who answered by throwing HOOK into the barricade. Bennett handed Strong a kendo stick, but he missed a swing, HOOK got possession and took everyone out, including a Russian leg sweep with it into the barricade. Numbers finally became too much, as Strong launched HOOK into the ring post, taking things to commercial.
Strong controlled the whole break until HOOK fought back right as things returned with a series of takedowns. Taven threw in a chair, as Strong wedged it in the corner, as that allowed Strong to escape REDRUM and drive HOOK into it. Big charging slam got a near fall, as Strong followed placing two chairs together, but HOOK hit a Judo throw through them for two. Strong exploded up and hit a fireman’s carry gutbuster onto the chair and Sick Kick for a close two of his own. HOOK floated over End of Heartache into REDRUM and Strong ultimately tapped.
Post match, Strong offered a handshake and HOOK accepted, as The Kingdom gave a nod of respect before leaving. Tony Schiavone interviewed HOOK ringside and brought up this being the 11th title defense for HOOK and how the FTW Title was created a short drive from there by his father. HOOK thanked Schiavone, but all good things come to an end. HOOK thanked everyone who has competed for this title and the fans who supported the title. From this moment on, the FTW Title is officially retired, as HOOK presented it to Taz, hugging him to a huge pop.
**********
The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defeated AEW International Champion Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles
(Action packed match and exactly what you’d expect from everyone involved. The storyline was Callis was the reason Fletcher & Ospreay lost, despite Ospreay being the one who wouldn’t allow Fletcher to pull the trigger with the screwdriver. I liked this chapter of the Ospreay/Callis Family story, as they can go a variety of ways out of this result.)
Don Callis joined commentary and said tonight will be the biggest night of his career. Sneak attack early by The Bucks, who hit a pop-up hurricanrana on Ospreay before Fletcher ate a double flying back elbow into a pose for the crowd. Ospreay & Fletcher respond with double team of their own, as The Bucks landed awkwardly onto one another until Ospreay hit a moonsault off the back of Fletcher. The Bucks went to the floor, as Ospreay & Fletcher hit dueling moonsaults off the top as things went to break.
The Bucks regained control during commercial and when things returned, Fletcher fought free with a Flatliner/DDT combo to roll to the Ospreay hot tag. Pip, Pip, Cheerio on Matthew before taking both Bucks out with a handspring Pele Kick. Standing Sky Twister Press on Nicholas for two, as Ospreay signaled for Hidden Blade, but Nicholas dodged into a corkscrew kick. Sliced Bread into the running knee for a near fall, as Ospreay was draped over the top and The Bucks hit the Swanton bounce back powerbomb for two. Fletcher was dispatched to the floor, as Ospreay kipped out of an EVP Trigger into a double Oscutter. Referee Rick Knox took a delayed time to check who was the legal man before making the count for two. Coriolis reversed, but Fletcher turned The Bucks inside out with a double clothesline. Nicholas countered a Liger Bomb into a facebuster, as Ospreay flew in with a 450 Splash, Nicholas hit a Destroyer, but the impact popped up Ospreay to hit a flying Hidden Blade for the reset. Fletcher tripped to the floor by Matthew, as Nicholas hit the punt kick and Ospreay hit with a hurricanrana off the apron by Nicholas. Fletcher set up and hit with a spike Tombstone on the apron, as they wanted a countout win, but Fletcher broke the count at 9, rolling into a charging knee from Nicholas into another commercial.
The Bucks tried a TK Driver, but Ospreay & Fletcher both countered into a double Styles Clash for two. Ospreay connected with Hidden Blade and Storm Breaker, but Nicholas broke up the count. Ospreay signaled for the Tiger Driver, but Nicholas saved his brother with a superkick. Fletcher in with multiple Snap Dragons and charging corner strikes, but Matthew met him with a running bulldog. Ospreay cut off More Bang For Your Buck initially, as Nicholas looked to spring for at TK Driver, but Ospreay flew in with a Cutter in mid-air. TK Driver for two by Fletcher, as Coriolis connected to follow, but Matthew kicked out. Ospreay yelled as Fletcher to end it, as he hit the corner brainbuster, but Nicholas barely broke it up.
Nicholas sent outside with Ospreay, as Fletcher flew out with a dive. Rick Knox checked on Nicholas, as Callis handed the screwdriver to Fletcher, scurrying away. Callis took the ref, as Fletcher looked to use the weapon, but Ospreay cut him off. He showed Knox the weapon and told Callis to get away, resulting in Ospreay getting clobbered with the Tag Title belt. Fletcher tried a roll-up, but got shoved into a belt shot by Nicholas. BTE Trigger connected for the victory.
Post-match, commentary brought up that if Callis didn’t intervene, Ospreay & Fletcher could’ve won the match. Callis checked on Fletcher, as a dejected Ospreay looked on.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Conglomeration, who officially welcomed Rocky Romero to conglomerate with The Conglomeration. Romero accepts, as Mark Briscoe said he’s wearing a Dem Boys shirt to remember how the Briscoes wrestled their last match together not too far from Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Learning Tree will suffer a Dem Boys ass whoopin on Collision. Kyle O’Reilly asked for the word of the day and Briscoe said it’s vociferous.
-Tony Schiavone is on stage and welcomes Prince Nana, who said it’s good to be in New York, Swerve’s House. Nana said he’s known Schiavone a long time, mentally, there’s nothing that can stop the most dangerous man in AEW. Physically, Swerve Strickland is not cleared to comeback, but fighting every day to return.
MVP then walks out from the heel tunnel and apologizes for the intrusion. He introduced himself and said he agreed, Strickland is the most dangerous man in AEW. It’s MVP’s opinion that Strickland is the most phenomenal talent to set foot in an AEW ring, his title run will be studied by future generations. MVP put over Strickland’s accomplishments, but also said he saw him lose his title and his house burned down. MVP says he views Strickland allowing Bryan Danielson walking around smiling as a failure on Strickland’s management, who would rather shill his coffee. MVP handed Nana his business card to give to Strickland, saying he’ll be ready to talk “business”. The crowd popped big for that line, as Nana looked very conflicted.
**********
-The Scapegoat Bus drives the streets of New York, heading to Arthur Ashe Stadium this Saturday, as Jack Perry’s Open Challenge for the TNT Title is brought up.
Mariah May defeated Yuka Sakazaki to retain the AEW Women’s Title
(The crowd was quite quiet for this after the entrances and this had a series of sloppy moments that didn’t help things. May ultimately retained, but the crowd really never thought Sakazaki had a chance. Post match, Mina Shirakawa has returned, but it was for only about 30 seconds, so more on that to come.)
Sakazaki flew off the top with a dive during May’s entrance and followed up with a Tiger Feint Kick on the apron. The match officially begins in the ring, as both ladies slapped it out until a rolling elbow popped May, who dodged another Tiger Feint Kick, dragging Sakazaki to the floor. Shotgun dropkick sent Sakazaki flying, as back inside, May hit a spinning side slam for two. Another dropkick with Sakazaki trapped in the ropes, but Sakazaki counters the handstand head scissors into a choke in the ropes.
May brought Sakazaki in for May Day, but Sakazaki rolled through into a backslide for what looked like a three, as May didn’t get her shoulder up, but referee Aubrey didn’t make the count. Instead, we got a rolling pin attempt for a series of twos, as Sakazaki followed with a Merry Go Round, but May wiggled out into a headbutt and high stack German suplex for two. May didn’t get much of a spinning sit-out slam, as Sakazaki fired a thrust kick into a Northern Lights Bomb. Sakazaki wanted the Magical Girl Splash, but May got her knees up and followed with a charging knee into Storm Zero for the win.
Right as May was about to level Sakazaki with the title post-match, Willow Nightingale made the save. After a stare down with May, the music for Mina Shirakawa hit, distracting Nightingale enough for May to waffle her with the title. May ran into a confused Shirakawa’s arms and spun her around. Shirakawa was disappointed in May’s actions, as Sakazaki chased May off before staring down Shirakawa.
**********
Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir) defeated Darby Allin to earn an AEW World Title Shot
(If you bet that Allin was going to take some gnarly bumps in this one, then you’d be correct, as Moxley beat the crap out of him for a long portion of this one. Allin had his moments, but Moxley wasn’t going to lose this one. They didn’t do an injury angle or anything to Allin, so I wonder what he’ll be doing come WrestleDream now that he’s lost his World Title match? The only confusing part of this whole thing was the post-match and Private Party & Komander attempting to make the save for Danielson, only to get beat up super quick, again. I have no idea why they’re getting a Trios Title match as a result, I would’ve given them at least a little bit of revenge following last week’s slaughter.)
Allin exploded out of the corner to start, but Moxley flattened him with a big boot and corner strikes. Moxley placed Allin’s mouth over the ring rope and kicked at it violently, busting open Allin’s mouth in the process. Moxley started zoning in on the left leg, as an Irish whip to the corner was so intense that Allin flew through the ropes to the floor. Moxley found himself trapped in the ring apron, allowing Allin to rake the back and piggy back Moxley, who shrugged Allin off. Allin exposed the top of the corner post and trapped Moxley’s arm in there, wrenching away, as Shafir got Moxley free. Allin hit a Coffin Drop to the floor before following with a low dive from the ring to the outside. Allin went to set up Moxley on a chair, but Shafir stood in his way and the delay allowed Moxley to hit a bodyslam on the apron. Moxley took the ref, as Shafir got in cheap shots before Moxley smushed Allin’s head between his boot and ring post with things going to commercial.
Back from break, Moxley continued the onslaught until Allin avoided Snake Eyes into a float over stunner. Moxley fell to the outside to the set-up chair, as Allin flew from the top with a missile dropkick, as back inside, the Code Red got a near fall. Allin exposed the corner buckle, but Moxley put on the brakes, hitting a John Woo dropkick. O’Connor Roll into a Coffin Splash from Allin, who applied a Fujiwara Armbar, but Moxley rolled out with Allin transitioning to a guillotine. Moxley placed Allin in the corner and paint-brushed the hell out of him to the outside. Shafir helped Moxley remove the mat around the ring, as Moxley screamed that Allin asked for this. Moxley wanted a Death Rider, but Allin floated over and Moxley ran into the steps. Allin tried another dive, but Moxley side-stepped and Allin went splat.
Flipping suplex onto the steps from Moxley, as Allin just barely beat the count. Allin tried throwing shots, but Moxley no sold, charged, only to run into the exposed buckle, letting Allin get a school-boy for two. Allin tried a Coffin Drop, but leapt into the waiting arms of Moxley, who sank in the Rear Naked Choke. Transition to the Bulldog Choke, as Allin visibly starts to fade, but almost a smile on the face had Allin get the ropes. Both fight to the corner, Allin wanted a superplex, but Shafir jumped on the apron for distraction. The delay was enough for Moxley to counter into an Avalanche Death Rider for the victory.
Post match, doctors ran to ringside to check on Allin as Bryan Danielson hit the ring with a tie and choked out Moxley. Shafir tried to stop him, as PAC & Claudio Castagnoli ran down and pulled him off. Private Party & Komander ran out to make the save, but were easily dispatched by the BCC. Danielson was about to hit a Busiaku Knee on Moxley, but Castagnoli & PAC pulled him to safety. The BCC bailed as Danielson took the mic and said if Moxley wanted war, then Danielson declares war. Danielson said come WrestleDream, he’s going to kick Moxley’s F’n head in. The Final Countdown played, as Danielson stared down a laughing Moxley in the crowd before thanking Private Party & Komander for trying to help him.
AEW Rampage: Grand Slam 9/27/24
Willow Nightingale vs. Taya Valkyrie
AEW Collision: Grand Slam 9/28/24
Jamie Hayter vs. Saraya in a Saraya’s Rules Match
Chris Jericho, Big Bill & Bryan Keith vs. Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe & Kyle O’Reilly in a Tornado Tag
Kazuchika Okada vs. Sammy Guevara in a Continental Title Eliminator
Hangman Adam Page vs. Jeff Jarrett in a Lumberjack Strap Match
Jack Perry defends the TNT Title in an Open Challenge
Beast Mortos vs. Dralistico vs. Hologram
Claudio Castagnoli, PAC & Wheeler Yuta defend the Trios Titles against Private Party & Komander
AEW Dynamite: 5 Year Anniversary 10/2/24
Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet for the AEW International Title
New matches have been added to AEW Dynamite & Collision Grand Slam.
Jeff Jarrett will meet Hangman Page in a lumberjack strap match in which the lumberjacks at ringside, which will include the Bang Bang Gang, Dark Order, The Conglomeration, Satnam Singh, and Jay Lethal, will be able to use straps. On Collision, Jarrett promised that there would be no syringes or cinder blocks, he would go with what he grew up with.
After their brawl last Wednesday after #AEWDynamite, Jeff Jarrett had a challenge for Hangman Adam Page for #AEWGrandSlam!
After retaining the ROH Tag Team titles against The Kingdom on Saturday, Guevara called his shot, saying he wanted a title eliminator match at Grand Slam against Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada. He hoped that if he won, he would challenge Okada for the title at AEW’s five-year anniversary show on October 2.
After their violent Bunkhouse Brawl kicked off Collision tonight, Sammy Guevara issues a challenge to #AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada at #AEWGrandSlam!
Two matches were confirmed for Collision Grand Slam, which will air next Saturday. Chris Jericho, Big Bill, and Bryan Keith will take on The Conglomeration’s Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly, and Orange Cassidy in a tornado trios match. Since losing at All In, Jericho has honed in on Cassidy and the rest of the Conglomeration. After losing to Cassidy on Dynamite, Jericho and the Learning Tree responded by attacking The Conglomeration on Rampage.
After issuing the challenge on Rampage, it was confirmed that Saraya will meet Jamie Hayter in a Saraya’s rules match on next week’s Collision. In a backstage promo during Saturday’s show, Harley Cameron read off a list of rules for the match, making it clear Saraya has the advantage.
MxM Collection will also reveal what they have done with Max Caster’s jacket.
MxM Collection gave Max Caster’s jacket a makeover, but the Acclaimed won't get to see the final product just yet…
The AEW Women’s World Championship will be on the line at Grand Slam on September 25.
AEW’s Tony Khan announced in a social media post late Wednesday that Mariah May will defned her AEW Women’s title against Yuka Sakazaki at Dynamite Grand Slam set for Wednesday, September 25 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens.
Next Wednesday, 9/25 New York, NY#AEWDynamite Grand Slam TBS, 8pm ET/7pm CT
Sakazaki had her first match on Dynamite since 2021 on this week’s episode, teaming with Queen Aminata to defeat May and Serena Deeb by disqualification in tag team action. May hit Sakazaki with her title belt for the DQ to set up next week’s title defense.
The Women’s World title match was announced for the Dynamite portion of the card, as have the JOn Moxley vs. Darby Allin, Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness, and The Young Bucks vs. Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher bouts. Collision Grand Slam is being taped the same night, with multiple bouts seemingly in a flex position that could take place on either show.
The updated card for Grand Slam:
AEW Dynamite & Collision Grand Slam, Wednesday, September 25 —
AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness in a non-title match
Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin for Allin’s AEW World title shot
AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defend against Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher
AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May defends against Yuka Sakazaki
AEW Trios Champions Claudio Castagnoli, PAC & Wheeler Yuta defend against TBD
AEW International Champion Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher are the new top contenders for the AEW Tag Team Championship after winning a Casino gauntlet match on Wednesday’s Dynamite.
They now move on to challenge for The Young Bucks’ World Tag Team titles at Grand Slam on Wednesday, September 25th from Queens, New York.
Ospreay and Fletcher outlasted FTR, The Outrunners, The Righteous, Top Flight, The Undisputed Kingdom, The Acclaimed, MxM Collection, and Grizzled Young Veterans in the gauntlet.
Fletcher pinned Dante Martin of Top Flight after an Ospreay Hidden Blade to win after Grizzled Young Veterans and FTR brawled to the back to clear the deck for the eventual new number one contenders. FTR vs. GYV in tag team action is set for this week’s AEW Collision episode.
The Bucks are coming off a successful title defense at All Out when they defeated Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta.
Here’s the current lineup for Arthur Ashe Stadium:
AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness in a non-title match
Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin for Allin’s AEW World title shot
AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defend against Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher
An old rivalry will be renewed at this month’s AEW Dynamite Grand Slam as Nigel McGuinness vs. Bryan Danielson is now set for Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York.
McGuinness came out of retirement at last month’s All Out in the Casino gauntlet match for his first competition since 2011. He announced the match during an in-ring promo on Wednesday’s Dynamite after years of teasing the bout in his role as commentator on AEW programming.
In his promo, McGuinness noted that Danielson was a coward and had been ducking him, but that Tony Khan is not a coward and made the match, provided Danielson is healthy enough to wrestle on the show, a point that was repeatedly hammered on during Wednesday’s commentary.
The match does have a caveat that if Danielson is cleared to wrestle, it will be official. Based on the graphic, it’s assumed to be a non-title match.
Nigel McGuinness lays out a challenge to #AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson for #AEWGrandSlam!
The match was made possible as earlier on the show, Jon Moxley stated that Danielson was too injured to defend his title against Darby Allin at Grand Slam and as such, Allin should put his guaranteed title shot on the line against Moxley on the show which Allin agreed to.
Danielson vs. McGuinness is one of the most impactful rivalries of the 2000s with the duo matching up ten times in singles matches in Ring of Honor from 2006 through 2009.
The match will be just one day shy of fifteen years to the date since the final singles meeting between McGuinness and Danielson at ROH Glory by Honor on September 26, 2009.
Here’s the current lineup for September 25th in Queens, New York:
AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness in a non-title match
AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks (Nicholas & Matthew Jackson) defend against Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher
Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin for Allin’s AEW World title shot
A new match with World title implications is set for AEW Dynamite Grand Slam on September 25.
As announced during Wednesday’s Dynamite, Darby Allin will no longer be challenging Bryan Danielson for the AEW World title at Grand Slam, instead putting his guaranteed shot on the line against Jon Moxley at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Moxley and Allin agreed to the bout during an in-ring confrontation Wednesday with Moxley insinuating that Danielson was too injured to defend his title in two weeks. Moxley had called out Allin for a talk when he made his return several weeks ago.
Later in the same episode, Nigel McGuinness issued a challenge to Danielson for Grand Slam to add further intrigue to the title situation ahead of the Grand Slam stadium show.
Allin earned the guaranteed World title shot by virtue of winning the Royal Rampage battle royale in July. Moxley ended his association with Danielson by turning against the current World Champion at last Saturday’s All Out pay-per-view.
Moxley is a three-time former AEW World Champion, while Allin has yet to claim the promotion’s top prize.
Our ongoing coverage from Wednesday’s Dynamite is here.
Here’s the current lineup for September 25th in Queens, New York:
AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness in a non-title match
AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks (Nicholas & Matthew Jackson) defend against Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher
Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin for Allin’s AEW World title shot
Darby Allin has earned a future AEW World Championship match.
Allin won the Royal Rampage battle royale on Friday’s taped AEW Rampage episode, earning a shot at the AEW World Championship at Dynamite Grand Slam set for Wednesday, September 25.
Allin last eliminated Claudio Castagnoli of the Blackpool Combat Club to win the Royal Rampage. It is the second consecutive Royal Rampage victory for Allin, who won the 2023 edition to earn a TNT title shot at last year’s All Out pay-per-view. Brody King won the inaugural Royal Rampage in 2022 for a shot at the Interim AEW World Championship then held by Jon Moxley.
Current AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland is set to defend the title against 2024 Owen Hart Foundation tournament winner Bryan Danielson at All In next month, and Allin is likely next in line for the winner of that bout.
Brian Cage and Jeff Jarrett were the other members of the final four in the Royal Rampage match, with Castagnoli eliminating Cage, and Jarrett being eliminated by an interfering Hangman Page.
John LaRocca and I are back with a brand new Fight Game Podcast.
We opened up the show talking about the news that WWE SmackDown is moving from Fox back to USA in 2024. What does that mean for Raw and is it a step down?
Some of the other things we talk about:
The latest WWE and NXT talent cuts
Which wrestlers AEW may have their eyes on
AEW adding another PPV in December and if their shows will eventually be on Max
Everything that was AEW Dynamite (and Rampage) Grand Slam
The injuries to Jon Moxley and Adam Cole
Thoughts on some of the current storylines heading into AEW WrestleDream
The Bryan & Vinny Show is back with tons to talk about in our full recap of two great shows, AEW Dynamite Grand Slam 2023 and NXT with Becky Lynch once again wrestling in the main event. Plus, tons of backstage notes on AEW injuries, WWE cuts and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wednesday night’s special Grand Slam episode of AEW Dynamite averaged 984,000 viewers on TBS, up 10.8 percent from last week. It’s the best audience total for the show since February 22 and is the third-highest of 2023 to date.
Dynamite drew a 0.36 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s up 16.1 percent from last week and is the best rating the show has done in 2023 in that category. It’s the best number Dynamite has done since September 14 of last year.
Ratings were relatively steady throughout the episode and peaked for the main event overrun where nearly 1.05 million people saw the end of the AEW World Championship match between MJF and Samoa Joe.
As compared to the same week in 2022 (which was also a Grand Slam special), Dynamite’s overall audience was down 5.3 percent while its 18-49 rating was up 2.9 percent.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for Dynamite, as well as the 10-week averages in both categories. This week’s show was up 11.7 percent in overall viewers and up 16.1 percent in 18-49 as compared to the recent averages.
Jon Moxley suffered a concussion during his match against Rey Fenix at AEW Dynamite Grand Slam.
On Wednesday night’s show, Moxley lost the AEW International Championship to Fenix. The title change wasn’t planned in advance but happened when Moxley called an audible after getting hurt.
Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that Moxley’s injury happened early on in the match. Before the bell even rang, there was a spot where Fenix did a dive off the ramp and landed on Moxley’s head. Moxley was “rocked” by the spot.
Moxley continued with the match despite being hurt. The finish was Fenix pinning Moxley after hitting two Fenix Drivers. Though Moxley didn’t kick out, referee Rick Knox didn’t count the pin after the first piledriver. Fenix then hit another one and pinned Moxley.
Moxley was able to leave the ring under his own power following the match.
“The word was: seemed to be a mild concussion. And I guess he was doing a lot better later in the evening,” Bryan Alvarez said on Wrestling Observer Radio.
“He was okay backstage,” Dave Meltzer added. “Diagnosed as a mild concussion. And he was not hurt by either piledriver.”
Moxley had won the AEW International Championship from Orange Cassidy at All Out earlier this month.
According to Bryan Alvarez, Jon Moxley was supposed to win the match on Wednesday but called the audible to put Fenix over.
Original Story:
Our Bryan Alvarez has provided injury updates regarding Jon Moxley & Adam Cole following Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite Grand Slam.
Alvarez posted on X that Moxley was in fact “hurt” during his match at Grand Slam, but is “OK,” while Cole was on his way to the hospital after landing awkwardly after jumping off the ramp during the Dynamite main event.
Moxley was hurt in the Fenix match, hence the unplanned finish, but he’s OK. Cole is on his way to the hospital.
Moxley appeared to be injured during his International title defense against Rey Fenix at Grand Slam after taking a Black Fire Driver (sit-out Michinoku Driver variation). Moxley’s head appeared to be spiked into the mat, and it looked as though he was calling for referee Rick Knox to count the pin even though it was apparently not the planned finish to the match. Knox did not count to three even though Moxley did not kick out. Fenix then delivered a second Black Fire Driver, and that time Knox counted the pin.
PWInsider reported that “backstage, the belief is Moxley may have suffered a concussion.”
Cole was apparently hurt during the Samoa Joe vs. MJF World title match where he did a run-in to help MJF retain the AEW World title. Cole jumped off the elevated ramp to the floor around ringside as he did his run-in.
Fenix defeated Jon Moxley to win the title at Wednesday’s Dynamite Grand Slam in Queens, New York City at Arthur Ashe Stadium after hitting Mox with two Black Fire Drivers.
The title change came after Moxley missed an avalanche Death Rider off the top rope, followed by Fenix hitting a swanton and a Black Fire Driver. In a strange sequence, Moxley appeared to be telling referee Rick Knox to count the pin even though the maneuver was not the planned finish for the match. Instead, Knox stopped his count at two even as both of Moxley’s shoulders were pinned to the mat.
Fenix then hit a second Black Fire Driver, and this time Knox counted the pin. In the aftermath of the bout, medical personnel attended to Moxley in the ring. It was later noted on commentary that Moxley walked out of the arena under his own power. It remains unclear if an injury to Moxley forced an early finish to the title bout.
The title win kicks off Fenix’s first singles title reign in AEW after holding the World Tag Team and World Trios titles one time each.
Moxley’s International title reign ends at 17 days and three successful defenses.
MJF defending the AEW World Championship against Samoa Joe headlines this year’s Dynamite Grand Slam.
AEW runs Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York City for Grand Slam tonight for the third consecutive year, with MJF defending against Joe in the headline spot.
In addition, three more titles will be on the line on tonight’s episode.
AEW Women’s World Champion Saraya will defend her title against Toni Storm this evening. Saraya and Storm formed two-thirds of The Outcasts group before Storm recently broke off on her own with her “Illustrious” gimmick.
Jon Moxley is set to defend the AEW International Championship against Rey Fenix on tonight’s show. Fenix declared himself the top contender to Moxley’s title and the two have played off one another in backstage angles on Collision and Dynamite in the ensuing weeks.
In the evening’s other title bout, ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli faces NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston in a match with both titles on the line.
Chris Jericho vs. Sammy Guevara will also take place on tonight’s show.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
AEW Dynamite Grand Slam comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone, Taz & Ian Riccaboni as our title for title match is kicking things off tonight. Claudio Castagnoli, rocking a sweat Ribera Steakhouse jacket, walked backstage with Wheeler Yuta, as Eddie Kingston got last minute good luck from Penta El Zero Miedo & Alex Abrahantes.
Eddie Kingston defeated Claudio Castagnoli (w/Wheeler Yuta) to win the ROH World Title
(Having watched all the video packages they’ve done highlighting the history between these two, this was a fantastic ending to Kingston’s journey to win the big one. The reaction from the crowd, the show of respect post match, Kingston finally being given his flowers on a big stage, it was all excellent.)
Both men wasted no time trading chops and forearms out the gate, with the crowd loudly behind the hometown Kingston. To the floor they went, as Kingston drove Castagnoli knee first into the barricade, but the tide was turned with Castagnoli reversing a whip into a clothesline. Back inside, Castagnoli hit an impressive gut wrench suplex, but a slap woke Kingston up as he delivered a snap German suplex. Castagnoli seemingly headbutt his way through a Kingston backfist on the apron and delivered a back suplex out onto the stage. Castagnoli zoned in on the left arm of Kingston, connecting with a double stomp off the second rope and a wild uppercut for two taking us to picture in picture.
Castagnoli controlled a majority of the break, relentlessly uppercutting Kingston in the corner followed by a TKO for two. Kingston started hulking up, delivering an enzugiri and Saito suplex for a near fall of his own. The Kobashi machine gun chops were unloaded, but Castagnoli no sold, so Kingston just popped him in the face with a right hand. Castagnoli returned the favor with a punch of his own and it led to an intense face off. More chops and forearms were unleashed until Castagnoli blocked a chop and hit a snap lariat for two. Anvil elbow led to a Ricola Bomb attempt, which Kingston got a hurricanrana pin attempt out of. Castagnoli fired up and hit a huge uppercut and the Ricola Bomb for a super close two that had the crowd going wild.
Castagnoli pulled Kingston up, who fired off multiple spinning backfists and Northern Lights Bomb, but this time, Castagnoli kicked out. Kingston couldn’t hit the powerbomb the first time, so he unleashed another backfist and connected on the powerbomb with the high stack to win the match and the title. Post match, Castagnoli extended his hand, Kingston shook it and Castagnoli handed over the ROH Title to have Kingston standing tall with the ROH & NJPW Strong Titles.
-Video of Matt Taven & Mike Bennett praying at Roderick Strong’s hospital bed side last week is shown. Taven has a rosary around his hand and read a get well card. Adam Cole came in much to the delight of Strong, as Taven & Bennett said it was convenient he arrives now since they have to leave for Grand Slam to become #1 Contenders for the ROH Tag Titles. Cole left literally 10 seconds later, saying he has to be there for MJF in his match with Samoa Joe. Strong was dejected, as Cole stopped at the sound of Strong reclining his bed up to show his disappointment, but left. Everyone involved in this storyline, The Kingdom & Strong especially, continue to knock this out of the park.
**********
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Luchasaurus & Christian Cage, who said they will walk through Sting & Darby Allin at Rampage Grand Slam. Cage issues a challenge to Allin for Collision, a three way match with Luchasaurus & himself for the TNT Title. The only caveat being Sting is not allowed at ringside. As for Rampage, Cage told Allin to make sure he brings the boy.
Chris Jericho defeated Sammy Guevara
(This was a solid back and forth first time meeting between these two, as there was a few moments where they were on different pages, but got right back on track leading to a real good finish. Excalibur had name dropped Shawn Michaels pre-match when talking about Jericho wrestling his mentor, as Guevara was at the same point in his career. So the post match should come as no surprise, as this was right out of the Wrestlemania 19 playbook and done masterfully by both men.)
Guevara’s entrance included a light up vest as homage to Jericho, as Monteasy rapped Guevara’s theme to the ring. Both men shook hands, but that turned to slaps and chops soon after. Guevara did his leap frog and dropkick, posing for the crowd, as Jericho paint brushed him to put a stop to it. More chops by Jericho led to a double arm underhook back breaker, but Guevara dodged the springboard corner dropkick. Guevara connected on the corkscrew tornillo, as back inside, a top rope cross body hit for two. Jericho countered a GTH into a Code Breaker and delivered a suplex off the apron to the floor that took us to commercial.
It was all Jericho during break, until finally Guevara mounted a comeback with a Spanish Fly for two. Jericho fired up and laid out Guevara with multiple lariats to get two of his own. A float over in the corner allowed Guevara to hit a Code Breaker, as he sent Jericho to the outside. Guevara hit a moonsault off the top to the floor and briefly clutched his knee in the process. The hesitation to follow up allowed Jericho to hit a dropkick in mid air on a springing Guevara. We kind of got a messed up spot where Jericho was going to try his springboard dropkick in the corner, Guevara missed the first superkick attempt, but hit the second, followed by a huge Cutter off the top for two.
Guevara tried again for the GTH, but this time Jericho countered into the Walls of Jericho. Guevera was able to fight free, hit a pump knee, as both fought up in the corner with Guevara hitting an Avalanche Cutter. Jericho’s face was driven right into the mat in the process. Jericho missed a dropkick, as Guevara missed a top rope Lionsault. After a face buster, Jericho hit with his Lionsault for two. Guevara fired off a pump knee, finally hit the GTH, but a Shooting Star Press was countered into a Code Breaker in mid air to give Jericho the win.
Post match, Jericho & Guevara shook hands and hugged before Guevara punted Jericho, who slid down Guevara before getting pie faced. Don Callis walked to the ring and then to the back with presumably the newest member of his family, Sammy Guevara.
-MJF & Adam Cole arrived at the arena in a snazzy ride, as MJF said tonight he will bash Samoa Joe’s skull in. Joe tried to take away two precious things to him, the AEW Title and his brother, Adam Cole. Tonight, MJF will choke out Joe in front of his people. The last thing Joe will hear before passing out is the chants of MJF. Right as MJF was about to hit his signature line, Cole’s phone started buzzing and it was Roderick Strong. Cole took the call, as MJF asked if Cole would still have his back. Cole walked off to take the call.
**********
-Renee Paquette tried to get a word with Don Callis & Sammy Guevara, as Callis said all will be told on Rampage whether or not Guevara is the newest member of the Don Callis Family. Daniel Garcia walked up and Guevara tried to get in his face, but Callis held him back, saying Garcia was money.
Rey Fenix (w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated Jon Moxley to win the AEW International Title
(I don’t think this was the planned finish, as post match, Moxley was being attended to by doctors and we never saw him again. Excalibur did inform us after commercial Moxley left under his own power. I really hope he’s ok, as he seemed to be dropped right on his head from the first Black Fire Driver. They clearly called an audible, as things were going perfectly fine up to the finish, which caught everyone off guard, which includes fans, referee, even Fenix. Again, I hope Moxley isn’t severely injured, as you talk about the backbone of AEW, he’s been there through it all.)
Before the match officially began, both men brawled on the ramp, with Fenix hitting a springboard kick and diving somersault dive off the stage, clearing the camera man. The bell sounds, as Fenix used his speed to avoid Moxley strikes briefly until Moxley hit a forearm in mid air as Fenix tried a somersault cutter. Fenix bit his way out of a kimura, tried his bounce back kick, but Moxley just punted him to the floor. Fenix tried to walk the guardrail into a kick, but Moxley swept the legs and hit a double underhook draping DDT.
Both men fought back inside, this time Fenix was able to hit the corner spinning kick and somersault cutter. Fenix wasted no time and hit the Frog Splash, but only managed two. Fenix charged full steam, but right into a King Kong Lariat from Moxley, who wasted too much time, allowing Fenix to kip up, drape Moxley over the barricade outside and hit a leg drop off the top rope. Right as they went to commercial, Fenix tried a springboard back inside, but Moxley dropped him with a Death Rider for two.
Moxley hit a Gotch Style Piledriver, but Fenix fought back while in the ropes and delivered a double stomp. Both men spilled to the stage, where Moxley hit a Curb Stomp that absolutely spiked Fenix, as it was followed by another piledriver back inside for two. Moxley wanted an Avalanche Death Rider, but Fenix fought out and hit a Senton Atomico. Fenix connected with his Black Fire Driver, Moxley didn’t kick out, but Rick Knox pulled the count. Fenix proceeded to hit another Black Fire Driver and this time Knox counted three to the shock of literally everyone in attendance, myself included.
-Samoa Joe is backstage and said tonight is a night of consequences. Tonight, Joe will smash MJF from pillar to post and he will beat him in front of his hometown. It won’t be the future Joe takes from MJF, it’ll be his championship.
**********
Saraya (w/Ruby Soho) defeated Toni Storm to retain the AEW Women’s Title
(This had all the bells and whistles that the Outcasts have used to win matches over the past year and it ended up telling a good story, especially with this new Storm character. I will continue to sing Storm’s praises, as this whole character overhaul she’s done over the last few months remains my favorite thing going in AEW, even if I have no idea where she goes from here.)
Storm has a full black and white entrance for her starlet character and the theme to go along with it is wonderful. Saraya slapped Storm in the face multiple times and berated her before Storm laughed in her face. Storm fired off chops and laid out Soho for good measure before walking into a Saraya thrust kick. Storm gained control by sweeping the leg on the apron and went under the ring. Soho pulled her out and Storm emerged with shoes, beating down Soho, who didn’t watch for the shoooooe. The ref took one shoe away from Storm, who clocked Saraya with a high heel and got a two count. Storm hit a draping DDT on Saraya during picture in picture, but Soho’s distraction allowed Saraya to take control.
Saraya hit a sunset flip bomb out of the corner, but Storm fired back with shots and exposed the bottom buckle pad. Soho pulled the spray paint away from Storm and she threw it to Saraya, who sprayed Storm, hit the Knight Cap, but Storm kicked out. Saraya couldn’t bring herself to slam Storm face first into the exposed buckle, so Storm blocked a kick, laid a smooch on Saraya and hit Storm Zero for a super close two. With Saraya set up in the exposed corner, Storm charged for Sweet Cheek Music, but Saraya dodged and hit the Knight Cap out of the corner to get the pin.
**********
-During MJF’s entrance started with a callback to the old Bret Hart video where a child and his father yell to MJF backstage and tells him “go get’em, champ”. MJF smiled, gave the child his scarf and whispered something to the child before walking off. The child then asked his father if he was adopted. Commentary was laughing as Excalibur said that’s our scumbag. This was absolutely brilliant.
MJF defeated Samoa Joe to defend the AEW World Title
(A fantastic main event with MJF doing exactly what he said he would do at the end of this contest. As I mentioned in the recap, I really hope Cole didn’t hurt his ankle when he rushed to the ring, as having him & Moxley hurt on the same night and missing time would be awful. Back to the match, Joe did a great job trying to put an end to MJF, as the champion was able to slay the monster by any means necessary.)
Joe toyed with MJF briefly, until an eye poke allowed MJF to try a sleeper, only Joe slammed MJF down with the champion selling his bad neck. A running boot and senton got the first near fall, as Joe worked over the neck during the entire picture in picture. MJF avoided a Muscle Buster into a roll up for two and popped Joe with a head kick to follow. Lariats by MJF connected, but he sold the injured neck after each one, which allowed Joe to throw a wild lariat for two. Joe ripped the New York Mets inspired Better Than You, BayBay shirt off MJF, who fired up as a result. MJF got a back rake, drove Joe head first in the corner ten times, delivered ten punches, bit Joe and connected on the Kangaroo Kick to send Joe to the outside as the crowd went nuts.
MJF wanted a dive, but Joe hit a kick through the ropes followed by a violent Death Valley Driver on the edge of the ring. MJF managed to kick out, as Joe pulled a table from under the ring, set it up ringside and drove MJF through it with an Uranage. Referee Paul Turner just allowed this to happen and counted two back in the ring. Joe exposed the panel and tried a piledriver, but MJF bit the knee of Joe to escape. MJF couldn’t hit one of his own, as Joe fought it off and laid out MJF with the piledriver on the floor. Doctors rushed MJF, as they were almost all dispatched by Joe, who threw MJF into the ring for a cover, but MJF kicked out.
Joe screamed at MJF to give up, but MJF spat right in his face, so a slap from Joe soon followed. Joe charged for a home run shot, but MJF floated over and hit a massive sitout powerbomb for two. Both men traded strikes and traded sleeper attempts before MJF hit a mule kick and put on the Dynamite diamond ring. MJF went to charge with it, but Joe pulled the ref in front, who saw the ring, took it from MJF, allowing Joe to punt low. The Muscle Buster connected, but MJF kicked out and Joe couldn’t believe it. Joe slapped on the sleeper, MJF began to fade, but Adam Cole sprinted from the back to cheer MJF on, whose arm didn’t fall a third time. As Cole came out, he jumped off the stage to rush around the ring and noticeably tweaking his ankle in the process.
MJF managed to get a roll up for two before getting a sleeper of his own, but Joe ran into the corner, Paul Turner leaping to the floor to avoid taking a bump. Cole handed MJF a rope, as he wrapped it around Joe’s throat until Joe passed out in a sleeper allowing MJF retain. MJF hugged Paul Turner as Cole hid the evidence. Joe finally came to and shoved Cole, as MJF stood between them. Joe offered a handshake and MJF shook it before Joe went to the back. The doctor checked on MJF as Cole applauded his brochacho to end the show.
AEW Rampage: Grand Slam 9/22/23
· Sting & Darby Allin vs. Christian Cage & Luchasaurus
· Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony vs. The Young Bucks & Hangman Adam Page for the ROH Six Man Tag Titles
· Orange Cassidy, HOOK & Kris Statlander vs. Angelo Parker, Matt Menard & Anna Jay
· The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass defend the AEW Trios Titles against Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds & John Silver
· The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) vs. The Hardys (Matt & Jeff) vs. The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch) vs. Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta) for a shot at the ROH Tag Team Titles at Wrestle Dream
· Mike Santana will be in action
· Julia Hart vs. Skye Blue
AEW Collision 9/23/23
· Bryan Danielson vs. Ricky Starks in a Texas Death Match
· Switchblade Jay White vs. Andrade El Idolo
· Luchasaurus vs. Christian Cage vs. Darby Allin for the TNT Title
· RVD will be in action
· FTR defend the AEW Tag Titles against The Workhorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry)
AEW Dynamite 9/27/23
· Swerve Strickland & Hangman Adam Page have their Wrestle Dream contract signing
