AEW Grand Slam Mexico airs live tonight on TBS and Max with a two-and-a-half-hour special event.
AEW World Champion Jon Moxley and his Death Riders will team with The Young Bucks against The Opps, Will Ospreay, and Swerve Strickland in the headline 10-man tag. It will be Moxley, The Beast Mortos, Wheeler Yuta, Matthew Jackson, and Nicholas Jackson against Ospreay, Swerve, Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Katsuyori Shibata. Mortos is subbing for Claudio Castagnoli.
In 12-man tag team action, Bandido, Atlantis Jr., Templario, Adam Cole, Daniel Garcia, and Brody King take on Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Josh Alexander, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, and Hechicero.
In a 4 million pesos high-flying four-way, Ricochet, Lio Rush, Hologram, and Mascara Dorada will square off.
The Hurt Syndicate’s MJF will go one-on-one with Mistico in a special singles match on the show.
Mercedes Mone will look to add to her championship collection as she challenges Zeuxis for the CMLL World Women’s Championship.
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AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam Mexico comes on the air with Excalibur doing his signature opening line in Spanish, as he’s joined by Nigel McGuinness & Tony Schiavone as we waste no time with music for Hangman Adam Page hitting and he power walks down the steps and to the ring to a huge ovation.
Page cut his entire promo in Spanish and Excalibur tried telling us everything he said, but after a while, sort of just hit bits and pieces. Page mentioned his upbringing with his family and brings up unfortunately not being in the tag match tonight with Jon Moxley, but no one said anything about getting his hands on Moxley after the match. Page popped the crowd by saying something Excalibur said you can’t say on television. Page wrapped up the promo, but Excalibur didn’t tell us what he said, instead that Page has his sights set on Moxley on the road to All In.
Commentary runs down tonight’s card before we get ready for the opening 14-man tag match. Stokely Hathaway & Dax Harwood come out first and Hathaway said due to circumstances beyond his control, Cash Wheeler won’t be there tonight, but 1 ½ of FTR is, Harwood & himself. Hathaway said he’s been working on his Spanish and said “grassy-ass”, smirking at the camera.
Adam Cole, Daniel Garcia, Brody King, Templario, Bandido, Atlantis & Atlantis Jr. vs. Kyle Fletcher, Konosuke Takeshita, Josh Alexander, Lance Archer, Volador Jr., Hechicero & Dax Harwood (w/Stokely Hathaway)
(This was a pretty surreal opening contest for those unfamiliar with CMLL in Arena Mexico. All the babyfaces were cheered loudly, aside from Atlantis & especially Atlantis Jr. while Hechicero was massively over to the fans for the heels. Brody King (who was wearing an Abolish ICE shirt), Bandido & Adam Cole got the biggest reactions for the babyface side. This was a huge party match to get the crowd really going, as everyone briefly had time in the ring, but with so many involved, it wasn’t that long of time.)
Fast opening sequence from Takeshita & Bandido, who had a stalemate pointing finger guns at one another. Takeshita blocked a GTS back breaker, but not the snap hurricanrana that sent Takeshita flying outside. Hechicero jumps and the fans are going nuts for this face-off. Rolling cazadora into a submission, which Bandido escaped, only to be popped in the face with a corner knee lift. Garcia in, who does his dance, but the fans don’t like it, as Hechicero is super over. Head scissors by Garcia, as Harwood is in and suffered a series of rights, but responded with a short arm lariat on Garcia, who tagged Atlantis Jr, met with a chorus of boos. Commentary has no choice but to point out the boos, as Schiavone still tries putting over Atlantis Jr. After a back and forth with Volador & Harwood and Atlantis Jr. & Templario, it’s a fast series of head scissors by Templario and Sasuke Special to the outside onto Volador. King jumped in and planted Alexander with a DVD onto the apron, as Cole dropped Archer with The Boom. Fletcher tagged in and laid out Cole with a Snap Dragon, posing momentarily before Atlantis shot a double leg. Fletcher ran into a series of superkicks and big boot to send him outside, as we go to commercial with all the babyfaces standing tall.
Back from break, Garcia made a hot tag to Bandido, who ran wild on Alexander, hitting a press slam, but Alexander met him in the ropes with an avalanche belly to belly for two. Takeshita went up top, but Bandido avoided the Doomsday Device. Templario in to save his partner and we get stereo Revolution Fly’s (Templario looked like he landed on his own head during his attempt). Atlantis Jr. sprinted down the entire ramp and cleared the top rope for a cross body, but was booed. Quadruple corner punches led to Topes from Atlantis Jr & Templario, while Cole & Fletcher and Alexander & Garcia brawled to the back, as Bandido hit a wild moonsault off the top to the floor. King & Archer slug it out, as King mowed him down, teased a dive, but Hechicero met him with a cross body. King actually hit a snap hurricanrana on Hechicero, which got booed initially, but the crowd had no choice but to pop when King hit a Tope on his own. Harwood was cheered as he put the boots to Atlantis, but took time to gloat and walked right into an inside cradle by Atlantis for the flash pin.
Post-match, Atlantis Jr. saved his father from the beating, as King, Templario, Atlantis & Atlantis Jr. stood tall as the heels were held off ringside by security.
Match Result: Adam Cole, Daniel Garcia, Brody King, Templario, Bandido, Atlantis & Atlantis Jr. defeated Kyle Fletcher, Konosuke Takeshita, Josh Alexander, Lance Archer, Volador Jr., Hechicero & Dax Harwood when Atlantis pinned Harwood
-Highlights of last weeks attack by Kazuchika Okada on Kenny Omega after their contract signing, joining forces and escaping with Don Callis, while Omega had extreme internal bleeding and was rushed from the building on a stretcher. Okada faces Mark Briscoe after the break.
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-Pre-match words from Briscoe talking about how he’s teamed with and wrestled Kenny Omega throughout his career, even having Omega’s teams back at Anarchy in the Arena and has his back now, also. Briscoe was the one to challenge Okada for the upcoming match, as commentary told us Briscoe hopes Okada walks into All In Texas the same condition as Omega is currently in.
AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada (w/Don Callis) vs. Mark Briscoe
(No matter where AEW travels, the crowd will always be behind Briscoe, as this was a good match between the two, but I thought their Continental Classic match back in December was much better. If you’re going to get heat as a newly vicious heel, attacking Briscoe in the post-match will get it. Callis talked about ending Omega at All In, but didn’t really elaborate on any plans post All In with Okada. It’ll be interesting to see if they remain a pair, which I hope they do.)
Callis is still giddy from what happened to Omega last week, as he said it’s one of the greatest strategic moves in wrestling. Schiavone was insulted by their actions and Callis said he didn’t care about Omega’s diverticulitis, if someone had a bad knee, you’d go after that, too. Okada bailed from a Briscoe dive early, had Briscoe chase him back to the ring and that’s where he attacked. Commentary put over Okada’s early days moving to Mexico and training with Ultimo Dragon. Briscoe kept teasing the Crane Kick and landed on a snap dropkick before delivering boots in the corner. Okada was dragged to the outside, as Briscoe followed with a somersault dive. Back inside, Okada caught Briscoe in the corner with a standing dropkick, as things went to commercial with Briscoe crashing on the outside.
Back from break, Okada planted Briscoe with a huge flapjack, but Briscoe avoided a Tombstone with a standing enzugiri for the reset. Both trade forearms, until Okada targets the eyes, but Briscoe answered with a flying forearm and Fisherman’s Buster for two. Okada fought off an Exploder with an Air Raid Crash neckbreaker, as he followed with the Top Rope Elbow (that got zero elevation) before hitting the Rainmaker flip off pose. Briscoe bit the finger, having to move to the side of his teeth, since he’s missing the front ones. Briscoe got some height on the Froggy Bow for two. Calling for the Jay Driller, Okada back dropped out, got a back slide, missed a Rainmaker, but connected on his dropkick. Briscoe dodged another Rainmaker, tried Jay Driller, Okada broke free and hit a Tombstone followed by a Rainmaker flush for the win in a great finishing sequence.
Post-match, Callis joined Okada and the two posed while the crowd chanted for Omega. Callis raked at the eyes of Briscoe and held him as Okada smashed him in the ribs and face with the Continental Title. They both put boots to Briscoe for good measure.
Match Result: Kazuchika Okada defeated Mark Briscoe via Rainmaker
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MJF (w/The Hurt Syndicate) vs. Mistico
(A really fun match with the crowd so loudly behind Mistico that the slightest thing MJF would do resulted in him getting booed mercilessly. I had a feeling we’d get a DQ finish, but in the end, we got a rare sight for AEW and that’s The Hurt Syndicate being forced to retreat with babyfaces standing tall. Despite getting slaughtered last week, the post-match does make me think Bailey & Knight could still be getting a future AEW Tag Title shot eventually.)
MJF was out waving the American Flag and saluting, as he’s rocking red, white and blue gear. Mistico’s entrance was incredible, as I think every fan in Arena Mexico was singing along to his entrance. MJF rag dolled Mistico to start the match an immediately mocked the crowd. Mistico battled back with a huge twisting arm drag off the top and Code Red for a quick two. MJF side-stepped a dive and got advice from MVP as Mistico put chase on him until MJF hid behind The Hurt Syndicate, charging through them with a cheap shot forearm. Back in the ring, MJF missed a knee drop, as Mistico hit a snap hurricanrana, but MJF used the tights to drag Mistico into the corner. MJF kept posing, causing MVP to lose his mind ringside, screaming MJF to stay on him. MJF blocked the second Code Red attempt and hit a powerbomb on the knee for two.
During break, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin both got involved behind the refs back, as we return to MJF giving Mistico a pelvic thrust to the face before turning his back on his opponent. Mistico ramped up with a handspring back elbow, as MJF ran into an enzugiri and springboard cross body. Tilt a whirl DDT spiked MJF, who bailed outside, as Mistico came flying down with another springboard cross body. Back inside, Mistico connected with a Senton Atomico before rolling through a missed moonsault, hitting a snap powerslam for two. MJF spat in the face, poked the eye, but Mistico met him with a Destroyer, only the momentum of MJF allowed him to hit a punt kick and collapse onto Mistico for a near fall.
MJF seemed to bail up the ramp, as Mistico ran after him, tried La Mistica, but MJF countered into a Tombstone. Referee Bryce & MVP checked on each, as MJF dragged Bryce back to the ring, ordering a count. Mistico rose from the ashes, beating the count at Ocho. Mistico cut MJF in the ropes and hit a Spanish Fly for two. Mistico hit La Mistica, but right as MJF was tapping out, MVP took the ref, allowing MJF to hit a low blow and school boy for a close two. MJF’s reaction is gif worthy, he’s shocked. MJF hit a blatant punt kick low right in front of Bryce, who called for the DQ.
MJF shoved Bryce down and the beating was on by Lashley, Benjamin & MJF, who ripped off Mistico’s mask, putting it on himself, flipping the crowd off. Bandido, Templario & Titan rush down the ramp, as Kevin Knight & Speedball Mike Bailey appear from behind, taking out Lashley & Benjamin with double dropkicks and one to MJF as well, as The Hurt Syndicate eventually retreat.
Match Result: Mistico defeated MJF via disqualification
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Ricochet vs. Lio Rush vs. Mascara Dorada vs. Hologram in a 4-Million Pesos 4-Way
(Prior to the match, commentary talked about how Hologram is still undefeated almost one year into his AEW run, which begs the question, why hasn’t he received any title shots? I digress, but this was one hell of an action packed 4-way. Everyone had their chance to shine and this was given plenty of time with the fans into it throughout. It started like a tag match, but once the miscommunication kicked in between Rush & Ricochet, it ramped up big time. I believe Hologram is now 26-0 in AEW, so, lets get him a title shot, yes?)
Rush opted to pose at the bell and it looked like we were going to get a 3 on 1, but Ricochet blindsided Dorada and it was locomotion corner lariats on Hologram & Dorada. Ricochet & Rush trash talked the crowd, as Hologram stood on the shoulders of Dorada to spring off into a double arm drag, as Hologram was popped up into a dropkick, leaving the heels to regroup. Before Hologram & Dorada could go at it, they were pulled outside and slammed into the barricade. Back inside, Dorada hit a pump knee on Ricochet, but Rush sent him crashing outside. Hologram back up, tried a springboard cross body, but Rush ducked and Ricochet hit a dropkick in mid-air followed by a Fosbury Flop, as Rush took out Dorada with a springboard moonsault.
Back from break, Ricochet & Rush continued to stay in control until Rush started rubbing the bald head of Ricochet, angering him, so we got a shoving match. Dorada dropkicked Ricochet into Rush and used Ricochet’s leg as a launch pad to deliver a quick hurricanrana. Missed springboard from Ricochet, as Dorada hit a running Destroyer. Hologram completely squashed Rush against the barricade off a dive, as Dorada hit a Fosbury Flop on Ricochet. With the heels down, Dorada & Hologram put on a lucha libre clinic until Hologram hit a standing Spanish Fly, but Dorada answered with an impressive handspring Crucifix Bomb.
Rush back in for rapid fire strikes on Dorada, who responded with a corkscrew kick, as he escaped Vertigo initially, but a wild double stomp by Ricochet connected. Rush dodged charging knee, hit a Poison Rana on Ricochet, then Hologram for good measure and eventually hit the trifecta on Dorada out of the corner for two. Rush & Ricochet battled up the ropes, as Rush tried a hurricanrana, but Ricochet held on. Hologram broke it up, dodged the bounce back Stunner and connected with the Portal Bomb to get the victory.
Match Result: Hologram defeated Ricochet, Lio Rush & Mascara Dorada when pinning Rush with the Portal Bomb
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CMLL Women’s Champion Zeuxis vs. Mercedes Mone
(This match was ok and while Zeuxis had plenty of near falls, we’re so far into Mone’s run in AEW and being undefeated, at no point did I believe that she was going to suffer her first loss. The post-match was great, as Storm & Shirakawa got some revenge on Mone after last week and that story continues to have a great build on the road to Texas. If Storm keeps dressing like Carmen Sandiego, I can only hope Tony Khan brings in Rockapella for her entrance at All In.)
Zeuxis refused a handshake and got a quick pin attempt for two, as Mone covered up in the corner, but ate the double knees for another near fall. Zeuxis took time to argue with referee Aubrey, giving Mone time to fire off an uppercut, dove out of the corner, but Zeuxis caught her in mid-air with almost an Angels Wings/Lungblower for two. Mone recovered and locked in the Statement Maker, but Zeuxis got the ropes and rolled outside, where Mone met her with a baseball slide and Meteora back in the ring for two of her own. Snap hurricanrana sent Mone outside, as Zeuxis came in hot with a Tope Suicida, landing on her own head in the process, as they went to commercial right as Mone answered with another Meteora against the barricade.
Back from break, Zeuxis was able to battle back with a Spanish Fly out of the corner for two. Mone escaped a fireman’s carry into a hurricanrana, backstabber into the Statement Maker once again, but Zeuxis got the hands unlocked and hit a pump handle drop for two. Both ladies fought up in the corner, as Zeuxis looked for an avalanche bodyslam, but Mone held onto almost into a powerslam and got the pin.
Post-match, streamers fell, Aubrey put the title around Mone’s waist, as she held up 5 titles on top of that, until a black and white video played of Timeless Toni Storm wearing a trench coat and walking the streets of Mexico. The video stops and we see Mina Shirakawa on the ramp waving to Mone, as Storm (dressed like Carmen Sandiego), appeared behind Mone and planted her with a German Suplex. This was a great visual, as Mone was holding all of her titles as it happened. Mone literally scurried into the crowd and fans arms as referees held back Storm with Mone covered in streamers. Storm took the mic and said let the games begin as she rolled around on the ramp.
Match Result: Mercedes Mone defeated Zeuxis to win the CMLL Women’s Title
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AEW World Champion Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir), Wheeler Yuta, The Beast Mortos & The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) vs. Will Ospreay, Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana), Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata & Powerhouse Hobbs
(This was an action-packed main event and the crowd remained loud and invested throughout. While I was surprised at the finish, the post-match was the visual needed of the babyfaces finally forming a united front if they want any hopes in getting the World Title away from the Death Riders clutches. A pretty great ending to a very entertaining Arena Mexico show, one I’d really like to become a yearly destination for AEW.)
We’re told Claudio Castagnoli had travel issues getting into Mexico, so The Bucks threw their weight around and brought in future lawyer, Mortos. Ospreay wanted to start, despite having his head heavily bandaged and huge black eye from last week. Mortos cracked Ospreay in the face to start, planting him with a pop-up Samoan Drop. Ospreay answered with a handspring and pop-up hurricanrana, but was cut-off by Matthew when trying a dive. The Bucks double teamed Ospreay with a double stomp off the top, as Strickland tried to rush in, but ate a backbreaker/neckbreaker stereo offense. Ospreay countered a double hip toss into arm drags, until Matthew raked the bad eye and Nicholas hit a hurricanrana of his own. Yuta tagged in and immediately got his ass kicked by Ospreay & Strickland, who hit the Griddy. Strickland connected on a backbreaker and tagged Joe, who lit Yuta up with strikes before tagging Shibata, who unleashed forearms. Locomotion corner splashes by The Opps, but Yuta was finally able to get a jawbreaker on Joe and tag Moxley. Picking right up where they left off a few weeks ago, Joe sank in the Coquina Clutch, but The Bucks made the save and the match broke down briefly, resulting in Ospreay hitting a Sky Twister Press on a pile into commercial.
Back from break, Moxley was in control of Ospreay, working a kimura, but Moxley made sure to cheap shot Strickland before a tag was made. The brief delay allowed Ospreay to hit a handspring corkscrew kick, as Hobbs made the tag and was a runaway train, crushing Yuta repeatedly with clotheslines. Straps were lowered, but The Bucks cut him off, only they only woke Hobbs up, catching both superkicks, teasing a double chokeslam, as Yuta got a piggy back. Moxley punted the mid-section, but Hobbs recovered and steamrolled them all. Ospreay & Strickland hit stereo slingshot dives onto The Bucks, as Shibata hit his stalling corner dropkick on Yuta before feeding him to Hobbs, who hit a powerslam, but Mortos broke the count at two. Mortos clobbered Hobbs with a massive Spear and followed with a Tornillo on the outside before decking Shibata with a lariat back inside, leaving it to a Joe & Mortos face-off.
The crowd was going nuts, as Joe planted Mortos with a corner Uranage, but The Bucks flew in with an assisted Sliced Bread and caught Ospreay with a superkick in mid-air off a springboard attempt. EVP Trigger countered into a Double Oscutter, as Strickland followed with a two for one Fosbury Flop. Yuta flew in with a Busiaku Knee on Ospreay & Shibata, who answered with a PK of his own. Strickland & Moxley tagged in and both slug it out with forearms until Ospreay came in for a thrust kick, allowing Strickland to hit a rolling Flatliner and double team brainbuster/superkick. The Bucks cut off a Swerve Stomp attempt, as Shafir took the ref, as Strickland was shoved off the top rope, allowing Moxley to get a roll-up for the flash pin with a handful of tights.
Post-match, Yuta & Mortos kept beating down Joe ringside, as The Bucks held off the rest as Moxley beat down Strickland. Hangman Page’s music hit and he stared Moxley down from the ramp. Page stormed to the ring, as they have a brief intense stare down until they start trading shots. Page was about to hit a Buckshot on Moxley, when he dodged and Page collided with Matthew. Moxley was about ready to use the briefcase, but realized everyone had Page’s back, so he bailed with his crew. As everyone stood united with Page, he stormed out of the ring, passed The Bucks and at Moxley again, but was held back by officials. Page walked back by The Bucks and rejoined The Opps, Ospreay & Strickland to end the show standing tall.
Match Result: Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, The Beast Mortos & The Young Bucks defeated Will Ospreay, Swerve Strickland, Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata & Powerhouse Hobbs when Moxley pinned Strickland
