Contender’s series to determine World title challenger at AEW Revolution

Image: AEW

Kenny Omega, Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page all want shots at the AEW World title and now have a path forward to earn one at AEW Revolution via a contender’s series.

The title shot for the March pay-per-view in Los Angeles will be earned at next month’s Grand Slam Australia in Sydney, but who earns their way into that opportunity remains to be determined.

Announced during Wednesday’s Dynamite following Omega’s victory over Rocky Romero, Omega will face the winner of the Swerve Strickland vs. Andrade main event next Wednesday in Las Vegas that will determine one of those spots.

How the other spot is determined has yet to be revealed. It’s assumed Page will be involved, but former AEW World Champion Samoa Joe may not be as it was said Wednesday he suffered a “non-contact injury” during training.

Who they face is up in the air as current champion MJF faces Brody King next Wednesday in their own eliminator match. A King win gives him a title shot at Grand Slam Australia.

Current AEW Dynamite lineup | Next Wednesday | Las Vegas

  • AEW World Champion MJF vs. Brody King title eliminator
  • Young Bucks in action
  • Kenny Omega vs. either Swerve Strickland or Andrade El Idolo in a Grand Slam title shot eliminator

AEW announces date and location for Revolution 2026

AEW is headed back to Los Angeles next year for Revolution.

For the second straight year, the pay-per-view will take place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. It is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026. Tony Khan confirmed the news during an interview with The Sporting Tribune published on Monday.

Khan said:

“It’s one of the biggest wrestling shows of the year. With AEW, we set a really high standard. We always put on great pay per views and Revolution in particular, has such a great reputation for being a tremendous event year in year out. So you can bet this will be very worthwhile.”

Khan continued:

“I think top to bottom, one of the best shows we’ve had was this year’s Revolution. There were so many great matches, great moments, and it was a culmination of so many big rivalries. And in particular, I thought that show featured some of the best action AEW had.”

The first Revolution took place at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on February 29, 2020. Next year’s will be the seventh Revolution event.

AEW Revolution 2025 featured six matches that were awarded more than four stars, with the highest-rated match being Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet, which was given four and three-quarter stars. The show was headlined by Jon Moxley defending the AEW World Championship against Adam Copeland, with Christian Cage cashing in his Casino Gauntlet contract to make the match a three way.

AEW Revolution 2025 drew 11,425 fans, with over 10,000 paid. The gate hovered in the $1 million range. Many of the most expensive seats were given as comps to celebrities and WBD executives. This was covered in the March 17, 2025 edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

JNPO: March 2025 wrestling year in review – Cena’s heel turn, that AEW Revolution main event finish

Image: WWE

On a new Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, the best pro wrestling year in review podcast series from here to the Andromeda Galaxy rolls on with a stop in March 2025.

Rejoining the show for his yearly visit is Rich Fann of Pro Wrestling Torch and Post Wrestling.

The guys go for an hour going through 300+ topics including:

  • The John Cena heel turn at Elimination Chamber powered (briefly) by The Rock and subsequent follow-up
  • Several other key WWE returns
  • AEW’s first PPV of the calendar year with a main event finish no one was into
  • TNA continuing to make changes with the dismissal of Gail Kim
  • NXT title changes
  • The Chris Bey bey-nefit show…and so much more.

Click here to listen for free or stream for free on either Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Past episodes:

WOR: Jeff Cobb updates, AEW Revolution PPV buys, road to WrestleMania

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • Jeff Cobb and the possibility of WWE
  • AEW Revolution PPV buys
  • The road to WrestleMania
  • Queen of the Ring box office
  • TKO boxing ideas

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

March 17, 2025 Observer Newsletter: AEW Revolution recap, Queen of the Ring review & Mildred Burke retrospective

Image: AEW

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is live.

The lead story focuses on last Sunday’s AEW Revolution which saw several high-level matches in front of a big crowd in Los Angeles. Dave Meltzer recaps the shows and gives his ratings for all the action.

Dave also reviews the new Queen of the Ring film and adds some additional retrospective to the career of Mildred Burke with the help of an old friend.

Dave also looks at the latest in Grant vs. McMahon, a new top match in the works for WrestleMania, news of the week, and more.

Click here to read.

Wrestling Weekly: AEW Revolution fallout, the latest on the road to WWE WrestleMania

Image: AEW

On a new Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and I discuss all the fallout from AEW Revolution PPV as well as the latest on the road to WWE WrestleMania 41.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Queen of the Ring actress apologizes for comment at AEW Revolution

Actor Damaris Lewis got a taste of the wrestling business in her role as Babs Wingo in the new Queen of the Ring film and then learned a bit more after she made a comment about match finishes during this past Sunday’s AEW Revolution in Los Angeles.

Pictured above, Lewis was at ringside with fellow actor Kelli Berglund (Nell Stewart) and director/writer Ash Avildsen where they were interviewed in-arena by AEW’s Tony Schiavone. In talking about playing the character, Lewis said that, “One thing I learned about pro wrestlers, y’all know you’re going to win before anybody else does so thank you for teaching me that.”

The comment didn’t hit well on social media to say the least.

Lewis appeared on Busted Open Radio Thursday to promote the film where she was asked about the comment. She apologized as said that wasn’t what she intended and that she “completely, completely take(s) accountability for how it came out.”

She said that during their press tour for the movie, she has been reiterating that she learned from wrestlers that they carry something inside where a voice tells them inside that they are going to win. When she tried to convey that, it didn’t work and even she thought the comment was “ehh” and not what she meant.

“It is a sport, it is real. People are in there, in that ring, doing what they gotta do. It’s tough and dangerous at times. I respect it fully with my whole heart. So yes, I will say it again: I am so sorry if it came out that way. But like you said, you have to know the house you’re in. I know that these fans love their sport and that they were defending their sport so I can’t be mad,” she said.

AEW wrestler Kamille, who is also in the film, defended Lewis on her Instagram feed this week.

AEW Dynamite live results: International title eliminator tournament begins

AEW Dynamite airs live tonight with the fallout from Sunday’s Revolution pay-per-view, and a new tournament beginning.

The AEW International title eliminator tournament kicks off tonight with two first round matches.

Orange Cassidy will face CMLL’s Hechicero in one title eliminator bout, with a mystery wildcard opponent facing The Beast Mortos in tonight’s other tournament matchup. Rampant internet speculation suggests that “Speedball” Mike Bailey could be the wildcard.

The winners of tonight’s tournament matches and the winners of Saturday’s tournament bouts on Collision will compete in a four-way on next week’s Dynamite to earn a shot at Kenny Omega and the International title at the Dynasty pay-per-view set for April 6.

New AEW International Champion Kenny Omega will speak on tonight’s show after dethroning Konosuke Takeshita at Revolution in an instant classic on Sunday.

An MJF promo is also scheduled for tonight’s episode. MJF lost to Hangman Adam Page in the opening contest of Sunday’s Revolution pay-per-view.

**********

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Taz before immediately throwing it to the introduction of the new AEW International Champion, Kenny Omega who makes his entrance to his Battle Cry theme, lots of pyro and a huge ovation.

Omega said this is all still so wild to him, as before 2025, he was more than happy just to stand in the ring to say he was cleared to try and do this again. What makes it feel like a dream is that we’re barely into the year, but thanks to the fans, doctors, someone he never thought he’d call a friend, Will Ospreay, not only is he back, but he’s back with a singles title. One final person he needs to thank, controversial as it may be, Konosuke Takeshita, who pushed him harder than he ever imagined. If it wasn’t for Takeshita dragging him to the place he needed to be, he wouldn’t be here in front of these people, so he thanks Takeshita for making this a true International Title.

Omega brought up Tony Khan coming up with the International Title Eliminator Tournament and thinks it’s a great idea, as it will determine who is the best on the planet and Omega will be watching, as he wants to see who will look to being the best. Omega hits the Goodbye & Goodnight line as he signs some autographs and high fives fans before The Opps make their entrance and have a little face-off with Omega before heading to the ring.

The Opps (Samoa Joe, HOOK & Katsuyori Shibata) defeated Eli Theseus, Vinny Pacifico & Gabriel Aeros

Joe gets a huge chant as he lit up Theseus up with corner strikes to kick things off. HOOK tags in and he launches Aeros around with a series of throws before Pacifico tried a running start, but HOOK tripped him, allowing Shibata to tag in and hit his signature corner stalling dropkick. Rear Naked Choke led to a PK and Shibata got the easy win. Quick warmup for Shibata ahead of his match with Ricochet on Collision in the International Title Eliminator Tournament.

-Ricochet is backstage and said despite being screwed at Revolution doesn’t mean his quest for gold is over. He didn’t want the ugly ass Embassy robe anyways, but the gold Kenny Omega is holding looks much better. Ricochet knows what Shibata is capable of, so he’s giving him an option to quit before their match, if not, he won’t be responsible for what happens to him on Saturday.

-Highlight package of Revolution was shown showcasing the entire card

We’re told Jon Moxley vs. Cope next week in a Street Fight for the AEW World Title, with the winner facing Swerve Strickland at Dynasty. Cameras caught up to Strickland last Sunday, as he was asked by the cameraman when he wants to challenge for the AEW Title? Last year at Dynasty, Strickland became the first black AEW World Champion and this year, he looks to do it, twice.

Cope walks in and said he didn’t lose tonight; there’s still a chance he could be AEW World Champion before Dynasty gets here and there’s a chance Strickland will be looking across the ring at him at the PPV. Strickland said that’s exactly what he’d do, too and they bumped fist before Cope walked away and Strickland gave a little nod of respect.

**********

-Jon Moxley is backstage and said The Rated R Superstar thinks he’s lucky to have walked away from Revolution with the AEW World Title. Moxley said he should’ve never been in that position, he should’ve put Cope out of his misery before Christian Cage got into the match. Moxley hurt Cope, who was sucking wind, couldn’t turn his neck, but he still came forward again and again. Whatever Cope is made of is rare and he can admire that, but you can take the rules, count outs, disqualifications, whatever you want, Cope can take the rules, Moxley will take his excuses. Moxley underestimated Cope’s grit no matter what avalanches befall him, but there’s a reason why Moxley is the World Champion. There’s a difference between amateurs and professionals, the difference is Moxley never makes the same mistake twice. Just the appearance of Moxley on the big screen got massive boos from the crowd.

Powerhouse Hobbs & Hologram (w/Harleygram) defeated Brian Cage & Dralistico (w/The Beast Mortos)

(This was a fun clash of styles tag match, with a highlight being how Mortos was seemingly distracted by Harleygram, which could be a hilarious story if they go that route. The end felt a little off with Hobbs & Dralistico, but they managed to get it on track enough for the finish. Hobbs will continue to feud with the Don Callis Family, while Hologram battles LIJ I’m sure going forward.)

This match came about earlier today with Hobbs issuing a challenge to one member of the Don Callis Family & LIJ, as Harleygram came in and accepted the match on Hologram’s behalf before shutting down. Hobbs wasted no time going after Cage outside, as Hologram & Dralisitco pick things up where they left off last week on Collision. Taz talks about the history of Hobbs & Cage in Team Taz, but those days are gone. Hard chops fired off by Dralistico, as Hologram picks up the pace, trading arm drags and leg sweeps. Dralistico again went to rip off the mask similar to last Saturday before tagging in Cage. Hologram sent Dralistico packing, but was picked up for a gorilla press by Cage, only for Hologram to counter into a hurricanrana. Hologram wanted a tope dive, but ran right into a vertical suplex from Cage in mid-air. Bicep curls into a fall away slam onto the apron as things went to commercial.

Back from break, Mortos is putting the boots outside to Hologram before Harleygram tries to make the save before swiveling her hips to run distraction. This worked, as Dralistico had to pull his LIJ faction mate away. Back in the ring, Hologram fired off a thrust kick, Dralistico responded with a Crucifix Bomb, only for Hologram to answer with a moonsault fall away slam. Tag to Hobbs, who rag dolled Dralistico before Meat chants lead to a Hobbs & Cage clash. Hobbs ducked a lariat, it a standing splash and snap powerslam for a near fall. Hobbs no sold some Dralistico strikes, allowing Cage to hit a German suplex/thrust kick combo. Hologram flew in with a pop-up dropkick on Cage, snap rana on Dralistico, tried it on Cage, only to get powerbombed into Hobbs in the corner. Cage incredibly hit the suplex from the apron back inside, as Dralistico flew in with a dropkick, but barely clipped Hobbs.

A pissed off Hobbs gets up and just slams Dralistico down with a powerslam before Cage makes the save, they go to the apron where Hobbs hit a spinebuster on the edge of the ring. Hologram walked the ropes, launched himself off Hobbs’ chest and hit a dive on Cage. Back inside, Dralistico & Hobbs have a somewhat awkward exchange before Dralistico tried a springboard, but Hobbs countered into a spinebuster in mid-air for the win.

Post-match, Lance Archer & Mark Davis came out to help Cage as they all had a stare down with Hobbs, who stood his ground.

-Last Sunday, Alicia Atout interviewed The Hurt Syndicate, who asks whose asses they need to beat next? MVP said that’s what he loves about Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley, no one works harder than The Hurt Syndicate, which means no one should play harder than they do. Lashley wants to go to the gym, but MVP wants them to take a week off, don’t need to come to TV, enjoy their break. MVP said they want to fight more and do what they do better than anyone else, they want to hurt people.

-A video package on the epic Hollywood Ending is shown, as the entire history of Timeless Toni Storm vs. Mariah May was showcased. Ben Mankiewicz again made a brief cameo highlighting the story as well. This absolutely should’ve main evented Revolution, this was the best women’s feud in AEW and arguably women’s wrestling history. Nigel McGuinness saying this was a cinematic masterpiece was a great and accurate line.

Timeless Toni Storm Addresses the AEW Women’s Roster

With stitches in her lip, staples in her head and glass in her ass, Storm stands before you to say this tramp is still the champ. Revolution was her Hollywood Ending, as a chunk of heart is gone forever, but looking at the AEW Women’s Title, it was well worth it. It’s time for a new beginning; it’s her honor to be the Women’s World champion because this is the most talented locker room in all of professional wrestling. There are so many champions, one is in a bloody briefcase. Other champions are belt collectors, but when you fight with Storm, it’s like visiting the zoo. She bleeds like a pig, licks like a giraffe and she will eat you like a lion. Storm promises you’ll never hear her meow, as she promises she’s no pussy, nobody swings like Toni Storm, so ladies, put your keys in the bowl and let’s get this orgy started. It will be messy, sweaty and it will always be Timeless.

As Storm posed, she was decked from behind by Megan Bayne, who posed over the fallen Women’s World champion.

**********

“Speedball” Mike Bailey defeated The Beast Mortos in an International Title Eliminator Tournament First Round

(Great showcase of a debut for Bailey, who didn’t show everything he’s capable of, but enough to wow the crowd. Mortos was a perfect first opponent, as he’s able to make everyone he’s in there with look like a million bucks and this was no different.)

Crazy fast series of counters to start before Bailey fired off a stiff kick to drop Mortos. Rapid fire kicks sent Mortos to the outside, but Bailey missed a moonsault off the apron, landed on his feet, as Mortos mowed him down. Bailey was able to battle back with more kicks before heading back inside, rolled through a top rope attack, low bridged Mortos back to the outside, where he hit a somersault dive to take things to break.

During break, Mortos gained control with his twisting Tornillo, but back from commercial, Bailey was back in the driver’s seat with a running Shooting Star for two. Mortos seemingly dodged a high kick, taking a powder, but ate a pump kick on the apron, leading to a springboard moonsault to the floor by Bailey. Back inside, Bailey hit a Liger Bomb for a near fall, as he went up top, missed a Shooting Star, rolled through, but into a pop-up Samoan Drop by Mortos for two. Mortos up top now, but took too long, as Bailey swept out the legs. Both battled until Mortos hit a massive avalanche press slam for a wild near fall.

Bailey avoided a discus strike, traded slaps until Mortos with a Torture Rack backbreaker and discus lariat that turned Bailey inside out. Mortos went for a home run powerbomb, but Bailey rolled through into a hurricanrana and PK. Moonsault knee drop from Bailey, who loaded up for a high-speed roundhouse kick to win it.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Patriarchy and asks about Christian Cage’s failed cash-in at Revolution. Cage refuses to speak to anyone related to Jon Moxley, so this will be the most boring interview in history and says Paquette should take a hint, as she’s blonde and not smart, to get out of his sight. Paquette leaves as Cage said he’s still the next undisputed AEW World Champion and demands his contract be returned to him. Cage said he signed for a singles World Title match with Cope, not a 3 way (I’m sorry, what?). Cage said he didn’t tap out; he was relegating his breathing.

Nick Wayne cut him off and said Cage is lying to everyone and if he stuck to the plan, maybe Cage would be World Champion and they all deserve an apology. Cage said he’s sorry it’s come to this and pushes Nick as Mother Wayne intervenes, but Cage said if she does something, she’ll be back to working the midnight shift at Waffle House. Cage asks who Nick is to question his tactics, how many World titles has he ever won? How many World titles did his biological father win? Nick should be thanking Cage that he found him and didn’t end up a coward like his father, who died in front of his mother’s face. Cage said he’ll be AEW World Champion if it’s the last thing he ever does and says for Nick to keep his mouth shut and ride his coattails or it’ll be the last thing he ever does. Cage walks off, as Kip Sabian was left conflicted, but walked off with Cage as Mother Wayne stayed with her son.

-Lexy Nair was outside of MJF’s locker room following his loss to Hangman Adam Page at Revolution, as he was telling himself in the mirror that he’s a fraud before smashing the mirror and screaming for Nair to get out.

MJF Gets an Interesting Offer

MJF said he has a splitting headache, his hand and body hurts, but what hurts the most is he, along with all the schmucks at home and in the arena knows, he had the match won on Sunday. The cowardly Cowboy decided for a cheap shot like he did in 2019. The fans can chant Page’s name all they want, but he’s not upset anymore, as he’s thought long and hard about it, he’s 10 times smarter than Page and his fans ever will be. MJF thinks 10 steps ahead and he will get his, so this thing between he & Page isn’t over, not by a long shot.

MVP’s music hits and he walks out alone, having given Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin the week off. After a brief face-off, they gave each other a hug and acted like old buddies. MVP wanted to tell us about his history with MJF, as an 18-year-old MJF volunteered to drive him to a documentary film for the low price of hearing about the pro wrestling business. The questions MJF asked was what impressed MVP the most. Cut to an indy company in Florida, they met again, as MVP mentioned the drive MJF had, something you could not teach. MJF did everything he said he was going to do back then and that’s what makes MVP proud of him. MVP said what makes him not proud is how MJF has handled the loss on Sunday, out here whining to the people. MVP questions why MJF isn’t smashing things and hurting people? MVP knows the answer to the question, MJF has lost his edge, as the boys in the back don’t respect or fear him anymore. The boys do fear The Hurt Syndicate, which is what MJF is missing.

MVP was able to help MJF a long time ago, but maybe he can help him again. When he passed out his business card when he debuted, it was a way to introduce himself, but now, it’s a way to change your career, to make you a champion. Maybe it’s time for them to talk some business. MVP went to hand out his card, but MJF refused. MJF said he’s not the same kid he was all those years ago, with all do respect, he doesn’t need MVP’s help or advice. He’s MJF and if the moron fans want to hear it or not, he was the longest reigning AEW World Champion. MVP said to focus on the word “was” before handing MJF his business card, leaving and MJF put the card in his jacket.

**********

Max Caster is in the ring to do his Best Wrestler Alive schtick and thanked the Maximaniacs for making his shirt the most popular shirt on ShopAEW. Caster said he was the most popular member of The Acclaimed before trying to get his “Let’s Go Max, You’re the Best Wrestler Alive” chant going to crickets. Caster calls the fans stupid, which got the reaction, as he said whoever answers his open challenge is stupid as well.

Konosuke Takeshita defeated Max Caster

“You F’d Up” chants from the fans to Caster, who still had the mic and said he’s going to friggin kill Takeshita, what are they doing? Takeshita must be here to ask him to join the Don Callis Family. Caster can Main Event the Tokyo Dome, get a recording contract and do something Takeshita wasn’t able to do, beat Kenny Omega. Takeshita waffled Caster with a forearm, but pulled him up at two, just so he could his Raging Fire to win it and march to the back.

-Footage of Chris Jericho & The Learning Tree attacking Gravity & Bandido with a baseball bat before his ROH Title match could take place. Jericho unmasked Gravity, leaving the family of Gravity & Bandido to tend to them.

Jericho is backstage holding Gravity’s mask and said gravity is the perfect word to introduce he & Bandido to their situation. Jericho embarrassed Bandido in front of his family, scaring his sister and making his mother cry. Jericho asks how one could come back from that, realizing the disappointing his mother has in him. Maybe Bandido brought it on himself or maybe he’s an unlucky son of a bitch that Jericho made a point out of not to be comfortable around Chris Jericho. He crumbled up the mask and threw it aside.

Willow Nightingale defeated Penelope Ford

(This picked up in the second half before Nightingale got her first singles win over Ford in AEW. The post-match continued to make Bayne look like a strong contender, especially after her earlier attack on Toni Storm.)

Early shoulder tackle by Nightingale, who blocked a cazadora into a bodyslam and low cross body for two. Nightingale missed with a lariat, but managed a snap suplex. Ford tried her Matrix bridge, sent Nightingale into the corner with a dropkick to the spine and step-up double knee drop to the midsection as things went to break.

It was all Ford during break, but Nightingale fired back with a series of lariats. High boot led to a big spinebuster for a near fall. Ford slid out of a Doctor Bomb, tried a backslide, but Nightingale powered into a Gory Special. Ford escaped by biting the forehead before locking in a triangle in the ropes. Ford hit a top rope cross body for two before licking Nightingale, which Taz called pretty whacky. Nightingale responded with a running powerslam, but Ford got a flash cradle for two. Both trade kicks, as Ford successfully hit her Matrix Stunner, tried again, only to be Pounced clear across the ring for the win.

Post-match, Ford cracked Nightingale in the ribs and back with a chair and kept the attack going until Kris Statlander ran down. Ford tried a chair shot, but Statlander ducked and hit a dropkick sending the chair into Ford’s face. Statlander helped Nightingale up, who didn’t realize who it was, initially shoving Statlander away. The two ladies stared at each other until Megan Bayne hit the ring, hit a double clothesline on both before laying out Statlander with a F5 to stand tall for the second time tonight.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mercedes Mone, who is selling her bruised throat, so she can’t do her signature line, so Paquette did it. Paquette said Mone requested Billie Starkz to join them, as she walks in and said her notes she was taking at Revolution was not to get kicked in the throat. Starkz said she’s accomplished a lot here too, she was the first inaugural ROH TV Champion at 19. They aren’t that different, as wrestling is their lives. Starkz said Mone says money changes everything and next week, she’s looking to become a champion. Mone coughed and said Starkz is way out of her league. She shoved Starkz in the face and said next week there’s a price to pay when you mess with Mercedes Mone.

Will Ospreay Calls His Shot for The AEW World Title

Tony Schiavone welcomes Ospreay to the ring, as he’s moving really gingerly and talked about the stitches in his head, might have gotten stabbed in the ribs, but he’s still standing. Ospreay said he was scared for his life at Revolution, but thanks everyone for their support, it carried him through. One day, Kyle Fletcher will be World Champion and if they stand in the ring again, he’ll be the better man once more. Ospreay said he’s in trouble with his wife, he had to lie, as a day before the cage match, she told him she was nervous and said not to do anything stupid off the cage. Ospreay said he’s in his 30s, he’s not doing anything stupid off the cage, but saw fans holding their phones up while he was up at the top of the cage and someone saying please don’t die. He went to the back and saw 15 missed messages from his wife, who couldn’t believe he jumped off the flippin cage. Ospreay promised to cook her dinner and a damn good seeing to.

Schiavone said he understands all of that, but asks what is next for Ospreay? In order to be the guy in AEW, there should be something around his waist, but there’s an issue, Cope has a title match next week, Strickland has a title shot at Dynasty, so when should he call his shot? When it matters the most, as he looked up at the All In Texas sign and said he’s on a mission, to be in the main event for the AEW World Title at All In and how he can do it, is by entering the Owen Hart Tournament. If it’s against Cope, it’ll be a pleasure for a first-time meeting, if it’s Strickland, he can’t wait for the rematch, if it’s Moxley, the king, a word in advance, an Assassin is coming from the throne. Ospreay wants to be the guy because he knows he can do it; he wants to be World Champion because his name is Will Ospreay and he’s On Another Level.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Switchblade Jay White, who mocks the Ospreay chant saying Willy really is on another level and sometime soon, they’ll see each other in the ring again. White congratulates Ospreay on his win at Revolution, but if he wants a World Title match at All In, they’re going to have to keep protecting him from White. Paquette asks what happened at Revolution and White said everyone wants to know if he hit Cope with the briefcase on purpose and asks Paquette what she thinks and then the crowd. White said he did not hit Cope on purpose, as he’s done everything to win the World Title from Jon Moxley, but the rat (Wheeler Yuta) saved his king. He’ll be dammed if he’ll let anyone stop him from fulfilling his destiny becoming AEW World Champion.

**********

-Renee Paquette approached Hangman Adam Page and was attempting to ask him about Revolution when they walk past MJF and Page asks if he wants to finish breaking his neck? Page said last week, MJF tried to set him on fire, but when he does something like that, he really has to mean it. However, Sunday, MJF let the mask slip, Page realizes MJF cares what the fans think of him. MJF said he’s glad Page thinks he wasn’t going to set him on fire, so he’ll call Page’s bluff, as Page doesn’t realize what is next. Page had a fluke victory, but MJF goes on to become a multiple time World Champion, first ballot Hall of Famer and greatest of all time, while Page fails to reach the pinnacle, only to tumble all the way down, wallowing in his own self-pity. When Page’s mask slips, Page doesn’t think he deserves the fans love and he’s right, as sooner of later, the fans will grow tired of thinking Page will win the big one, when he never will. MJF will win it over and over again, laughing at Page up that mountain. Page said they’ll see, won’t they? MJF walks away and Excalibur said these two will be intertwined for years to come. This was an excellent backstage promo.

Orange Cassidy defeated Hechicero in an International Title Eliminator Tournament First Round

(This was on ok main event, as the clash of styles, flash finish and maybe time crunch prevented this from kicking into another gear. While Hechicero has been on AEW programming in the past, it felt like the fans weren’t used to him at all, so their reaction to his offense wasn’t quite there. Cassidy still managed to get them during the match and I look forward to seeing who joins he & Bailey next week in the 4-way.)

Jim Ross joins commentary and puts over Mike Bailey in his match earlier in the evening. Hechicero blocked Cassidy from going to the pockets in the early going, as Cassidy walked the top rope, put one hand in his pocket before Hechicero stepped away. Cassidy put on the brakes and put both hands in the pockets before hitting a snap dropkick and kip up. Hechicero tried a handspring, but landed right on his head, allowing a Cassidy roll-up with no hands before faking a dive and kip up as Hechicero took a powder into commercial.

During commercial, Hechicero targeted the arm and when things returned from break, Hechicero hung up Cassidy over the top rope before a dragon screw between the ropes. Cassidy managed a cross body off the top, but couldn’t follow with his spinning DDT, allowing a swinging hammerlock backbreaker by Hechicero for two. Cassidy answered with a Stundog Millionaire and spinning DDT, but tried to kip up and his leg gave out. Cassidy signaled for Orange Punch, but his arm was injured, so he went up top slowly, but dove right into an arm bar, eventually getting the rope break. Cassidy tried another Stundog, but was blocked, as was an Orange Punch, as Hechicero tried a swinging Torture Rack, only for Cassidy to get a Mouse Trap for the flash pin.

Post-match, Mike Bailey walked out to the staged and bowed to Cassidy, as they both advance to next weeks 4-way Eliminator to see who faces Kenny Omega for the International Title at Dynasty.

AEW Collision 3/14/25

  • Ricochet vs. Katsuyori Shibata in an International Title Eliminator Tournament First Round
  • Mark Briscoe vs. Mark Davis in an International Title Eliminator Tournament First Round
  • FTR vs. Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly

AEW Dynamite 3/19/25

  • Jon Moxley vs. Cope in a Street Fight for the AEW World Title
  • Mike Bailey vs. Orange Cassidy vs. ? vs. ? in a 4 Way International Title Eliminator Tournament Final
  • Mercedes Mone vs. Billie Starkz

WOL: Fallout from AEW Revolution, WWE Raw preview

Mike Sempervive & Filthy Tom Lawlor are back to talk about all things wrestling, including all of the fallout from Sunday night’s wild AEW Revolution pay-per-view, plus thoughts on Butterbean’s return to the ring, a terrible UFC fight, a look at tonight’s WWE Raw, and more. A fun show as always, so check it out~!

Click here for the commercial-free download (subscription required)

AEW Revolution review: Mox & Cope do their match

The most annoying thing about Sunday’s AEW Revolution was that up until the main event, this was a surefire show of the year contender.

And you know what? Even after that nonsense, I am still going to consider it a top notch show anyway because a match like Jon Moxley vs. Adam Copeland isn’t going to drag me or this show down.

To be fair, Cope and Mox had to follow a steel cage match where Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher did literally everything under the sun in one of the craziest cage matches in recorded history. Their situation was a tough one, to be sure. But even taking that into account, I can’t understand why a match like this ended the show where the last two or three matches before it would have closed things on a high note. But that didn’t happen as Mox and Cope went out there, did their match, and it wasn’t particularly good.

After weeks of Copeland hunting down most of Mox’s crew, he proceeded to have a technical wrestling battle with Moxley. And by battle, I mean Mox sat there and did holds. Cope then sat there and did holds, and vice versa. For a match that had been built on Cope taking every single member of the Death Riders down so he could get his hands on Mox, going out there and simply doing a wrestling match felt off psychologically.

Then there was the ref bump and, what do you know, Wheeler Yuta came out. On the last episode of Dynamite, it was teased that Yuta was tired of being yelled at by Mox and it was implied he wasn’t going to help him Sunday. (Never mind this was at least the second or third time they’ve teased Yuta might turn on the Death Riders and Cope looked like an utter fool for letting him go.) So wouldn’t you know it, shock of all shocks, when the time came, Yuta in fact did not turn on the Death Riders and proceeded to lay out Cope. Wow. What a shock.

As usual with the Death Riders storyline, Suddenly A Bunch Of Stuff Happened. Jay White came out and interfered but accidentally struck Cope with the briefcase. Then Christian Cage came out and cashed in his anytime, anywhere title shot that he won back in August. And after all these months of teasing his cash in, here’s how it ended: Christian hit a spear and a Killswitch but Mox came to and put Christian in his bulldog choke. Christian cutely attempted to cover Cope, but Mox pulled him off and Christian submitted, the end. The Death Riders live on.

Swerve Strickland, who won a number one contender’s match earlier in the show, took out Mox with a dive off a balcony to end the show, so that’s kinda cool but it didn’t erase the last 30 minutes.

The ending to Revolution reminded me of those WCW shows in 1997 where you would get a great undercard but a totally abysmal main event. This wasn’t as bad as some of the worst WCW main events but, boy, was it a flat ending to an otherwise excellent show.

Here’s a rundown of the rest of the card:

  • Two things can be true about the steel cage match that took place between Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher. This was a brutal, violent, amazing spectacle full of incredible spots, something that won’t be forgotten for a long time. The problem was once they hit the high point, they continued and did so many crazy nearfalls that it bordered on parody. Once Mark Davis ran in for a second time in this cage match where there can’t be any interference, I was beginning to wonder what the finish was going to be. Would it be the really cool Oscutter off the cage? The Styles Clash onto the thumbtacks? The (multiple) screwdriver stabbings? The crazy Spanish fly off the cage? No, but all of that happened for some very close nearfalls. The answer? After all of that, Fletcher was pinned with a Tiger Driver 91. There were a lot of cool things, and I want to stress that overall, I thought the cage match was great, but there was A LOT going on, probably too much by the end.
  • Like the main event, Kenny Omega and Konosuke Takeshita had to follow a really violent spectacle in the Hollywood Ending, but unlike the main event, I thought they did a good job. I wasn’t expecting this kind of match where Omega sold and sold and sold for a long time, but they did a good job building toward the end and I enjoyed the crucifix finish. I didn’t imagine Omega winning the title but it does make sense as Takeshita got the win in their previous match.
  • Toni Storm and Mariah May had their Hollywood Ending and I must say, it was one hell of a brawl and maybe the best thing on the show in terms of overall execution. This was a fast-paced, brutal spectacle full of violence. Both women bled buckets, especially Toni. There was tons of glass and using that glass to spill more blood. Lots of piledrivers and big moves on surfaces that were not a pro wrestling ring. The aftermath of the bout where “THE END” was shown on screen as Storm continued to lie next to her former friend I thought was also a nice touch. This story kind of dragged in places, especially when Storm vanished for months, but now that it’s all said and done, I thought it was a very well done story. Who would have thought All About Eve would inspire a wrestling storyline in the 2020s?
  • The Hurt Business defeating The Outrunners was nothing special. I don’t really have anything to say about it other than The Hurt Business is probably not losing for a long time. Next!
  • There wasn’t much to Kazuchika Okada defeating Brody King either. Nothing wrong with it, I thought it was a good hard-hitting match, but it’s one of those bouts that gets lost in a sea of really great matches. Okada won, just biding time until they do the Omega match in July.
  • Swerve Strickland gained revenge over Ricochet in what I thought was an excellent back and forth match, probably the best bell-to-bell wrestling match on the show. Ricochet has found his footing as a heel and it’s helped out his matches a ton. Swerve is one of the best in the world and showcased it here yet again. Swerve is next for Moxley and while this may just be me ready to move on from the Death Riders storyline, I’m all for him to win the title again next month.
  • Momo Watanabe failed to win the TBS title from Mercedes Mone. These two had a very good, hard-hitting match. And when I mean hard-hitting, I mean Watanabe kicked Mone repeatedly. Hard. It didn’t seem fun, but Mone picked up the win after a hard battle. I’m kinda at the point where I’m wondering what the endgame is for Mone’s run with the TBS title, but she’s been consistently good so there’s no rush either, I guess.
  • Hangman Page defeated MJF in what I thought was an excellent opener, probably right there with Ricochet and Swerve. MJF’s petulant behavior, jealous over Page’s popularity, played out in full force here, particularly near the end when he started throwing a fit. Also, that Angel’s Wings spot towards the end looked like it HURT. This ended up being a very well-worked match, and with Page’s victory, he should get a World title match sooner than later.

Several wrestlers ‘banged up’ following AEW Revolution

The AEW roster did not come out of Revolution unscathed.

Several wrestlers are said to be banged up following Sunday’s show at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The injuries were addressed by Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer on Sunday night’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.

“As far as I know, nobody is seriously hurt but there are many people who are banged up. As far as like the severity, I don’t know,” Meltzer said on the show, adding that he heard neither Kyle Fletcher nor Will Ospreay were seriously hurt from the Spanish Fly off the top of the cage. However, Ospreay was seen limping after landing on his hip.

“I hope (Ospreay’s) okay. He landed right on his hip,” Meltzer continued. “He was limping really bad at the end but I heard no serious injury. So, hopefully that’s the case.”

Alvarez and Meltzer also mentioned that Swerve Strickland is dealing with a busted eardrum, Mercedes Mone has a bruised larynx, and Momo Watanabe left the show on crutches.

“Swerve (Strickland) had a busted eardrum, that one, I know,” Meltzer continued.

Alvarez added, “Mercedes (Mone) is messed up, Momo Watanabe’s messed up. Momo left on crutches, I think she hurt her ankle on some spot. It was not from kicking (Mone) in the face, although I think she kicked her right in the neck.”

“What I heard was bruised larynx on Mercedes. But she was backstage and seemed to be largely okay. So, I guess that’s something to just check on.” Alvarez continued. “But there were a lot of people banged up here on this show.”

Alvarez also mentioned MJF being dropped on his face on an Angel’s Wings during his match with Hangman Page, as well as Strickland being dropped on his head on a Death Valley Driver, as dangerous-looking spots on the show.

“Too many scary spots, honestly,” Meltzer commented.

“These guys are going, ‘We got to top ourselves’ and it sets a dangerous direction because guys are going in there and working like it’s their last match for weeks. They are just working to have these incredible matches and to do so they are taking so many risks,” he continued.

Fight Game: AEW Revolution recap show

John LaRocca and I are back with a special show recapping AEW Revolution with Jeremy Finestone from Speaking of Strong Style joining us.

We kicked off the show by giving our report card grades for the event before going through all of the matches, as well as some of the comments during the post-show presser.

We also livestreamed it on YouTube, which you can watch below.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

WOR: Dave & Bryan recap AEW Revolution, weekend news

Image: AEW

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about as we review AEW Revolution 2025, a show some people are calling an all-timer, with tons of great matches and a lot of blood. Plus, the rest of the Sunday news. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: AEW Revolution general thoughts
9:11: AEW Revolution recap
57:19: Logan Paul scores a goal at celebrity soccer game, WWE SmackDown ratings, Raw lineup

Click Here to Listen or watch on YouTube with a premium subscription

Here’s a preview:

AEW Revolution media scrum notes: Tony Khan on the show’s ending, being ‘in the weeds’

Tony Khan and other AEW stars took questions from the media.

Khan, Swerve Strickland, and Big Boom AJ all took questions from the media following Sunday’s pay-per-view. Here are the highlights:

Swerve Strickland

  • Swerve said he’s suffering from a ruptured eardrum following his match with Ricochet.
  • When asked about potentially a second reign with the AEW World title, Swerve said that it takes a special crop of talent of both men and women to reach the World title, as it is a championship that not everyone can hold. They have to raise the bar. That was what he did with his first reign, and in his second reign it will be about silencing the doubters.
  • Strickland pointed out that his match with Ricochet on Sunday was the first time in AEW that two Black men fought for the number one contendership.

Big Boom AJ

  • When someone asked if AJ would go “deeper” in his relationship with AEW, he said he thought he was in deep already. He said that he, Big Justice, and The Rizzler are all signed with AEW.
  • He said he had some music plans coming together, including with Strickland.

Tony Khan

  • After promoting their recent arrival on Amazon Prime, Khan said that early numbers for Sunday’s show look good.
  • The first question was regarding being more ‘into the weeds’ with AEW’s recent string of shows. Khan said he had read that report and compared it to being more involved with the booking leading to the first Revolution event back in 2020, saying sometimes he’s more detail oriented with some shows compared to others. He said he thought the buzz was there for this show just like there was five years ago.
  • Khan was asked if they’d run the Intuit Dome, which recently opened. Khan put over the Crypto.com Arena instead, saying they would love to come back.
  • He was asked if they’ll do more long form storytelling after the Toni Storm/Mariah May match that took place on Sunday. Khan pivoted to explaining the storyline in depth. While putting over the storyline, he said Grand Slam Australia as one of AEW’s best television shows. 
  • One question was asked about choosing to close with the AEW World title match in the main event rather than go with Storm/May. Khan said that any of the top four matches could have headlined and hindsight is 20/20. He pointed to the strong reaction Swerve Strickland got for laying out Jon Moxley at the end of the show, saying he thought Swerve would get a good response by closing out the show that way.
  • He also said repeatedly that Sunday’s show was “start to finish” the best show that they’ve had.
  • Khan ended the presser by saying this was one of the harder-hitting shows they have done, and some people are banged up following the show. Khan was going to check with medical to see who would be cleared for this week’s shows.