The AEW World title is on the line in a four-way, plus the 2024 Continental Classic winner will be crowned tonight at Worlds End.
Jon Moxley defends the title against Orange Cassidy, former champion Hangman Page and Jay White.
The Continental Classic final will occur after two semifinal bouts: Kazuchika Okada vs. Ricochet and Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher. The C2 winner will also be crowned the AEW Continental Champion.
International Champion Konosuke Takeshita puts his title up for grabs against Powerhouse Hobbs, TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Kris Statlander in a rematch from Full Gear, and Mariah May defends her Women’s World Championship against Thunder Rosa in a Tijuana street fight.
MJF faces Adam Cole on the show with the former’s Dynamite diamond ring at stake.
Three matches are set for the Zero Hour pre-show: Toni Storm vs. Leila Grey, Jeff Jarrett vs. QT Marshall, and The Outrunners & Top Flight vs. Murder Machines, Action Andretti & Lio Rush in an eight-man tag.
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Zero Hour
The WrestleAunts, Renee Paquette & RJ City, alongside Daddy Magic Matt Menard welcome us to Zero Hour and run down tonight’s card. Mark Sterling joins the crew to go over the Continental Classic. Sterling, Paquette & RJ all choose Fletcher over Ospreay, while Paquette questions if we’ve seen the New Japan version of Kazuchika Okada in AEW? They all agree that they have not, as Menard hilariously said Ricochet doesn’t know who he is right now while he’s out “playing grab ass with the boys and MVP.” Everyone but Sterling picks Okada to advance.
A monster truck blaring Mercedes Mone’s theme pulls into the backstage area and Mone steps out with her TBS and NJPW Strong Women’s Titles and she does her signature line. The panel is joined by Madison Rayne to go over the women’s matches for the evening. Rayne mentioned Statlander defeating Jade Cargill and having her number.
-Lexy Nair is backstage with Leila Grey and asks her about her Zero Hour debut against “newcomer” Toni Storm. Grey said she’s spent the last few months training at the New Japan Dojo to hone her skills and no longer will she sit on the sidelines. With all due respect, she’s going to beat Storm into oblivion, get it, got it, good.
Toni Storm defeated Leila Grey
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness are on the call, as things start with the battle of the “rookies” on Zero Hour. Schiavone said Storm is mixed up right now, while McGuinness has completely bought in and went over Storm’s accomplishments in Japan. Early misdirect dropkick and backbreaker put Storm in control for a series of near falls. Grey responded with a somersault neckbreaker but Storm battled back in a striking battle. Grey cut her off with a cutter that was floated over into a Dragon Sleeper, but Storm got the ropes.
Storm exploded out of the corner with a Thesz Press, as she briefly had a flashback doing her old Timeless pose, but corrected herself and did the rock n’ roll pose before connecting with Sweet Cheek Music. Grey spun out of a ripcord and hit a Blockbuster, rattling herself in the process for two. Step-up corner knee from Grey, who tried rolling suplexes, but Storm caught an inside cradle for the flash pin. Storm acted shocked as she celebrated up the ramp.
-Lexy Nair is backstage with “The Big Doom” QT Marshall and put over Jeff Jarrett, but he’s not an innovator like himself. Marshall said he sold out the building last month and might have to change his address on account of all the people trying to get a glimpse. Marshall said Jarrett can’t accept his best years are behind him. Nair was left speechless, as Marshall said tonight will be viral and last forever and he took a selfie with Nair to end the segment.
Mark Briscoe & TNT Champion Daniel Garcia join the panel to break down the Continental Classic once again. Garcia choose Fletcher to win it all, while Briscoe disagrees and goes with Ospreay. Briscoe said for 2025, he smells gold and said since he got a win over Garcia in the C2, maybe he deserves a title shot? Garcia said he respects that and he deserves gold, just not the TNT Title. I really enjoyed this segment, as especially Briscoe was great giving his expertise on tonight’s matches.
Jeff Jarrett defeated QT Marshall
Marshall got early takedowns and mocked Jarrett with a series of poses afterwards. Jarrett responded by clotheslining Marshall to the floor and hitting the Fargo Strut to You Still Got It chants. Marshall escaped a sleeper with an uppercut off the second and handspring corkscrew kick for two. Jarrett got out of a sleeper with a back suplex into the double down. Jarrett fired up with a series of strikes and back drop before unleashing ten corner punches and an enzugiri for two. Marshall hit a throat chop, went up top, but Jarrett caught him and drove him down. Jarrett got the Sharpshooter, as Aaron Solo ran down, running distraction to allow Marshall to get a school boy for two. Both men up, as Marshall hit The Stroke for another close near fall. Marshall ordered Solo to get the guitar, but Jay Lethal appeared and brawled with Solo up the ramp. Jarrett nearly got an inside cradle and backslide for two until planting Marshall with The Stroke for the win.
-Lexy Nair is backstage with Toni Storm, who said there’s a first time for everything, this being her first PPV. It’s safe to say the AEW is officially Toni Time. Deonna Purrazzo walks in and mockingly introduces herself before challenging Storm to a match on Collision for “the first time ever.” Storm said she’s wanted this match for forever and thanks her for the opportunity.
Murder Machines (Brian Cage & Lance Archer w/Don Callis), Lio Rush & Action Andretti defeated The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum) & Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin w/Leila Grey)
Darius got a fast start on Archer, but was quickly stomped down and sent to Cage tagging in and double team. Andretti made a blind tag to anger Cage, as he & Rush had a scrap with Top Flight until Rush & Dante were left with a fast exchange. Archer stepped in the way to cut off a dive attempt, as we saw Private Party watching on backstage. Outrunners made fast tags and hit a double atomic drop on Rush & Andretti before wiping them both out. Magnum wanted an airplane spin, but Rush raked the eyes and Magnum found himself isolated.
Floyd finally was able to make the hot tag and run wild, bodyslamming Rush & Andretti multiple times and on top of one another. Unsuccessful in slamming Cage, until Magnum reappeared and The Outrunners hit a double suplex followed by a bodyslam on Archer. A quadruple Predator handshake with Top Flight. Cage turned Dante inside out with a lariat, but the Outrunners hit a double big boot, only to eat a double handspring kick from Rush & Andretti, who followed with double dives. The match broke down, as Cage & Archer unleashed power moves, including the choke/bomb on Dante, but was broke up. Archer went to make the pin attempt, but Rush flew in with a Frog Splash and stole the pin.
Post match, Private Party walked down the ramp and faced off with Rush & Andretti, who we’re told are the top contenders for the tag team titles.
-Lexy Nair is backstage with Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh. Lethal said to get Karen on the phone to celebrate when Jarrett was bickering with Dutt and said it’s not his decision. Jarrett said on Fight for the Fallen this Wednesday, Jarrett will make an announcement about his career. They all walk off questioning him to end the segment.
-A great video package for tonight’s show to Guns n’ Roses ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ is shown.
AEW Worlds End
Will Ospreay defeated Kyle Fletcher in a Continental Classic League Semi-Final
(I can’t believe these two were able to rival their match from last month at Full Gear, but that’s exactly what they did. Ospreay bleeding early put him at a big-time disadvantage, but ultimately was able to pull out the incredible come from behind victory, thus robbing Fletcher of winning the C2. This was an excellent opener, one of the best AEW have had on any PPV and the fact that they’re only getting going is wild.)
Incredibly quick start, as they fire off a wild series of counters that I will not even attempt to try to rattle off, but just showed how well they know one another, until Fletcher took a powder. Both trade hard chops until a throat chop hit for Fletcher, only for Ospreay to duck a strike and send him outside. Fletcher sidestepped a dive, but Ospreay landed on the apron and hit a perfect somersault plancha. Fletcher caught a hurricanrana and planted Ospreay with a powerbomb onto the apron before lawn darting Ospreay into the barricade. Fletcher ripped up an Ospreay Better sign, but the fan was ready with an Ospreay Still Better sign. Ospreay comes up bleeding a gusher as back in the ring, Kawada Kicks from Fletcher that look even more gnarly due to the white boots. Fletcher wiped the blood off his kick pads and licked it, which got the appropriate “You Sick F*ck” chants. Ospreay tried to fight back, but again Fletcher lawn darted him into the corner for two. Ospreay is bleeding buckets, as Fletcher was taking his time, but too long, as Ospreay exploded up with a lariat. Starting to build momentum, Ospreay hit a big boot and standing Sky Twister Press for two. Stundog Millionaire connected, but as Ospreay signaled for the Oscutter, Fletcher hit the Half and Half. Fletcher delayed too long, as Ospreay fired off a Spanish Fly for two and the reset.
Kawada Kicks for Ospreay’s receipt, as he dares Fletcher to get up and fight, as both trade more loud chops. Fletcher tried a thrust kick, which Ospreay caught, hit a hook kick, both fly out of powerbomb attempts until Ospreay flew into an Oscutter for two in a great sequence. Fletcher countered Hidden Blade into a lariat of his own, but as he went for the finish, Ospreay managed a Poison Rana. Before Fletcher collapsed, he threw a desperation Hidden Blade into the double down. Both start trading brutal headbutts, until Fletcher flew for a headbutt, only to be superkicked out of mid-air. Fletcher tried a school boy and cheating using multiple ways, feet on the ropes, handful of tights, but was caught red handed. Fletcher shoved referee Paul Turner, who shoved back right into an Ospreay Hidden Blade for two. Fletcher pulled Turner into Ospreay, allowing him to hit a charging boot and Brainbuster for the closest nearfall of the match. Elevated Liger Bomb connects, but again Ospreay kicked out. Ospreay ate another corner kick to the back of the head, as Fletcher followed up with a proper one before trying a Brainbuster, which Ospreay popped out of into a snap hurricanrana, holding on into the Styles Clash for the win. As Ospreay celebrate up the ramp, he smeared a handprint on the tunnel before heading to the back.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Ricochet in a Continental Classic League Semi-Final
(A much slower pace than the opener, which shouldn’t be surprising, but they had their share of fast sequences throughout. For being a first-time singles meeting, I thought these two worked very well together. Ever since Ricochet was made to look like a dork by The Hurt Syndicate a few weeks ago, he’s completely leaned into the heel role and the crowd has reacted really strongly to it. The post-match tells you that Ricochet & Swerve Strickland are just getting started as I can’t wait to see the heel work Ricochet does in that feud in 2025.)
Crowd loudly behind Okada and all over Ricochet, as an early ear pull (since Ricochet has no hair) allowed Okada to escape from the corner. Ricochet fired off a series of fast offense, but opted to mock the crowd, allowing Okada to slide back in and hit a big boot. Okada did a hilarious misdirect spot where Ricochet was preparing for the strike, but once he lowered his guard, was paint brushed, which popped the crowd. Ricochet trapped Okada’s leg and pulled him into the ropes, crotching him, allowing for a Tope to hit, as Ricochet again trash talked the crowd. Springboard lariat got a near fall as the crowd sang “Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah, Hey, Hey, You’re Bald” as Ricochet slowed the pace considerably, keeping Okada grounded. Okada started no selling, as Ricochet did a wall walk, but ran right into a flapjack for the reset.
Okada spiked Ricochet with a DDT for two, but Ricochet answered with a Lionsault and running Shooting Star Press for a near fall of his own. Ricochet went up top, but rolled through a 450, as Okada hit the Air Raid Crash neckbreaker to regain control. Top rope elbow connects, as Okada did the Rainmaker flip off pose, but Ricochet spun out of the ripcord into a Benadryller attempt, which Okada blocked. After a series of counters, Okada fired off his dropkick, wanted a Tombstone, but Ricochet countered into a scary looking Vertigo for two. Up top he goes, Ricochet hit the Shooting Star Press for another two. Ricochet loaded up the Spirit Gun, but Okada ducked, they trade big time shots until another dropkick by Okada led to the double down. Okada went for a corner charge, but ate a pump knee, as Ricochet went for the Spirit Gun, but Okada ducked, hit Emerald Flowsion and a picture-perfect Rainmaker that turned Ricochet inside out for the win.
Post-match, Okada went to the back as toilet paper flew into the ring, until Swerve Strickland’s music hit and he came to the stage with a mic. Strickland congratulates Ricochet for making it just as far as he did last year in the Continental Classic, but Ricochet said he was going to win it. Being a man of his word, Strickland said if Ricochet blew it, he’d make him feel it, big. All Ricochet has done since coming to AEW is run his mouth. Ricochet talks a lot of mess, so Strickland is here to clean up the mess. Prince Nana struts out with a wagon full of toilet paper, tossing them to the crowd. Strickland said they want to help Ricochet have a clean slate for the next year. Strickland counts down and says Happy New Year, Trevor, as Ricochet is covered in toilet paper and furious.
-A bloody Will Ospreay was being checked on by the doctor backstage when Renee Paquette approached and said he’s wrestled Okada about 10 times and lost 8 of them, so asks the crowd to be behind him. He smacks himself in the head and said he’s been hit by a truck, but after he beats Okada, he’s going to Disneyworld and said in the immortal words of Tony Khan, “Let’s F*cking Go, lads!”
Mariah May defeated Thunder Rosa to retain the AEW Women’s Title in a Tijuana Street Fight
(This was fun for what it was, as Rosa really excels in these kinds of matches and she put up a good fight, but no way was May losing the title tonight. The finish kind of came out of nowhere and popped the crowd, as these two had a good battle, but there’s been better women’s weapons matches in AEW.)
Rosa hugged her father sitting ringside, as May taunted him with the Women’s Title. Rosa dove off the apron onto May to start the match, as sliding lariat back inside and senton got an early two. May swept out the legs and pounced, but missed the shotgun dropkick, allowing Rosa to hit an uppercut to the spine, but didn’t get enough of the follow-up dropkick for two. Rosa threw weapons into the ring, but took a crazy long time, like opting for a different trash can than the one she initially pulled out, as May crawled up the ramp and hit a DDT for two. May had a bottle of a tequila, took a swig and misted Rosa, who stumbled to her feet and tackled May through a table set up against the entrance tunnel. McGuinness on commentary said May was just filling her opponent with spirit in a great line. Rosa hesitated, allowing May to chuck a trash can at her, causing Rosa to tumble down the ramp. May approached, but Rosa waffled May with a bottle that shattered for two.
Back in the ring, Rosa grabbed a pinata she brought to the ring and dumped out thumbtacks, but as she went for her Fire Thunder Driver, May was able to escape into May Day on the tacks. Both ladies go to the floor, as May sent Rosa into the steps before knocking Rosa’s father’s hat off, ripped his cane away and mocked him. May wrapped barbed wire around her own leg, went to charge at Rosa, who moved and May crashed and burned. Rosa grabbed the cane, but barely tapped May with it, before setting a table up, launching off it with a dropkick. Despite being pin attempts on the floor, Rosa threw May back inside for the cover and near fall.
Rosa wrapped a chain around May’s throat and choked away, but let it go in order to set up a chair. As Rosa again went to choke May with the chain, May reached into the bag Rosa had brought and threw dirt (we’re told from the Tijuana Graveyard) into Rosa’s eyes. They spill onto the apron, where May hits Storm Zero off the apron through the table and got the pin.
MJF defeated Adam Cole for the Dynamite Diamond Ring
(For being a very flat story the last, well, year, the crowd were really into this match and only grew stronger throughout. The referee was made to look like a complete dork buying MJF’s shenanigans to get the Undisputed Kingdom ejected, but it got the job done, as the distraction was long enough for MJF to steal the win. I have no idea if this feud continues (I hope not, they all need a clean break), but if MJF wants any shot at revenge, he’s going to need numbers as Cole appears to have all his friends watching his back, at least for the time being.)
Mike Bennett & Matt Taven are standing ringside and are “protecting” the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Bell sounded, MJF immediately took a powder, but Cole was right out after with a pump kick. Cole wanted the Panama Sunrise, but again, MJF bailed, only to pull Cole face first into the steps. Crowd chanted “He’s Our Scumbag” but MJF yelled back if he needed their help, he’d ask, so Shut The F*ck Up! Cole is bleeding, as MJF does push-ups in the ring before pouncing, biting at the head before hitting a powerbomb onto the knee for two. MJF mocked going for a Panama Sunrise, but got superkicked out of mid-air for the reset.
Cole fired up, hit the backstabber and brainbuster on the knee for two. Taven & Bennett cheered Cole on, as he went for the Panama Sunrise again, but MJF side-stepped and Cole came up limping, so MJF chop blocked him. MJF zoned in on the previously injured ankle, as a corner whip resulted in Cole collapsing. MJF posted the leg before trashing talking Thunder Rosa’s father ringside, calling him Yosemite Sam. MJF opted to Fargo Strut and resulted in Cole pulling his legs in and posting MJF, busting him opened in the process. Both back in the ring, as Cole fired back with punches in bunches before hitting the Panama Sunrise and The Boom for two. Cole went for The Boom again, but MJF crumbled. As Cole trash talked, MJF dove for the chop block to regain control.
Both start slugging it out as MJF screamed he never cared about Cole, who fired off a superkick, but MJF swept out the legs and got the Figure Four. Cole flipped MJF off and rolled over, causing MJF to get the ropes. As the ref checked on Cole, MJF went for the ring, but Taven & Bennett stood in front, so MJF smacked the ring steps and cried foul. Referee Bryce actually bought this and ejected Bennett & Taven (who we were told by Cole a few weeks ago were approved by Tony Khan to stand guard), as MJF quickly grabbed the ring. MJF charged at Cole, who hit a superkick and put the ring on himself. Cole went to use it, but MJF hit a low blow and the Heatseeker for the tainted win.
Post-match, MJF grabbed a chair and placed it around the ankle of Cole. He was about to Pillmanize it until Roderick Strong returned and hit the ring. MJF bailed up the ramp, but Kyle O’Reilly appeared and ran MJF back to the ring. MJF was stuck and hit with a High/Low, as O’Reilly helped Cole up, hugged him and held MJF with Strong, as Cole popped him with the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Cole, Strong & O’Reilly hugged, as this initially got boos, but turned into cheers as Taven & Bennett returned to stand tall with Cole.
Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis) defeated Powerhouse Hobbs to retain the AEW International Title
(This turned into one hell of a match and Hobbs’ best match of his career I’d argue. The crowd were clearly disappointed he lost, but he more than held his own and sold the knee injury incredibly well, especially with this being only his second singles match since returning in November. This was a superman performance from Hobbs and I’d be shocked if he didn’t win a title in 2025 in AEW.)
Callis joined commentary for this one and we immediately get “Meat” chants from the crowd as both slugged it out at the bell. Neither budge on initial shoulder blocks, but Hobbs launched Takeshita to the floor with one. Hobbs told Callis to watch as he drove Takeshita repeatedly onto the apron with slams. Takeshita went to the eyes, got the fireman’s carry and dropped Hobbs on his surgically repaired knee on the edge of the apron. Takeshita really zoned in on the knee back in the ring and helped when Hobbs wanted a suplex from the apron to the outside, but Takeshita reversed and suplexed Hobbs back inside. Hobbs was able to run through a lariat attempt and hit a cross-body block, as he was able to fire up with a series of corner clotheslines. Hobbs managed a running powerslam for a close two, as he clutched his knee on impact.
Both men slowly up, as Hobbs no sells a whip attempt, but Takeshita countered a powerslam into the Bastard Driver for two in an impressive power spot. Again, they slowly rise and trade standing clotheslines, with neither going down, so Takeshita opts for a stalling German suplex. Hobbs blocked the Power Drive Knee, but not the wild forearm. Takeshita charged, but ran right into a snap powerslam, as both went for a home run shot, with Hobbs hitting first and turning Takeshita inside out with a lariat for two. Takeshita floated over a spinebuster and chopped out the leg, leading to a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Hobbs was out at one and Callis stood up shocked. Hobbs hit another wild lariat for two, as he slowly went up top, but Takeshita cut him off, looked for a superplex, but both fell to the apron and Hobbs clutched his bad knee. Please Be Careful chants from the crowd, as they both go up the ropes and Takeshita gets his superplex and top rope senton before wanting a Power Drive Knee, only to run into the Spinebuster for two.
The straps are lowered by Hobbs, who fights through the pain, as Takeshita rolled to the apron. They climb the ropes again, as Takeshita raked the eyes, wanted his Avalanche Lariat, but Hobbs hit the Avalanche Powerslam instead for the double down. Hobbs took off his knee brace, but the delay allowed Takeshita to recover, hit a wind-up forearm, pump knee and front Guillotine until hitting the Raging Fire for the victory.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Kazuchika Okada who said Will Ospreay is like his younger brother’s little brother. Ospreay is on another level, but not Okada’s level…bitch.
Mercedes Mone defeated Kris Statlander to retain the TBS Title
(Similar to last month, these two ladies knocked it out of the park. The crowd were with them from the very beginning and really wanted Statlander to win this, but to no avail. Mone has been on another level over the past few months and has really been showing why she’s the best in the game. Statlander, even in defeat, continues her string of fantastic PPV matches and should be praised as well, I’m glad she got her flowers from the fans in the post-match. I want round 3 between these two in 2025 for sure.)
Statlander showed the power game early, but Mone used her speed to try and counter. Unfortunately for Mone, Statlander was ready for the hurricanrana and cartwheeled out. The ladies had a face-off, as Mone pie-faced Statlander, sent her to the floor and hit a dropkick through the ropes. Mone hit a running knee against the barricade, but tried a cross-body off it, only to get caught and Statlander walked up the ropes and bodyslammed Mone to the apron. Back inside, Mone picked up the pace, hit a hurricanana pin attempt for two, but Statlander was right there with a snap powerslam, held on and hit a backbreaker for good measure. Both ladies took time fighting up the ropes until Mone slid out and hit a powerbomb onto the apron. Mone remained in control, hitting the running double knees in the corner for two. Statlander exploded out of the corner with a clothesline, but Mone floated over into a backstabber for a near fall.
Another backstabber from Mone, who held on into the submission, but Statlander used her strength to power out. Statlander, maintaining wrist control, hit a series of clotheslines before a charging corner knee led to Chaos Theory for two. Mone escaped an Oklahoma Stampede, but Statlander did connect with a spinning sit-out slam for a near fall. Mone was placed in the corner, where she blocked a corner charge with a flashy Tornado springing DDT for two. Siete Amigos from Mone, as the crowd only grew louder as she hit the seventh suplex. Mone went up top and hit the Frog Splash just enough, but Statlander kicked out. Both ladies traded a series of backslide counters until Statlander hit a perfect Package Piledriver for two.
Mone connected on a series of jawbreakers, but Statlander stayed on her feet and started the forearm exchange. Statlander looked for another rolling German, but Mone spilled through the ropes with Statlander holding on and both crashed hard. Mone was up and managed a Mone Maker and had this won by countout but broke it at 9. She trapped Statlander’s ankle between the ring frame and canvas and stomped down as Mone hit a Meteora off the apron before reigning down punches. Statlander had to untie her boot to free herself, catching a diving Mone with a F5 on the apron. Back inside, another F5 connected, but Mone got her shoulder up so slightly, fans thought it was three. Statlander tried climbing the ropes, but had her legs swept out and Mone hit a scary sit-out Tombstone on the edge of the ring. Mone started celebrating the countout, but Statlander rolled in at 9 to a really cool visual and loud Statlander chants.
Mone screamed why won’t you die, as she locked in the Statement Maker, but transitioned into a STF, but Statlander lunged for a rope break. Mone is shrieking in frustration as she trash talked, charged, but ate a big Statlander lariat, who wanted Saturday Night Fever, but Mone escaped. Both traded rolling pin attempts until Mone got a Seatbelt pin with the leg trapped to get the victory. Post-match, Mone seemingly gave a nod of respect to Statlander before celebrating up the ramp. Statlander got a loud ovation from the crowd as she made her way to the back.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Will Ospreay to win the 2024 Continental Classic and retain the Continental Title
(An incredible ending to a phenomenal tournament and you would expect nothing else from these two, who are really incapable of having anything other fantastic matches. The way these two are able to get the crowd to lose their minds is quite something and if this was somehow the first time you’ve seen Okada vs. Ospreay, take time to seek out their New Japan battles.)
Jim Ross joins commentary for the final two matches of the evening, as Ospreay’s head is heavily bandaged from the opener. Okada teased his signature clean rope break, but instead popped Ospreay with a forearm, as Ospreay answered with hard chops. Ospreay quickens the pace with a snap hurricanrana that sent Okada outside, where he was met with a slingshot dive. Ospreay tried to jump from the barricade, but Okada avoided and hit a DDT on the floor followed by a draping version off the apron. Ospreay slowly rolled back to the ring where he ate a third DDT for a near fall. Okada starts toying with Ospreay before planting him with a neckbreaker that caused Ospreay’s bandage to come off. Ospreay tried throwing chops, so Okada dug at the forehead, wanted another DDT, but Ospreay snapped off a suplex. Handspring corkscrew kick connects for Ospreay, as the crowd are on their feet as she hits Pip, Pip, Cheerio for two. Ospreay charged, but Okada connected on a flapjack before placing Ospreay in the corner, hit a dropkick and the knee wrenched back for Ospreay, who crumbled outside.
Okada wanted a Tombstone on the floor, but Ospreay hit a hook kick and Oscutter off the barricade. Okada beat the count at 9, but rolled right into an Ospreay springboard dropkick and follow-up Oscutter for two. Ospreay fired off Kawada Kicks, but as he went for Storm Breaker, Okada countered into the Air Raid Crash neckbreaker before hitting the top rope elbow. Rainmaker flip off pose as the John Woo dropkick launched Ospreay to the corner. Ospreay fought back with a running Shooting Star, but Okada got the knees up and hit his signature dropkick for two. Okada tried a leap frog, but Ospreay put on the brakes and caught him into a Styles Clash for a very close two. Okada responded with the Emerald Flowsion and Rainmaker flush, but Ospreay managed to kick-out. Okada is slowly taking his time, waiting for Ospreay to recover, ducking a wild shot with a high angle German suplex, wanting another Rainmaker, which Ospreay turned into a Spanish Fly for two.
Ospreay went for Hidden Blade, but Okada hit his dropkick, which Ospreay no sold, hit a hook kick, tried another Oscutter, but got dropkicked in mid-air. Okada tried a Rainmaker, but Ospreay ducked and hit a Rainmaker of his own before hitting Storm Breaker for the closest two of the match, leaving the crowd going nuts. Ospreay wanted a Tiger Driver, but Okada flipped out into another Rainmaker and with both down, maintained wrist control. Ospreay fought back with another hook kick, Okada ducked Hidden Blade, wanted Rainmaker, Ospreay flipped over, tried Storm Breaker, Okada escaped, got the wrist and hit a Rainmaker to win it in an incredible closing sequence (did you catch all of that?). This was absolutely unreal.
Post-match, Okada offered a handshake to Ospreay, who was helped to the back by doctors. They played Okada’s music briefly until Christopher Daniels came out to the stage to congratulate him on continuing his reign as Continental Champion. Daniels said normally this is when he’d walk down and present him the title, but he’s no longer an EVP for AEW, this man is.
Kenny Omega’s music hits and the crowd goes nuts. Omega takes the Continental Title down to the ring and hands it to Okada, who holds it up in the air. Omega gives a golf clap and leaves as Tony Schiavone questions how long it will take for Omega to get back into ring shape and I’m going to guess it’s January 5th.
Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir) defeated Orange Cassidy, Switchblade Jay White & Hangman Adam Page to retain the AEW World Title
(Exactly the kind of chaos you’d expect in a 4-way, as I was somewhat surprised at how early this ended, thus the finish really caught me off guard. I know Death Riders constantly help Moxley, but it was sort of overkill at the finish. I will say the crowd went wild when Shafir finally got her comeuppance in a spot I didn’t think people saw happening until it actually did. I’m not sure where the challengers go from here, as the post-match kind of made it clear who will be next in line for Moxley & his crew. Once thing is for sure, it looks like almost everyone is getting healthy at the right time for AEW heading into the new era, which is a huge positive.)
Bell sounds and immediately Page & White start bickering, so Moxley rolls outside where Cassidy met him with a dive to kick things off. All three take turns putting the boots to Moxley against the barricade until Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta appear and bail Moxley out. They brawl with Page & White, as Shafir attacks Cassidy in the crowd along with Moxley. Security is able to escort Castagnoli & Yuta away, as Cassidy is ringside and distracts Moxley with his hands in pockets, as White & Page reappear and all three slam Moxley through the announce table with a powerbomb. The truce is over, as Page attacks Cassidy & White, as it’s a 3-way back inside with Page getting the upper hand and near falls as we see Christian Cage & The Patriarchy watching from a suite, but see HOOK in another keeping his eye on them. Page hit charging boots on White & Cassidy against the barricade and sent Cassidy crashing into the steps before trying a superplex back inside, but Cassidy fought back with a Stundog Millionaire. White was in, Cassidy nearly hit another, but White countered into a Cutthroat Suplex. Pop-up hurricanrana on Page, who was sent outside, but Moxley appeared and sent White outside. Cassidy wound up for Orange Punch, but ran right into a Moxley cutter in mid-air. The back of Moxley’s head is bleeding bad from the table bump as he & Page have a back and forth until White & Cassidy return and they tease school boy attempts until Moxley levels White with a lariat until Cassidy hits a spinning DDT for a reset.
All four rise to their feet until Cassidy just collapses to the floor, leaving White, Page & Moxley to slug it out. Everyone hit home run shots, leaving Cassidy alone with Moxley, tried the spinning DDT, Moxley countered, tried Paradigm Shift, but Cassidy hit Beach Break. Page pulled the ref out from making the count and dropped Cassidy with a Buckshot Lariat and another on White. Moxley wanted a piledriver, but Page hit the Dead Eye. Page wanted a third Buckshot, but Yuta returned, ran distraction briefly, but unsuccessfully, as Yuta ate a boot, Page hit the Buckshot, but there was no ref. Paul Turner ran down, but wasn’t in time, as Cassidy tried a roll-up for two, but took a low blow by Page. White came back and hit multiple Blade Runners, but as he made the cover, Yuta dove on the referee to break the count. Shafir appeared behind White, who spun around and laid her out with Blade Runner to a massive pop. Yuta ran in and hit the Busiaku Knee on White, as Moxley was up and hit a Death Rider as Castagnoli threw the original ref, Bryce Remsberg into the ring to make the cover and the pin, as Moxley retained in a chaotic finish.
Post-match, Yuta launched Bryce to the outside, as Death Riders stood over White and were about to take him out with a chair until FTR’s music hits. They stop on the stage as the lights went out and the Rated FTR logo appears on the tron and the music for the returning Adam Copeland hits. He joins Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, as FTR fight off Castagnoli with a dive and Yuta with a Shatter Machine. Copeland & Moxley are left face-to-face until Moxley swings first, but Copeland ducks and hits a Spear. Christian Cage is furious up in the suite, as The Patriarchy bails as Copeland broke off a piece of a chair and locked Moxley in a Crossface with it. You Deserve It chants from the crowd, as Castagnoli pulled Moxley to safety. Copeland took the mic and called Moxley kid, saying that Rated FTR are going to take everything from them. Copeland & FTR stood tall as commentary puts over Fight for The Fallen this Wednesday on the MAX simulcast where a Trios Match is officially signed for Copeland & FTR’s hometown. They really drove home the simulcast on MAX to close the show.
