Tag: Ftr

AEW descends upon London’s Wembley Stadium Sunday for All In — both the largest event in the company’s history and one of the largest in pro wrestling history.

In front of more than 80,000 fans, AEW World Champion MJF will defend against rival turned friend Adam Cole hours after they challenge Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions Aussie Open on the pre-show.

AEW Tag Team Champions FTR defend against The Young Bucks in their trilogy match. 

AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida will defend her title in a four-way that includes former champions Toni Storm and Britt Baker in addition to hometown favorite Saraya.

“Real World’s Champion” CM Punk will defend his ceremonial title against Samoa Joe while Will Ospreay will take on Chris Jericho in their first-ever clash.

The Golden Elite (Kenny Omega, Hangman Page & Kota Ibushi) will face Jay White, Juice Robinson & Konosuke Takeshita.

The rest of the card features Sting & Darby Allin in a coffin match, Jack Perry vs. Hook, and more.

**********

Zero Hour

Machinehead by Bush plays as Renee Paquette, Paul Wight, Anthony Ogogo & Kip Sabian welcome us to Zero Hour by quoting the late Windham Rotunda saying “wrestling is not a love story, it’s a fairytale for masochists, a comedy for people who criticize the punch lines, a fantasy most people can’t understand and a spectacle no one can deny.”

They run down the matches and have video packages before we see Powerhouse Hobbs waiting in the ring with security and a contract waiting to be signed for All In for his match with Miro. Hobbs said the people of London don’t deserve to see him, as Miro interrupted, had a faceoff with Hobbs, who tried a cheap shot, but Miro sent him to the outside. Security restrained Miro, who quickly broke free and laid them all out to stand tall, as he told Hobbs next week he will break his spine and humble him.

After some more video packages, Tony Schiavone introduced Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh, Jeff & Karen Jarrett to the ring, as Jeff proceeded to run down the London crowd about how American wrestling paved the way and trash talked UK wrestling. Paul Wight, Anthony Ogogo and Grado made their way out to a huge ovation. Excalibur referenced Jarrett smacking a guitar over Grado’s head during a media appearance a few weeks back. Wight & Singh had a face off and Wight KO’d Singh with a punch, while Lethal ate a choke slam. Jarrett ate a right from Ogogo before Grado got his revenge with a guitar shot.

MJF & Adam Cole defeated Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) to win the ROH Tag Team Titles

(A very fun sprint of an opener, with the crowd on fire for a majority, going crazy for the highly anticipated Kangaroo Kick and Double Clothesline by Better Than You Bay-Bay. Cole officially completes his quest on winning ROH gold he never held.)

Before Cole & MJF could do their double pose, Davis & Fletcher attacked from behind and hit the collider outside. Bell officially rang and MJF was isolated in the early going with Cole being kept from making a tag. MJF got a throat shot and wanted the Kangaroo Kick, but Fletcher put a stop to that. Finally MJF did a roll and made the hot tag to Cole, who ran wild with pump kicks and clotheslines. Fletcher avoided the Boom, but not the backstabber, which got Cole a two. Cole wanted Panama Sunrise, but opted to demolish Fletcher with a super kick instead. Cole & MJF called for the double clothesline, but Davis saved his partner. Cole got the crowd to chant for an MJF dive and he hit the ropes too long with Cole being dragged outside.

Davis & Fletcher hit double thrust kicks on MJF and connected with the Aussie Arrow for a near fall. Friendly fire from Aussie Open, as MJF hit a Kangaroo Kick that made the crowd go crazy. MJF & Cole hit the double clothesline on Fletcher that folded him up and got the three count and the titles.

-While Paquette, Wight, Sabian & Ogogo were recapping what we just saw, we cut to Mercedes Mone sitting in the crowd to a huge ovation.

-Lexy Nair is backstage with Britt Baker and said she never thought they’d be at Wembley, but also never thought she’d be complacent, which is what she’s been. Baker allowed herself to take a backseat, assuming someone would take the driver’s seat, but no one has. Tonight she walks out a bonafide star and the face of the women’s division. Baker will walk out women’s champion and re-start the era of D.M.D. Paul Wight said all the women in the title match are determined to win, but there’s a shark circling in the stands, bringing up Mercedes Mone.

HOOK defeated Jack Perry to win the FTW Title

(This didn’t go as long as I’d thought it would, but it was a solid brawl and win for HOOK. Perry is really settling into the heel role and I wonder if this is it for their feud or if there will be another chapter? Regardless, I’m looking forward to seeing what both men do next.)

Jim Ross joined commentary, as Perry rode to the stage in a limousine and was promptly met by HOOK, as Perry was whipped into the open door. As both fought to the top of the limo, Perry hit a suplex before hit a RVD Rolling Thunder on the hood. Perry told the camera “real glass, cry me a river” (a reference between the report of CM Punk’s take on Perry wanting to use real glass in a previous match), but wasted too much time and HOOK hit a fisherman’s suplex onto the windshield, shattering it. Both finally went to ringside and Perry hit a draping DDT off the barricade to regain control. Placing a trash can in front of HOOK; Perry went up top and mocked like he was going to do a RVD Coast to Coast, opting to flip off the crowd.

HOOK tried fighting back, but Perry hit rolling bridging suplexes for a few near falls and capped it with a thrust kick flush. Perry tried a moonsault on top of a trash can, but HOOK moved and leveled Perry with a lariat and trash can shot. Cross face punches led to REDRUM and despite Perry trying to fight his best, tapped out.

-Nigel McGuinness joined Excalibur & Jim Ross as we’re told CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe will kick off the main card.

AEW All In London

-Excalibur said “It’s Wembley, you know what that means” before welcoming us to the biggest night in AEW history.

CM Punk defeated Samoa Joe to retain the “AEW Real World’s Title”

(I thought this was an excellent opener, with the finish somewhat coming out of nowhere, despite it being Punk’s old finisher. The crowd was loudly behind Joe, but Punk, who played it up heel a bit, still had his share of chants. This was exactly the hard hitting opener you’d expect between these two.)

Nigel McGuinness cleverly said Joe has a Sweet Tooth for revenge. Punk smirked that he got in the first chop and used his speed early to avoid Joe’s strikes. While in a headlock, Joe slid to the floor and lit up Punk with chops. Back inside, Punk was teetering on the ropes like Terry Funk, getting chopped relentlessly. Joe tried his side step of a cross body, but Punk had it scouted and hit a hurricanrana dropping Joe on his head. Joe regained control and hit his old school ROH Ole, Ole kick outside, but Punk tried another hurricanrana off the apron, only to be caught by Joe and swung through the lower part of the announce table, busting Punk open. Joe picked Punk apart in the ring, hitting a corner charge and enzugiri with blood dripping from Punk. Signature Joe combo with the atomic drop, big boot, running senton got two, but Punk avoided a Muscle Buster into a high kick for the double down.

Punk hit the John Cena combo of shoulder tackles, spinning back suplex, then opted to get even more heat by channeling Hulk Hogan for a leg drop. Joe wasn’t having that, as he hulked up and fired off strikes and snap powerslam. Joe locked in the STF, transitioned into a crossface, but Punk escaped into a stiff high kick. The crowd is loudly booing Punk, who does the Terry Funk spinning toe hold, which Joe escaped with an inside cradle. STO connected, but again Punk avoided the Muscle Buster, this time hitting his old ROH finisher, the Pepsi Plunge and got the victory.

Konosuke Takeshita, Jay White & Juice Robinson (w/The Gunns & Don Callis) defeated The Golden Elite (Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi & Hangman Adam Page)

(What an action packed six man, with everyone getting in their offense and looking very good. You have a lot of singles matches you could do next week at All Out stemming from this result. The result certainly came out of nowhere, but it made sense to give Takeshita and especially Callis bragging rights over Omega.)

After a six man face off, it was Robinson who was isolated early by Page & Omega, who fired off chop after chop. Ibushi tagged in and Robinson bailed to tag White to reignite their rivalry from NJPW. Ibushi no sold everything White threw at him and punted White in the chest with a kick before firing off some Golden Lovers double teaming. They went to do the same on Takeshita, who had it scouted, but was sent to the floor where Omega hit his Terminator Dive. Robinson took the ref, as The Gunns held up Omega long enough for White to dodge a diving Omega and gain control. With Omega down, now Takeshita wants to pick him apart, as Callis on commentary was shown on the big screen and the crowd booed him mercilessly.

Ibushi tried to save Omega and briefly had a slugfest with Takeshita, but the numbers of White & Robinson were took much and they took out Page as well. Omega & Takeshita traded forearms until a Takeshita-line connected and White grounded Omega, even playing air guitar like Hiroshi Tanahashi before doing a dragon screw. Robinson connected on the Left Hand of God and standing senton, but Omega kicked out. Omega fought out of the corner and nearly dove for a tag, but The Gunns pulled Page & Ibushi away. That worked the first time, but after dispatching of The Gunns, Page made the hot tag and ran wild with multiple tope’s and diving lariat on White for two.

White avoided Dead Eye, as Ibushi got the blind tag and lit up White with a combo and standing moonsault. Omega & Ibushi tried their double moonsault to the floor, as Omega hit flush, but Ibushi slipped briefly on his, still getting enough. With White all alone, locomotion corner splashes led to a pop up German suplex into a half and half by Ibushi for two. Kamigoye was countered into a Uranage with the reset leading to Takeshita & Omega slugging it out. Robinson & White suffered snap dragons, as Takeshita was there to hit a Blue Thunder Bomb. Omega answered with a V-Trigger to the back and Poison Rana, Omega & Page hit You Can’t Escape on Robinson, while Page hit a Blockbuster on Takeshita. Page wanted the Buckshot, but The Gunns interfered, only to be both wiped out with a moonsault.

Buckshot was countered into a half and half by White, as Omega charged with a slam dunk, but Takeshita countered Kamigoye into a massive jumping knee. Page blindsided Takeshita with a Buckshot to the neck, as Omega caught White with a V-Trigger and one for Robinson as well. As Omega was going to go for a home run shot, Takeshita flew in and rolled up Omega for the flash pin. Page, Ibushi & Omega were shocked as Takeshita & Callis celebrated.

FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) defeated The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles

(Post match, McGuinness called this yet another classic in this title reign for FTR and I completely agree, this match was phenomenal and added to this saga between the two best tag teams in wrestling. It’s not a matter of if, but when will this happen again, as post match, the denial of a handshake means there’s still a story left to be told.)

The Bucks are rocking Freddie Mercury inspired gear for this one as an early back and forth between both teams, we got an all out slugfest leading to a double down. The Bucks kipped up and sent FTR to the outside to regroup. Nick hit a running punt kick on the apron on Harwood, while Wheeler was flattened by a Spear. Nick hit his corkscrew tornillo on both, as the crowd is split 50/50 with their chants so far. Wheeler ate a superkick, hung up in the ropes and Nick hit a Swanton for two. Wheeler remained isolated, nearly diving for a tag, but Matt hit a superkick on Harwood in mid air to prevent it. 15% miscalculation by The Bucks allowed Wheeler to make the hot tag to Harwood, running with jabs, lariats and suplexes. Three Germans from Harwood led to two Northern Lights by Matt, as each traded one more of each before a crazy amount of switches led to a number of near falls and again trading suplexes in a fun sequence.

Harwood countered a springing Nick into hit slingshot powerbomb, but he wasn’t the legal man, as Matt made the save, only to be trapped in a Sharpshooter. While on the apron, Wheeler somehow got a Sharpshooter on Nick as well until Nick powered out and launched Wheeler into the ring steps. Nick saved his brother and took out Wheeler with a moonsault leading to everyone down. The Bucks wanted a Power-Plex, but Matt & Wheeler tried double splashes, with Nick & Harwood getting their knees up. FTR hit the Spike Piledriver on Nick for a close two and the fans cheered loud. Matt saved his brother from Shatter Machine, as Nick & Harwood nearly replicated the Bulldog/Bret finish to Summerslam 92, but Nick kicked out.

Harwood collided with his partner and The Bucks answered with a Superkick Party until hitting a Spike Piledriver of their own for a near fall. Wheeler prevented a Meltzer Driver, so Nick took him out with a tope. The Bucks wanted BTE Trigger, but Harwood ducked and their knees collided. Wheeler sprinted in with a dive through the ropes on Nick, as the FTR Trigger connected into Shatter Machine, with Matt kicking out last second. Wheeler missed a 450 Splash, as The Bucks hit BTE Trigger, with Harwood breaking it up barely. Harwood knew what was in store, as he turned into Shatter Machine, while Wheeler ate another BTE Trigger, only to kick out. With every near fall, the crowd gets more and more loud. The Bucks tried Meltzer Driver, but FTR somehow countered into Shatter Machine in mid air and got the pin. Post match, FTR wanted a handshake, but The Bucks denied them.

Eddie Kingston, Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta & Penta El Zero Miedo defeated Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Mike Santana & Ortiz in a Stadium Stampede Match

(First off, I know it looks like I wrote a novel about this match, but I tried my best to keep up with everything that took place. Did this maybe go too long, sure, but you can’t say this match didn’t deliver the blood and wild moments. This match was crazy and lived up to the Stadium Stampede billing.)

Kingston sprinted down the aisle to meet Castagnoli. Best Friends & Proud and Powerful had a face off in the ring and reignited their rivalry from their classic Parking Lot Fight. Taylor hit a somersault suicida onto Ortiz & Santana, but trash can shots put them back in control. Meanwhile, Kingston & Castagnoli brawled into the crowd with Moxley using what I think was a branding iron on the side of the head of Beretta. Penta saved Beretta from a Street Sweeper by using chair shots and Sling Blades, but a backstabber barely connected. Moxley hit a springing Penta with a Paradigm Shift, as Moxley, in fact, is bleeding first. We get a split screen now with Kingston & Castagnoli and Yuta & Taylor paired off.

Moxley goes to the bag that Yuta brought to the ring and wanted to use skewers, but the tables were quickly turned and it was Penta who used the skewers, which the crowd couldn’t believe. With some of the skewers still in the head of Moxley, Penta hit Made in Penta for two as we see Kingston & Castagnoli battling into the royal box level of Wembley. Santana connected with a piledriver onto a chair onto Penta, as the doctors had to come out and check him as a result, with Penta ultimately being helped to the back. As this was happening, Cassidy tried his little kicks on Moxley, who brought out a fork and stabbed Cassidy relentlessly, busting Cassidy open. A violent brainbuster onto a set up chair led to Moxley raking a barbed wire board onto Beretta. We then saw back in the parking lot Yuta suplexing Taylor onto a set up guard rail.

Taylor & Kingston fought with Castagnoli & Yuta up in the box seats and used umbrellas as weapons, Kingston jamming the umbrella into the mouth of Yuta. McGuinness did make a Mary Poppins reference while this was going on. Kingston had a bottle smashed over his head by Castagnoli, while back in the ring, Beretta had his legs swept out of the corner and smashed onto a ladder before Santana & Ortiz followed with a powerbomb onto the steel, Beretta is bleeding now as well, as Moxley hit a suplex onto a barbed wire board. Beretta was dropped with a piledriver on the steps, as Ortiz stabbed away at Cassidy more with the fork.

Taylor & Beretta were thrown up the ramp and surrounded by everyone except Ortiz, who was setting up tables ringside. We then see a van drive up to the stage and it was indeed Beretta’s mother, Sue, who Moxley walked up to and kissed, which caused Beretta to explode and fight back. Sue handed her son & Taylor some trays of cookies, which they waffled The BCC with. The music for Penta Oscuro hit, as Penta appeared to no longer be injured and in different gear, as Penta & Santana fought onto a ladder, which broke initially, but they still hit a Destroyer off it through set up tables. A barely conscious Yuta was in the ring and Best Friends group hugged him to give the people what they wanted before beating him down.

Yuta tried to use the screwdriver on Taylor, who dodged and hit the Awful Waffle, but Moxley quickly answered with a dive outside. Castagnoli blocked Orange Punch into the Giant Swing. As the swing was still going on, Beretta superplexed Ortiz to the floor through tables, while Moxley slammed Taylor onto I believe Legos on the floor. Cassidy taped his hand with the sticky part on the outside, broke a bottle and dipped his hand in the glass, but Moxley cut Cassidy off before it could do damage. Cassidy did manage a Tornado DDT onto the broken glass, but Castagnoli hit a pop up uppercut to follow.

A bleeding Kingston walked out from backstage, holding a barbed wire chair and hit everyone that moved until Moxley tried to stop him. Kingston started firing off spinning backfists on Castagnoli & Moxley, who he ultimately tackled through a set up corner table. Cassidy popped up and hit an Orange Punch wrapped in glass on Castagnoli got the win in this chaotic war.

Saraya defeated Hikaru Shida, Toni Storm & Dr. Britt Baker to win the AEW Women’s Title

(A great moment and celebration for The Knight Family, as the hometown girl, who at one point of her career, never thought she’d wrestle again, now wins the title in front of 80,000 plus fans. I think it’s safe to say The Outcasts have officially imploded, as Shida & Baker not involved in the pin certainly gives them some gripe to get a title shot. Commentary also mentioned Mercedes Mone being in attendance and brought up how she might have something to say as well.)

Queen’s “We Will Rock You” played as Saraya made her entrance with her family. “God Save the Queen” played for Storm’s entrance, as McGuinness on commentary compared her to Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, among others. He also talked about how Baker must’ve handed out business cards around London, as she could be a millionaire with the possible business, which I got a kick out of.

Storm & Saraya dispatched of Shida early with a double powerbomb, as Baker was able to fight off both Outcasts initially, but the numbers were too much. Storm hit Sweet Cheek Music, but Saraya & Storm couldn’t figure out who would make the cover. Shida hit a double noggin knocker before suplexing Saraya into Storm. Ten corner punches on Storm was broke up with Saraya slamming Shida on the apron, as Storm had Saraya’s mother hold onto Baker, as Storm charged and accidentally wiped out Saraya’s mother. This infuriated Saraya, as Storm tried to plead her innocence, but led to a brawl. Storm got the upper hand, exposed the bottom turnbuckle and Ruby Soho ran to the ring to play peacemaker, but Storm popped her with a forearm and that was it for Soho.

Shida flew in with a missile dropkick, but Baker was there with a spinning neckbreaker. A Baker thrust kick caused Storm to fall onto Saraya for a cover, as Saraya was furious it happened, so she locked on the former PTO submission, which Baker hit a Curb Stomp for two. Shida, Baker & Saraya traded strikes until Shida hit a Falcon Arrow on Baker onto Saraya. Shida hit a Meteora and Katana kick, but Baker was there to apply the Lockjaw. With the submission applied, Baker didn’t realize Saraya sprayed Storm in the eyes with the spray paint and hit the Knight Cap to get the pin and win the title. Post match, The Knight Family jumped in the ring to celebrate the victory.

Darby Allin & Sting defeated Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) & Christian Cage in a Coffin Match

(Sting is 64 ladies and gentlemen, 64; I just want us all to remember that. We can question how Allin’s body is holding up, but the same can be said for Sting, as he’s defying the odds. This was such a fun match and a lot more fun than I thought it’d be. These four men absolutely crushed it. The usage of Metallica at the start was icing on the cake for me.)

Flash Garments & DJ Whoo Kid rapped Strickland & Nana to the ring. Meanwhile, Sting & Allin had a really great video walking the streets of London, with Sting wearing a top hat, half of his face as Joker and the other the Crow. When making their official entrance, Sting’s old theme, Seek & Destroy by Metallica played in an incredible moment. Sting & Cage had an early face off, as Allin pulled out two coats covered in thumbtacks from the coffin. Sting lit up Nana & Strickland with a cricket bat before tandem Coffin & Stinger splashes connected while wearing the jackets. Cage came in and chop blocked the leg of Sting, as he & Allin ate Spears before they ripped the jackets off. Cage taped the wrists of Allin behind his back, while Strickland used the cricket bat on Sting outside.

Cage missed a corner charge and Allin hit a no handed springing moonsault before hitting a running dive on Strickland. Allin broke free as Sting almost slammed Strickland into the coffin, but Cage kicked the lid shut at the last moment. Back inside, Cage wanted a Con-Chair-To, missed, as he laid out Strickland with a float over stunner on the apron. With Strickland draped over a table, Sting leapt off the apron once and it didn’t break, so Sting tried again and hit a massive legdrop to successfully shatter it. Excalibur with the line of the night saying Sting letting 80,000 plus know he is the table. Allin set up Cage on a chair and hit a shotgun dropkick off the top rope to the floor.

Cage was about to have the coffin door shut, but Luchasaurus appeared from behind to make the save and Snake Eyes Allin into the closed coffin door. Nick Wayne showed up and cracked Luchasaurus with a skateboard, but it was no sold and Luchasaurus hit a head butt and chokeslam onto the skateboard and took him backstage. Sting set up Strickland on top of the coffin and Allin tried a Coffin Drop off the top, but missed and Allin crashed insanely hard. The sound of the thud made was pretty gross, as Sting was left to go at it 2 on 1 in the ring. With the Scorpion Death Lock on Cage, Strickland hit a chair shot from behind, which Sting no sold. Cage hit a low blow with the bat, as Strickland hit the Swerve Stomp.

Cage laid out Allin ringside, as Strickland had Sting in the coffin, which had been brought in the ring. Strickland threw the bat in the coffin, as this allowed Sting to keep it from closing. Sting escaped, ate a Kill Shot kick, but took way too long on the top and missed a 450 onto the coffin. Allin outside fought back with a TNT Title shot to the face of Cage, as Sting laid out Strickland with a Death Drop on top of the coffin. With Strickland half stuck in the coffin, Allin did a Coffin Drop on top of it and slammed the door shut to win a wild spectacle.

Will Ospreay (w/Don Callis) defeated Chris Jericho (w/Sammy Guevara)

(This was another really good match, with Ospreay taking advantage of the home turf and the crowd being behind him. There was one spot with Jericho trying an OsCutter and both men clonked heads pretty good, but aside from that, these two certainly delivered in my book. I also really enjoyed this being a one on one match, with no outside interference. The post match is another chapter in Jericho not having many allies left, as Guevara was left on his own watching Jericho walk off.)

Jericho channeled his best Freddie Mercury Ay-Oh impression before Fozzy played Judas live for the Wembley crowd. Ospreay got his wish and had Elevated for his entrance, as the crowd was loudly behind him, with amazing pyro going off during it. We saw footage of Jericho attacking Ospreay last night at the RevPro show after Ospreay’s match with Shingo Takagi. Osperay shook off Jericho’s early and hit a Sky Twister Press outside that clipped Jericho on the head. Back inside, Osperay hit Pip Pip Cheerio, as both traded chops and big boots into a double down.

Ospreay was sent to the apron and Jericho hit his springing dropkick and baseball slide outside. Back on the apron, Jericho folded up Ospreay with a German, as Ospreay was shaking out his right arm as a result. Jericho targeted the upper back of Ospreay until a standing shooting star put Ospreay back in control. It was short lived, as Jericho fought back with a top rope hurricanrana. Osperay got his knees up to avoid a Lionsault, draped Jericho on the top and hit his Shooting Star splash. After countering their finishers, Jericho hit a Code Breaker to the back of Ospreay, who was looking for an OsCutter. A proper Code Breaker got a near fall, as Ospreay answered with a hook kick and OsCutter for two. Jericho incredibly countered Storm Breaker into a flipping hurricanrana into the Walls of Jericho.

Ospreay got free, as Jericho charged right into a Spanish Fly, as Ospreay wanted Hidden Blade, but ran into another Code Breaker and OsCutter from Jericho, who nearly landed on his own head in the process. It was very awkward, as Ospreay kicked out and hulked up into a forearm exchange. Jericho hit a mule kick with referee Aubrey being unaware, as a Judas Effect connected for two. Ospreay floated up and hit a massive powerbomb, as both went for home run shots, Ospreay hitting Hidden Blade first and then Storm Breaker, only for Jericho to kick out. The elbow pad was removed, as Jericho flipped Ospreay off and dared him to hit him, as Ospreay charged for Hidden Blade and another Storm Breaker to win it. Post match, Sammy Guevara tried to console Jericho, but he was shoved away multiple times, with Jericho leaving on his own.

-Nigel McGuinness went to the ring to thank the 81,035 paid attendance record for tonight’s event.

The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) & Billy Gunn defeated The House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews w/Julia Hart) to win the AEW Trios Titles

(I think they tried to cram too much stuff into this. Also the House Rules just popping up whenever they choose is kind of strange, as No Holds Barred was fine, but I think it resulted in a clunky match. That said, this result was the only way to go, with The Acclaimed & Gunn losing their first two shots at the Trios Titles. This also gives House of Black something to do outside of Trios tags in the future.)

House of Black paid tribute to the late Windham Rotunda by having a lantern during their entrance, as the fireflies in the crowd lit up. Commentary paid respects to Rotunda as well. We’re told this was House Rules, which happens just randomly I guess, as The Acclaimed & Gunn have selected No Holds Barred. Black hit an early moonsault outside on Caster, while Gunn & King fought ringside. Matthews flipped over the top to take out The Acclaimed, as Gunn teased a dive, put on the brakes and it was King who did a dive instead. Gunn again teased a dive, but Julia Hart stepped in and slapped him. Gunn told her to suck it and The Acclaimed hit Scissor Me Timbers on Hart. Yes, Taz made a yambag reference, which he realized didn’t apply in this situation, which was hysterical.

We once again see Mercedes Mone watching from the stands, as the House of Black took over, but King missed a charging senton on Gunn against the railing. Gunn drove a chair onto King’s head, but was surrounded by Black & Matthews, who both ate a double clothesline by Gunn. Locomotion splashes led to Gunn missing a Fame-Asser, but hit the One and Only for two. Bowens hit The Arrival on Black, as the match broke down with Bowens dropping Matthews with a right hand, but the House of Black hit triple corner charges for a near fall. King is bleeding from earlier in the match, as he wrapped a chain around his fist, but accidentally cracked Black.

Caster low bridged King, while Gunn & Caster took turns hitting Fame-Assers on Matthews. Hart again intervened, which allowed Black to hit The End kick on Gunn, who kicked out. House of Black went for Dante’s Inferno, but wiggled free, as Bowens hit The Arrival on King, Caster connected on The Mic Drop, but King kicked out at one. Gunn hit another Fame-Asser, an Arrival by Bowens and second Mic Drop by Caster got the win and the titles. Post match, the House of Black didn’t want to initially give up their belts, but showed respect and awarded them to Gunn, Caster & Bowens, who said Gunn deserves this moment. Despite being Bad Ass tonight, they scissored with Daddy Ass in celebration.

MJF defeated Adam Cole to retain the AEW World Title

(What a story these two told, from the opening few minutes of friendship, to things getting more intense throughout, each man couldn’t pull the trigger for the home run shot. They couldn’t find it in themselves to cheat to win. An excellent performance by champion and challenger, with the crowd being there every step of the way. Friendship won out tonight, but there’s no telling when the wheels of this team will fall off, I’m thinking sooner rather than later.)

Cole had a standard entrance, while MJF came to the ring on a gold throne and wore his devil mask, ladies kneeling and bowing in masks down the aisle. From the opening match of the 2018 All In to the main event in 2023, it’s been quite the journey for the AEW World Champion.

Being brochachos, MJF & Cole put their tag team shirts on at the bell and wanted a right down the middle match with drop downs and leap frogs with headlocks into a stalemate. A Fargo Strut and Rude hip swivel from MJF nearly led to him eating a superkick, which he dodged and Cole did his pose. MJF started a sportsmanship chant, but poked Cole in the eyes to He’s A Scumbag chants. Cole slapped MJF and the match picked up with Cole hitting the fireman’s carry neckbreaker on the knee. Both men took turns pulling the others hairs into a slam, as MJF faked a dive, turned his back and ate a superkick for two. Cole said they might be friends, but he’s better than MJF, as he ripped the shirt off MJF, who hulked up, but Cole raked the eyes. MJF blocked a superkick and ran wild with corner punches in bunches, whipping Cole violently to follow.

MJF was again tempted by a dive and successfully did it this time, as he was stunned like everyone else. A double stomp to the arm off the second back inside led to a wild series of near falls until MJF bridged out of a jackknife cover and caught a Cole leap frog into a powerbomb on his knee. Cole responded by hitting MJF’s own Heatseeker, but MJF got his foot on the ropes. MJF was sent into the steps outside, as Cole followed with a violent sheer drop brainbuster onto the steps and Taz said it was right in front of MJF’s parents, who are sitting ringside. MJF didn’t move until 9 and broke the count, as I wonder why Cole even wanted to win by countout there.

Cole wanted the Panama Sunrise, but MJF rolled outside, so he could sweep the legs of Cole on the apron. MJF cleared the announce table, but couldn’t bring himself to Tombstone his best friend. Cole meanwhile, pulled the trigger just fine, as once MJF came back, Cole dropped him with the Tombstone on the table and got a two count back inside. Cole was able to hit a Destroyer back inside, but the momentum allowed MJF to hit a kick before collapsing together. Both men rose to their feet and yelled for Double Clotheslines, as they collided at the same time, both men’s arms draped over the other and referee Bryce counted the double pin. Justin Roberts called the match a Draw and Cole demanded 5 more minutes just like their last match. MJF declined and said they’re going until they have a winner in f*cking Wembley.

Both men got quick roll ups and Cole charged, but collided with referee Bryce, as MJF is smirking and grabbed a chair. Both men tried channeling Eddie Guerrero and played hot potato with the chair until Cole bumped, so MJF wrapped the chair around his head and played dead. Cole couldn’t believe it as Bryce recovered and saw the chair, but MJF got a school boy for two; hit a thrust kick and Heatseeker for a near fall. To the apron they went, as Cole hit a Florida Key on the edge of the ring and Panama Sunrise onto the floor, but MJF kicked out back inside. Cole wanted a proper one in the ring, but MJF pulled Bryce in and Cole laid out the ref with a Panama Sunrise.

MJF reached in his trunks for the Dynamite Diamond Ring, but like the Tombstone, couldn’t pull the trigger and put the ring away. Roderick Strong appeared from behind and punted MJF low, as Cole turned and didn’t realize what happened. Strong told Cole to finish it, as Cole hit a Panama Sunrise and lowered The Boom, but no referee, as he got a visible three. Bryce recovered and MJF kicked out officially at two. Strong threw the AEW Title at Cole and told him to use it, as Cole took his shirt off, but couldn’t bring himself to do it. Strong stormed to the back, as MJF surprised Cole with an inside cradle and got the flash pin. Cole was left in shock.

Post match, MJF said the crowd still loves Cole and MJF got lucky, as Cole is in tears. MJF grabbed the ROH Tag Titles and said Cole still has them, as he slapped them away. MJF broke down and called Cole a fake piece of s*it and threw the AEW Title at Cole, saying he was never his friend, turning his back and telling Cole to hit him. Roderick Strong appeared again on the apron yelling for Cole to do it, but Cole threw down the belt again and hugged MJF. Cole & MJF stood tall with their hands raised as pyro went off and confetti poured down with The Kingdom consoling Roderick Strong on the aisle.

Excalibur informs us AEW is returning to London and Wembley for All In next year on August 25.