The AEW World title will be on the line as part of tonight’s AEW WrestleDream from St. Louis, Missouri.
Hangman Page will put the championship up against former titleholder Samoa Joe in a first time one-on-one match.
AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander will defend against former champion Toni Storm in their first-ever singles match.
In an I Quit match, Darby Allin and Jon Moxley will attempt to settle their differences.
In the two other title matches, Brodido will defend the AEW World Tag Team Championship against Konosuke Takeshita & Kazuchika Okada while Kyle Fletcher defends the TNT title against Mark Briscoe.
The Young Bucks battle Jurassic Express for $500,000 while The Hurt Syndicate takes on The Demand in a tornado trios match.
The main card is rounded out by an appearance from TBS Champion Mercedes Mone and Jamie Hayter vs. Thekla.
The Tailgate Brawl pre-show begins at 7 PM Eastern with four tag team bouts.
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Tailgate Brawl
A video package for Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxley’s I Quit Match is shown to kick off the Tailgate Brawl, with this feud truly kicking off at last years WrestleDream when Moxley & the Blackpool Combat Club retired Bryan Danielson. This leads to the opening contest, as Marina Shafir gave fist bumps to her crew before letting them go to the ring on their own. The Conglomeration’s tron video is right out of Saved By The Bell, as Roderick Strong reluctantly joined his team’s entrance after being urged by Kyle O’Reilly.
The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii) vs. Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia)
(This was a Collision level main event party match, as everyone got their offense in and despite being the first match on the pre-show, had the crowd loudly going out the gate. With this win by the Death Riders, the ball is in their leader Jon Moxley’s court if they want to walk away undefeated on the night.)
Tony Schiavone, Daddy Magic & Nigel McGuinness are on the call, as Strong & O’Reilly lit up Garcia with strikes to start, until Yuta made the tag, only to walk into an arm drag. The fans are already loudly booing Yuta, who blocked a Stundog from Cassidy, tagged PAC, who connected on a guillotine legdrop off the second. PAC allowed Cassidy to recover, as things went to break.
We return to Ishii & Castagnoli slugging it out, until Ishii ramps it up with shoulder tackles, until Castagnoli delivered one of his own. After trading suplex attempts, Ishii was successful, until Yuta tried a cheap shot, but ate a forearm. The distraction allowed Garcia & PAC to floor the opposition and keep Ishii isolated, as Yuta delivered Anvil elbows. Ishii managed to mow down Garcia & Yuta with a double clothesline and make the Cassidy lukewarm tag. Stundog to Yuta, but Garcia was there for a rear naked choke. Cassidy escaped and delivered a flying clothesline off the top, before PAC came in and was spiked by a spinning DDT. Castagnoli ate a PK, but blocked an Orange Punch in the Giant Swing. Cassidy tried sitting his way up mid revolution and got a rear naked choke of his own, while Strong & O’Reilly locked in abdominal stretches on Yuta & Garcia. PAC broke things up, as Castagnoli swung Cassidy around, blocked the Stundog into a no handed airplane spin into an F5. Pin attempt was broke up by Paragon, as there’s a second commercial break.
Cassidy flew out of a choke hold by Castagnoli into a hurricanrana, as Strong made the tag and ran wild with backbreakers aplenty. Blind tag by O’Reilly, who punted Garcia in the chest with a kick before double hip tossing Yuta with Strong. Castagnoli cleaned house, side-stepping the Strong/O’Reilly high low with a double clothesline. Ishii tagged in and started throwing German Suplexes on everyone in his path, until PAC answered with a bounce back German of his own. The match broke down ringside, as Yuta laid out O’Reilly with a Busiaku Knee, Cassidy fired off an Orange Punch on Cassidy, while Ishii turned PAC inside out with a lariat. Garcia grabbed the refs foot, giving distraction long enough for Ishii to get blindsided by a PAC running knee to steal the pin.
Match Result: Death Riders defeated The Conglomeration when PAC pinned Ishii
-Video package on Hangman Adam Page vs. Samoa Joe for the AEW Men’s World Title later tonight.
Eddie Kingston & HOOK vs. The Frat House (Cole Karter & Griff Garrison w/Jacked Jameson)
Excalibur tagged in for Daddy Magic, as there was an inset promo from LFI, which we didn’t hear much of due to audio issues. All we really got was Rush saying his Mess with the Bull, You Get the Horns line, as it was essentially to tell us LFI isn’t done with Eddie Kingston. HOOK & Kingston immediately destroyed Garrison & Karter ringside to start, but The Frat House turned the tables back inside, with Karter hitting a picture-perfect dropkick and Garrison with a huge splash, as Kingston was isolated. Garrison missed a second splash, as Kingston hit a shoulder tackle off the second, before HOOK made the hot tag with suplexes in bunches. Kingston joined and we got stereo overhead throws. HOOK brought Jameson in the hard way before Kingston lit him up with Kobashi machine gun chops. Garrison tried a discus forearm, but HOOK side-stepped and Karter ate the shot. Backfist by Kingston led to REDRUM from HOOK, as Karter tapped out.
Post-match, we saw LFI watching on by the stage, as I need to point out that Beast Mortos was wearing a suit jacket.
Match Result: Eddie Kingston & HOOK defeated The Frat House when HOOK submitted Karter
-Big Boom AJ & Big Justice are having a Tailgate Party for the PPV in Boca Raton, FL. They just plugged the show, while also saying come Full Gear next month, they’ll bring the boom to Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta, as they’ll face AJ & a partner of his choosing. Romero & Beretta walked in, trash talked the internet guys, as AJ got his ass kicked, while Justice was crying over his dad after Romero & Beretta walked off. This was, whatever, at least it’s on the pre-show, this actually made me view Romero & Beretta as babyfaces if you ask me.
Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron vs. Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford
(Aside from one messed up spot down the stretch, I thought this was an action-packed tag and the crowd was very much into it, even giving it a This Is Awesome chant. Commentary made sure to point out the upcoming Women’s Tag Team Titles being created soon, but didn’t give us anymore details except that they’re coming.)
Ford mocked Cameron after some early takedowns, but Cameron shot a double leg before tagging in Nightingale. 10 short arm lariats delivered to Ford, before locomotion corner splashes led to Cameron tagging back in for a short dropkick. Ford scurried free, tagged Bayne, who immediately asked for Nightingale. Cheap shot by Ford, but it led to nothing, as Nightingale got a near fall on Bayne. Ford tried to jump in for a double team, but Nightingale mowed both down with a double clothesline. Double enzugiri with Cameron & Nightingale, before a cazadora assisted splash on Ford led to a double suplex attempt on Bayne, who countered by suplexing both Cameron & Nightingale. Ford followed up by moonsaulting off the top to the floor onto both ladies as things went to break.
Things return right as Cameron managed a tilt-a-whirl DDT on Bayne, leading to a Nightingale hot tag, as she ran wild with clotheslines. Pounce launched Bayne, as Ford was flattened with a Spinebuster for two. Doctor Bomb was countered into a hurricanrana by Ford, as Bayne tagged in for an assisted Stunner for a near fall. Cameron ran in with a backstabber on Ford, but Bayne laid her out with a flying clothesline. Nightingale spiked Bayne with a DVD, but Ford was there with a Matrix Cutter into the reset.
Nightingale & Bayne traded shots, until a huge lariat connected by Nightingale before tagging in Cameron. Bayne fought off both women with a flying lariat out of the corner. Tag made by Ford, who went up top for a Doomsday Device, but Cameron rolled through and Ford crashed hard. Bayne was sent outside, as Nightingale met her with a cannonball off the apron. Ford tried I think a fireman’s carry double knee, but got none of it, so thankfully Cameron kicked out. Cameron blocked a boot, then drove Ford down with a pump-handle suplex before tagging Nightingale, who hit a Doctor Bomb for the win.
Match Result: Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron defeated Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford when Nightingale pinned Ford
FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler w/Stokely) vs. JetSpeed (Speedball Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight)
With only 5 minutes left of the Tailgate Brawl, Tony Schiavone really put over how this match could bleed over into the PPV, something he said was unheard of. FTR attacked before the bell, but JetSpeed quickly turned the tables with a series of dropkicks and dueling slingshot dives. Harwood reversed an irish whip and slammed Bailey into the ring steps, as Knight leapt off the barricade for a dive. Back inside, Harwood decked Knight before Wheeler joined for a double suplex, but Bailey saved his partner. Each team try to suplex the other until everyone spill over the top, crashing outside. The end credit was shown for Tailgate Brawl, despite a minute being left, as Excalibur tells us to tune in to the PPV to see the finish.
AEW WrestleDream 2025
Pyro was set off as the crowd were going nuts, as FTR & JetSpeed turned things up to 100, as they slugged it out, until Harwood wanted a piledriver on Bailey on the apron, but Bailey countered into a backflip double knee. Wheeler sprinted in, Bailey dodged and took out both FTR with a springboard moonsault. Back inside, Shooting Star Press was rolled through by Bailey, who hit a hurricanrana thrust kick on Harwood, as Knight hit a rolling splash for two. Wheeler tripped Bailey to the floor, but Knight hit a leaping DDT on Harwood for another near fall. Knight sent Wheeler outside, wanted a dive, but Stokely grabbed the foot. Knight sent all three colliding before spiking Harwood with a Sky High for a close two.
Harwood was able to battle back with a Sharpshooter, but Knight just managed the rope break. FTR wanted a Power-Plex, but Bailey put a stop to it. An amazing spot where Harwood had Wheeler backflip out of a back suplex into a position to hit Knight with Shatter Machine, but Bailey flew in with a Shooting Star double knees to break the count. Machine gun kicks by Bailey, who, after all this action, made the legal tag before having a chop battle with Harwood. This turned to slaps, as the fans are losing their minds for this until Bailey threw a thrust kick and spin kick in the corner, but was cut off in the corner. Harwood hit a superplex, but Bailey got the knees up from a Wheeler splash. Harwood got his knees up from Knight UFO Splash, as Bailey got a backslide on Harwood, it was a three, but the ref slightly pulled the count. Time Adventure clobbered Harwood, as Wheeler came in, but Knight sent him packing. As Bailey went for a suplex on Harwood from the outside in, Stokely swept out the legs, held the feet and FTR stole the pin.
Post-match, Stokely trash talked children ringside so much I think one of them shoved Stokely, who ordered security to throw them out.
Match Result: FTR defeated JetSpeed when Harwood pinned Bailey
-Tony Schiavone is ringside with Charlie Thesz, the wife of the late great Lou Thesz, who thanks Schiavone so much for having her, she couldn’t be happier to be here.
Thekla vs. Jamie Hayter – Everyone Banned from Ringside
(This was incredibly hard hitting, as both ladies didn’t hold back. This could’ve gone either way and at one point towards the finish, I thought Thekla was going to walk away with the victory. This is a good preview of what we’ll hopefully get come Blood & Guts in a few weeks, despite not knowing the teams officially as of yet, which is something we’ll learn soon hopefully.)
Both connected on early big boots before each trade full mount punches in bunches. Hayter ramped up machine gun chops, causing Thekla to take a powder. Tilt a whirl head scissors back inside by Thekla, but Hayter answered by running through her with a shoulder tackle. Hayter went to the floor, slamming Thekla into the barricade and steps. Placing Thekla right in front of Charlie Thesz, Hayter chopped Thekla before shaking Thesz’s hand. The brief delay allowed Thekla to crack Hayter with a running boot and wild top rope cross body. Thekla violently slammed Hayter into the barricade in front of Thesz and faked a handshake, which got loud jeers.
Back inside, Thekla remained in control with a low thrust kick and multiple near falls. Tarantula head scissors in the corner, as Hayter tried powering out, but collapsed with Thekla still having the head locked. After being picked apart for minutes, Hayter finally battled back with an exploder and missile dropkick from the corner for two. Thekla fought back from the apron, went up top, but Hayter side stepped, Thekla rolled through, both missed corner charges until Thekla just popped Hayter with wild slap. Thekla was trapped in the Tree of Woe, but quickly powered up, only for Hayter to headbutt her in the face. Hayter missed a second missile dropkick, both traded high kicks, until Hayter nailed a fireman’s carry neckbreaker for the double down.
Both took turns throwing home run strikes that got more and more stiff, as Hayter wanted a Hayter-ade, but Thekla countered into the Black Widow. Hayter managed to escape, but Thekla locked in the Death Trap, with Hayter just managing the rope break. Thekla argued with referee Bryce, leading to Hayter to hit a Hayt-breaker for two. Thekla floated out of a back suplex, did her Spider bridge and laid out Hayter with a Spear, but Hayter’s foot was under the rope. Spider pose again, as Thekla wanted another Spear, but Hayter took her head off with a lariat, then hit a proper Hayter-ade for the win.
Post-match, Queen Aminata hit the ring to celebrate with Hayter, as Julia Hart & Skye Blue were standing on the ramp as Thekla was crawling to them.
Match Result: Jamie Hayter defeated Thekla
Jurassic Express (Jungle Jack Perry & Luchasaurus) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) for $500,000
(A classic PWG style tag match, with this crowd being so loud throughout it. Everyone was on their A game for this one, as Jurassic Express are right back in the Tag Title picture, as it’s nice to see them back as a duo and the fans being behind them. They continue to tease The Bucks & Omega mending fences, as I assume that’s what’s next, since Omega & Perry are back on the same page. Only time will tell.)
A hilarious graphic reading Young Bucks Bucks was shown on the big screen, showing all the expenses Matt & Nick have spent over the last few weeks after winning their last $500,000, with only $32.17 left in their accounts. The theme music was a computer saying “Insufficient Funds, Transaction Denied” as The Bucks tried taking money from fans ringside, who said they’d pay to take a selfie with them before they looked at the bag full of $500,000 awarded to the winner.
Loud Luchasaurus & Jungle Jack chants from the St. Louis crowd, as it was Perry & Matt who kicked things off. Perry mocked The Elite hand gesture before flipping Matt off, who got a chop to the windpipe before tagging Nick, whose left side is taped up. Perry avoided a double hip toss, took down Nick with a hurricanrana and kipped up into a pose. Luchasaurus in now, as Nick tried to use his speed, hit a chop to the back, but only annoyed the dinosaur as a result. Blind tag to Matt, as The Bucks tried an assisted pop-up hurricanrana, but Luchasaurus caught Nick and chucked him into Matt. Perry repositioned the tag rope on a different corner, as it was distraction for Luchasaurus to bite at Matt. Hip toss, low dropkick, big boot combo, as The Bucks try running away, but Luchasaurus took them out with a moonsault off the apron. Perry followed by clearing the top with a dive onto Matt & Nick, smirking at the camera afterwards.
Perry used a fans sign to whack Matt in the head with, until back inside, Matt superkicked the leg out in the ropes, allowing Nick to hit a slingshot swanton. Luchasaurus ate a PK on the apron, as Matt followed with a moonsault off the barricade before smelling the bag of cash. The Bucks continued to pick apart Perry until the bounce back double stomp powerbomb was countered into a hurricanrana by Perry who leapt for the Luchasaurus hot tag. Big time beals, corner chops and lariats led to Luchasaurus standing tall. Double choke slam was countered into a double leg sweep and PK, as The Bucks did their pose, but Luchasaurus rose from the ashes, kipped up, ducked a superkick, laid out Matt with a thrust kick and chokeslammed Nick on his brother. Wild hurricanran to the floor by Perry, who sprung back inside with an assisted Tombstone Cutter to give Luchasaurus a near fall.
Doomsday Device is fought out of by Nick, as Perry rolled through, blind tag by Matt, as The Bucks hit a sunset German suplex combo. Superkick in the corner, as the bounce back double stomp powerbomb hit, but Perry kicked out. Both teams found themselves in a Chicken Fight on the floor, until Matt hit a flipping Cutter off the apron on Luchasaurus, while Nick hit a running Destroyer on Perry. Back inside, The Bucks wanted an TK Driver, but both collided, until Perry tried a head scissors on the apron, but ate a powerbomb for his troubles. Assisted Package Piledriver off the top, Excalibur said The Bucks dusted off an oldie (shoutout to Big Kev), but Perry kicked out. The Bucks wanted a BTE Trigger, Perry rolled through, tried a double DDT, but The Bucks countered, got the BTE Trigger, but Luchasaurus broke it up. More Bang for Your Bucks, countered, as Perry hit a top rope hurricanrana into a German suplex, as Luchasaurus hit a backflip splash, Perry sprinted in with a Destroyer, then hit a proper Doomsday Device, but Matt kicked out.
Perry punched Matt right in the ribs before hitting a TK Driver until Nick broke it up. Countdown to Extinction was avoided, as The Bucks hit a Superkick Party, including two on Luchasaurus and one in mid-air on Perry. BTE Trigger hits, but Perry kicked out. The Bucks called for a TK Driver, but Luchasaurus chokeslammed Nick in mid-air, as Perry hit a Poison-Rana on Matt. Countdown to Extinction connects, as Perry put away Matt.
Post-match, Perry & Luchasaurus offered their hands to The Bucks, who got up on their own. Perry offered some money to them, but they were attacked by Mark Davis, Josh Alexander & Lance Archer. Alexander got in The Bucks face, as Matt & Nick opted to walk away, until Kenny Omega’s music hit. Omega walked out, tried to get The Bucks to join him, but sprinted to the ring in a 3-on-1. Jurassic Express helped even the odds and sent The Don Callis Family packing. Omega returned the favor from the help Jurassic Express gave him in recent weeks. Omega got a scarf from someone in the crowd and held up a sign that read Inoki Forever.
Match Result: Jurassic Express defeated The Young Bucks to win $500,000 when Perry pinned Matt
The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & MVP) vs. The Demand (Ricochet, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) in a Tornado Trios Tag
(I was skeptical when this match was announced and the stip was just like the Street Fight a few weeks ago. However, I give all 6 of these men credit, this felt completely different than their previous clashes, and aside from a table spot, didn’t rely on weapons at all, which is smart. The Hurt Syndicate vs. The Opps seem to be next on the schedule, which should be quite something to say the least, opening up a whole new series of matches.)
We’re told this is also for the #1 Contender for the Trios Titles, as The Demand attacked during The Hurt Syndicate’s entrance. Benjamin fought back, turning Ricochet inside out with a lariat and applying an ankle lock on Kaun. Knee lift from Ricochet broke it up, as a running Shooting Star got two after MVP broke it up. Lashley saved MVP from getting picked apart, as Kaun was launched on the floor with an overhead suplex. Ricochet flew in with a dive, Lashley didn’t go down, so Liona mowed him down with a Pounce up the ramp. Lashley was placed on a table ringside, as G.O.A. Opened the Gates on Benjamin off the steps through Lashley and the table. MVP was left surrounded in the ring and was beaten down as a result. Step-up Shooting Star Press off the back of Liona by Ricochet, but Benjamin broke the count, only to be sent packing again.
MVP was able to side-step all three Demand members, as Lashley turned into a train and steamrolled everyone ringside. Ricochet was turned inside out with a lariat, while G.O.A. were dropped with a DDT/Flatliner combo. Dominator by Lashley to Ricochet, who kicked out at two. Lashley wanted a stalling superplex, but G.O.A. made the save with a super Tower of Doom almost for two. Kaun laid out Benjamin with a Big Ending, then took out MVP & Lashley with a slingshot dive. Ricochet wanted a dive, but Benjamin got a quick go-behind and launched Ricochet over the top onto the pile with a German Suplex before clearing the top with a dive. Thrust Kick popped Kaun, as Benjamin was low bridged by Ricochet, who tried a springboard on MVP, who side-stepped and hit the Ballin elbow. Fisherman’s Suplex hit, but Liona broke it up. Lashley & Liona traded submission attempts, until Benjamin flew in with a pump knee, giving Lashley a chance to hit the Spear on Liona. Ricochet was surrounded now, but Kaun pulled him to safety, opting to take the bullet for him. Knee strike by Benjamin led to another Spear by Lashley for the win.
Match Result: The Hurt Syndicate defeated The Demand to become #1 Contenders for the AEW Trios Titles when Lashley pinned Kaun
Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis) vs. Mark Briscoe for the TNT Title
(A slower start than you might expect, but these two ramped it up in a major way the second half. The crowd will forever cheer for Mark Briscoe and I’m in the camp of thinking he should’ve won the title tonight, as Fletcher has proved he belongs in the main event level of talent in AEW. However, I understand with The Don Callis Family having a ton of titles, you don’t want Fletcher losing his so soon. An absolute excellent match.)
Callis joined commentary and said Fletcher is an Adonis, which you can’t spell without Don. Callis also said Briscoe has a genius IQ for a Golden Retriever, as after an early feeling out process, Briscoe hit a slingshot dive and bit at Fletcher before hitting a snap suplex on the floor, followed by a Cactus Elbow. Briscoe chucked a chair in the ring, tried to do his launch off it, but Fletcher grabbed it and took it to the floor. The brief delay allowed Briscoe to hit a baseball slide, had Fletcher take a seat, as it was followed by a somersault dive through the ropes, as Callis headed for higher ground. Briscoe wanted a Blockbuster off the apron, but Fletcher dodged and Briscoe went splat. Fletcher quickly set the ring steps up on its side and powerbombed Briscoe onto them.
Fletcher remained in firm control back inside, planting Briscoe with a Michinoku Driver for two. Both traded big boots, hit simultaneously, then collided with a double clothesline, turning one another inside out, which looked great on the slo-mo replay. Each exchange chops until Briscoe fired off a flying forearm, flipped out of a backdrop attempt into a Fisherman Buster for two. DVD countered, as Fletcher tried a lawn dart, Briscoe slipped free, Fletcher avoided Jay Driller into a Half and Half followed by a leg lariat and huge sit-out Last Ride powerbomb for two. Running corner boot connects, Briscoe floated over the brainbuster attempt, but Fletcher hit another running boot before heading up top. Fletcher wanted the brainbuster, Briscoe slid out, turned Fletcher around, wanted an Avalanche Splash Mountain Bomb, but Fletcher fought out and hit a big time superplex into the double down.
Fletcher tried a PK from the apron, Briscoe blocked, but ate a thrust kick flush. Fletcher tried a brainbuster, but Briscoe countered into a Jay Driller on the edge of the ring. Fletcher tried to get feeling going in his hands, as Briscoe threw him back inside, only to miss the Froggy Bow. A third running corner boot connects for Fletcher, but once more, Briscoe avoided the brainbuster, hung up Fletcher on the top rope, as Briscoe hit the Froggy Bow and another follow-up one on the outside. Briscoe completed the trifecta, hitting a third back inside, but Fletcher kicked out. Fletcher escaped a Jay Driller, traded pin attempts, until Briscoe hit an exploder, Fletcher still fought off a Jay Driller, this time into another Half and Half, but Briscoe fired up into a home run lariat. Jay Driller landed, but Fletcher got a literal finger on the ropes.
Briscoe wanted a Cutthroat Driver, but Fletcher grabbed the ref for leverage, shoved Briscoe into the ref, punted Briscoe low and hit a brainbuster, but Briscoe got a shoulder up. Fletcher had a gif worthy reaction, as a running knee caught Briscoe flush, but again, kicked out. Lawn dart and flying corner kick hits, as Fletcher quickly set Briscoe up for an Avalanche Brainbuster, connects and got the victory.
Post-match, El Clon came to the stage to celebrate with Fletcher & Callis, while The Conglomeration all were out to check on Briscoe.
Match Result: Kyle Fletcher defeated Mark Briscoe to retain the TNT Title
Kris Statlander vs. Timeless Toni Storm for the AEW Women’s Title
(I thought this turned into a great women’s title match, as both champion and challenger brought it tonight in their first time singles meeting. This was a needed title defense for this to be a strong reign for Statlander, as I’m genuinely interested in seeing where Storm goes from here. The vignettes alone should be worth that journey.)
Video package on Storm was shown pre-entrance as she said she’s ready to make her murder, but death is not ready for her. Statlander had a video with her AEW career highlights and it said they thought she was a woman, but she’s so much more. To protect, to defend, to lead the world as champion, the cosmic champion, Godspeed Stat Daddy. Statlander had a galactic entrance and two extras that helped her with her attire.
Very even feeling out process, as neither could build much momentum in the early going, as the takedowns and kip ups from Statlander visibly frustrated Storm. Finally able to hit a shoulder block, Storm mocked Statlander’s pose and hit a hip attack through the ropes. Battling back on the floor, Statlander hit her pendulum moonsault off the apron as she hoisted Storm onto her shoulders, walked up the steps and just dumped Storm into the ring before flat out squashing her with a slingshot senton. Body scissors wore Storm down, as Statlander transitioned into a rear naked choke, which Storm escaped from, only to run right into a huge lariat. Springing corner Vader Bomb got Statlander, which was followed by a twisting variation for a near fall. Statlander took too much time to follow-up, allowing Storm to his a suplex into the corner.
Storm fired up, tried a Sky High, but Statlander threw a kick to the ribs and spinning face plant driver. Statlander charged in the corner, but ran right into a Storm Tornado DDT and Tiger Driver for two. Sit-out reverse Hammerlock Driver connected for Storm, but she missed a follow-up hip attack in the ropes, giving Statlander a chance to roll through into a submission, only Storm got the rope break. Dueling chants as Storm slid out of an electric chair and sank in the TCM Chicken Wing, but Statlander got the ropes this time. Big Package by Storm got a near fall, but Statlander quickly up into a Blue Thunder Bomb and did the deal with the Falcon Arrow for two into the double down. Thrust kick from Statlander, as Storm avoided Staturday Night Fever into a head scissors into the corner. Violent Sweet Cheek Music landed, but Statlander avoided taking Storm Zero, which led to the Area 451 splash for a close near fall.
Storm up first and hit another Storm Zero, but again, Statlander kicked out. Statlander just about got the Seatbelt Pin again, but Storm kicked out. Each traded and no sold release Germans until Statlander hit a discus lariat and Staturday Night Fever before locking in the head scissors submission once more. Storm tried to fold Statlander up, but the kick-out allowed Statlander to sink it in deeper. Storm tried valiantly to escape, screaming to Statlander to “f’n kill her” as Statlander let go of the submission and hit another Staturday Night Fever for the pin.
Post-match, Storm took the title from referee Aubrey and gave it to Statlander before they hugged. Storm gave Statlander the ring, as she held the title high after an impressive title defense.
Match Result: Kris Statlander defeated Timeless Toni Storm to retain the AEW Women’s World Title
Mercedes Mone’s music hits and out walks 10 belts Mone, dressed like Selena, as she was in CMLL last night. The Frat House are dancing dorks ringside, as they’re the ones holding all of Mone’s titles, with Mone having the TBS Title. Mone congratulated Statlander on her win, but get the hell out of her ring. Mone shooed her away, as Statlander said she has her eye on her before leaving. Mone said for St. Louis to say hello to the longest reigning TBS Champion of all time, Ultimo Mone (Ultimone is so much better if we’re being honest). The music for the ROH Interim Women’s TV Champion, Mina Shirakawa hits and she has answered the Open Challenge.
Mercedes Mone vs. Mina Shirakawa for the TBS & ROH Interim Women’s TV Titles
(This was in a tough spot to follow the previous title match. Despite thinking it went slightly a bit too long, I think it turned into a very good one, as once Shirakawa kicked out of Mone’s finish, that shocked the crowd and got them behind her. This is another case, though, where it’s going to take such a strong challenger for Mone to lose anytime soon. Shirakawa will always be beloved by the fans, I’m not sure many believed she was going to be that challenger. I assume we’re getting Statlander vs. Mone again soon, with Mone going for yet another title, which, now that she’s broken Ultimo Dragon’s record, what’s the end game here? She’s going to have to lose eventually.)
Shirakawa immediately applied a Figure Four, causing Mone to scramble to the ropes and take a powder. Shirakawa mocked the CEO dance and did one of her own, as she rolled Mone up for two. Springboard arm-drag by Mone into a Statement Maker attempt, but Shirakawa avoided it into a tilt-a-whirl leg sweep. Surfboard Stretch applied, as Shirakawa again does the CEO dance before hitting a Buzzsaw Kick, only to try it once too many, as Mone ducked into a Crossface. Backstabber into the Lungblower connects, but Shirakawa kicks out. Double knees land flush in the corner for Mone, but Shirakawa answered with a huge DDT. Mone spun out of a suplex and followed with the Three Amigos, continuously walking over the fallen Shirakawa. Meteora hit for two, as Mone went up top, but missed the Frog Splash, as Shirakawa got the knees up. Snap suplex by Shirakawa led to the reset, as the fans were cheering for Shirakawa loudly.
Both ladies trade forearms and dropkicks, until Shirakawa hit a slingshot while the legs were trapped in a Cloverleaf position. Shirakawa zoned in on the left leg before an over-the-top Tornillo got two. Sling Blade connects off the top, but Mone managed to kick out. Glamourous Driver Mina hits flush, but Mone just got a shoulder up. Figure Four applied, but again, Mone got the rope break, as both ladies went out to the apron, where Mone got a lungblower, which had to do more damage to herself than her opponent. Meteora followed, but Shirakawa kicked out back inside. Mone hit another Meteora off the second and sunset bomb into the corner landed, but a final Meteora didn’t, as Shirakawa caught Mone with a backfist before going back t to the Figure Four.
Shirakawa charged, Mone got a drop toe hold and tried to steal it with feet on the ropes and handful of tights, but was caught by the ref. Mone sent Shirakawa into the ref, got an eye poke and sank in the Statement Maker. Shirakawa escaped, cazadora, Figure Four attempt again, but Mone cradled out, hit the Mone Maker, but Shirakawa got a rope break, which got the crowd back into this. Mone is pissed off, as she slowly picked Shirakawa up, told her she’ll never have her title, tried the Mone Maker again, but Shirakawa backed her into the corner repeatedly. Shirakawa charged, as Mone got a backslide and foot on the bottom rope to steal it.
Post-match, confetti reigns down on Mone, who officially breaks Ultimo Dragon’s record (you can debate some of the titles if you’d like, but she’s a heel, I get it) as Kris Statlander ran out. Mone tried a right hand, but Statlander blocked and drove Mone down with a Samoan Drop. Mone scurried away, as Statlander held up the AEW Women’s World Title.
Match Result: Mercedes Mone defeated Mina Shirakawa to retain the TBS Title and win the ROH Interim Women’s Title
Brodido (Brody King & ROH Champion Bandido) vs. AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada & IWGP Champion Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis) for the AEW Tag Team Titles
(I thought it was going to take a hell of a lot to top The Bucks vs. Jurassic Express for best tag match of the night, but this certainly did just that in my opinion. From the bad blood finally coming to ahead with Okada “accidentally” hitting a Rainmaker on Takeshita, to King’s constant encouragement to Bandido to never give up on himself, this had it all, Macarena included and was Match of the Night so far for me. It should surprise no one that these four were able to have such an incredible match as they did.)
Okada & Bandido exchanged good sportsmanship rope breaks before ramping it up, Okada avoiding a dropkick and dropping an elbow right to the back before tagging Takeshita. Intense face-off by Takeshita & Bandido, channeling back to their ROH World Title match earlier this year, as Bandido fired off a fast head scissors before tagging in King, where a chop battle just flattened Takeshita. Wiggling free from a powerbomb, Takeshita fired off a Takeshita-line leading to Okada tagging back in. It was actually King that was isolated early, but Okada woke up the giant, who ran through both Okada & Takeshita before Bandido made the tag with a wild Tornillo off the top and head stand that stalled Okada in his tracks. With an assist from King, Bandido launched off the top rope with a moonsault onto both Takeshita & Okada.
King squashed Takeshita with a cross body against the barricade, while Bandido wiped out Okada as well. Back inside, Takeshita was lit up by thrust kick and sliding lariat before the cazadora splash connected. Bandido was about to finally get his wish at getting King to do the Macarena, but Okada put a stop to that, doing the Macarena while flipping the crowd off simultaneously, absolutely amazing. Okada & Takeshita zoned in on the bad shoulder of Bandido and kept him isolated, as Okada did his no height elbow off the top and was going to give the Rainmaker middle finger, when Takeshita flew in with a senton on Bandido and had a stare down with Okada, who was still flipping the bird. The delay allowed Bandido to break free and make the hot tag to King, who threw heavy shots, ducked a Takeshita-line and flatten Takeshita with a Samoan Drop. Okada came in and was hit with a corner DVD onto Takeshita, as King followed with a Cannonball on both men. Massive chop to the throat of Okada while up in the corner, but Okada bit at the nose and hit the Air Raid Crash onto the knee for the double down.
Bandido tagged in and fired off a Code Red on Takeshita, who was out at two. Takeshita side-stepped a corner splash, both threw a home run shot at the same time, with Bandido connecting first with a backfist. Bandido tried a 21-Plex, but Takeshita blocked into a Bastard Driver attempt, but Bandido landed on his feet off a German attempt, Okada flew in with a shotgun dropkick, King ran through Okada, as Takeshita threw a Power Drive Knee until Bandido & Takeshita traded Poison Ranas. Cannonball on Okada by King, who fell back into the Blue Thunder Bomb by Takeshita, but Bandido flew off the top with a Shooting Star Press for a two count in an incredible sequence hard to keep up with.
Callis left commentary to check on Okada, who gave a thumbs up, as Takeshita ripped the tape off Bandido’s shoulder. Takeshita no sold strikes until Bandido fired off a pop-up hurricanrana for two, but Takeshita recovered first with a Power Drive Knee. Takeshita lowered the knee, but Okada stole the tag, as he wanted a Rainmaker, but Bandido rolled through into a cazadora double stomp. Tag to King, who sank in the hanging choke off the apron on Takeshita, as he collapsed outside, as Bandido launched off King’s shoulder into a dive outside on Takeshita. Okada was lit up with chops and corner splashes, as the assisted Dante’s Inferno connected, but Takeshita broke the count. Takeshita escaped a Doomsday Device and sent King into Bandido in the corner. Incredibly impressive Bastard Driver into the wheelbarrow German, but King no sold and turned Takeshita inside out with a lariat. Bandido leapt for a cross body on Okada, who hit a picture perfect dropkick in mid-air. Bandido escaped a Rainmaker, tried a 21-Plex, but Takeshita saved his partner, only for King to try and suplex all 3 men (partner included) at the same time, as the crowd went nuts.
King had a slugfest with Takeshita & Okada, who answered with dueling dropkick & pump knee. Bandido was ping ponged back and forth with strikes until a suplex from Okada led to a missed Takeshita knee. Bandido, still having fight, ducked a Rainmaker, as Okada waffled Takeshita. Okada said he was sorry, but with a big smile on his face. Okada walked right into X-Knee, but Bandido couldn’t do the 21-Plex due to the bad arm. King returned and spiked Okada with a sitout DVD, as King encouraged his partner to not give up before taking out Takeshita with a dive. Bandido took the advice and hit a one-armed 21-Plex and pinned Okada to retain in a thriller.
Post-match, Callis was pissed, as Bandido brought a child wearing his mask into the ring to celebrate and hold up a title. Takeshita was left looking on from the ramp, as it was Callis who was tending to Okada. King refused Bandido to leave the ring before granting him what he’s always wanted, he did the Macarena.
Match Result: Brodido defeated Kazuchika Okada & Konosuke Takeshita to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles when Bandido pinned Okada
-Renee Paquette is backstage and approaches a visibly distraught Timeless Toni Storm, who couldn’t answer the question where she goes from here. Mina Shirakawa walked up, as Storm said they both lost everything, while Shirakawa hugged her and said no, they have each other. They weaped, as Storm consoled Shirakawa, looking off into the distance.
Hangman Adam Page vs. Samoa Joe for the AEW Men’s World Title
(This felt like one of those hard-hitting Joe ROH World Title matches circa 2003-2004. These two beat the living crap out of one another and it took everything that Page had to put Joe down. The post-match is very interesting and something I didn’t expect coming and really looking forward to seeing where they go from here. The Joe vs. Page feud is not just a one and done as many might have thought.)
Dueling chants during the feeling out process, as Joe didn’t budge much from early Page offense, instead, mowed right through him with a shoulder tackle and regroup outside. Page answered with a leg lariat and cross arm breaker in the ropes on Joe’s taped up left arm. Both trade chops until again, Joe trucked Page with a back elbow before lighting him up with jabs. Placing Page on a chair ringside, Joe fired a big boot right to the face, but took too long to follow-up, giving Page a chance to hit his springboard lariat, slingshot cross body and was going to try the Orihara Moonsault, but Joe stepped out of distance. That seemed to catch Page off guard, as Joe fought him off briefly in the ring, but Page low bridged, tried the Orihara Moonsault, only Joe side stepped and Page flew out of camera shot. Joe recovered, but Page flew in from off camera with a shotgun dropkick into the guard rail. Back inside, Page charged, but right into a STO from Joe, who followed washing the face of Page with boots before decking him with the Ole Kick. Page tried to fight back, but ran right into a kitchen sink, Manhattan Drop, big boot and running senton signature combo for two. Again, Page tried to get back into it, but Joe hit his snap powerslam to remain in control.
Joe fired off more jabs, only this time, Page starting firing up and turning it into a chop battle. Enzugiri staggered Joe, but a German suplex was supposed to see Page land on his feet, but it was actually on his neck. Despite that, Page recovered and sent Joe to the apron, where a big boot hit. Page wanted the Orihara Moonsault, but Joe rolled back in the ring, Page repositioned, tried a proper moonsault, but got none of it. Both start trading strikes, until Joe hit Kawada Kicks, powerbomb into the STF, transition into the Crossface, but Page got the rope. Joe brought Page up in the corner, as Page fought free with chops and Sunset Bomb for two. Joe went back to Kawada Kicks, but Page screamed “come on motherf*cker!” as Joe sank in the choke, Page escaped, tried a Buckshot, but landed right into the Coquina Clutch. Page started fading, but there was still fight, getting the rope break. Page escaped a Muscle Buster and spiked Joe with Dead Eye for the closest near fall of the match. Page went to the apron, hit one Buckshot, Joe didn’t go down, hit a second Buckshot, Joe didn’t go down, threw one final Buckshot, Joe crumbled and Page got the victory.
Post-match, Katsuyori Shibata & Powerhouse Hobbs came to the ring to tend to Joe, as the crowd chanted for Joe loudly. Page & Joe shook hands as Joe raised Page’s hand, but leveled him with a clothesline. Hobbs & Shibata started putting the boots to Page, as Joe cracked him in the head with the AEW World Title. Hobbs & Shibata set Page up in the corner, where Joe hit a Muscle Buster onto the title. Joe stepped onto and over the body of Page and walked off with The Opps, flipping off fans on his way to the back.
Match Result: Hangman Adam Page defeated Samoa Joe to retain the AEW Men’s World Title
-Mercedes Mone is backstage and talks about Kris Statlander ruining her historic night. It’s time for Mone to disrespect Statlander and she’s beaten her twice already, so time to come after her AEW Women’s Championship, challenging Statlander to a title match at Full Gear.
-We’re told The Opps will defend against The Hurt Syndicate this Wednesday on Dynamite for the Trios Title. Also, the Women’s Tag Team Title Tournament bracket will be announced. Finally, Kazuchika Okada will defend the AEW Unified Title against Bandido.
Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir) vs. Darby Allin in an I Quit Match
(It takes an awful lot for pro wrestling fans in 2025 to chant things like “This is F’D Up” “This is Murder” and “WTF?” but moments in this war certainly made those valid. I will say, the blood was kept to a minimum, as these two were incredibly creative in terms of holy sh*t spots. Ultimately, Allin, with an assist from an old friend, finally did what he’d never been able to do, defeat Jon Moxley. Where each go from here is going to be incredibly compelling, as this main event isn’t going to be for everyone, but my goodness did it deliver what it promised.)
Bell sounded and Allin laid down the AEW flag in the center of the ring, which Moxley stepped right on, so Allin quickly sent Moxley outside with a follow-up wild somersault dive. Moxley went back to the ring, as Shafir tripped up Allin long enough for Moxley to explode with a John Woo dropkick. Moxley put Allin’s mouth on the ropes and kicked at it before wrapping his fist in a chain and punching Allin repeatedly with it, causing him to bleed from the mouth. Moxley seemingly guillotined Allin on the middle ropes, destroying Allin’s ear, before going outside and throwing Allin back first into the sharp part of the steps. Moxley asked Allin how far does he want this to go? Placing Allin’s hand on the step, Moxley ordered Shafir to go get some bamboo skewers and drove one under the fingernail of Allin in a pretty damn sick spot. Moxley bit at the fingers, as Allin screamed “F No” on whether he’d quit. Moxley tried to whip Allin into the steps, but Allin leapt over and launched off the steps with a huge dropkick.
Back inside, forearms and chops thrown by both until a combo lit up Moxley into a Code Red. Allin wrapped the AEW flag around the throat and hung Moxley over the top, as Moxley started panicking like he did at All In against Hangman Page, but this time he gouged at Allin’s eye. Allin went for a Coffin Drop off the top, but Shafir pulled Moxley to safety and Allin went thud on the apron. Moxley hugged Shafir for saving him before tossing Allin back in the ring, where Moxley took his belt off and whipped the hell out of Allin over and over. Moxley became frustrated, as Allin piggy backed him, only to be planted with a release German suplex. Allin crawled to his bag with Moxley’s back turned and sprayed lighter fluid into Moxley’s eyes. Allin scurried over to grab a lighter, Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia sprinted out, but were sprayed with the lighter fluid as well. The distraction allowed Moxley to hit a Cutter, as PAC & Claudio Castagnoli was out and threw a towel to Moxley to wipe the lighter fluid off himself.
Moxley went to Allin’s bag of tricks and pulled out a stun gun. Allin fought it off, but Shafir hit a low blow, Moxley stunned Allin in the midsection before hitting a Paradigm Shift through a chair. Tony Schiavone told commentary Ole Anderson hit him with a stun gun in 1990, which was a hilarious line during such a serious match. Moxley cranked at the Bulldog Choke, but Allin flipped Moxley off. With two tables set up ringside, Castagnoli teased gorilla pressing Allin threw them, but slowly turned, told commentary to move, he charged and launched Allin from the ring through the commentary table. Castagnoli & PAC pulled Allin over to the opposing side of the ring, where Moxley hit a Paradigm Shift from the apron through the two set-up tables. “This Is Murder” chants from the crowd, who are bordering on speechless from what they’re seeing.
Moxley screamed that no one cares about Allin, but he does and pleads for Allin to quit, but he doesn’t. With Moxley screaming at Allin, Death Riders brought an aquarium into the ring and filled it with water, as Shafir poured water on Allin to wake him up, as they threw him into the ring. “WTF” chants from the crowd now, as Moxley starts trying to drown Allin. Every time Moxley pulls Allin out of the water, Allin refuses to quit, as the crowd chants “This Is F’d Up” until the lights go out.
They come back on and Sting is in the ring (gray hair, gray beard and all), standing behind a Moxley with a baseball bat. Moxley gets choked out by the bat, as Sting starts beating the hell out of the Death Riders with the bat before shattering the aquarium. Moxley is shocked as Sting tosses the bat to Allin. Sting went to leave, Shafir got in his face and started talking trash, when Sting put her over his shoulder and took her out. Moxley stood in the middle of the ring, offering Allin a shot and he certainly took it. Bat shots to the ribs and legs before wrapping the AEW flag around Moxley’s throat and hitting the Scorpion Death Drop. Coffin Drop off the top followed, as the Scorpion Death Lock was applied and Moxley quit.
Post-match, Allin raised the AEW flag high as he clutched it to end the show.
Match Result: Darby Allin defeated Jon Moxley
