Shortly after concluding AEW Worlds End last month, fans saw wrestling legend William Regal open up in public and address wrestlers performing dangerous and high-risk spots in wrestling as a fallout from the All Elite Wrestling PPV. Now, almost a week later, AEW President Tony Khan responded to Regal’s comments positively.
“Pro wrestlers are always taking hard-hitting and high-risk chances. That’s one of the things that makes pro wrestling so exciting. In AEW, we’ve been able to have all of these great events, and we’ve never had a career-ending injury like that from our wrestling,” Khan added.
“I don’t think that AEW is any different than any other wrestling promotion in the world. The wrestlers want to do their very best, and sometimes a promotion will step in. AEW and I have at times stepped in and said, ‘I can’t do that. I don’t think that’s a good idea.’ I don’t want to do that every day or every match, but there are times where it comes up, and that’s okay.“
“Everything you talk about, these are things you constantly balance in sports. Not just AEW, but all sports. Taking care of your athletes and doing things to protect the health and safety of the athletes to make the sport work,” Khan concluded.
A spot from AEW Worlds End saw Kyle Fletcher land abruptly on his neck, which brought up concerns regarding the safety measures in pro-wrestling. Mark Hoke also noted on his show that it could have been the moment that led to Regal’s comments.
Tony Khan shares his thoughts on Jon Moxley vs. Kyle Fletcher from AEW Worlds End
In the same podcast, while addressing the injury concerns and risky moments in the sport, Khan also made sure to reveal his thoughts on the Moxley vs. Fletcher match.
“I thought Worlds End was great, and I thought everything about it was wonderful. And if anybody was talking about Kyle Fletcher vs Jon Moxley, that’s my one of my favorite matches of all time. And, it’s all subjective. Best match is always in the eye of the beholder. And I do think it’s something to be really proud of AEW to hang our hats on. How fantastic a year that was. All our wrestlers are doing well, and what AEW accomplished in 2025, going into 2026.“
On this first edition of Wrestling Weekly for 2026, Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa dive into comments made recently by Arn Anderson and William Regal about injuries and risk taking in today’s wrestling and the response from Kenny Omega.
We also look at a successful end to the year for AEW with Worlds End and Dynamite as well as the text messages that surfaced from Vince McMahon in an ongoing lawsuit.
The final AEW Dynamite of 2025 will see Jon Moxley face off against Josh Alexander. If the latter is able to defeat Moxley or even make it to the twenty-minute time limit, he’ll earn a future Continental Championship match.
“After Mox won the 2025 C2, he’ll fight Josh Alexander in a Continental Eliminator: no outside interference, Alexander can earn a future title shot with a win or lasting the 20 minute time limit!” Khan wrote.
Moxley emerged as the winner of the 2025 Continental Classic this past Saturday after defeating Kyle Fletcher in the semifinals and Kazuchika Okada in the finals of the touranment at AEW Worlds End. After defeating Okada, he was awarded the Continental title as he cut a promo thanking not only those who competed in the tournament but also the fans, saying it was a championship not just for himself but also for them.
AEW Dynamite New Year’s Smash (December 31)
TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone defends against Willow Nightingale
AEW Continental title eliminator: Jon Moxley vs. Josh Alexander
AEW National Championship: Ricochet defends against Jack Perry
John LaRocca and Garrett Gonzales return with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss some of the most interesting topics in pro wrestling this week.
We first gave our thoughts on AEW Worlds End from Jon Moxley winning the Continental Classic to MJF ending the night as the AEW World Champion.
Then, we talked about where were see some AEW and WWE wrestlers in 2026 compared to how they ended 2025. Are they on the rise? Will they fall? Or, are they going to stay exactly where they are?
2025 was a year that had Tony Khan marveling at how good Jon Moxley is.
While speaking with Sports Illustrated, Khan credited Moxley for being a throwback to the days when champions still worked 200-plus matches each year. The pro wrestling schedule is no longer quite as grueling, but Moxley is the only person besides Khan who was present for every Dynamite and Collision this year.
Khan said Moxley was even banged up at the start of 2025 but was able to work himself back to health without taking any time off.
“Jon was pretty hurt at the start of the year,” Khan told Sports Illustrated. “He was banged up, and he worked his way back in without ever taking time off. He’s been here all year, and he actually got healthier wrestling every week. The man’s a marvel.”
Moxley held the AEW World Championship going into 2025 but dropped it over the summer. He still ended the year with gold, though, winning the Continental Classic at Worlds End to become the new Continental Champion. Moxley, who legitimately split his tooth in two during the pay-per-view, defeated Kyle Fletcher in the tournament semifinals at Worlds End before going on to defeat Kazuchika Okada in the finals.
Khan told Sports Illustrated that AEW owes Moxley so much, and he’s so grateful to have Moxley in the promotion.
“John’s wrestling was awesome all year,” Khan noted. “He put out his very best all year.”
It’s the Sunday edition of Wrestling Observer Live with Andrew Zarian.
The big story from the weekend was Saturday’s AEW Worlds End. Andrew discusses the show in detail and breaks down the biggest stories coming out of the pay-per-view which icludes MJF as the new AEW World Heavyweight Champion and Jon Moxley turning babyface.
Also, we got the start of the Mercedes Mone meltdown after losing her match in she and Athena’s AEW Women’s Tag Team title challenge, and everything else from the show.
Plus, notes from the media scrum, a look at Wrestle Kingdom 20, and a new WWE United States Champion was crowned on SmackDown.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the Worlds End PPV, all the matches and angles and where they’re going with storylines, lineups for the upcoming week, ratings notes, more on Roland Bock, and tons more!
A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Rick Link enters hospice care 3:24: AEW Worlds End recap 49:27: Lineups for the coming week 51:01: Ratings 55:24: WWE SmackDown notes 58:26: More on Roland Bock
Tony Khan and other AEW stars spoke to the media following Worlds End.
Khan, Kris Statlander, and members of the Conglomeration spoke to press following Saturday’s pay-per-view in Chicago. Here are the highlights:
Kris Statlander
She was asked about spitting in Hayter’s face. Statlander said her sob story is over, she isn’t an underdog. Her moment is now, she is the champion.
When asked about new fans tuning into AEW, she said she would like new fans to know that wrestling wasn’t a passion her whole life, but now it has become her passion. It’s taken over her life in a good way. Never too late to follow your dreams and be the best version of yourself.
The Conglomeration
When Orange Cassidy was asked about teaming up with Toni Storm again, he said “God willing.”
The Babes of Wrath came in. Harley Cameron performed a song called “The Babes of Wrath.”
Cameron says she knows her background is in entertainment but her heart is in wrestling, she’s passionate and motivated. Wrestling is where she wants to grow and thanked Tony Khan for giving her the opportunity.
Regarding her match with Mercedes, Willow says last time she came up short, but now they’ll both show up well studied and will have fire in their bellies on Wednesday.
Tony Khan
Khan thought Christmas Collision was maybe “the best Collision ever.”
Renee asked Tony at one point if he knows any good dentists, referencing Jon Moxley splitting his tooth in half during the Continental Classic semifinal match.
Khan continued to push AEW’s achievements in this year’s Sports Illustrated awards, spending a lot of time going over each award AEW won.
Khan thought Moxley/Fletcher may have been the best Continental Classic match.
When asked about Adam Cole’s status and his hope to be in AEW more next year, Tony Khan says there was no pressure for him to return, he’s just happy to hear Adam Cole and for fans to see him. He wants Adam Cole in AEW, but has no health update.
Khan was asked if he had plans set for the future, primarily in 2027 when the company would need to peak before their next television deal. Tony Khan generally talked about events upcoming up, particularly their final show of 2025, before saying they have plans for years to come.
Based on early numbers, Worlds End is trending “incredibly well.”
He was asked about his reaction to Jon Moxley being cheered for his AEW Continental Clasic win after being a heel for most of the year. Khan said he wasn’t surprised, as he’s one of the greatest wrestlers ever. People have always liked Jon Moxley even if he did terrible things. When you eliminate some of the outside interference and other elements that drove fans against the Death Riders and eliminate the shortcuts, Moxley is still a great wrestler. He expected the crowd to react that way as he’s a popular star.
Regarding Maya World and Hyan signing with AEW, Khan said they’ve been doing a fantastic job. They’ve delivered time and time again, they’ve been getting more competitive, they bring something great to the roster.
At the December 27th edition of AEW Worlds End, Jon Moxley faced off against Kyle Fletcher in the second match of the night, before winning and qualifying for the Continental Classic finals. However, mid-way through his match with Fletcher, fans saw Moxley suffer a painful moment.
During a ringside spot involving the steel steps, Moxley slipped and stumbled, landing tooth-first on the top edge of the steps and suffering a bloodied, chipped tooth. The moment appeared to be a fluke and occurred while the two were setting up a different spot. Shortly after the PPV ended, Bryan Alvarez reported that Moxley had “legit” split his tooth in two during the incident.
Sisters of Sin (Julia Hart and Skye Blue) defeated Hyan and Maya World
Eddie Kingston defeated Zack Gibson
Máscara Dorada and Bandido (with Alex Abrahantes) defeated Don Callis Family
JetSpeed (Kevin Knight and “Speedball” Mike Bailey) and Jurassic Express (“Jungle” Jack Perry and Luchasaurus) defeated Josh Alexander and The Demand (Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona)
Kazuchika Okada (c) defeated Konosuke Takeshita in the Continental Classic semi final
Jon Moxley defeated Kyle Fletcher in the Continental Classic semi final
FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) (c) (with Stokely) defeated Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson and Austin Gunn) for the AEW World Tag Team Championship
The Babes of Wrath (Harley Cameron and Willow Nightingale) (c) defeated Mercedes Moné and Athena for the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship
Darby Allin defeated Gabe Kidd
“Timeless” Toni Storm, Roderick Strong, and The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe and Orange Cassidy) defeated Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, Wheeler Yuta, and Marina Shafir) – Mixed Nuts Mayhem match
Kris Statlander (c) defeated Jamie Hayter for the AEW Women’s World Championship
Jon Moxley defeated Kazuchika Okada (c) – Continental Classic final
MJF defeated Samoa Joe (c), Swerve Strickland, and “Hangman” Adam Page – AEW World Championship
For the first time in 647 days, Kazuchika Okada is no longer Continental Champion.
Jon Moxley defeated Okada in the finals of this year’s Continental Classic, drilling the now-former champion with the death rider DDT to secure the victory and the title. The rest of the Death Riders entered the ring to celebrate after the match. Moxley then cut a babyface promo saying this belt wasn’t for him, it was for everyone who participated in the tournament as well as the fans. He says the Death Riders want to be the elite of the elite and they will continue to do so.
In the opening match of the night, Okada defeated Konosuke Takeshita to advance to the finals, pinning the IWGP World Champion after using Don Callis’ screwdriver. Immediately after, Moxley put Kyle Fletcher to sleep in what ended up being a classic back-and-forth battle.
Okada won the title by defeating Eddie Kingston back on the March 20, 2024 edition of Dynamite and would go on to retain the title by winning last year’s Continental Classic tournament. He then unified that title with the International title at All In earlier this year, creating the Unified Championship. Although Okada lost the Continental title, he remains the AEW International Champion.
Editor’s Note: The following is an opinion-based preview and reflects that of the author and not the website.
Another year in the books, friends. All in all, it was a pretty rough one for, well, just about everyone. But we soldier on, marching slowly into the sea. As always, a sincere thank you to anyone who’s read even a single word I’ve written over the past 365 days and an extra thanks to the site editors who keep letting me do this.
Extra, extra thanks to my wonderful wife, my sounding board, who patiently listens as I explain why Diddy is somehow a talking point on “the wrestling show that’s somehow always on.” I love everyone, but love her most of all.
With all that said, let’s run down the final big AEW show of the year: tonight’s Worlds End from Chicago, Illinois (8 PM PPV start time).
Continental Classic semifinals & finals
If you’re like me and toil away in the white collar mines, this is also the season of end-of-year check-ins: a famously delightful and productive exercise (sic). Personally, it’s the highlight of my year, especially if you’re someone I work with and happen to be reading this (I actually like my job very much).
In that spirit, it feels like the right moment to check in on the remaining four wrestlers and where they stand now and going forward.
Jon Moxley: The formerly loathed leader of the Death Riders is dangerously close to being loved again. This run was supposed to burn off goodwill and to sandpaper the audience into rejecting him. Instead, it reminded everyone why he’s the company’s emotional constant. He bleeds, he loses, he stays true to himself and keeps going. That still plays. Moxley will be embraced again; it’s just a matter of how loud it’s going to be when it happens.
Konosuke Takeshita: He’s already held the International Championship and the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, but he’s still circling something bigger. Takeshita’s problem has never been credibility; it’s been timing and commitment. If 2026 isn’t the year AEW finally lets Takeshita define himself outside of utility, matches of the night, and faction warfare, then the promotion risks turning inevitability into a missed opportunity.
Kyle Fletcher: Same question as Takeshita — How long can they reasonably hold off crowning him World champion? That’s no longer a rhetorical question. Fletcher has crossed the line from “promising” to “ready” and every month he isn’t positioned as one of the absolute top stars feels more deliberate rather than patient. The Don Callis association has done its job. The reps are there. The confidence is through the roof. Everything one would need to be a champion exists inside the young Aussie. At some point, AEW has to decide whether Fletcher is the pillar he is, or just another name they were high on for a while. The real challenge will be balancing his ascent with Takeshita’s without sacrificing either.
Kazuchika Okada: We know what Okada is in AEW. He’s settled into a reliable upper-mid card act that, on occasion, can reach back and create something great. He isn’t asked to do that often, nor does he seem to have a particular interest in doing so. There might be another classic or two left in him, but they’ll be fewer and far between.
Predictions: Fletcher over Mox, Okada over Takeshita, Fletcher over Okada to win the CC
Mixed Nuts Mayhem: Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, Wheeler Yuta & Marina Shafir) vs. The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy & Roderick Strong) and Toni Storm
A match called “Mixed Nuts Mayhem” (!?!?!?!?) was added on Christmas Day. I will not be previewing it. There are limits. The sickest thing Tony Khan has ever done.
Prediction: I abstain.
Darby Allin vs. Gabe Kidd
The older I get, the saltier I become. That’s not exactly a profound or unique statement, but a true one. I have less and less patience for the Gabe Kidd type. The repeated insistence that he is, in fact, a madman? None of it works for me, brother.
As the year went on, it became clear that Kenny Omega made their Wrestle Kingdom match work through the sheer force of his own greatness. The man held together by tape and love dragged an incredible match out of a slightly above-average wrestler. There’s a non-zero chance that was the last ‘Kenny Omega Match’ we’re going to get. Gabe Kidd! January optimism turned December disappointment — same as it ever was.
Allin occupies a rare space in wrestling. He exists almost entirely outside of the World title scene yet constantly elevates whatever he’s involved with. He’s now the “big name” others are brought in to have big matches with. He has become a true attraction. This little freak somehow achieved a 99th-percentile outcome before his body gave out which is a remarkable talent.
Prediction: Allin
AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR defend against Bang Bang Gang in a Chicago street fight
Austin Gunn has, no pun intended, a bit of the juice. He can be corny, funny, serious, and he can come out to “Many Men.” Once he figured out who he was as a performer, the in-ring work followed. Watching someone put it together in real time is always a treat, and it’s clear who the breakout star of his family is.
The Bang Bang Gang are fun, loud, and still figuring out how seriously they want to be taken. FTR has long since solved that problem. A street fight narrows the talent gap temporarily. It lets Juice Robinson’s manic charisma shine through and gives Gunn more room to lean into his natural swagger.
Eventually, this becomes what most FTR matches are: a lesson in timing, positioning, and why fundamentals still matter, even when the rules might not.
Prediction: FTR
AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions Babes of Wrath defend against Mercedes Mone & Athena
The Babes of Wrath have become something surprisingly compelling. They’re a team built on vibes, volume, and Willow Nightingale’s undeniability. Harley Cameron certainly brings an energy, though a brand that I grow less fond of as time passes, but this act only works because Willow is a genuine star hiding inside a fun enough gimmick. At some point, that tension between her joy for life and drive for success must be resolved, or she’ll never reach the heights she deserves.
Across the ring are two wrestlers who seem like they wandered in from a more serious division. Mercedes Mone and Athena have nothing to prove. They have collectively done it all while their opponents have barely done anything. What they do need is purpose. Athena continues grinding away in largely unseen ROH. Mone floats in and out of programs, parading her collection of belts while seething about the one she can’t win. This is a transitional program, nothing more, nothing less. Even though Mercedes and Athena should never, ever lose to The Babes, somehow they will.
Prediction: Babes of Wrath retain
AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander defends against Jamie Hayter
Jamie Hayter is trapped where Kris Statlander used to live: talented, credible, clearly capable of more, but unable to shift the energy around her. Blood and Guts was a proper spectacle, but that was a group effort. Her injury layoff didn’t just stall her momentum; it erased it. The in-ring work still hits. The strikes are still crispy. Between the bells remains vibrant, but everything surrounding it feels inert. Timing is everything in pro wrestling and Hayter’s timing has been cruel.
Statlander is no longer a what-if. She’s established. She’s bona fide. She wrestles like someone who belongs at the very top. Her reign has been about legitimacy more than spectacle. It’s solid more than spectacular. For a wrestler who spent years lost in the creative wilderness, that consistency is everything.
If you’re frustrated with Hayter’s position, Statlander is the proof of concept. This is what making it out the other side looks like. Hayter doesn’t need to win to benefit here (though it wouldn’t hurt); she needs to remind people who she is. Statlander needs to keep doing what she’s been doing: beating excellent wrestlers clean and stacking wins.
Prediction: Statlander
AEW World Champion Samoa Joe defends against Swerve Strickland, Hangman Page and MJF in a four-way
Strip away the noise, the borrowed outrage, the winking-at-the-camera seriousness, and what you’re left with is a ridiculous amount of star power sharing one ring. That’s the frustrating part. This didn’t need help.
Samoa Joe is gravity. He warps the match simply by standing there, turning every exchange into something consequential. Swerve is violence with intent, a main eventer who has long since crossed the moral event horizon and never looked back. Hangman remains AEW’s emotional barometer, even when his righteousness becomes something more interesting and dangerous. MJF is still the company’s great disruptor, incapable of existing in a scene without bending it toward himself, sometimes for better, often for worse.
If we could wipe away the last few weeks of Diddy-related promo work, this match would be much better served. All they needed to do was ring the bell for this to feel special. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re in for another MJF title reign, especially with Dynamite Diamond ring wearing Bandido waiting for the winner on January 14.
After nearly a month’s absence, AEW star Kyle O’Reilly appeared for the first time on a televised program tonight during Christmas Collision.
Last seen beating Jon Moxley at Full Gear in a No Holds Barred match, O’Reilly appeared tonight in a backstage segment with Roderick Strong. O’Reilly confirmed himself to be suffering from a bulging neck disc injury and arm fracture, which sidelined him from in-ring action. The former WWE NXT tag-team champion provided a pep talk and hyped up Strong during their backstage segment. Reflecting on his own matches with Moxley, O’Reilly motivated Strong ahead of his high-stakes match.
“If you knew how close I was to giving up in those matches with Jon [Moxley], you’d be looking at me the same way I’m looking at you right now.”
Strong used the motivation and successfully defeated Claudio Castagnoli during their Continental Classic match later in the night. The final moments of the match saw The Death Riders and Marina Shafir attack Strong, before Mark Briscoe and Toni Storm ran down to make the save.
O’Reilly was earlier expected to be a part of the Continental Classic tournament; however, following his match at Full Gear, he was ruled out of action.
The Death Riders were built on the act of betraying a mentor figure. In fact, current leader Jon Moxley pulled the trigger on that, leading his fellow Blackpool Combat Club teammates in excommunicating Bryan Danielson.
It’s about time that fellow senior member Claudio Castagnoli takes that mantle, fittingly usurping the purveyor of paradigm shifts.
I write this not as a denigration of Moxley; far from it. It’s possible that such an angle can steer all parties into new territory. Moreover, Claudio, as the leader of the pack, will have a distinct image change of the group.
Observing the past month of AEW programming, the seeds for Castagnoli stealing the reins have already been sown.
Why a Castagnoli-run Death Riders is plausible
Moxley’s had a rough second quarter of 2025. Losing the AEW World title to Hangman Adam Page at All In Texas was the start. Yet, he still maintained his momentum. His bravado hid all traces of diminishing confidence. A few losses here and there, but the Death Riders remained on top.
Then came WrestleDream. Thanks to interference from Sting to offset the heels, Darby Allin defeated Moxley in a memorable I Quit Match. Since then, Moxley has consistently lost on AEW shows with a recurring story of seeing his shield chip thanks to Kyle O’Reilly and his ankle lock. From late-October to late-November, Moxley exercised every means possible to escape O’Reilly’s unforgiving technical prowess.
A disqualification and a double countout later, O’Reilly had Moxley’s number, ultimately submitting him at November’s men’s Blood & Guts match. Moxley rebounded with Castagnoli on the following Dynamite, but then, Full Gear saw Moxley submit to O’Reilly in a no holds barred match. His promo afterward did carry his usual confidence, but that same confidence was not shared in the eyes of his teammates.
Despite a successful start to the Continental Classic in a triumph over CMLL’s Mascara Dorada, Moxley has since lost to Castagnoli himself and Konosuke Takeshita. Conversely, Castagnoli’s 2025 has seen a marked improvement.
Though he spent the early half in frustration, he recovered and eventually became the soul of the Death Riders; Moxley had simply become the lungs. In trios or tag bouts with either Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia, and/or PAC, Castagnoli stewarded his team to wins and began to have a silent winning reputation, with a smattering of losses here and there. He even became the CMLL World Heavyweight Champion.
Coincidentally, he went on a brief winning streak, broken only by Mascara Dorada in his third Continental Classic bout followed by a draw with Takeshita.
Death Riders under Castagnoli’s leadership
Castagnoli has worked excellently with PAC and the younger Garcia and Yuta. They even accompany him to his matches. On the surface, he seems like an older brother who knows how to navigate the world. Thus, their eyes, though hardened and serious, appear loyal and curious. Yuta, PAC, and Garcia seem eager to follow, and in doing so, they wrestle more confidently with the reps they get alongside the towering Swiss athlete.
A second glance at Castagnoli gives off militant vibes as though there’s a numb, yet classy, demeanor. Perhaps it’s the way he looks like Agent 47 from the Hitman video game series, or perhaps it’s the use of classical music. Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” and Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” bolster this aura. He may be stoic, but there’s a deadliness beneath.
Not only is it this visage and his presence that entice me to see Castagnoli as the Death Riders commander, but his history. CHIKARA fans will remember his time in the stable Die Bruderschaft des Kreuzes (The Brotherhood of the Cross) where he became a central figure bent on a hostile takeover of the promotion, teased with the quote “A war (is) coming”.
Often, he has stood in the shadows, in the background and on AEW programming, fans haven’t seen too much of him. Considering this and everything mentioned above, it’s time he steps into this role.
What of Jon Moxley?
The rest of the Death Riders can thrive Claudio Castagnoli just fine and the same as they did with Moxley and Danielson. But the more that things continue as they have, it would make sense in the storyline to have a seismic shift change the group once more. They don’t even have to change the name.
If his twilight in the stable comes by a betrayal, this can leave Moxley in a state where he understands who he is again. He’d be alone, with several of his bridges burned, the embers flickering out long ago. Or, he could remain in the group if the Death Riders so wish, under the direction of Castagnoli.
Moxley would enter this environment as a captain whose crew mutinied against him. Could he repair the fractured relationships with other wrestlers? Can he make peace with enemies? The character Moxley is, he’d be stubborn and scrappy, likely to catch loss after loss, unable to climb up that hill. He didn’t get this far by giving up. Ultimately, though, he’d have to shed the mentality that spawned the Death Riders from Blackpool Combat Club’s ashes to stand a chance.
What’s important to note is that AEW is swimming in a sea of heels. That’s where Moxley comes in; he can be that underdog, yet badass, babyface to challenge this swarm.
In retrospect, the Blackpool Combat Club and Death Riders accomplished their mission by heightening the AEW roster’s potential. In giving AEW’s wrestlers a threat, everyone worked to their full potential. There’s nothing more Moxley can do, but Castagnoli can take the group to another level. To him, there are no limits to the Death Riders as he said in a recent interview with Wrestling Republic.
The Death Riders need to become stricter, meaner. They don’t have a roster to inspire through rage, spirit, or hate anymore. Now, it’s time to take for themselves, not as a band of outlaws, but as a hostile force, a militia of killers. Through this, a relentless approach is needed. Everything must be seized by force.
I am of the mind that Castagnoli is far better than given credit for, but hasn’t had the same time to shine and has done just enough to get by in a still great spot in the company. Were he given this spot, the Swiss wrestler can transform the Death Riders into something soulless like a fascist military seeking a coup to usurp the status quo. Furthermore, he has shown he cares for his teammates, adding an emotional core that would translate well under his authority.
With that in mind, this reinvention of the Death Riders can keep the title scene interesting with multiple shifts in the card. Wrestlers could come out of this better or worse than they started — sink or swim.
As the Don Callis Family faces their own plot developments from in-fighting to championship pursuits, the Death Riders will need something else. They’ll need to stand out. That’s what professional wrestling as a business does: it evolves and reinvents itself for the next generation.
For the first time since April 2023, AEW Dark returns for one night only.
Taped this past Saturday in Cardiff, Wales, tonight’s YouTube-only show features three matches — two of which include the Death Riders.
Former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley teams with Wheeler Yuta and PAC against the Grizzled Young Veterans & wrestler/coach Nathan Cruz.
Another trios bout will see Orange Cassidy team with fellow Continental Classic wrestlers Mascara Dorada and Roderick Strong against Mark Andrews, Kid Lykos 1 and Kid Lykos 2.
The show is rounded out by Marina Shafir vs. Isla Dawn.
Our coverage kicks off at 7 pm Eastern.
**********
AEW Dark: Stocking Stuffer is on the air, as Excalibur welcomes us with Taz, who we’re told gassed up the jet to come to Cardiff to do this show. If only Ruby Soho was wrestling on this card and we could get a proper return of Remix Jones and Taz serenading us all.
Marina Shafir vs. Isla Dawn
(I sure have missed Excalibur & Taz’s shenanigans on Dark. Despite this only being a 3-match show tonight, you can tell this Cardiff crowd is going to be a lot of fun with the chants. Dawn had a lot of support and put of a valiant fight, but Shafir was simply too much to handle.)
During Shafir’s entrance, Excalibur informed us they were ducking under the desk, thus why we couldn’t see them (as they’re in no way recording from studio), as Taz tells us he’s also taking off his socks in solidarity of Shafir and channeling his Tazmaniac days. Cardiff crowd sings for Dawn at the opening bell, while a test of strength sees Shafir get multiple sweeps before working a headlock. Dawn tries a drop down, but Shafir rolled out into a punt kick to the back. Dawn battled back with kicks, which Shafir no sold, daring Dawn to bring it, which she did, with a Fisherman’s Suplex.
Tiger Feint Head Scissors drove Dawn’s head into the apron, as after the fight briefly went outside, we return inside with Shafir locking in a Bow and Arrow. Dawn spun out into a low dropkick and corner knee, but Shafir avoided a suplex into a throw. Dawn fired off a roundhouse kick and backdrop suplex for a near fall. Dawn got a jawbreaker, but Shafir grabbed wrist control, hit a lariat and pulled Dawn into Mother’s Milk for the quick submission.
Match Result: Marina Shafir submitted Isla Dawn
-Video package on the upcoming Worlds End show in Chicago one week from Saturday was shown.
Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Mascara Dorada vs. Mark Andrews, Kid Lykos I & Kid Lykos II
(I know Strong doesn’t want to be part of The Conglomeration and only teams with them because of Kyle O’Reilly, but O’Reilly is hurt, so this partnership is more confusing than usual. Regardless, whether he likes Cassidy or not, they do team pretty well, as I wish this match went longer, as the brief time we saw Dorada & Andrews in there with one another was a highlight.)
Taz put over how much he enjoys The Conglomeration’s theme song, but doesn’t say which show it reminds him of, as he doesn’t want to pay royalties. Quick start by Andrews & Dorada, with the crowd loudly behind Andrews, who caught a corkscrew kick, until Dorada took down both Lykos with an arm drag to the floor. They dodged a dive, allowing Andrews to hit a rolling double stomp and cracked both Strong & Cassidy on the apron. Cassidy joined the match, but was immediately triple teamed, leaving the UK Trio standing tall before hitting triple dives.
Back inside, Dorada was worked over until floating over Lykos I into a Code Red for the double down. Cassidy made the lukewarm tag, hands in pockets and hitting a huge monkey flip before popping Lykos II & Andrews with a double dropkick. Lykos I tried to attack, but suffered a Stundog Millionaire for his efforts. Cassidy tagged in a reluctant Strong, who seemed to constantly try to strike Cassidy, who’d always dodge and Strong would hit his opponents. Cassidy sent a diving Lykos II into Strong’s Death By Roderick, while Cassidy hit an Orange Punch, Dorada hit a dive on Andrews & Lykos I. Strong capped it off with an End of Heartache on Lykos II to win it.
Match Result: Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Mascara Dorada defeated Mark Andrews, Kid Lykos I & Kid Lykos II when Strong pinned Lykos II
Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta & PAC w/Daniel Garcia & Marina Shafir) vs. Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) & Nathan Cruz
(Action packed main event, with G.Y.V. & Cruz getting in plenty of offense, but once the Death Riders crew got in control, they weren’t giving that up. While PAC was cheered by the Cardiff crowd, they were more than happy to boo Yuta. Commentary really put over how Moxley’s early losses in the C2 have put him in a tough spot going forward and really needs to win out if he wants a chance of making the semi-finals.)
Death Riders attack before the bell, as Gibson & Cruz were sent crashing into the barricade and ring steps, while Yuta targeted Drake to start the match. Flying cross body and forearms put Drake in control, as he made fast tags with his G.Y.V. partner until PAC tagged in and he suffered the same fate. Yuta was popped on the apron, resulting in Moxley to check on him, while PAC was isolated with fast tags by Cruz & G.Y.V. Moxley & Yuta broke a pin attempt, as the match broke down. Drake & Gibson hit dueling dives on Moxley & Yuta, while Cruz tried a fireman’s carry-on PAC, who raked the eyes and clobbered Cruz with a big boot. Moxley flew in with a baseball slide on Drake, as Yuta threw Gibson into the barricade, as it’s Cruz now who’s worked over.
Moxley tags in officially for the first time and hits clubbing blows before Yuta tags in with a guillotine knee drop for two. The crowd is letting Yuta really hear it, as Cruz is able to get an enzugiri and hot tag to Gibson. PAC was mowed down with a lariat, as Gibson drove him repeatedly face first into the corner. Yuta tried to help, but was launched with an overhead suplex. Drake tagged in, as he & Gibson hit a combo dropkick/Michinoku Driver combo for two. PAC fought free from a Doomsday Device, crotched Drake, allowing Moxley to tag in and hit Gibson with a flash Cutter.
Moxley mocks the crowd before firing off kicks, only waking Gibson up, as he ran through Moxley with a lariat and lungblower. Cruz tagged in and it’s a triple team on Moxley, with Cruz hitting a sit-out slam on Moxley for a near fall. PAC & Yuta made the save, as both got heads of steam, Yuta hit a flip dive on G.Y.V. while Moxley placed Cruz in position for PAC to take his head off with a lariat. Brutalizer quickly followed, as PAC got the submission. Moxley is bleeding from the mouth, as Excalibur didn’t know how, but Taz said it’s because he wrestled a match, it’s what Moxley does.
Match Result: Death Riders defeated Grizzled Young Veterans & Nathan Cruz when PAC submitted Cruz
I have no idea if or when Dark will return, but I very much enjoyed this little bit of nostalgia, hearing Excalibur & Taz riff like the old days. Even though we didn’t hear Taz sing, nor did we get any Seinfeld tangents like I loved, it was still a fun 30-minute show. I’m glad Tony Khan decided to bring it back, even for one night only.
For the first time in some time, tonight’s AEW Collision from Columbus, Ohio, has a true air of importance with several key figures on the show.
In an important Continental Classic Blue league bout, former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley goes one-on-one with IWGP World Champion Konosuke Takeshita with each looking to add to their three point totals.
Blue league leader Claudio Castagnoli (six points) will also be in action against Mascara Dorada who is looking for his first points while Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong (zero points each) will compete in another Blue league match.
A night after losing the ROH Women’s TV title, Mercedes Mone will defend the TBS title against Leila Grey.
In his first live promo since returning from injury, former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland will make an appearance.
The first televised AEW National title defense will take place as Ricochet defends in an open challenge.
Our live coverage begins at 8 PM Eastern.
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Orange Cassidy (0) vs. Roderick Strong (0)
Collision started with a match I was really looking forward to with Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong. Strong and Cassidy started with some basic wrestling until Strong hit a backbreaker and then several chops that sent Cassidy to ringside. Cassidy was then back suplexed on the guardrail, and got hit with more hard chops. Strong hit another hard backbreaker that left Cassidy in pain on mat, rolling to the apron. Strong chopped Cassidy again and then hit a slingshot into the bottom turnbuckle from the apron.
Strong hit another backbreaker, followed by a few more. As Strong did these backbreakers he held on for a submission attempt and then would pick Cassidy up and hit another backbreaker. At the last one of these, Cassidy countered into a DDT on Strong. Cassidy stood up, but his hands in his pockets, and hit a monkey flip on Strong before hitting a tope suicida.
Cassidy drove Strong into the turnbuckle and went for a flying crossbody, but Strong caught him and hit a powerslam for a 2-count. Strong attempted to hit a backbreaker on the top rope, but Cassidy shoved Strong from the ropes, causing him to get his knee wrapped in the ropes and allowing Cassidy to hit a tornado DDT for a 2-count. Cassidy missed an Orange Punch and ate another backbreaker and then End of Heartache for a 2-count that Strong immediately went into a Stronghold, but Cassidy countered into a pinfall attempt and then hit Stundog Millionaire. Cassidy blocked another End of Heartache before grabbing the legs of Strong and pinning him.
Result: Orange Cassidy (3) defeated Roderick Strong (0) via pinfall
–Tony Schiavone announced that Darby Allin was removed from the C2 tournament after an injury in his match with Kevin Knight. Jack Perry would be stepping in to take his place in the tournament.
–Darby Allin did an interview saying he wasn’t sure what was next for him, but if Jack Perry was going to be in the tournament, he hoped Perry was going to win the whole thing.
–FTR & Stokely Hathaway came down to the ring to address what happened with Bullet Club Gold on Dynamite. The fans chanted something very rude at Hathaway, wishing him to cease talking. Hathaway called out Juice Robinson and Austin Gunn and they did not disappoint coming down to the ring. Cash Wheeler acknowledged that Robinson and Gunn were the last people to beat them, they would never do so again. Harwood dared Robinson and Gunn touch their belt again,
Gunn said that FTR was right – he was a son of a Gunn. Robinson was the son of a carpenter. Wheeler was the son of his cousin, and Harwood was a son of a… well, you get the idea. Gunn demanded they give them a tag title shot, reminding them yet again that they were the last team to beat FTR, and Robinson said that the next time they touch the tag titles, it will be when The Bang Bang Gang won the tag titles in the United Kingdom.
Juice Robinson and Austin Gunn were awesome here again, stealing the segment with an excellent promo.
–Marina Shafir, Wheeler Yuta, and Daniel Garcia were backstage cutting a promo on Mark Briscoe, saying that Garcia was going to bring the TNT Championship back to the Death Riders when he faces Briscoe.
Claudio Castagnoli (3) vs. Mascara Dorada (0)
At this point in the show technical issues started with the Triller feed of AEW Collision – The recap will be updated as soon as the show resumes.
I only had audio at this point of Claudio & Mascara Dorada. I finally got picture back at the end of the match. The match came back just as Dorada was hitting a shooting star press on Castagnoli for the win.
–Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa, and Harley Cameron & Willow Nightingale were interviewed by Tony Schiavone about their upcoming world tag team title match AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming. Storm pointed out that Nightingale and Cameron have been unable to beat Storm, but Cameron followed up by pointing out that her and Nightingale were better than they have been in the past, and Shirakawa interjected, saying that they were all there for the tag titles, and they needed to keep that in focus. Tony Schiavone then drank champagne with them.
–Swerve Strickland came down to the ring, talking about his return at AEW Full Gear. Swerve said that he worked hard at recovering from his knee injury the last 3 months so he could come back more dangerous than ever, and he came back because he wants the AEW World Championship again. Swerve makes his intentions very clear, saying that the last time he and Joe faced off, Swerve was the one that took the title off him last time.
Swerve mentioned cutting through all of Joe’s fodder he put in front of him like enemies in Dynasty Warriors. I appreciate a good gaming reference. Swerve assured Joe that he was going to fall to him again. Swerve talked about Hangman Page next, and said that while they may never see eye to eye, there was no better rivalry than those two, and if he needed another person to ride with him into battle, Swerve would back him up, but after that, they will have a very long conversation.
Josh Alexander came down to the ring. Alexander said that it was not Swerve’s House, but Alexander’s and the Don Callis Family. Alexnader said that he was the one that deserved a title shot ahead of Swerve, and that maybe they should do something about it and fight. Swerve challenged him to a match and it was made for Cardiff, but as he making that challenge, Katsuyori Shibata attacked Swerve from behind, kicking him in the knee that was injured and slowly walking away.
–Lexy Nair was with Mercedes Mone, and Nair wanted to address Mone losing the ROH Television title on the ROH PPV, and Nair was wondering if the two big losses she felt lately would cause her issues when she faced Leyla Grey tonight. Mone said that she was going to make Grey pay, and Mone would get back on track soon.
TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone vs. Leyla Grey (w/ Christopher Daniels)
Mone attacked Grey right at the start of the match and hit Daniels with meteora on the floor. Mone countered a bulldog and hit a meteora on Grey for a 2-count. Ian Riccaboni made a “6-7” reference here, and I wanted to turn off my TV. Sorry, Ian. Mone grabbed Grey by the hair and pulled her to the mat before slamming Grey’s face into the turnbuckle. Nigel Guinness was talking about understanding Mone’s frustration in losing a title. He said it was something Tony wouldn’t understand since he never held a title. He then asked what the greatest victory in his life was, and Schiavone responded “Overcoming you.” Nigel legitimately laughed. Grey hit a running knee on Mone and a bulldog, but Mone countered the pinfall attempt into a statement maker for the submission.
Result: Mercedes Mone defeated Leyla Grey
–Eddie Kingston had an absolutely incredible pretape promo. Kingston put over Joe as the best wrestler in the world because he has the world title, but Kingston is disgusted with him, because he is doing the very thing that Joe hated for years – cheating, lying, and backstabbing people. Kingston said that he was going to take the title from Joe to show the young people in the back how to do it the right way. This was awesome.
–The Triangle of Madness beat up some women backstage and said they were coming to Cardiff for Jamie Hayter & Statlander.
AEW National Championship: Ricochet (w/ the Gates of Agony) vs. Ace Austin
Austin is one of the few people out there that can keep up with Ricochet in the ring, so the opening part of this match was very fast paced as Austin repeatedly sent Ricochet to the floor, and he yelled with rage at the announce desk. Ricochet grabbed the bell hammer and as the referee was taking it from him, Bishop Kaun tripped Austin, allowing Ricochet to get the advantage.
Ricochet ripped a sign away from a fan and then tried to give Austin a papercut with it. Ricochet hit a dropkick in the middle of the ring after reversing an Irish whip. Ricochet missed a running kick in the corner and ended up landing on the back of his head, which looked brutal. Austin hit a Russian Leg Sweep and a series of lariats in the corner. Austin fought off an attempt by Toa Liona to trip him up, hit a springboard clothesline, and a doctor bomb for a 2-count.
Austin hit a forearm in the corner, but Ricochet rolled him up, hit a dropkick, and a standing shooting star press for a 2-count. Ricohcet missed a spirit gun and fought with Austin over a suplex, but Austin cradled Ricochet for a 2-count. Austin hit a superplex on Ricochet. Austin hit a bellringer on Ricochet, stomping his head into the mat. Austin went for the Fold, but Ricochet pulled the referee in the way, went for a low blow that Austin blocked, but Ricochet flipped backwards, hit the spirit gun, and vertigo for the win.
Result: Ricochet defeated Ace Austin
–FTR ran down to attack Ace Austin, beating on him to send a message to Bullet Club Gold. Juice Robinson & Austin Gunn ran down to make the save and drove FTR from the ring. The Bang Bang Gang threw the tag titles back at FTR, sending them packing.
Jon Moxley (3) vs. Konosuke Takeshita (3)
The fans were very positive towards Moxley when he came out in this match, so it seems to me that this slow burn babyface turn for him is working. The fans, of course, also loved Takeshita. The fans saw this as two huge stars meeting for the first time, which is a testament to how Takeshita has gotten himself over, especially since winning the G1 and the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Both guys exchanged a lot of technical wrestling at the start, and it started to turn back for Moxley once Takeshita started hitting dragon screws to the knee of Moxley.
Moxley sold the knee very well, looking like Takeshita was making it difficult for him to walk. Great stuff here. Takeshita tried to hit 10-punchces in the corner, but Moxley gouged the mouth and nose of Takeshita and hit 10 punches of his own, but Takeshita sent Moxley into the opposite corner and he crashed to the mat again selling his knee. Takeshita hit a DDT on the leg of Moxley, who looked at Takeshita in pain but nodded and stood up, limping and started exchanging chops with Takeshita until he dropped Moxley with a forearm.
Takeshita faked Moxley out with a forearm and instead kicked Moxley right in the shin. Takeshita charged Moxley, but Moxley hit a forearm and tried to suplex Takeshita off the apron. Takeshita blocked it, but Moxley dropkicked him in the ankle and hit a curb stomp on Takeshita on the apron while selling the knee. Moxley hit a back suplex on Takeshita, and Takeshita popped up, hit a German suplex, and then both men went down after double lariats.
Moxley and Takeshita kept exchanging forearms until neither of them could continue, and both men hit the ropes and Moxley took Takeshita’s head off with a King Kong Lariat. Takeshita went for a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Moxley shifted his weight and took Takeshita over into an armbar before transitioning to an ankle lock on Takeshita. Takeshita continued to sell the ankle that Moxley dropkicked earlier. Moxley tried to piledrive Moxley on the apron, but Takeshita hit a back body drop. Takeshita went for a dive, but couldn’t run due to his ankle. Moxley got back in the ring, and Takeshita hit a hard forearm and managed to hit the ropes and hit a tope con giro.
Takeshita went to take apart the announce table, and it partly collapsed due to it, but Takeshita hit a blue thunder bomb onto one of the walls of the table, which still looked brutal. It was probably worse than the usual table bump. Moxley barely made it back into the ring, and as he rolled in Takeshita flew through the air and hit a frog splash for a 2-count. This match rules. Takeshita went for the power drive knee, but Moxley collapsed. As Takeshita tried to pick him up Moxley baited him in and cradled him for a 2-count. Moxley hit a cutter and went for a piledriver, but Takeshtia picked the leg and stepped over and dropped a knee on Moxley’s knee.
Takeshita charged Moxley and Moxley hit a hard forearm and a Paradigm Shift, but Takeshita got his feet on the ropes. Moxley hit two hard lariats which Takeshita no sold, and then a big boot, but Takeshita got up immediately. Moxley hit some hard strikes and went to the ropes again, but collapsed due to his knee, and Takeshita hit the power drive knee for a 2-count. Takeshita hit a second power drive knee and a Raging Fire for the pinfall. This match was absolutely incredible.
Result: Konosuke Takeshita (6) defeated Jon Moxley (3)
This match was fantastic. One of the best matches of the year for Collision, and maybe one of the best matches of the year for all of AEW. It won’t top Will Ospreay vs. Adam Page, and a few others, but it was easily one of the best Collision main events all year. Jon Moxley and Konosuke Takeshita are fantastic pro wrestlers, and it is a pleasure to watch them work.
–After the match the Death Riders started to make their way down to the ring, looking very disappointed in Moxley. The Horsemen beatdown is coming for Moxley. It is only a matter of when, and not if.
Final Thoughts
The C2 always produces excellent television for AEW, and this was no exception. Simple storytelling, great matches. It’s my favourite time of the year as a fan of the wrestling in AEW. The C2 and the G1 both are my favourite ways to watch wrestling, as the tournament format makes it so easy to build stories with every win, loss, or draw, and Moxley losing twice is a very big deal. Add in that he has lost now to Hangman Page, Kyle O’Reilly twice, Claudio Castagnoli, and now Konosuke Takeshita? Bad, bad things are about to happen to him with the Death Riders, and his babyface run afterwards is going to be so great. Jon Moxley is awesome.
C2 Standings Update
Only the Blue League was active tonight, so nothing to update on the Gold League.
AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming (December 10, 2025)
AEW World Championship: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Eddie Kingston
AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship: Timeless Love Bombs vs. Babes of Wrath
Hangman Adam Page & Swerve Strickland vs. Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata
