AEW returns for their second pay-per-view of 2025 with tonight’s Dynasty from Philadelphia.
AEW World Champion Jon Moxley looks to extend his six-month reign as he defends against former champion Swerve Strickland, and AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against upstart Megan Bayne.
Kenny Omega defends his International title against both “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Ricochet in a three-way.
Both the men’s and women’s Owen Hart Foundation tournaments kick off as Will Ospreay faces Kevin Knight, Kyle Fletcher takes on Mark Briscoe, and TBS Champion Mercedes Mone faces Julia Hart.
The Hurt Syndicate defend the AEW World Tag Team titles against Big Bill & Bryan Keith while AEW World Trios Champions PAC, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta defend against Rated FTR.
Chris Jericho defends his Ring of Honor World title against Bandido in a mask vs. title match while in a no time limit match with everyone banned from ringside, TNT Champion Daniel Garcia defends against Adam Cole.
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Zero Hour
The Wrestle Aunts (Renee Paquette & RJ City) welcome us alongside Jeff Jarrett, talk about how to order the show and go over tonight’s card. Madison Rayne joined the crew saying Megan Bayne is incredibly intimidating, but Toni Storm has walked through hell to carry the women’s division on her back. RJ said this is the equivalent of Attack of the 50 Foot Woman
We go backstage to Lexy Nair with Ricochet, who said since his debut in AEW, he’s been on a quest for gold, but has been screwed every step of the way. Tonight, in the city of champions, nothing will stop him from becoming International Champion.
Harley Cameron briefly joins the panel to help break down the Owen Hart Foundation brackets, as she mentioned Hangman Page having the most wins out of anyone in the men’s tournament with 90, how he defeated Jarrett (as the wild card) last year and will face another wild card again this year. Jarrett said he looks at the men’s field and sees Ospreay and all the rest, he is his pick. RJ said Kevin Knight is also a wild card in itself, as he just debuted last week. They throw it to a video package for Knight, who talked about training in the Hart Dungeon and sees a lot of Owen Hart’s qualities in himself. The Jet feels all the pressure in the world, but he won’t hesitate to knock Ospreay’s block off.
Tomohiro Ishii hilarious joined the panel completely silent until Mark Briscoe came in to talk about his match tonight with Kyle Fletcher. Briscoe calls him a stepping stone, as the Word of the Day is “advancement” as in, he’s advancing in the Owen Hart Foundation tournament. After Briscoe & Ishii left, RJ & Jarrett both picked Fletcher.
Video of Swerve Strickland ringing the bell at the Philadelphia 76ers game last night and taking photos with Alex Rodriguez was shown before we see Strickland & Nana entering the building earlier in the day.
CRU (Lio Rush & Action Andretti) & Nick Wayne (w/Kip Sabian & Mother Wayne) defeated Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin w/Leila Grey) & AR Fox
(Fun party match to get the crowd going, as they were loudly behind Fox from the jump. This was a slower start than you’d expect, but once Fox made his hot tag and ran wild, it picked up in a big way. The numbers game was too much for Top Flight & Fox, as it’ll be interesting to see if Wayne continues to pal around with CRU going forward.)
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & Daddy Magic Matt Menard are on the call as Andretti took a powder right at the bell, so Fox cleared the top and took out CRU with a dive. Inside the ring, Rush & Andretti gained control with a leg trip/neckbreaker combo for two, but Darius made the tag and fired off lighting quick offense until he was sent crashing into the steps by Wayne. Darius was isolated until Dante made the hot tag and was a house of fire with some wild agility to get the crowd going. Sabian ran distraction, but Dante cut off Rush from using a chain. After a Tug of War, Andretti was in to help his partner and hit a double suplex, but Darius broke the pin.
Massive AR Fox chants from the crowd, as Dante hit a bounce back off the ropes into a double clothesline with Andretti. Fox made the hot tag and hit a corner cannonball on Andretti and corkscrew brainbuster on Wayne. Fox skinned the cat into a double stomp, rolling into a double cutter to send everyone to the outside. Three top rope clearing dives by Fox, who went up top for a senton, but Wayne got the knees up. Standing Spanish Fly from Darius saved his partner, but Andretti flew in with a handspring back elbow. Dante in with his bounce back dropkick, but Rush hit the Rush Hour cutter. Wayne tried to go up in the corner, but Fox flew in with Lo-Mein Pain. Again, Sabian took the ref, but Grey pulled him to the floor. With the ref distracted, Mother Wayne tripped up Fox in the ropes, as Nick hit Wayne’s World to steal it.
Athena joins the panel with her spinner title was asked her prediction for the Mone vs. Hart match tonight and said she doesn’t have time for Mone’s crap, she’s the longest reigning champion, man or woman, in AEW & ROH. RJ mentioned Athena’s last singles loss came in the Owen Hart Tournament, but she reminded him she’s 63-0 in ROH. Athena puts over Harley Cameron for being a hard worker, but says she can’t wait to defeat Mone in the second round. She won’t discredit Julia Hart, her tag team partner last night on Collision, but she wants to face Mone. In regards to the Men’s Owen Hart Tournament, Athena reluctantly picks Will Ospreay.
Max Caster Open Challenge
Caster said there’s been a lot of names being brought up for this Challenge, but the Maxamaniacs know there’s only one chant the fans want to say. “Let’s Go Max, You’re the Best Wrestler Alive” chant actually got going, so Caster had to constantly stop them and say they weren’t doing it right. Caster told the fans to show up for him just like they have for other great Philadelphia athletes, revealing a Ben Simmons jersey. This finally got the crowd to boo, as Caster said the Philly fans aren’t as great as the New York ones.
The lights went out until new theme music (Underground by Jane’s Addiction), video that read 5 Tool Player, pyro and ring gear for the returning “Pride of Pro Wrestling” Anthony Bowens, who was joined by Billy Gunn to a massive ovation.
Anthony Bowens (w/Billy Gunn) defeated Max Caster
Caster pointed out his trademark, but Bowens ripped it away and chucked it aside. The match officially began as Bowens hit his reverse leg lariat and a roaring elbow to win it quick. Bowens hugged Gunn, as commentary talked about how that was years of frustration behind that elbow.
Back to the panel, where RJ was disappointed that his boy Caster, who had the crowd in the palm of his hand, got beat so quickly. Jarrett then informs us Will Ospreay vs. Kevin Knight will open the show.
AEW Dynasty
Will Ospreay defeated Kevin Knight in an Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal
(Kevin Knight didn’t know he would be in this tournament a week ago and he came in here and knocked it out of the park. I know Ospreay can make anyone look like a million bucks, but Knight deserves all the credit in the world here, he more than held his own and this was a star making performance. For fans unaware of Knight prior to last week, they sure know who he is now and I’m looking forward to his future in All Elite Wrestling. As for Ospreay, I’m like many in thinking the Owen is his to lose.)
Jim Ross & Taz join Excalibur on the call, as the crowd exploded for Ospreay’s entrance to kick off the show. Knight also got a strong reaction as commentary put over how Knight & Nick Wayne will be representing AEW in New Japan’s Best of Super Juniors this summer. Knight got the first take down, followed with a corner splash and sliding lariat for an early two. Ospreay draped Knight on the top rope, booted him to the floor and followed with a slingshot crossbody as Ospreay bowed to the Owen Hart Foundation trophy. Back inside, Pip, Pip, Cheerio connected, as Ospreay fired off loud chops, Knight answered with one of his own, so Ospreay sank in an abdominal stretch. Knight escaped, ramped up with a series of clotheslines and UFO splash for two. Stundog and corkscrew kick in response from Ospreay, who has Knight’s hand print on his chest from the chop. Knight leap frogged Hidden Blade, tried a German, but Ospreay landed on his feet, hit a chop to the throat and snap German of his own. Knight cut off Ospreay with a dropkick right in the mush, but ultimately ran into a standing Spanish Fly for the double down.
Dueling chants, as both exchange chops and forearms, as each maintained wrist control throughout until Ospreay buckled. Ospreay tried a wall walk, but Knight met him with a dropkick, hurricanrana out of the corner, sending Ospreay to the outside. After bailing, Ospreay thought he was cleared, but Knight flew over the ring post for a dive. Back inside, Ospreay hung up Knight in the ropes, tried a sunset bomb to the floor, but Knight held on, so Ospreay looked for a Styles Clash, only for Knight to counter into a DDT spike on the ramp. Instead of taking the countout, Knight flew off the top with a springboard dive at 9, quickly threw Ospreay into the ring and hit another DDT for two. Knight wanted his springboard lariat, missed, Ospreay floated over, wanted a Styles Clash, but Knight snapped through into a hurricanrana pin attempt for two, leaving the crowd on their feet.
Hook kick lands flush from Ospreay, but Knight hit an anti-air dropkick off an Oscutter attempt. Knight up top and hit a massive UFO Splash for a close near fall. Knight went for his springboard lariat, but Ospreay caught him with a Cutter in mid-air. Knight again though, avoided an Oscutter, but Ospreay managed to hit a Styles Clash for two. Ospreay hit the Oscutter flush, but again, Knight kicked out. Hidden Blade demolished Knight to finally give Ospreay the win in a hell of an opener.
The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin w/MVP) defeated Big Bill & Bryan Keith to retain the AEW World Tag Team Titles
(The match itself was ok, Bill put up as much of a fight as he could, but the MJF interference, though not needed, continues the story with he & The Hurt Syndicate, so I get it. It’s going to take a heck of a lot to get the titles off Benjamin & Lashley, who continue to be super over.)
Keith wasted no time tagging Bill when he saw Lashley was starting, as Bill was backed up to the wrong corner, but fought his way out. Bill hit two clotheslines sending Lashley & Benjamin to the floor to regroup early causing MVP to leave commentary to tend to his team. Benjamin was able to cut off Bill coming back in the ring, allowing Lashley to drive repeated shoulders in the corner. Bill avoided a German, backing Benjamin back to his corner, allowing Keith to make the tag, but foolishly started a slugfest. Benjamin immediately mowed him down with a clothesline, as fast tags kept Keith isolated, as Benjamin sent Keith crashing from barricade to the ring apron. Stalling one armed suplex from Lashley got a near fall, but a follow-up missed corner charge allowed Keith to recover enough to dive for a Bill hot tag.
Locomotion corner splashes and big boot to Lashley had Bill posing too long, allowing Benjamin to hit a big German suplex. Bill started no selling Benjamin’s strikes and hit a Black Hole Slam for two. Bill wanted a Chokeslam, but Benjamin rolled through with a thrust kick. Benjamin charged right into a Bill big boot, as Keith tagged in, but was blindsided by Lashley, who followed with a Flatliner on Bill. A counter from a suplex into Snake Eyes from Bill sent Lashley to the outside, as the big men brawled on the floor. All of a sudden MJF pops up from the front row and decked Bill with a Dynamite Diamond Ring shot, which didn’t make Lashley or Benjamin too happy. With Keith alone, he was dropped with a German suplex and huge Spear to give Benjamin the pin.
TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defeated Julia Hart in an Owen Hart Foundation Quarterfinal
(While this wasn’t on the level of Mone’s past 3 or 4 PPV matches and took a while to really kick into gear, I was surprised how the fans were completely behind Hart down the stretch, as they were biting at every submission and pin attempt. That was a really great moment, as I don’t think anyone thought Hart was winning, but it was cool to see the crowd support her. All roads lead to Mone & Athena, which I think will be the match come All In, it’s just how they decide to get there. If they do face each other in the semis, will Mone take her first loss in that round? Will Athena take a loss this quickly in her time back in AEW? Or will they have a No Contest/Time Limit that eliminates both women? Time will tell.)
Mone got pyro for this match and it hilariously startled Taz, who had no idea it was coming. Hart used her athleticism in the early going to avoid Mone’s offense, as a head scissors sent Mone to the corner. Harley Cameron is watching on backstage talking with Mini-Mone, as back to the ring, Hart rolled through a Lungblower and countered Mone Maker into a backslide for two. Mone fired off a chop, tried to scale the ropes, but tripped, causing the fans to boo. Taz scolded the fans telling them to try it, as Mone did her dance, allowing Hart to attack from behind and did the Undertaker rope walk clubbing blow from the top. Hart slammed Mone down repeatedly to the mat, as Mone tried to sweep the leg on the apron, but Hart did a cartwheel, only to be Speared against the barricade. Mone hit a Meteora off the apron and back inside got a near fall.
Dueling chants from the crowd, as Mone kept Hart grounded. A jawbreaker into an inside cradle got Hart a two, but the momentum was quickly cut off by Mone with a dropkick. Mone wanted Three Amigos, Hart escaped after the second, tried a standing moonsault, but Mone got the knees up. Mone hung up Hart in the Tree of Woe and mocked the House of Black pose, but as Mone went up top, Hart powered up into an overhead throw. Mone missed a corner charge, as Hart hit a dive to the floor, quickly back inside for a round the World DDT. Hart tried to repeat the move, but Mone countered into the Lungblower for the double down.
Hart rolled through Mone Maker, jackknife cover for two, as both fought for position, ending up in the corner. Mone charged, but Hart got the Tarantula, as Taz gave a shoutout to Tajiri. Octopus Hold applied by Hart, but Mone collapsed into the corner, sending Hart head first into the buckle. Hart stomped Mone to the mat, went up top, but Mone hit the double stomp to the face off the moonsault attempt. Two backstabbers from Mone, but Hart fought off the third into a crucifix bomb for two. Both ladies traded Statement Maker and Hartless attempts, as Mone rolled through into a quick pin attempt for two, allowing her to reapply the Statement Maker. Crowd completely turned on Mone and are entirely behind Hart at this point, as she escaped into a roll-up for two. Mone recovered, got a cradle and the flash pin.
Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, PAC & Wheeler Yuta) defeated Rated FTR (Cope, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) to retain the AEW Trios Titles
(The match itself was an action-packed trios tag, one you’d absolutely expect from the talent involved. The big story here is the post-match in something that everyone not named Cope saw coming a mile away, but was done perfectly. FTR are now killer heels and we’re left to wonder if Cope will ever be seen in AEW again after such a heinous attack.)
Nigel McGuinness joins commentary as we’re told referee Paul Turner “drew this assignment” despite having issues with Dax Harwood in recent weeks. PAC & Harwood have a fast exchange to start before Harwood scrambled out from a Brutalizer attempt. Cope tagged in and was quickly taken to the Death Rider corner, as Yuta, who hails from Philly, was booed mercilessly. Cope pulled on the beard, tagged in Wheeler, who hit a slingshot shoulder block and chops to follow. Fast tags from Wheeler & Cope, who keep up their double team until Harwood joins up for an assisted Avalanche Powerslam by Wheeler on Castagnoli for two. Wheeler followed with a Tope Suicida, as back inside, PAC ran distraction, allowing Yuta to shove Wheeler off the top into a Castagnoli uppercut. Wheeler remained isolated until he went to make the hot tag to Cope, Harwood stole it and ran wild to zero reaction from the crowd. Tony Schiavone drove home how that tag was meant for Cope.
Castagnoli no sold three Harwood lariats, tried a pop-up uppercut, but Harwood countered into a back slide. Yuta tried to make the save, but Cope caught him in the Grind House, while Harwood trapped PAC in the Sharpshooter and Castagnoli had Wheeler in one as well. Harwood & Castagnoli started swinging while still having the submissions applied until they broke it up, Castagnoli cleaned house, tagged Yuta and they did the Giant Swing into the dropkick on Harwood for two. Locomotion uppercuts in the corner from Death Riders, as PAC hit a Tombstone, while Castagnoli took turns with Fastball Specials using Yuta & PAC for two, as Wheeler broke the count. Harwood dodged a charging Castagnoli and dove for the Cope hot tag, as he was a house of fire, hitting PAC with an Impaler for two.
Quick tags made, as Cope hit a Power-Plex on PAC with Wheeler hitting the splash and Harwood hitting a headbutt off the top. Yuta recovered and hit a missile dropkick on Cope, but was planted with a bounceback powerbomb by Harwood. PAC reappeared and locked in the Brutalizer as Castagnoli & Yuta held off Cope & Wheeler, but they broke through to stop the submission. Yuta wanted a Busaiku Knee, but ran into a Shatter Machine, as PAC was planted with a Spear, but Castagnoli broke the count. Yuta leapfrogged a Spear, as Cope nearly hit Harwood, but pumped the brakes. Yuta sent both men colliding into each other before hitting Harwood with a Busaiku Knee and got the pin.
Post-match, as Death Riders celebrated back through the crowd, Wheeler was left standing as Cope offered his hand to help Harwood up. Rated FTR stood tall as Wheeler was about to leave when Harwood laid out Cope with a piledriver. Harwood quickly grabbed two chairs and wanted Wheeler to deliver a Con-Chair-To, but Wheeler shoved his partner down. Wheeler went to help out Cope, but pulled him into a Shatter Machine. FTR hit a Spike Piledriver onto the chair as Harwood went to finish the job, but Wheeler stopped him and said “allow me” and hit the Con-Chair-To. The doctor ran to the ring, but Wheeler delivered another one for good measure. Wheeler mockingly put a neck brace on himself and laid on the stretcher as Harwood gave him chest compressions. Wheeler told the doctors Cope needs the brace more than he does as FTR walked to the back as Cope was loaded on the stretcher. McGuinness said FTR stands for F The Rest.
Timeless Toni Storm (w/Luther) defeated Megan Bayne (w/Penelope Ford) to retain the AEW Women’s Title
(Rocky survived Drago or Clubber Lang, whichever you choose. This match was great, as Bayne was built as the perfect monster and delivered her best match in AEW to date. There’s just no holding a candle to Storm, who is by far the best character in all of pro wrestling at this point. The fans were into this from the jump and especially the ending. The build for this was simple, but tremendously effective and resulted in a really fun PPV Women’s Title match. While I wonder where Bayne goes from here, there’s just no reason Storm should be losing the title any time soon.)
After Bayne’s entrance, Justin Roberts introduced us to our Feature Presentation, as Storm was training like she was Rocky on the streets of Philadelphia before screaming into a pillow. Storm is dressed as Balboa, while Luther is Mickey. McGuinness said Storm has been drinking eggs and beating meat and to take that how you will.
Storm tried a quick start, but Bayne showed her power with a shoulder tackle before backing Storm to the corner. Storm ducked a lariat and hit a cross body out of the corner, as she fired off body kicks, only to be caught with an overhead throw. After a bodyslam, Bayne wiped her feet with Storm, as the crowd is loudly behind Storm, who was flattened with a fall away slam and big boot sent her to the outside. Luther tended to Storm, as Bayne hit a big Tope Suicida, wiping out Luther. Storm had dodged, used Luther as a launch pad to hit a Tornado DDT. Back inside, a diving cross body off the top got Storm a near fall. Ford tripped up Storm, allowing Bayne to hit a pump kick and regain control. Bayne remained in the driver’s seat, Ford got in more shots as well, licking Storm in the process. Storm tried battling back with a Thesz Press, but Bayne caught and hit repeated overhead throws. About the fourth time Ford tried interfering, Luther recovered and carried her to the back, leaving Bayne to go at it alone.
This allowed Storm to ramp up, finally hitting the Thesz Press and Tornado DDT out of the corner. Indian Death Lock/STF variation applied, but Bayne powered her way to the ropes. Bayne avoided Storm Zero, sent Storm to the apron where she hit a back suplex from the outside in. Bayne took way too long going up the ropes, allowing Storm to recover and hit a release German suplex that nearly dropped Bayne on her head. Both ladies slowly up and a slugfest ensued with Storm relentless, sidestepping a Bayne lariat into a release German. Bayne caught a charge and hit a stalling German of her own. Bayne connected on a brutal Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Storm rolled through Fate’s Decent, they trade standing switches until Storm hit a snap German. Sweet Cheek Music hit, Bayne no sold, so Storm fired off a headbutt flush and three more Sweet Cheek Musics, whiplashing Bayne’s head. Storm Zero hit, but Bayne was out at one, shocking everyone. Bayne hit herself repeatedly as she stood up and clobbered Storm with two lariats, Liger Bomb, looked for Fate’s Decent, but Storm countered into a Small Package for the flash pin. Bayne couldn’t believe it and neither could Storm on the ramp.
Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis) defeated Mark Briscoe in an Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal
(Just a fantastic match, as this was one of the best matches of the night so far. No matter who Briscoe is in there with, you want him to win and that will never change. I hope one day they give Briscoe some big wins in AEW, but until then, he’s the perfect guy to put over everyone he’s in there with strong. Fletcher looked excellent in this and I can’t wait to see who he faces in the next round.)
Fletcher hit a dive before the bell during Briscoes entrance, hit a Helluva Kick, but Briscoe nearly countered a Brainbuster into a cradle for two. Fletcher went to the apron where he hit a thrust kick, but back dropped by Briscoe on the edge of the ring. Somersault neckbreaker off the apron, as he tried to set up a chair to launch off of, but referee Rick Knox took it away, so Briscoe told the crowd to boo that man. Baseball slide connected, as Briscoe leapt off the barricade with an elbow. Briscoe threw in multiple chairs, causing Knox to play fetch, giving Briscoe enough time to try a springboard, but Fletcher cut him off and hit an Exploder onto the chair, undetected by Knox as we see Konosuke Takeshita watching on backstage.
Charging boot sent Briscoe flying to the floor, as Fletcher hit multiple powerbombs onto the apron and one onto the barricade. Excalibur brought up the possibility of Fletcher & Takeshita facing each other in the finals when Callis said he was stirring stuff up for matches that will never happen, which Schiavone was about to call him out on, but Briscoe broke the count. Fletcher charged with a boot in the corner, wanted his Avalanche Brainbuster, but Briscoe bit free and hit a shotgun dropkick into the double down as we also see Brody King watching on in the back. Both trade hard corner chops, as Fletcher turned to kitchen sink knees, leading to both ducking running clothesline attempts, getting a head of steam and colliding like two trucks for a reset.
Both slowly up and slugging it out, as Briscoe ramps it up with a flying forearm and Fisherman’s Buster for two. Thrust kick response from Fletcher, Briscoe floated through a Liger Bomb attempt, but Fletcher powered up into brutal Snake Eyes. Enzugiri and thrust kick on the apron, as Fletcher followed with a nasty brainbuster on the apron and proper sheer drop brainbuster back in the ring for two, as Callis is furious. Briscoe floated over the Avalanche Brainbuster, wanted a Cutthroat Driver, but Fletcher held on in the ropes. BT Bomb from Briscoe, who followed with a Froggy Bow for a close near fall. Briscoe wanted a Jay Driller, Fletcher spun out, but Briscoe hit a Cutthroat Driver flush, but Fletcher wisely rolled outside. Briscoe leapt off the top with a Froggy Bow, as back inside, tried again, but Fletcher got the double boots up. Running corner kicks land right on the button, as Fletcher hits the Avalanche Brainbuster to get the win.
Bandido defeated Chris Jericho in a Title vs. Mask match for the ROH World Title
(While this was a good match, I enjoyed their Collision match a few months ago more. The finish was pretty ridiculous if I’m being honest, but it resulted in a feel-good moment and the crowd were more than happy to cheer against Jericho and ultimately sing “Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye” to him as he left without the ROH Title.)
Bandido hugged his mother and sister, who are seated ringside before the match, as Jericho hit a Code Breaker right at the bell and got a close near fall. Lionsault connected for another two, as Bandido recovered, avoided a Jericho charge into a handstand, sent Jericho to the floor, hit one dive and another, clearing the top with a somersault plancha. Bandido brought Jericho over to his family, kissed his mother and calmed her before throwing Jericho back into the ring, going up top with a Tornillo for two. One handed (to start) stalling vertical suplex for a full minute, as McGuinness scolded the crowd for counting in English and not Spanish. Running boot on the apron from Bandido, who tried it again, but Jericho caught him and powerbombed him to the floor, causing Bandido to splat. Jericho grabbed the camera and filmed Bandido’s family as they were crying, chanting for Bandido. Jericho kicked up his feet in the corner and took a breather as Bandido broke the count at 15, as commentary reminded us about the 20 count under ROH Rules.
Chants of “Please Retire” directed at Jericho, who paint brushed and flattened Bandido with a big boot for two. Both started slugging it out until Bandido hit a spinning DDT, firing up with a series of kicks. Jericho answered with an enzugiri and again trash talked the family, allowing Bandido to hit a sunset bomb for two. Bandido was crotched in the corner, as Jericho hit ten punches, tried a hurricanrana, Bandido caught him, looked for a powerbomb, but Jericho countered with a snap hurricanrana in mid-air. Jericho again opted to pose, allowing Bandido to hit a Gorilla Press Slam and Frog Splash for two. Bandido tried another Tornillo, but Jericho got the double knees up for the double down.
Both found themselves back-to-back, as they slowly rose to their feet, nodded and we were going to get a stand-off, but Jericho attacked Bandido from behind. Jericho tried a head scissors, waving to the crowd in the air, but Bandido countered into reverse GTS. Bandido wanted the 21-Plex, but Jericho rolled through into the Walls of Jericho. Bandido got the ropes, as Jericho argued with referee Bryce. Bryan Keith ran to the ring, but Gravity soon followed and brawled with him ringside. With the ref’s attention turned, Jericho grabbed the baseball bat and decked Bandido, hiding the evidence soon after. Jericho made the cover and got the win.
Post-match, referee Aubrey Edwards, who wasn’t the official in the actual match, was talking to Bandido’s mother and sister, who told her about the baseball bat. They left ringside and showed Edwards the bat. Referee Bryce, Aubrey & Justin Roberts talked and we’re told the match has restarted. Jericho grabbed Bandido’s sister by the hair, but she slapped him, allowing Bandido to hit the reverse GTS and 21-Plex to win the match and the title. Tony Schiavone said not often are matches restarted in AEW, but justice was served in this case. Bandido celebrated with his mother, sister & Gravity as Jericho was left seething.
Adam Cole defeated Daniel Garcia in a No Interference/No Time-Limit match to win the TNT Title
(I thought this was a solid end to this chapter they’ve been building up on Collision. Part of me wonders if the seeds were planted for Garcia possibly joining up with FTR eventually? There were times in this match where Garcia was getting overconfident, especially after Cole seemed to injure his leg early on. I don’t see this being the last time these two face one another and I look forward to seeing it again whenever that might be. I’m anxious to see where both men go after this.)
Pie faces and a slugfest kicks things off, as Cole missed a pump kick and ran into a Garcia charging knee. Garcia, who has failed to hit 10 corner punches on Cole during their string of matches, finally hits them, but pushed his luck, wanting 10 more, this time, Cole threw him to the floor. Cole wanted Panama Sunrise off the apron, Garcia dodged and Cole came up limping. Referee never had time to check on Cole, as Garcia flew in with a shotgun dropkick and stomped the knee. Back inside, Garcia zoned in, as Cole is really selling the left leg. The moment Garcia let his foot off the gas briefly, Cole hit a fireman’s carry neckbreaker on his good knee. Cole tried the Panama Sunrise again, but Garcia rolled through, nearly got the Dragon Tamer, only settled for a lariat that turned Cole inside out, as Garcia mean mugged the camera.
Garcia connected on a visually awesome twisting Gotch Style Piledriver, as commentary puts over Jerry Lynn. Garcia lowered the knee pad, but Cole ramped up into a slug fest. Both collide with stereo big boots, Garcia hit a snap back suplex, throws overhand chops, ran into a superkick, as Garcia literally almost fell into a pin for two, as Cole countered into a crucifix for two of his own. Garcia blocked a superkick into an Ankle Lock, but Cole rolled to the floor. Garcia followed and sent Cole crashing into the steps, but as Garcia stood tall and posed, the delay allowed Cole to hit a neckbreaker on the knee while both were standing on the steps. Panama Sunrise hit off the apron, as Cole went to lower The Boom back in the ring, but Garcia collapsed. Garcia nearly tricked Cole with an inside cradle, but as both got up, Cole’s leg buckled and Garcia hit a Panama Sunrise of his own. Garcia lowered The Boom, but Cole kicked out.
A visibly frustrated Garcia slammed Cole’s leg repeatedly against the mat, but had second thoughts when trying for another piledriver. Callback to his match with MJF last year, Garcia went for the Avalanche Piledriver, but Cole fought out and hit the Panama Sunrise flush. Cole went to the other side of the ring and hit a second before lowering The Boom to win the title.
Post-match, Cole offered his hand to Garcia, who accepted the handshake and gave Cole the ring, despite being heartbroken.
Kenny Omega defeated Ricochet & Speedball Mike Bailey to retain the AEW International Title
(This was one of the best 3-way’s I’ve seen in recent memory, as the creativity from all involved throughout, for 30 minutes plus, is unbelievably impressive. You could argue this could’ve been a little shorter, but that’s a nitpick. The crowd seemed tired during the Garcia & Cole match at times, but they seriously picked back up during this. The post-match was simple, but yet another tease to the eventual Omega & Okada showdown that everyone is looking forward to, for what certainly could be a unification match, whenever that may be.)
Ricochet immediately bailed so Omega & Bailey could start. Omega got a roll-up, but was sent to the floor and into the commentary table. Ricochet was sent outside, leaving Omega to hit a hurricanrana on Bailey, but as Ricochet went for one on Omega, he was trapped in an arm bar. Bailey ramped up the Speedball kicks on Omega, as Ricochet flew in, missed a dive, so Bailey hit a dive outside on Omega. Ricochet sprung to the floor, but got paint brushed back and forth by Bailey & Omega to pop the crowd big to the chants of “Bald”. Omega wanted You Can’t Escape on Bailey, who in fact, escaped, allowing Bailey to drape Omega over the barricade. Bailey wanted a moonsault double knees, but Ricochet cut him off and hit a rolling DVD on Bailey onto Omega on the barricade.
With Omega left to try and recover, Ricochet trash talked the crowd as he put the boots to Bailey. While trying to keep Omega at bay, Ricochet wanted his Northern Lights into a Brainbuster, but Omega returned and we get a neckbreaker/DDT combo spot with Ricochet standing tall. Tope Suicida took out both men on opposite sides of the ring before taking Schiavone’s headset and boasting about himself. The camera shot was great, as Bailey flew in off screen and cracked Ricochet right in the face. Bailey politely apologized to Schiavone (who I think dropped a F bomb, popping Taz & Excalibur) before hitting a missile dropkick back inside on Ricochet. Omega quickly back in for You Can’t Escape, but Bailey dodged the moonsault. Ricochet flew in, missed a Lionsault, as he nearly got a double pin off a Bailey backslide attempt on Omega. Bailey meanwhile, nearly pinned both with a double crucifix pin, while Omega did a double backslide for two. Everyone popped up, only to deck one another with high kicks for a triple down and “This Is Awesome” chants.
Everyone slugged it out to their feet, as Ricochet kept being discarded by Bailey & Omega, who fired off jabs, as Ricochet tried again to intervene, but Bailey hit a triangle moonsault to the floor. With Bailey & Ricochet down on the floor, Omega got the crowd amped up with the Terminator Dive on both. Ricochet’s turn to fly as he hit a picture perfect Fosbury Flop, as he went for baseball slide, but Bailey dodged, sprung up and hit an Asai Moonsault. Omega & Bailey back inside, as Bailey missed a PK and moonsault, as Ricochet & Omega were stacked on each other, allowing Bailey to hit his standing moonsault double knees. Time Adventure destroyed Omega, but Ricochet pulled referee Rick Knox’s leg during the count. A pissed off Bailey went after Ricochet on the floor and beat him up relentlessly on the apron. Bailey tried his moonsault double knees, but missed and crashed badly. Knox checked on him outside, as Ricochet chop blocked Bailey (and also Knox, who had to no sell this unfortunately) as back inside, Ricochet fought with Omega up in the ropes. Bailey came back in with a wild Avalanche Poison Rana on Ricochet, but instead of making a pin attempt, he went to Omega, who dropped the bottom out on Bailey and hit a Snap Dragon, while Ricochet suffered the same fate. Omega stacked Bailey onto Ricochet and hit a wild double Snap Dragon that had the crowd going wild.
With both men set in position, V-Triggers delivered to both, as Bailey was launched from the ring during his. Ricochet countered One Winged Angel, Omega countered Vertigo, but Omega was able to hit Croyt’s Wrath for a close two. Bailey dodged One Winged Angel and hit a back heel kick as they teased a callback to how Ricochet & Bailey won their match to advance to tonight with a high stack pin for two. Ricochet dragon screwed Bailey, wanted a powerbomb on Omega, who sent Ricochet tumbling outside. Roundhouse Kick cracked Omega, as Bailey hit Adventure Time in the corner, missed Ultimate Weapon, as he screamed in pain, allowing Omega to sink in a knee bar. Ricochet flew in with a springboard 450 on Omega for two. Ricochet hit Vertigo, but Bailey kicked out and Ricochet couldn’t believe it. Omega cut off the Spirit Gun, as Bailey got a high stack for two. Roundhouse Kick landed again on Omega, as Bailey went up in the corner, only to get shoved off by Ricochet, who followed with a Shooting Star Press for two. Ricochet wanted another on Bailey, who got his knees up into a cradle for a near fall.
Ricochet begged off, as Bailey paint brushed the hell out of Ricochet, who caught a kick and wrenched the bad knee. Bailey fought to his feet and struck the Crane pose and booted Ricochet’s head off with the kick to make Daniel LaRusso proud. Bailey hit the Ultimate Weapon, but Omega flew in with the V-Trigger, wanted One Winged Angel, but Ricochet broke it up with a Poison Rana on Omega. Ricochet wanted an Avalanche Vertigo, but Omega joined with an Avalanche One Winged Angel on Ricochet, while Bailey was trapped in the Tree of Woe, allowing Omega to get the pin.
Post-match, Omega was trying to recover before the coin drop sounded and Kazuchika Okada made his way to the ring with his Continental Title. The stare down was only brief, as Omega flinched first and just walked to the back, as the tease of this showdown finally happening in AEW, continues.
Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir) defeated Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) to retain the AEW World Title
(Well, it wouldn’t be a Jon Moxley main event without a crap ton of interference one way or another. The House of Moxley thankfully wasn’t the reason he retained yet again, instead, two familiar faces who haven’t been seen in 6 months in AEW, made the save and cost Strickland the title. It’ll be interesting to see where they go from here, as I assume Death Riders & The Young Bucks vs. Strickland, Page & The Opps could be Anarchy in the Arena next month. I for one am happy The Bucks are back and look forward to seeing how they explain themselves after tonight, especially with Page also involved on the opposing end of things it seems.)
Strickland had a Static Shock theme to his entrance and attire, as we get big fight intros from Justin Roberts to start. Referee Paul Turner holds up the briefcase like it’s the actual AEW World Title and that just visually looks ridiculous to me. Moxley still has marks on his back from taking that board of nails a few weeks ago. Commentary even brought up how they thought these two would slug it out to start, but instead, Strickland picked the ankle and started with wrestling. Moxley scrambled and escaped, but Strickland took him back down, ultimately connecting on his corner uppercut before hitting the Griddy. Test of Strength broke by Moxley, as Strickland flipped out in the corner, sending Moxley to the floor to eat a pump kick. Back to the ring, Strickland went up top, but Moxley swung for the fences and sent Strickland crashing outside. Shafir literally stepped on top of Strickland walking away before Moxley stomped his head into the steps.
Moxley was hell bent on busting Strickland open with forearms to the forehead before going back out to the floor. Moxley chucked Strickland over the table, wiping Excalibur out in the process, as Strickland is now bleeding, while Moxley bit him. Moxley hit a Paradigm Shift on the ring steps before taking a victory lap back to the ring, as Strickland just broke the count at 9. Stalling piledriver for a Moxley near fall, who bit and wrenched at the cut before flipping off the fans, booting Strickland in the face. Inside out suplex hit, as Strickland called off Knox from checking on him. Moxley again bit at the forehead, as he dared Strickland to hit him harder, so Strickland obliged and buckled the champion. Forearms turned to slaps until Moxley sank in a Kimura into a Triangle. Strickland powered up into a powerbomb to break free into the reset.
Strickland ramped up with strikes into his delayed vertical suplex for a near fall. Moxley tried a choke, Strickland rolled into a pin attempt for two. Strickland wanted his rolling Flatliner, but Moxley hit a Cutter in mid-air. Strickland countered Death Rider into a Vertebreaker attempt, but Moxley spun out into a Bulldog Choke, transitioned into a Rear Naked Choke. Strickland got the ropes and finally able to hit the rolling Flatliner before hitting a House Call on the mark for two. Another House Call hit, but as he went for a third, Moxley turned him inside out with a lariat, only he no sold and hit House Call for another double down.
Shafir came into the ring with the briefcase and teased using it until Nana got in her face. Shafir decked him with the briefcase and booted him to the floor until Strickland grabbed Shafir, Moxley leapt for Cutter, but mistakenly laid out Shafir instead. Strickland dropped Moxley with a Paradigm Shift, but took too long to go up top and was launched to the floor. Moxley brought out a ladder set it up ringside, as he wanted a suplex off it, but Strickland fought out, raked the back, bit the head and hit a Swerve Stomp off the ladder through the Spanish Announce Table. Strickland appeared to have tweaked his left leg as both staggered back to the ring to a slugfest that really ramped up. Moxley went at the leg, as Shafir recovered and threw in a chair, as Moxley chucked it at Strickland, who ducked and ref Paul Turner got clobbered to a huge pop.
Strickland connected with a Vertebreaker as Hangman Adam Page then power walked to the ring, but couldn’t decide on who to hit with a Buckshot, Moxley or Strickland. Death Riders appear and attack Page, who side-stepped a Busiaku Knee from Yuta, who hit Castagnoli, as PAC was sent outside. Page dropped Moxley with a Dead Eye, as The Opps ran out and brawled with Death Riders to the back. Strickland chucked a chair into the face of Moxley before going up top, hitting the Swerve Stomp, but his knee was badly damaged and there was no ref.
Just then, the lights went out and when they came back on, The Young Bucks were holding Strickland by the arms and hit a BTE Trigger. Moxley crawled over, made the cover and got the pin. The Bucks left through the crowd, Moxley recovered with Shafir, as Strickland was staring down The Bucks, while Page was staring down Strickland to end the show.
