AEW Forbidden Door preview & predictions: Please don’t die

Editor’s Note: This is an opinion-based preview that reflects the views of the author and not the website.

This year’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door isn’t about checking dream matches off a list anymore. It’s about finding the right combinations using whatever top talent is available, regardless of how forbidden or permissible they may be.

The highs are certainly high. Kazuchika Okada vs. Swerve Strickland is an existing opposition of styles and ideas. ZSJ vs. Nigel McGuinness is a time machine. Mercedes Mone in a four-way is equal parts inevitability and chaos. AEW has stacked some of the card with collisions that don’t just sound good on paper — they carry some serious weight.

Not everything is a hit, however. Sure, you get MJF and Hangman tearing the house down, but can we also interest you in some Kip Sabian? I will politely pass and instead indulge in the rest of Forbidden Door, even though it’s really just a regular old PPV. I won’t tell if you won’t. 

Here’s my preview and predictions for Sunday’s Forbidden Door from London (1 PM Eastern main card start on PPV).

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. Kip Sabian & Killswitch

Sure, whatever. Killswitch is back which is very nice for him, but I’ve never had a compelling thought about Kip Sabian. The Cope/Christian reunion tour should have come with more fanfare, but I suppose this is leading to something bigger down the line. Let’s not spill any more digital ink here.

Prediction: Cope and Christian

AEW World Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) defend against Brodido (Brody King & Bandido) and FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) in a three-way

The Hurt Syndicate have been champions since January. It doesn’t feel like it! The most memorable thing they’ve done was engage in an unfulfilling and short-lived partnership with MJF. Their matches are impressive beatdowns delivered by two talented athletic marvels, but that’s all they are. There’s been nothing worth holding on to. AEW hasn’t exactly put forth a murderers’ row of opponents, but at some point, the common denominator in the question must be considered. 

A tournament final ending in a draw sure is something. Why even run the tournament if you weren’t going to have a clear winner? That said, the FTR/Brodido match on Wednesday was a certified ripper and significantly better output than anything from the Hurt Syndicate during their time as champions.

Brody and Bandido always deserve gold. Unfortunately, that’s not happening. They’re just here to eat the pin. They deserve so much more.  

Prediction: FTR wins the titles

TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Alex Windsor, Persephone and Bozilla in a four-way

The more people in a match, the further we stray from God’s light. Maybe this is me getting old. Maybe this is me, in fact, already being old. But one-on-one matches are the purest form of pro wrestling (tag team wrestling notwithstanding).

I’ll allow for indulgences like the occasional triple threat or a cacophony of violence like Anarchy in the Arena. Still, by and large, multi-person matches are too contrived and too empty. There is too much waiting around between spots. If you pay attention, you can feel the space in them. They aren’t without their purpose, but these are fun, empty calories at the absolute best with a floor of something far worse.

Mercedes’ loss at All In shocked me. I was certain she was destined to add yet another belt to her always-growing collection. She didn’t, though that certainly seems to have done little to slow down the momentum of her globe-trotting success.

The rollout of Alex Windsor in AEW has been great, Persephone can work, and Bozilla is full of promise, but there is only one CEO.

Prediction: Mercedes retains

TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher defends against Hiromu Takahashi

Takahashi was a beautiful abnormality — a junior heavyweight force of nature and a ball of kinetic, unique charisma that was a magnet for willing and curious eyes. His self-produced videos, entrance gear, and devil-may-care style made him stand out. His return from a broken neck at Wrestle Kingdom 14 moved me. But fireworks, dazzling as they might be, burn fast and hot, but always blow out. Serious injuries have dampened some of Hiromu’s bombast and output, but his special light still shines. 

Fletcher has arrived — not just as a breakout singles star, but as someone who feels inevitable in pro wrestling’s next decade. His journey to the TNT Championship, capped by a stirring street fight victory over Dustin Rhodes, is proof of concept: youthful, athletic, and composed beyond his years, Fletcher has transitioned from an Ospreay-esque tag-team prospect into a headliner with frightening ease. His ceiling does not exist.

Prediction: Fletcher retains

AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Swerve Strickland

Everything has already been said about Okada, a once-in-a-generation ace whose performances on the biggest stages are already part of modern wrestling history. Yet, here’s the thing: we haven’t gotten the full Okada experience in AEW yet. Since walking through the forbidden door full-time, the Rainmaker has felt like the trailer instead of the full movie.

He’s been dominant, sure, looking like a cool billion dollars and still hitting that dropkick like Zeus hurling lightning, but something’s been off. The mystique is there, but the matches haven’t caught up. Maybe it’s just that Okada, who, like any mythic figure, needs the right foil (see Bryan Danielson for evidence) to unlock his highest form. If that’s the case, Swerve might be the key.

This match isn’t just a collision of two stars; it’s a styles clash in the best way. Okada is the high-art technician with the mat as his canvas. Swerve, on the other hand, is a (better) Rick Rude wearing Supreme. He snarls and he seethes, all while being the coolest person in the room. He’s part style, part menace, and always in control. The best-of-the-best transcend wins and losses, and even if Swerve doesn’t win, he controls the conversation.

I’m jazzed for this one. Okada’s deliberate pacing and crescendo-building offense vs. Swerve’s penchant for brutality. Will Okada finally paint his masterpiece in an AEW ring? And if not now, when?

Prediction: Okada retains

IWGP World Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Nigel McGuinness

Of the many, many wonderful ZSJ quotes, there are none better than when he said putting on a great technical match for the United States is “like reading Shakespeare to a dog.” Kings stay kings. The good news for ZSJ is that this audience, like his opponent, will largely not be from the United States.

Both of these beautiful Brits — a fact, not an opinion — will get every opportunity to wrench and bend and torque and twist each other’s limbs on their home soil. How incredible for McGuinness to get a proper singles match at the sold-out O2 Arena. How perfect that ZSJ gets to lock up with a British wrestling legend. How lucky are we, silly Americans, that we’ll get to try and appreciate what should be a technical masterpiece.

As compelling and interesting as this match is, there is no serious chance of the title changing hands. The potential addition of Daniel Garcia does introduce some intrigue. He’s been struggling, languishing even, for some time now. Does he flip the script and turn heel on Nigel? Tune in on August 24th (only on PPV!) to find out.

Prediction: ZSJ retains

Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi), Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Will Ospreay vs. Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli & Jon Moxley), Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) and Gabe Kidd in a lights out cage match

A man with no knees who can’t walk, a man with half his insides removed held together by duct tape, a man who publicly announced neck problems, a daredevil who climbed Mount Everest, and Ibushi walk into a lights out steel cage match.

Rarely, if ever, has there been a match that had a higher risk of a career-ending injury.

My choice for the winner of the “he really shouldn’t be doing this match” is the president of NJPW and the Ace of the universe, Hiroshi Tanahashi. A living legend and all-time big match performer, his bona fides are exhaustive and deserved, so far be it from me, a loser, to question him. But, man. It’s painful when he tries to move at anything with a pace brisker than a stroll, so how can he do a match like this? He just struggled through a six-man tag on Dynamite. I have a feeling I’ll be watching this one through my fingers, just hoping everyone comes out of it ok. 

Much of the intrigue lies in the logistics and layout of this match. There are a lot of people to be in one cage at the same time. The argument that this should be the annual Blood and Guts match is a sound one. Hopefully, the cage is more of a recommendation rather than a requirement, because a brawl all over the arena would be more fun than ten dudes bumping around in a cage trying not to kill each other.

Prediction: Omega, Ibushi, Allin, Tanahashi & Ospreay

AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Athena

To begin, a proposition for the sicko owner of AEW: be brave, Tony Khan. Be bold. Now is the time to be audacious. Let Athena soundly and quickly beat Toni Storm for the AEW Women’s World Championship. Don’t deprive your audience of a good match, but give us something different.

AEW leans heavily into the more sprawling epics littered with kickout after kickout after kickout. Imagine for a moment this is a ten-minute sprint, a slugfest between two of the best women workers of our generation with the governors completely removed from their engines. Let them empty the tanks quickly and viciously before going home with authority.

It took Storm hitting countless piledrivers to put away Mone at All In. How momentous and ground-shaking would it be if Athena beat Storm with one finisher? A star would instantly emerge. Athena has been that star for years, carrying a mostly unwatched brand on her capable back. It’s time to bring her to the front and keep her there. Few can do what she does in the ring, and it’s high time for the world at large to easily see it.

Prediction: Athena wins the title

AEW World Champion Hangman Page defends against MJF

The AEW World Championship is a heavy crown for any head. The burden of expectations, the burden of being the best every night, is never ending. There are no bye weeks with a roster overflowing with talent like Ospreay, Allin, Fletcher, G1 winner Konosuke Takeshita, Swerve, and, of course, MJF.

A conquering hero like Hangman should be up for the challenge. There’s nothing like returning to the summit in an act of cathartic triumph before having to deal with the devil all over again. There are no breaks, there are no skips, and for Hangman to have a lengthy run, he must always be at the top of his game. 

It speaks to MJF’s versatility and vulnerability as a performer that he can make whatever he does feel important. His time on TV and PPVs is almost always deserved. It’s been over a year since MJF has been involved in a title program of any kind, let alone the World title. Yes, he’s currently the CMLL Light Heavyweight champion, but in AEW canon, he’s been beltless.

But he’s never been an afterthought; he’s never been wandering the wilderness. The best continue to matter even if they aren’t involved in a top title program. Love him or hate him, whenever MJF is around, everything he does matters. 

Count me among those who did not like the added stipulations to this match. MJF and Hangman sold this program on their own with nothing extra needed. All this does is open the possibility for unwanted chicanery and lean into the worst part of MJF’s performances. Pulling the rug out from Hangman after he spent two years getting back to the top would be bold, but it would be unwise. He keeps the gold.

Prediction: Hangman retains

Follow along with our AEW Forbidden Door coverage all weekend long.

Wrestling Weekly: AEW Forbidden Door predictions, WWE changing PLE homes

Image: AEW

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door PPV is this Sunday and on today’s Wrestling Weekly with Vic Sosa and Les Thatcher, we’ll give our predictions for all the matches.

We’ll also look at the rapidly changing TV/PLE landscape in WWE and just how much you have to spend to keep up with the product.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Mina Shirakawa returns from injury on AEW Collision

Image: JJ Williams

Interim Ring of Honor Women’s TV Champion Mina Shirakawa returned from injury during Saturday’s AEW Collision.

Shirakawa came out to aid AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm at the onset of Collision when she came out to deliver a promo to the fans when she was attacked by Athena and Billie Starkz. Storm will defend against Athena at Forbidden Door.

Shirakawa won the interim TV title and then got injured by Athena the next night at AEW All In. She hasn’t been seen since.

As announced on Thursday’s HonorClub, Shirakawa will challenge Athena for the ROH Women’s World title at this month’s Death Before Dishonor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her future with the interim TV title is unclear as is the return of current champion Red Velvet.

Current ROH Death Before Dishonor card | Friday, August 29 | Philadelphia:

  • ROH World Champion Bandido defends against Hechicero
  • ROH Women’s World Champion Athena defends against Mina Shirakawa
  • ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty defends against Xelhua

Women’s World title match confirmed for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

After winning her opportunity to challenge for the AEW Women’s World title at July’s All In, Athena isn’t waiting long to cash in her ticket.

Made official on Thursday’s AEW Collision, she will challenge Toni Storm for the title at August’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door in search of her first run with the gold.

Athena pinned Storm on Wednesday’s Dynamite in a tag team match after weeks of taunting Storm for when she would call her shot. Athena’s ROH Women’s World title will not be on the line.

While the two have shared the ring seven times in their respective careers, the match will be their first singles encounter.

Storm, currently in her fourth reign, will be looking for her fifth successful title defense and her first since defending against Mercedes Mone at All In.

Current AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door card | Sunday, August 24 | London, England

  • AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Swerve Strickland
  • AEW Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) defend against winner of Tag Team title eliminator tournament
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. TBA
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Athena

Two matches added to AEW Dynamite

A new tag team match has been added to Dynamite.

Tony Khan announced on social media Tuesday that Toni Storm and Alex Windsor will team together to take on Athena and Billie Starkz.

“The brawl after a classic #AEWCollision main event set the stage for a huge 2-on-2 fight TOMORROW NIGHT!,” he wrote.

In the main event of Collision, Athena successfully retained the ROH Women’s title against Windsor. After the match, Athena and her minion attacked Windsor until Storm came out for the save, ending the show with the two standing tall over the retreating Athena and Starkz.

Athena won a contract that will guarantee her a shot at Storm’s title at any time back at All In earlier this month. Since then, Storm has attempted to coerce Athena into signing her contract to face her on television, with Athena choosing otherwise.

Also added to Dynamite is a singles match betwen Mark Briscoe and Ricochet.

“After scoring the main event win last Wednesday, Mark Briscoe aims to settle the score vs his red hot rival who beat him in a classic #AEWDoN Stretcher Match: Ricochet!,” Khan wrote.

AEW Dynamite for Wednesday, July 30:

  • AEW World Championship: Hangman Page defends against Jon Moxley, everyone banned from ringside
  • Tag Team Title Eliminator Tournament quarterfinal: The Young Bucks vs. The Outrunners
  • Toni Storm & Alex Windsor vs. Athena & Billie Starkz
  • Ricochet vs. Mark Briscoe
  • MJF will appear

Hangman Page match set for AEW Dynamite

Image: JJ Williams

AEW World Champion Hangman Page will be in action on this Wednesday’s Shark Week edition of AEW Dynamite.

Announced during Saturday’s Collision, Page will take on Wheeler Yuta in non-title action. The two have been at odds for over two years and have wrestled each other twice in singles competition with Page taking home both.

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The only other previously announced bout — AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm vs. Billie Starkz in a non-title match — now has a stipulation.

Athena was addressing the crowd Saturday and taunting Storm who then ran out and demanded they have their World title match right then and there. Athena declined but she reminded Storm of the Starkz match, Storm said if Starkz wins, she will also earn a title shot which Athena didn’t care for.

Storm is 3-0 against Starkz all-time.

Here’s the current lineup for this Wednesday in Chicago:

  • AEW World Champion Hangman Page vs. Wheeler Yuta (non-title)
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm vs. Billie Starkz (non-title_

Toni Storm vs. Billie Starkz booked for Shark Week AEW Dynamite

The build to an eventual Toni Storm vs. Athena match begins with Storm facing Athena’s “minion” on the July 23 Shark Week AEW Dynamite.

As announced during this week’s Dynamite, the AEW Women’s World Champion Storm will take on Billie Starkz in a non-title matchup on the July 23 episode. Starkz and Athena are longtime ROH allies.

The ROH Women’s World Champion, Athena won the Casino Gauntlet match at All In last Saturday to earn a future AEW title shot against Storm. Storm successfully defended her title against Mercedes Mone at All In. Mone was absent from this week’s Dynamite, indicating that an immediate rematch is not in the cards.

Storm and Starkz have squared off three times in singles matches in their career — once on AEW Dark, once on an AEW house show, and once on Chris Jericho’s cruise — with Storm winning each matchup.

As part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s annual Shark Week promotion, Shark Week is the presenting sponsor for the July 23 Dynamite in Chicago.

The lineup so far:

AEW Dynamite, Wednesday, July 23 —

  • “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Billie Starkz

Toni Storm victory speech set for AEW Dynamite

Tony Khan has added more segments to the lineup for Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.

AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm is now scheduled to give a “Victory Speech” on the show following her win over Mercedes Mone at AEW All In on Saturday. Tony Khan revealed the news on Tuesday, writing, “AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm Victory Speech After her win vs TBS Champion Mercedes Moné in a bout between all-time greats, World Champion Timeless Toni Storm makes her victory speech TOMORROW!”

Following her win over Mone at AEW All In, Storm appeared at a Prestige Wrestling event in Portland on Sunday. She took part in a meet and greet session and cut an in-ring promo setting up a match between Su Yung and Drexl.

This week’s Dynamite is the first show of AEW’s six-show stay at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom. The July 31st episode of Collision will be the final show of the residency.

AEW Dynamite lineup for Wednesday, July 16, 2025:

  • AEW World Champion Hangman Page, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Mark Briscoe vs. Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm to give a victory speech

Toni Storm makes rare indie appearance one night after AEW All In

Toni Storm didn’t take much time off after defeating Mercedes Mone at AEW All In on Saturday.

Just one day later, she appeared at Prestige Wrestling’s Combat Clash 2025 event at the Viking Pavilion in Portland, Oregon, on Sunday. She was advertised in advance for a special appearance and meet and greet session at the show.

Storm delivered an in-ring promo that set up a match between Su Yung and Drexl, and also shared some concerning medical news about her butler, Luther.

“Hello, Portland. My name is ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm and I am still your AEW Women’s World Champion. Did we see you at All In last night? A little bit crazy, a little bit wild. Well, it got so wild that my butler Luther, he couldn’t make it here this evening. No, no, no, don’t worry, it’s for the best. We’ll have a much better time now. Now, it was actually Luther that insisted that I come here, he said this is where the real magic happens. And frankly, I just assumed that he was talking about a weed dispensary, but this is close enough, to be honest. Would you like to know what happened to Luther? You want me to tell you the truth? Luther broke his penis off. No, he did. He just completely snapped it right off.

This brought out Drexl, who had been looking for Luther. Storm then introduced Yung as Drexl’s opponent for the evening.

The entire Prestige Wrestling Combat Clash event is available in the YouTube video below. Storm’s segment begins around the 2 hour 21 minute and 30 seconds mark:

Toni Storm defeats Mercedes Mone at AEW All In

Image: JJ Williams

For the first time since arriving in AEW, Mercedes Mone has come up short.

Toni Storm emerged victorious at AEW All In, defeating Mone after an avalanche Storm Zero. Mone had put up a fight, kicking out after three consecutive Storm Zeroes, but Storm’s final move was enough to put away the TBS Champion. After the match, announcers mentioned that this was Mone’s first loss since her arrival in AEW last year.

Mone had spent the last year collecting titles, including AEW’s TBS Championship, in the lead-up to their match. She won the Owen Hart Foundation tournament at Double or Nothing, claiming the championship belt that comes with winning. In the weeks that followed she also won the CMLL Women’s Championship and the EWA Women’s Championship.

Since leaving WWE, Mone has only lost a few times. She formerly held the IWGP Women’s Championship before losing it to Mayu Iwatani in April of 2023. More recently, she lost the New Japan Strong Women’s Championship to AZM, who pinned Mina Shirakawa in a triple threat match over the title.

Earlier at All In, Athena won the women’s Casino Gauntlet match, setting up a future clash with Storm over the Women’s Championship.

AEW All In live results: Moxley vs. Hangman, Omega vs. Okada, Storm vs. Mone

AEW’s largest show in North American history has arrived with today’s All In, live this afternoon from Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

In one headliner, AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Hangman Page while in another, AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against TBS Champion Mercedes Mone.

In another anticipated title match, International Champion Kenny Omega defends against Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada to determine the new Unified Champion.

AEW World Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate defend against Christian Cage & Nick Wayne and JetSpeed in a three-way while The Opps defend the Trios titles against Gabe Kidd, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta.

The Young Bucks take on Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland where the Bucks will put their EVP titles on the line against a year of World title shots for Ospreay and Strickland.

The show will feature both men’s and women’s Casino Gauntlet matches with the winners given future World title shots.

TNT Champion Adam Cole defends against Kyle Fletcher rounds out the main card with the pre-show starting at 1 PM Eastern.

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Zero Hour

The WrestleAunts (Renee Paquette & RJ City), Jeff Jarrett & Paul Wight welcome us to Zero Hour to the sounds of Machinehead by Bush and run down today’s card. They have a chart No Time Limit, No DQ, No Match Stoppage of Blood, Pinfalls Don’t Matter, as the only way to win is when someone Submits or Unable to Answer the 10 Count.

Video of earlier in the week of Paquette on the road with Jon Moxley, as he said it’s the smartest decision Page has ever made to make sure his family won’t be ringside to see this main event. Paquette questions why it has gotten to such extremes and how Moxley continues to push boundaries as champion, starting with what he did to Bryan Danielson. Moxley said exactly, failure doesn’t exist, I just keep moving forward. So Page won 2 years ago, he thinks he can just move on? This is a war of attrition, is Page better than he was 2 years ago, have they been positive, stronger in character? Moxley doesn’t think so. Paquette said she has a F’n pit in her stomach about the match, while Moxley is at peace and has clarity. Page can’t do sh*t to him, the people in the arena in Hangman shirts, they are so sure he’ll pull this off. What in the last year makes you believe Page will win at All In and what leads anyone to believe Moxley will lose? Moxley has brought a cold reality to AEW and while Page has done nothing personal to Moxley himself, he just can’t stand the guy due to his relatability and how fans can see themselves in him, something Moxley can’t do. Page has everything in front of him, but just can’t see it. Being champion isn’t a luxury to enjoy, it’s a responsibility that people don’t understand. This was a fantastic video and a rare on screen interaction we get between a concerned Paquette & her husband.

Madison Rayne joined the panel to go over the Women’s Title Match. Wight said he’s going with Storm to win it and thinks Mone will have one less title after tonight, but none of Mone’s titles are on the line. RJ then talked to Kris Statlander earlier in the week about the Women’s Casino Gauntlet and she said out of all the women in AEW, she has the most experience in a Women’s Gauntlet, so that gives her the advantage. Statlander dodged a question about Willow Nightingale and told RJ it’s up for her to decide on the offer from Wheeler Yuta to join up with his crew and no one else. If Statlander if feeling petty, she could stick it to Mone or go the easy route and cash in her Gauntlet title shot on Storm. RJ brought up Statlander is now the Pro Wrestling Eve International Champion and she said she’s no longer looking for someone to hold her, as she now has something to hold. She’s been working harder than ever and is on top of her game.

Paquette informed us that Tony Khan has informed us Adam Cole is not medically cleared to compete tonight and it will now be a 4-way between Kyle Fletcher vs. Daniel Garcia vs. Dustin Rhodes vs. Sammy Guevara for the vacant TNT Title.

Clips of the fantastic piece by The Players’ Tribune on Mark Briscoe and his family was shown. This is go out of your way stuff to check out if for some reason you haven’t yet. Nigel McGuinnes joined the panel and talked about his history with The Briscoe Brothers. He also talked about the Men’s Casino Gauntlet and saw a few men in the back who will raise a few eyebrows if they make it to the match.

Excellent video package on Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada was shown and then the panel was joined by Josh Mathews who talked about The Young Bucks vs. Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay, as he interviewed Strickland & Ospreay following Dynamite last week. Strickland asked how Ospreay is feeling about the stipulation he made for the match now? Ospreay said as confident he is that they’ll beat The Bucks, he said anything can happen in pro wrestling and if the worse happens, it’ll be his life’s mission to make it up to Strickland for costing him a title shot for a year. Strickland started laughing and said he wouldn’t be here if he didn’t believe in Ospreay & himself. Mathews asked if either have gratitude to The Young Bucks for getting them jobs in AEW? Both said they have respect for them and a huge footprint on AEW, but at the same time, The Bucks should respect the talent who show up week in and week out. Mathews said Ospreay & Strickland haven’t teamed much at all and asks if they feel like they can win on Saturday? Ospreay knows the game plan, it’s just a matter of putting it into action, they are The Franchise & The Feeling. Another excellent promo ahead of the PPV (aside from Mathews asking “do you think you’re going to win?” that was ridiculous).

Jeff Jarrett sat down with Hangman Adam Page earlier this week to talk the Texas Death Match. Page knows All In will be violent, buckets of blood, harm his health, but he’s grateful to have been part of this company since the beginning. Jarrett said out of all his opponents, he has a much respect for Page than any of them. Page asks if it was before or after he whipped him with a belt and they laughed, saying the respect grew after. Page said he knows this isn’t just a battle with Jon Moxley, it’s the rest of the Death Riders and admits it’ll take help, which he’s never been big on accepting. At the end of the night, it’ll be just Moxley & himself, but Page has been miserable for the last two years and his family could tell something was wrong. All In and winning the championship could prove to them that taking the right path can get you what you want.

Sons of Texas (Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara) & The Von Erichs (Ross & Marshall w/Kevin) vs. Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Carlie Bravo, Shawn Dean & Lee Moriarty w/Anthony Ogogo & Trish Adora)

Guevara immediately hit his signature leap frog, dropkick, kip-up before Moriarty bailed and The Von Erichs picked apart Bravo with a double team. Dean ran distraction enough for Ross to eat a cheap shot and isolated. Dean hit a dive to wipe out Guevara & Marshall, Taylor got a head of steam around ringside to run over everyone like a freight train. Too much trash talk back inside allowed Ross to hit a huge bodyslam on Taylor as Ogogo stalked Kevin around ringside before Wyatt & Wayne Rhodes, the grandsons of Dusty, showed up as Ogogo retreated. Dustin made the tag and spiked Bravo with a Cross Rhodes, but Shane Taylor Promotions stopped the count as the match broke down. 4-way Iron Claw applied until Ogogo got in the ring, followed by Kevin Von Erich. This led to Kevin locking the Claw on Ogogo to the biggest pop of the match as STP were all collectively pinned simultaneously for the finish.

Match Result: Sons of Texas & The Von Erichs defeated Shane Taylor Promotions

Big Boom AJ (w/Big Justice & The Rizzler), Hologram, Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Lance Archer, Hechicero, Trent Beretta & Rocky Romero

(This had a little bit of everything, including AJ briefly working Hechicero and Beretta pie-facing a 12-year-old, to the biggest reaction of the match outside of The Rizzler doing his pose. I do suppose Hologram can thank the Costco Guy for helping keep his undefeated streak in tact. I can’t believe that’s a sentence I just typed.)

An amazing sign of Don Callis as a hot dog was shown in the crowd before the match, just wanted to acknowledge that. Nigel McGuinness on commentary said AJ his 15 minutes are up and can return the WCW 90s enhancement costume, which was a great line. Callis Family attacked at the bell, but The Costco Conglomeration turned the tides quickly with punches in the corner and is wild we saw AJ paired off with Hechicero during all of that. Belly to belly by AJ on Romero for two, as fast tags were made until Romero scurried away and we get a lucha sequence between Hologram & Hechicero. O’Reilly was tagged in and became distracted by Beretta, allowing Archer to hit locomotion corner splashes before tossing O’Reilly outside. Romero put the boots to O’Reilly in front of Big Justice (who is taller than Romer) & The Rizzler until Beretta pie-faced Justice down to a huge reaction from the crowd. AJ became furious ringside as O’Reilly remained isolated. Hologram managed a hot tag and despite an awkward looking head scissors on Hechicero, was able to get back on track with a Spanish Fly on Romero.

Ishii made the blind tag, as Hologram hit a dive on Hechicero, who landed rough by the commentary desk. Ishii wanted a brainbuster, but Archer was too big, slamming Ishii down. Archer wanted a brainbuster, but Ishii countered this time and managed to connect. AJ tagged in and ran wild until Archer started no selling, teased a chokeslam, AJ clotheslined him outside. Spinebuster on Beretta, Gorilla Press on Romero, who was tossed onto Archer outside. AJ wanted a PowerBoom on Beretta, but Hechicero broke it up with strikes and step-up boot. The match broke down until Hologram dove onto a pile as AJ was too busy doing BOOMs and ate a Beretta superkick. Beretta wanted a charging knee, but AJ caught him with a clothesline as Romero took the ref. Big Justice got in the ring and hit a Spear on Beretta, as AJ laid out Romero with a PowerBoom to win it.

Match Result: Big Boom AJ, Hologram, Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii defeated Lance Archer, Hechicero, Trent Beretta & Rocky Romero

FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood w/Stokely Hathaway) vs. The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd)

(This was a really fun tag match to end the kick off show, as I’d say I’d give the slight edge to their match on Collision last week as to which I enjoyed more, but it’s close. While I could see some wanting The Outrunners to win this, FTR are on a whole other level right now for this heel run and deserve to be in the Tag Title picture sometime soon. That said, I could see this match happening time and time again and I wouldn’t hate it. They work great together.)

McGuinness informs us Magnum & Floyd were trained by Verne Gagne and had to do 500 Hindu Squats every day. The Outrunners ran wild to start, causing FTR to take a powder to regroup with Hathaway. Wheeler returned to a huge back drop and flying head scissors by Magnum before Floyd tagged in for a back suplex and scramble for a pin attempt for two. Harwood attacked from behind, as FTR launched Floyd over the top outside, as he clutched his knee. Harwood put on a fans glasses and mocked him before picking apart Floyd’s left leg with a Figure Four. Floyd was able to battle back and make the tag to Magnum who ran wild with punches in bunches before sending Harwood head first into the post and clotheslining Wheeler to the floor. The numbers game became too much, as Harwood clobbered Magnum with a lariat.

Magnum managed to spin out of a sleeper into a back suplex for the double down, as Wheeler tried to stop Magnum with a slingshot dive, but crashed and burned. Harwood made the legal tag and almost Pounced Magnum from a failed diving tag attempt. Multiple missed elbows by Harwood, as Magnum tried a sunset flip for two, as he followed with a double DDT on FTR. Wheeler pulled Floyd to the outside before Magnum could make the tag, as FTR hit a Rocket Launcher for two.

Wheeler started getting in the refs face, causing Paul Turner to shove Wheeler to the floor, as Hathaway ran distraction, missing Magnum’s tag. Regardless, Magnum was able to dodge an attack and finally make the hot tag to Floyd, who was a house of fire and bulldog/clothesline combo. Son of a B*tch elbow connected on both FTR to a huge pop, but only managed two. Wheeler crotched Magnum, as Harwood nearly stole it with a school boy and tights. FTR wanted a Spike Piledriver, but Magnum sent Wheeler crashing outside, hit a cross body on Harwood, as Floyd rolled through with a jackknife for two. A Floyd hit a sunset flip on Harwood, Magnum tried one on Wheeler and didn’t get over enough, as it looked really rough, but both teams were up slugging it out. Floyd avoided Shatter Machine, as The Outrunners hit Total Recall, but Hathaway pulled out Magnum. The chase was on briefly between Hathaway & Floyd, but ended with Harwood getting a school boy, handful of tights, feet on the rope and assist from Wheeler & Hathaway to steal it.

Match Result: FTR defeated The Outrunners

AEW All In Texas

The Opps (Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata) vs. Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & Gabe Kidd) for the AEW Trios Titles

(Excellent opener, with everyone involved getting a chance to shine. The involvement of Kidd gives him future matches with anyone coming out of this, as he looked especially great in this. Early on, commentary brought up injured “former member of The Opps” HOOK. While he returned briefly during Anarchy in the Arena, Joe seemed happy to see HOOK, but HOOK didn’t seem to reciprocate such expression. That’s the first time I’ve ever heard them mention any dissension or HOOK at all since Double or Nothing. The post-match attack is a solid way to write-off any potential help Hangman Page could’ve hoped for in the main event.)

Kidd was ready to fight the World before the bell even sounded, as The Opps hit the ring and the brawl was on. Joe & Yuta, Castagnoli & Hobbs fought outside, as Kidd & Shibata picked up from where they left off on Collision with a chop battle. Both men collapsed, but rose from the dead at the same time to ramp it back up before tagging Joe & Yuta, who got mercilessly chopped by everyone until finally hitting a dropkick on Shibata and made a tag to Castgnoli.

Shibata tagged Joe back in, but the trash talk from Kidd distracted Joe enough to be brought outside and have the boots put to him. Back inside, Joe continued to be worked over until Joe hit a running senton to the back of Castagnoli, sending him face first into the mat. Hobbs made the hot tag and ran wild with corner splashes until the straps were lowered, Kidd tried to attack from behind, but was mowed down as well. Castagnoli ate a spinebuster, but Yuta made the save. Kidd was sent outside, allowing Hobbs to turn back into a pop-up uppercut for two. Doomsday Device attempt was countered, as Hobbs hit a powerslam in mid-air on Yuta to a huge reaction. Locomotion corner splashes on Yuta led to a PK by Shibata for two.

Giant Swing on Hobbs outside into the barricade by Castagnoli, as back inside, Yuta skinned the cat low into a snap German on Shibata for two. Kidd tagged in just as Shibata hulked up, as he kicked out of a brainbuster at one. Headbutt collapsed Shibata, but an overhand chop led to Joe making the tag and slugfest with Kidd was on. Kidd wanted a bounce back lariat, but Joe countered into a snap powerslam. Fastball Special was cut off by Hobbs, as Kidd tackled him to the floor. Shibata punted Yuta with a boot in the corner, leading to Joe hitting the Muscle Buster to win it.

Post-match, Death Riders attacked The Opps, as Kidd hit a piledriver on Shibata, Castagnoli with a Neutralizer on Joe and Yuta wore out Hobbs with a chair ringside. Castagnoli then Pillmanized the neck of Joe with a chair before telling the doctor that Joe needs help as Death Riders left through the crowd. Joe, meanwhile, was carried out of the arena on a stretcher.

Match Result: The Opps defeated Death Riders to retain the AEW Trios Titles when Joe pinned Yuta

Men’s Casino Gauntlet

(I enjoyed this Gauntlet, there was some very noteworthy returns and moments sprinkled throughout, but comparing it to last year’s Gauntlet, I preferred that one more I’d say (with the exception of the winner). It felt like there was a lot of down time down the stretch, as I don’t know why we needed the Caster comedy at the end. Regardless, the winner was who many expected, which is a good thing, as having someone like MJF getting to call his shot is far more fitting than Christian Cage was last year. You get a lot more out of MJF being the winner here.)

Mark Briscoe & MJF started things off, as the bell sounded and immediately MJF scrambled for pin attempts until Briscoe shot a double leg to brawl. Briscoe floated over a back drop and hit a flying forearm, teased a Jay Driller until Ricochet was out a #3. We get a handshake between he & MJF, who put the boots to Briscoe until ROH Champion Bandido is #4 to a loud reaction. MJF shook Ricochet’s hand again, but poked him in the eyes and bailed, as Bandido hit a one arm press slam until MJF scurried in for a school boy for two. Briscoe hit a Cactus Elbow on Ricochet and Blockbuster off the apron on MJF, as MVP on commentary screams at him to get off his back. Konosuke Takeshita is #5, as he flew in with a clothesline on Briscoe, as Ricochet hit a wall walk, but turned right into a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Bandido & Takeshita faced-off 24 hours after their excellent match at Supercard of Honor, as Bandido hit a Helluva Kick and Poison Rana. Bandido tried a leap frog on MJF, who countered into a powerbomb on the knee for two. MJF teased unmasking Bandido until Mistico was #6 and we had a face-off while Me Muero continued to play. MVP yelled for not to wait around for this bullsh*t, as we got the chorus of Mistico’s theme until he hit a handspring kick on MJF and Escalera on Takeshita before diving onto a pile outside. La Mistica was applied in the center of the ring, but Briscoe dove in to prevent a MJF tap out, as he applied a Fujiwara Armbar until Takeshita broke it up.

Josh Alexander was #7 allowing the Don Callis Family members a chance to wreck shop for a bit including a World Strongest Slam by Alexander on Bandido on the edge of the ring until Takeshita flew out with a somersault dive onto a pile. Anthony Bowens is #8 and immediately hit a float over DDT on Alexander & Fame Asser on MJF. Ricochet missed a roundhouse, as Bowens hit a spinning reverse Torture Rack slam. Bowens dropped Briscoe with a thrust kick and opted to pose before telling Takeshita & Alexander to Suck It, resulting in him getting his ass kicked as a result. A visually amazing Doomsday Power Drive Knee off the second by Alexander & Takeshita on Ricochet until Roderick Strong is #9, who sprinted and clocked MJF as he followed with backbreakers aplenty to everyone else. Brody King in at #10 immediately dishing out chops until Bandido just got enough of a pop-up dropkick with King. Black Hole Slam planted Ricochet, as King kicked out of a MJF school boy, tried to choke him off the apron, but MJF went to the eyes. Locomotion corner cannonballs from King, as Bandido went up top and hit a Frog Splash on Ricochet, who found himself alone after Takeshita & Alexander tackled King & Bandido outside.

The returning (and freshly shaven) Juice Robinson is #11 to a massive reaction, as he slapped the dome of Ricochet before lighting him up with jabs and spinning Full Nelson Slam. Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona show up and attacked Robinson, allowing Ricochet to hit a Shooting Star for two. Gates of Agony were about to hit Open the Gates when Austin & Colten Gunn returned, took them out on the ramp before laying out Ricochet with 3:10 to Yuma. The Gunns & Gates of Agony brawled to the back as Kota Ibushi is #12 and dropped everyone with kicks and got a few near falls until Beast Mortos was #13 and left Ibushi falling like a mannequin with a headbutt. Mortos continued to run wild until Strong tried to have a reunion with his former buddy, but was unsuccessful.

Mistico hit a top rope hurricanrana on Mortos for two until Ricochet flew in with an attempted Shooting Star, but didn’t get enough. Bandido hit X-Knee on Ricochet, lined him up for 21-Plex, but Takeshita cut him off and German Suplexed both Bandido & Ricochet. Strong in with a Tiger Driver for two, as Alexander cut it off with a Rack Bomb, but Briscoe flew in with a Froggy Bow. Bowens connected on his spinning corner DDT, as King met him with a sit-out Tombstone. Robinson in with a back suplex, but Mortos followed with a pop-up Samoan Drop. Ibushi waffled Mortos with a lariat and Kamigoye, as Strong was in with End of Heartache. MJF hit an Alabama Slam and jackknife pin attempt for two, but Strong responded with a Sick Kick

After a long delay between entrants, Max Caster is #14 doing his chant to a downed Bowens on the ramp. Caster didn’t even make it to the ring before Strong hit a jumping knee on the apron. Briscoe turned Strong inside out with a lariat and hit the Jay Driller before MJF ran in and threw Briscoe out of the ring to steal the pin on Strong. MJF held up the contract for his future AEW Title shot saying up next, he reclaims his Triple B.

Match Result: MJF won the Men’s Casino Gauntlet to earn an AEW World Title shot pinning Roderick Strong

-Stokely Hathaway said FTR is now done with The Outrunners and will be special Guest Commentators for the AEW Tag Team Title match and hopes everyone has a good time.

Adam Cole Relinquishes the TNT Title

A somber Adam Cole walked out ahead of the upcoming match and apologized for being unable to defend the title, as he’s going to be gone for a while. Cole said he doesn’t want to talk retirement, but if this indeed goodbye (Cole started breaking down) he felt like he owed it to the fans. Since he was 9 years old, all he’s ever wanted was to be a pro wrestler and their support has meant the world to him. From the highest moments and current lowest, he’ll love the fans forever. Cole said you’ll continue to watch AEW do PPV like no one else in the world and thanks the fans for making AE what it is and for changing his life, he’ll love them always. Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly join him for a hug, as fans are shown crying in the crowd before Cole does one last Adam Cole Bay-Bay pose. Cole kisses the TNT Title goodbye, as Excalibur said hopefully this isn’t goodbye and more see you later. This was incredibly emotional and health comes first, obviously, but I hope this isn’t it for Cole, as these last few years have been filled with injuries, he was just getting going with a solid run. Daniel Garcia was out with Matt Menard, as Garcia gave a long hug to Cole before making his entrance.

Kyle Fletcher vs. Daniel Garcia (w/Matt Menard) vs. Dustin Rhodes vs. Sammy Guevara for the vacant TNT Title

(This was a wide range of emotions for everyone involved, as the fans headed into the show thinking they’d get Cole vs. Fletcher, instead we had a potential retirement speech from Cole and were pretty quiet for a majority of this match. That was until the finish, which zero people aside from maybe Paul Wight, who picked Rhodes to win this on Zero Hour, saw coming. Everyone thought Fletcher was taking the gold here, but this was a fun pivot to give Rhodes a huge moment in front of the Texas fans, as you can have Fletcher win the title next and as soon as you’d like.)

Fletcher has new entrance music, as the Sons of Texas double teamed him in the early going. Fletcher pulled Rhodes to the outside, as Guevara & Garcia picked up the pace with pin attempts until both hit a double dropkick onto Fletcher. Guevara started posing to not much reaction, as Garcia did his dance, until Fletcher ran through both with a clothesline and decked Rhodes with a big boot. Garcia & Guevara took out Fletcher, fought each other on the apron until Guevara hit a Spanish Fly to the floor. Back inside, Guevara & Rhodes had Figure Fours on Garcia & Fletcher, who rolled through into double counters leading to both having a slap exchange. After a rope break, a slugfest ensued until Guevara low bridged Fletcher and hit a huge springboard moonsault. Back inside, Garcia cut Guevara off in the corner with a superplex, held on and hit another one, but as he went for a third, Fletcher cut him off, but ultimately Garcia hit a 2 for 1 superplex.

Garcia delivered corner punches, but Rhodes was up to hit multiple snap powerslams until a Destroyer & Cross Rhodes spiked Fletcher for two. Rhodes wanted Unnatural Kick on Fletcher, but Garcia & Guevara got their kicks in first before Rhodes capped it off. Garcia ducked a thrust kick and Guevara caught Rhodes, giving Garcia a chance to apply a Boston Crab. Guevara escaped into a Code Breaker and GTH, but Rhodes broke the count. The ROH Tag Champs start arguing until Garcia tries a schoolboy, but Guevara turns it into Three Amigos to again, zero reaction. Knees up by Garcia on the Frog Splash, as he sank in a Dragon Tamer.

Fletcher pulled Garcia to the floor and delivered an apron bomb and suplex on Guevara on the edge of the ring before cracking Rhodes with a multiple corner kicks. Fletcher wanted a brainbuster, but Guevara flew in with a Cutter, as Garcia was in with a snap piledriver. Garcia sank in the Dragon Tamer on Rhodes, who countered into an inside cradle and got the flash pin, shocking everyone. The fans were stunned and then realize what just happened and cheered loudly for Rhodes, who got a standing ovation from the commentary team. Aubrey Edwards presented Rhodes with the TNT Title, as Wyatt & Wayne Rhodes were out to celebrate with their uncle, as well as Ross & Marshall Von Erich. They hoisted Rhodes up on their shoulders and this turned into a hell of a moment.

Match Result: Dustin Rhodes defeated Kyle Fletcher, Daniel Garcia & Sammy Guevara to win the TNT Title

Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) vs. The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson)

(This was one hell of a tag match and the crowd were on fire, as they only grew louder and louder down the stretch. I was genuinely shocked by the result, as with this win, not only do The Bucks lose their EVP status, Ospreay & Strickland can still challenge for the World Title. This was an AEW Match of the Year candidate on a show where I’m sure we’re going to have one or two more by nights end.)

Assassins Creed entrance for Ospreay, who sprung up from under the stage. Jojo Offerman sang Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan, the music Swerve Strickland used as an entrance early in his career, before Strickland came out with Nana to his usual theme. The Bucks made their standard entrance initially, until they went to the back and were driven out and raised up on a wooden ship as Justin Roberts read a speech from The Founding Fathers as fife music played. Excalibur said while Washington crossed the Delaware, this was The Jacksons crossing the first baseline, which popped all of commentary, this entrance took forever, but that line made it all worth it.

Fast start by The Bucks, as Nicholas did some Lucha Libre until a double Northern Lights from Matthew led to The Bucks hitting their pose, forcing Ospreay & Strickland to regroup and get on the same page. They do just that as a thrust kick suplex combo connected before Ospreay launched off Strickland’s back with a Sky Twister Press for two. Wall walk enzugiri on Matthew, who superkicked out Ospreay’s leg while trying an Oscutter, as Nicholas flew in with a Senton and then another to the outside. The Bucks wanted a super TK Driver, but Strickland cut them off, flipped to the floor, landed on his feet, but ate a double superkick as a result. Ospreay was isolated until he tried a handspring, The Bucks dodged, wanted a superkick, Ospreay ducked and hit a hangspring Pele Kick leading to a Strickland hot tag. Diving uppercut into the Griddy before a powerbomb into the powerslam on Nicholas for two. Double hurricanranas sent the Bucks outside, where they were met with stereo slingshot dives.

Stereo Sky Twister Presses both inside and out of the ring connect, as Matthew saves his brother from eating a Storm Breaker/Swerve Stomp combo, leading to an assisted Sliced Bread on Ospreay before delivering the double stomp bounce back powerbomb and Escalera dive onto Strickland outside by Nicholas. Matthew started slapping Ospreay, firing him up in the process, as a slugfest ensued. Nicholas tried a Buckshot, Ospreay floated through, thrust kick, Strickland returned and everyone starts throwing a crazy series of superkicks before Matthew hit a Cazadora face buster, but Strickland & Ospreay no sold double Destroyers into stereo Hidden Blade & House Call as the crowd came unglued.

Ospreay & Strickland were both crotched in the corner, fought free and hit stereo Styles Clashes for dueling two counts. Storm Breaker/Swerve Stomp (could be the coolest looking combo ever) connected, but Nicholas just made the save. Nicholas tripped up Strickland before he could hit a House Call, as he slammed him into the steps before delivering a superkick to Nana. Roll-up on Ospreay by Matthew with feet on the ropes got a two count, as a mule kick from Matthew as Rick Knox didn’t see it. The Bucks followed with a TK Driver off the apron on Strickland before Nicholas hit Hidden Blade on Ospreay before More Bang for Your Buck got two. Ospreay kipped up out of an EVP Trigger, tried an Oscutter, but The Bucks blocked into an EVP Trigger, only for Strickland to just break the count. Ospreay tried Hidden Blade, but Matthew ducked and Ospreay hit Strickland, leading to a Poison Rana from Matthew and another EVP Trigger, but again, Ospreay kicked out. TK Driver connected once more, but Ospreay again didn’t quit.

Superkick Party ramped up on Ospreay, but Strickland crawled into the shot to protect his partner. Strickland took the bullets (similar to Ospreay taking the superkick with tacks a few weeks back), but blocked the EVP Trigger, allowing Ospreay to hit one Hidden Blade, as Strickland did a backslide into a Swerve Stomp/Tombstone for a close two. Strickland held off Nicholas as Ospreay hit Hidden Blade on Matthew, but Nicholas broke the count. Strickland hit a Swerve Stomp off the apron onto Nicholas, as back inside, Strickland & Ospreay hit stereo House Call & Hidden Blade on Matthew to win it.

Match Result: Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland defeated The Young Bucks and now Matthew & Nicholas Jackson have lost their EVP Status

Women’s Casino Gauntlet

(I thought all the ladies involved in this wrestled super hard and they all showed up. I’m glad newcomers Alex Windsor & Syuri got an extended period to show what they’re capable of as a little appetizer for the future, which certainly looks bright for the loaded AEW Women’s Title. This was another case where the winner was the odds on favorite by many, as this not only finally places Athena into the Women’s Title picture, but hopefully on more AEW programming going forward. Her run in ROH has been amazing, but we need her on Dynamite & Collision more and this is a way to do it.)

Kris Statlander & Megan Bayne (w/Penelope Ford) are entrants #1 & #2 as Bayne almost immediately did the deal and hit a Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Statlander responded with an Angle Slam and swinging moonsault off the apron, but opted to pose for the crowd, allowing Bayne to recover and hit a Tope Suicida. Back inside, Statlander avoided Fate’s Decent and hit one of her own as Willow Nightingale is #3 to a huge ovation. Statlander offered a handshake, but Nightingale declined, opting to slug it out. Statlander missed an axe kick, allowing Nightingale to hit a low cross body and spinebuster, but Bayne broke up the Doctor Bomb. Statlander & Bayne hit a double chokeslam until Tay Melo (w/Anna Jay) is out at #4 and runs wild until she scarily counters Fate’s Decent into a Rings of Saturn, as Bayne spiked her own head into the mat it looked like. Ford saved her buddy as she went up top, but Jay distracted enough for Harley Cameron to slowly rise into the camera shot and sent Ford crashing outside. Double DDT by TayJay on Bayne, as Ford was chased to the back by Cameron & Jay. Thekla is #5 immediately hitting a head scissors on Nightingale and huge dive off the top onto Statlander & Bayne outside yelling “F You!” in the process, popping commentary. TayKO dropped Thekla, but Melo turned into a Pounce by Nightingale, who hit a Doctor Bomb on Thekla, only Statlander broke the counter. Doomsday Device by Statlander & Bayne onto Nightingale as everyone is down, leaving Julia Hart (w/Skye Blue) to come out at #6, who Excalibur calls Sisters of Sin.

Moonsault onto Bayne & Statlander by Hart, who does an Old School rope walk on Bayne, who was met with a running boot from Blue for good measure. Flying Octopus applied on Bayne, but Melo returned and spiked Hart with a Gotch Style Piledriver. Thekla hit the Spider Walk, but was distracted when Queen Aminata’s music hit at #8. The brawl was on, as both traded stiff headbutts and slaps before a swinging Fisherman’s neckbreaker connected for Aminata, who destroyed Thekla with Off with her Head. Hart & Blue attacked Nightingale as Blue hit Cheeky Nandos kick leading to stereo superplexes, leaving Hart & Thekla locked eyes doing the Tree of Woe pose. The new Interim ROH Women’s TV Champion Mina Shirakawa is #8 and cleans house before doing her dance until she was blindsided by Bayne & Statlander. Shirakawa locked Blue in a Figure Four and Blue taps, but she thought Blue was in the match, she wasn’t.

Athena hit the ring at #9 and completely wrecked shop on everyone in her way to a huge reaction. Tombstone spiked Aminata, but Nightingale broke the count. Thunder Rosa is #10 and picks up where she left off with Athena last night. Everyone starts doing head scissors on each other until the debuting Syuri is #11 and immediately shotgun dropkicks Rosa to the outside, leading to a stare down with Athena. Backstabber connects and Shirakawa comes in for a Stardom reunion before Syuri connects on multiple punt kicks. Alex Windsor (who is officially All Elite) is #12 and she slugs it out with Syuri before hitting a Blue Thunder Bomb. Both no sold German suplexes until Syuri hit a pump knee for two as literally every other woman broke it up.

12-way brawl in the ring is ramped up until double Scorpions from Hart & Thekla, while Aminata has Statlander trapped in Chocolate Kisses. Bayne explodes in with a dropkick on Aminata, but delivered a front face suplex on Statlander on the apron. Nightingale hit a DVD on Athena on the apron and Athena came super close to spiking her head in the process. Bayne wanted a dive, but Statlander cut her off and powerbombed her to the floor onto the pile. Back inside, Shirakawa hit a Sling Blade on Rosa out of the corner, followed with a corkscrew kick and spinning back fist. As Shirakawa went for a Figure Four, Athena flew in with the O-Face and won it. Huge ovation, as Athena held her Title contract high in the air.

Match Result: Athena won the Women’s Casino Gauntlet to earn an AEW Women’s Title shot pinning Mina Shirakawa

The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin w/MVP & MJF) vs. JetSpeed (Speedball Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight) vs. The Patriarchy (Christian Cage & Nick Wayne w/Mother Wayne & Kip Sabian) for the AEW World Tag Team Titles

(Lots of moving parts in this one, as I was surprised how much offense the challengers were able to get off, even in defeat. The finish firmly plants FTR into the Tag Team Title picture, eventually, as the post-match was the big story here. Not only is Cope back, but The Patriarchy have finally turned their backs on Cage and we’re finally in full gear with this story after such a long time it’s felt like.)

FTR & Stokely Hathaway join commentary as Westside Gunn & Smoke DZA rapped The Hurt Syndicate to the ring. The bell sounds and immediately Benjamin & Lashley (who you’d never know had his leg Con-Chair-To’d multiple times on Wednesday, zero limp, not taped up, nothing) destroyed everyone, even MJF getting in some cheap shots. JetSpeed started to battle back, as MJF & MVP have words with Sabian & Mother Wayne ringside. Back inside, JetSpeed keep up the offense on Nick, as FTR are insulted on commentary that JetSpeed steal their athletic offense. Lashley got his grips on Knight and rag dolled him to the floor, as Benjamin dropped Knight face first on the steps. Back inside, Cage & Nick keep Knight grounded, until he dodged a double clothesline with a dropkick, making a hot tag to Bailey.

Rapid fire kicks on Nick into an enzugiri before he continued to light up Nick with kicks into a running Shooting Star for two until Benjamin turned Bailey inside out with a lariat. Sabian tried to save Cage from an Ankle Lock an ate a pump knee for his troubles. Massive spinebuster by Lashley flattened Bailey, as Knight tried to save his partner, but Lashley mowed him down as well. Bailey was launched onto The Patriarchy outside via overhead German as The Hurt Syndicate stood tall.

Bodyslam after bodyslam delivered to Bailey by Benjamin, who missed a corner rising knee, but Cage came in and tried a Spear on Lashley, but was pressed high in the air. Bailey kicked out the legs, as Knight flew in with a rolling clothesline on Nick and backbreaker on Cage. Inside Cradle by Nick for two, as Benjamin made the blind tag, blocked a Bailey hurricanrana out of the corner initially, but Knight sprung up and finished the move for two. Stereo moonsault/springboard splashes on the outside/inside for a near fall, as Benjamin recovered and took Knight to Suplex City. Handspring Cutter on Knight by Nick, who followed with Wayne’s World onto the apron on Bailey. Cage flew in with a splash off the top on Knight, but MVP distracted the ref long enough to delay a pin.

Knight crawled to his corner, but didn’t realize that Lashley had disposed of Bailey, so Lashley made the tag and like he does, cleaned house. Nick was flattened with a Dominator, but Cage managed a reverse DDT, as Benjamin flew in with a spin kick. Knight sprung off the top with a clothesline, but Nick met him with a snap German. Bailey caught Nick on his shoulders on the apron, as Knight hit a huge standing dropkick, causing Nick to backflip onto Sabian & Benjamin, clipping his head on the apron in the process. JetSpeed hit stereo dives, as Lashley sent Cage into FTR, before pie-facing Harwood. Cage dodged a Spear, tried Killswitch, but Lashley sent Cage crashing into FTR on the apron, leading to a Lashley Spear for the win.

Post-match, FTR & Hathaway got in the ring, but Nick & Sabian stood in front of Cage who shoved them aside. After brief trash talk, Cage told them they were leaving, but Nick laid out Cage with a Killswitch. Mother Wayne is laughing in delight, slapping Cage, as Sabian got steel chairs, with FTR presenting them to Nick to do the honors, as he was about to put Cage out of his misery with a Con-Chair-To when the returning Adam Copeland’s music hit and he has Spike with him. Sabian ate a big boot and FTR planted with a double Spear before Nick bailed, leaving Sabian to nearly get Speared out of his shoes. FTR & Hathaway bail through the crowd, as Nick & Mother Wayne leave up the aisle. Cage is slowly realizing what is happening, as Cope tosses Spike aside and helps Cage up and says “Go Find Yourself” before leaving Cage to ponder his next move.

Match Result: The Hurt Syndicate defeated JetSpeed & The Patriarchy to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles when Lashley pinned Cage

Timeless Toni Storm (w/Luther) vs. TBS Champion Mercedes Mone for the AEW Women’s Title

(Absolutely incredible match and I certainly wouldn’t argue if anyone had this up there with one of the best women’s match in AEW history. I was blown away by both ladies performances and the crowd was with them from the opening bell. This was absolutely the right call IMO, as Storm gets the big W, but Mone retains all her titles and is forced to refocus and regroup. Both ladies knocked it out of the park on this one.)

The Texas Rangers Six Shooters dance squad accompany Mone to the stage, as she’s wearing a robe with the list of all the women she has defeated in AEW, so needless to say, it’s a big robe. An old timey film was shown before Storm’s entrance, where a single spotlight was on stage as she walked out with a cane like an old woman, but she tossed it aside, clicked her feet and made her entrance with Luther. Both ladies lockup and refuse to break, as they spill outside, climb the steps and back to the apron, as Mone held the ropes open, but Storm slid under the ropes, posing the process. Mone gets a Statement Maker briefly, but Storm escapes, spanking Mone, calling her a bad girl for early mind games. Misdirect dropkick from Storm, as Mone is forced to regroup, leaving Storm to do the CEO dance. Luther had Storm on his shoulders, allowing Storm to get a running start as she bealed Mone to the floor. Step-up knee sent Storm falling back into the arms of Luther, so Mone took them both out with a Meteora. Mone broke Luther’s glasses and posed with the AEW Women’s Title before Storm tackled her into the commentary table, as I think the title decked Taz, who was happy he was wearing a cup tonight.

Back inside, sunset bomb out of the corner and another into the opposing corner by Mone, who slid between the legs of Storm and delivered a powerbomb on the floor. Mone continued the onslaught in the ring with a release German and double knees for a near fall. Storm momentarily regained the advantage with a Sky High, but Mone sank in a cross-arm bar before snapping it back. Three Amigos connects, as Mone slowly went up top for a Frog Splash, but Storm got the knees up, hooked a Big Package for two. High stack German suplexes from Storm, as it was followed with Sweet Cheek Music and Storm Zero for a close near fall. TCM Chicken Wing slapped on, but Mone bit her way out. Both traded Tombstone attempts before Mone locked in an Ankle Lock, Storm rolled through and we get a forearm battle leading to both throwing dueling headbutts, causing a collapse and reset.

Mone got a close series of near falls before spiking Storm with Mone Maker for two, leaving Mone shocked. Mone pulled Storm up and kissed her before trying Mone Maker again, but Storm countered into a Toni Driver. Mone hooked a double wrist lock, but Storm powered up and broke free. Mone slammed her in the buckle, missed a Meteora, but Storm hit a snazzy over the back spinning Cutter for two. Both scramble until Mone got a backstabber into a Statement Maker variation, which Storm counters with a Bulldog Choke. Storm rolled through into three consecutive rolling Storm Zeros, but Mone kicked out. Storm wanted another Sweet Cheek Music, but Mone popped up into a small packaged for two, as she held the ropes right in front of Aubrey Edwards, but didn’t acknowledge it.

Mone quickly applied a STF, tried a cradle pin, Storm powered up, so Mone hit a backstabber, only for Storm to answer with desperation Sweet Cheek Music. Storm brought Mone up the ropes, returned the favor with a kiss of her own before we get an Avalanche Storm Zero to give Storm the win, handing Mone her first singles loss in AEW.

Match Result: Timeless Toni Storm defeated Mercedes Mone to retain the AEW Women’s Title

International Champion Kenny Omega (w/Kota Ibushi) vs. Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada (w/Don Callis) in a Winner Takes All Match for the AEW Unified Title

(Even after not having a match with one another since 2018, these two picked up where they left off. The finish and involvement of Callis makes me think this won’t be the last time these two will face each other in an AEW ring, as I hope I’m right, I’d welcome seeing it over and over again. They are currently at 2 wins Okada, 2 wins Omega and 1 draw, so it certainly makes sense. This almost felt like it was just about ready to hit yet another level when the finish came. Regardless, this was an excellent battle and chapter in the story of the greatest wrestlers of all time.)

Jim Ross joins commentary for the final two matches of the evening, as it’s great to see and hear him on the call after all he’s been through. Don Callis joins the crew, as Jim Ross puts over Okada as being one of the best in the world and having “it”. Omega had druids and Jason Charles Miller, the singer of his Take Flight theme, sing him to the ring, as he walked through a massive Omega symbol that was on fire. I know everyone loves Battle Cry, but this was as big of an entrance as you can get for Omega with this newer theme he uses for big matches. Bell sounded and the crowd exploded and are on their feet already.

Feeling out process early, as Omega teased Okada’s clean break in the ropes, but Okada booted him in the midsection. Omega answered with a Kotaro Krusher and slingshot cross body outside before back inside, missing a cross body, landing on his ribs. Omega tried You Can’t Escape, but hesitated after the first portion, allowing Okada to get the knees up during the moonsault. Huge flapjack and senton from Okada, who hit his dropkick in the corner, leaving Omega crashing outside. Okada rammed Omega into the barricade and took the referee, allowing Callis to get in some cheap shots before Okada went back to work, planting Omega with a DDT on the announce table, as Excalibur said it was on the unforgiving oak. Back inside, Omega scrambled for a submission, but Okada easily escaped and drove an elbow onto the midsection. Omega started waking up after each forearm thrown, ultimately hitting a snap hurricanrana that sent Okada outside. Omega ramped up for the Rise of the Terminator, connected and dove at Callis, who high tailed it quick. Missile dropkick right to the neck back inside, but Okada was out at two.

Okada dodged a corner charge and flattened Omega with a sit-out fireman’s carry slam before going up top, but was cut off. Both trade stiff shots until Omega hit an Avalanche Aoi Shoudou, the cross-leg fisherman’s suplex, for two. Okada dodged V-Trigger, into a German, but missed a Rainmaker. Fast sequence of counters led to Omega hitting the first Snap Dragon, but Okada connected on his dropkick before the reset. Okada really had to work for the bodyslam before going up top for the flightless elbow drop. Omega fought off a Tombstone, but Okada changed levels and turned it into a gut buster using his shoulder. Another flightless top rope elbow followed by a Rainmaker flip off pose. Omega blocked a head shot, so Okada hit a kitchen sink knee to the abdomen and short arm lariat with a big smile on his face. Omega threw a desperation knee of his own before delivering a massive powerbomb into multiple V-Triggers for near falls.

Flying corner V-Trigger connected as Omega brought Okada to the top rope for a scary Avalanche Dragon Suplex, planting Okada right on his face. Omega fired off another V-Trigger, teased One Winged Angel, which Okada countered into a spinning Tombstone. Discus lariat turned Omega inside out for a near fall. Omega was able to battle back with Croyt’s Wrath, but couldn’t make the cover initially. Rocky Romero showed up on the apron, as Kota Ibushi quickly dispatched of him. I believe Trent Beretta also got knocked to the floor by Omega, as Callis tried to run distraction, but failed, as Omega hit One Winged Angel, only Callis pulled out referee Bryce Remsberg and put the boots to him. Ibushi checked on Bryce, as Omega called for another official. Aubrey sprinted out from the back, as Omega hit another V-Trigger, but Okada escaped One Winged Angel into a Rainmaker for two. Both rose slowly trading forearms, as Okada went to the midsection, Omega hit a V-Trigger, Okada nailed the dropkick, but Omega ducked Rainmaker into an inside cradle, as Callis nearly dove into the ring to break it. Both men up at the same time, as Okada hit a tilt-a-whirl slam before hitting another Rainmaker flush to win it. Omega held the Unified Title high as he laughed at Omega who was helped to the back by Ibushi.

Match Result: Kazuchika Okada defeated Kenny Omega to win the AEW Unified Title

Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir) vs. Hangman Adam Page for the AEW World Title

(An absolute all timer of a main event, one you knew would be filled with blood, interference and returns. It delivered all of those in one of the most emotional main events in AEW history. I’m so happy they were able to stick the landing and give this massive show the finish it deserved. The callbacks to previous feuds, the returns of beloved babyfaces, the visual of Moxley fighting his hardest not to let the title go and finally to Page getting an assist from the unlikeliest (or likeliest) of allies, made this legit one of the best endings to a wrestling show ever.)

Page had a video prior to his entrance as whistler Molly Lewis and guitarist Thomas Stankiewicz played until Page’s theme kicked in and he power walked to the ring with pyro and massive ovation. Moxley was driven into the arena in a huge truck (redneck chariot as JR called it) by Claudio Castagnoli with Marina Shafir, Wheeler Yuta & Gabe Kidd in tow, but only Shafir accompanied Moxley to the ring. Forearm battle immediately, until Moxley flipped Page off, only pissing him off in the process. Moxley tried using a fork, but Page had one as well, as he trapped Moxley in a triangle and stabbed him repeatedly, causing Moxley to pour blood in a gnarly visual, as things were just ramped up to 100 real quick.

Page brought out a strand of barbed wire and Moxley got control of it, driving it into the face of Page before Shafir bit him in the forehead. Moxley grabbed a chair, but tossed it aside, opting for a barbed wire covered chair, which he slammed a now bloody Page on. Clubbing blows across the face, as Moxley licked his hand, which is pretty gross. Barbed wire chair placed in the corner, as Page battled back, missed a charge, grabbed the chair, but Moxley hit a big boot to the chair into Page’s face. Shafir helped Moxley set up a table ringside, as he dropped Page with a Cutter before asking Shafir to bring in a bucket of glass. Moxley stomped on the glass bottles and started stabbing Page in the head with it, looking for a piledriver, but pulled the legs out from Page and dragged him back first through the glass, then got his piledriver, but Page wouldn’t stay down. Both slapped the hell out of each other before a second piledriver put Page down longer this time as Shafir started throwing in multiple chairs, as Page was up at 8.

Moxley set up the chairs and brought Page to the corner, but Page started to battle back, looked for a superplex, but Moxley had a strand of barbed wire, raking it across the back. Page fell back to the chairs and turned them both back-to-back, Moxley didn’t realize and Page hit a powerbomb right on the edges, as Moxley found himself writhing in the crushed glass as well. Page wrapped his arm in barbed wire and hit multiple rolling elbows until Wheeler Yuta showed up with a chair shot to the back, but Page no sold and decked Yuta. Angels Wings to Moxley into the glass, as Page skinned the cat for a Buckshot, but Shafir piggy backed onto Page who hit a Death Valley Driver off the apron through the table, causing the crowd to explode.

Back inside, Page sent Moxley into the barbed wire chair in the corner and flattened him with Dead Eye into the glass, but Claudio Castagnoli hit the ring to attack and set up another table ringside with Yuta. Will Ospreay rushes out with a steel chair, as Gabe Kidd joins the fight as well, delivering a piledriver to Ospreay on the floor. They placed a chair around the neck of Ospreay and Castagnoli Pillmanized it with a massively bloodied Moxley looking on as Ospreay was loaded onto a stretcher. Moxley looked for a piledriver on the apron, Page teased a Dead Eye counter, but Moxley escaped into the rear naked choke before hitting a suplex off the apron through two barbed wire tables. Both crawl back into the ring and rise at the same time for a bloody forearm exchange until Moxley bit at the forehead and hit a lariat. Gotch Style Piledriver connected, as Moxley sank in the Bulldog Choke, releasing it as the ref put on the count. Page just barely broke the count at 9.999, as Moxley spiked him with a Death Rider through a chair, but again, Page just beat the count.

Castagnoli handed Yuta a plastic bag and he jumped in the ring about ready to put it on Page when footage of Darby Allin at the top of Mount Everest was shown on the big screen saying once he got down, he’ll take everything from Moxley. That distraction led to someone in a Blue Panther mask appearing and doing Yes Chants and Busiaku Knee to Yuta, as Bryan Danielson took the mask off and took out Kidd & Castagnoli on a double dive before firing off Yes Kicks. Just then, we see Darby Allin repelling in from the top of the building into the ring, as Allin stares Moxley down until Page flew in with a Buckshot, while Allin hit a Coffin Drop onto the Death Riders. Another Buckshot flattened Moxley, as Danielson & Allin fought the Death Riders out of the arena. Page brought Moxley to the apron where he hit Dead Eye off it through a table. Shafir reappeared and helped Moxley up at 9, as she flipped off Page, whose back was turned, allowing The Young Bucks to appear and hit superkicks and a BTE Trigger.

Moxley & Shafir threw a bed of nails into the ring, as Moxley hit just enough of a Curb Stomp and Paradigm Shift onto the bed. Page somehow beat the count, as Moxley demanded the key around Shafir’s neck as she went to grab the briefcase from under the ring attendant table, but found herself handcuffed and Prince Nana was the culprit. Swerve Strickland appeared, laying out The Bucks with his hand wrapped in the chain Page left for him after their talk on Collision. Strickland tossed the chain to Page, as Moxley stumbled back in and Page wrapped the chain around the throat of Moxley, who was tossed over the top, but Moxley avoided being hung. Page managed a Buckshot, as Moxley collapsed back onto the bed of nails, leading to Page choking him with the chain and hung him off the apron. Moxley is in a massive panic and has no choice but to submit and the crowd absolutely loses their minds as a result, with Strickland giving a smile on the aisle.

Post-match, Page unlocked the briefcase that’s been held captive by Death Riders and we see it for the first time since WrestleDream last year. Huge pyro goes off with Justin Roberts introducing the new AEW World Champion. Page looked to the fans and told them this title is theirs, as Excalibur said Page can now breath a sigh of relief as they begin a new era of All Elite Wrestling as the show goes off the air.

Match Result: Hangman Adam Page defeated Jon Moxley to win the AEW World Title

Wrestling Weekly: A huge weekend of wrestling

Image: AEW

WWE’s counterprogramming has resulted in a huge weekend of wrestling to enjoy.

On a new Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa look at it all which includes WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, WWE Evolution, and AEW All In.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

AEW All In preview & predictions: High noon in Texas

The following is an opinion-based preview that reflects the views of the author and not the website.

Image: AEW

I desperately try to avoid comparisons between AEW and WWE as I don’t think they’re particularly helpful, nor do I enjoy the endless and atrocious discourse across (and between) the two fan bases.

I will, however, draw a comparison here because we’ve reached a clear inflection point in wrestling where the two major companies have never been more divergent. Only one of them has an interest in being what their name suggests: a wrestling company. Since you’re already reading this column, I’m certain that you, as smart as you are, can conclude that the company is All Elite Wrestling. We’re at the point where comparisons are less applicable than ever because the two companies are barely offering the same type of product.

AEW is back in form and offering a legitimate, alternative style of wrestling to the world. They are not consumed with celebrity appearances, social media views, imagined clout, or “telling stories” first. Instead, they are laser-focused on what matters to them — the actual wrestling — which is reflected in the quality of Saturday: the fourth All In event.

There is real motion behind their momentum, something that appeared in fits and starts for years, but now feels sustainable. This is a tremendous card, arguably one that has as much high-end talent as any in history, and the common theme is the quality of the matches and, more importantly, the performers.

The right people are in the right places. They are cooking with a balanced roster full of stars of today and tomorrow. No more chaff, no more filler. If someone is getting television time, it’s because they deserve those minutes and seconds. The bloat is gone, replaced with a group of young, talented wrestlers primed to take the next step toward the top of the card and the steadying hands of veterans that can help them get there.

The future has never been brighter for AEW and that is a great thing for the wrestling industry, regardless of what the clinically insane and chronically online detractors would like you to believe.

Let’s see how All In from Arlington, Texas (1 PM pre-show and 3 PM Eastern main card on PPV) shakes out.

Men’s & Women’s Casino Gauntlets: Winners gets a future World Championship match

At press time, we only knew a few of the many, many participants in these matches. We can assume a couple of surprises here and there to pop the crowd, but here are a handful of wrestlers that have a strong case for their participation and winning the match:

  • Brody King: In this column, we support anyone with such a strong wardrobe. He’s the type of talent tailor-made for a brief, hard-hitting program with whoever wins the main event. 
  • Ricochet: His character continues to evolve and get better. Seeing how he reacts to a title shot (and subsequent loss) would be worth watching.
  • Willow Nightingale: I will bang the drum for her until my arm falls off. She is the best pure babyface in the company, and a program between her and Mercedes Mone could heal our fractured country
  • Athena: I don’t book the shows so I won’t pretend to understand why Athena is not regularly featured, and in a top position, on proper AEW television. It’s one of life’s more puzzling mysteries.

Predictions: Brody King and Willow

AEW World Trios Champions The Opps (Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata) defend against The Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & Gabe Kidd)

The upgrade from Hook to Hobbs can’t be overstated. Hobbs adds a snarling menace to the group which pairs well with Shibata’s unsaid psychopathy and Samoa Joe’s everything. Having Hook in this group reminded me too much of potential unrealized, a time when “Send Hook” was a cute meme, but never became anything more. This is the grown-ups table now and the trios division is better for it. 

If Hobbs is the welcome upgrade to his trios, Gabe Kidd is the equivalent downgrade in his. Equal parts overexposed and annoying — he’s a madman, you know — Kidd’s presence only reminds me of how much I miss PAC whose AEW tenure continues to be plagued by consistent and unfortunate absences.

Prediction: The Opps retain

AEW World Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) defend against JetSpeed (Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey) and The Patriarchy (Christian Cage & Nick Wayne) in a three-way

This has been one of the silliest, clumsiest builds I can remember but it might not matter once the bell rings. Few have a more impressive resume working large-scale multi-man tag matches than Cage. His bona fides do not need repeating. Knight and Bailey have done wonderful work since being paired together with Bailey in particular being a revelation as I did not think his act would translate as well as it has on a weekly basis.

The Hurt Syndicate remains the all-powerful goliaths at the top of the tag team mountain. They have been so dominant that losing the titles should happen in a significant moment, not some haphazardly created three-way dance. The looming spectre of whatever is going to happen with MJF can’t be ignored, but it’s too soon for him to turn one way or the other. The status quo will hold deep in the heart of Texas. 

Prediction: The Hurt Syndicate retain

TNT Champion Adam Cole defends against Kyle Fletcher

Sometimes the future that’s promised never comes. Sometimes promise is only that. There are no guarantees in wrestling (or life!), especially in 2025. This here is a pairing of a future not fully recognized with one incandescent with potential. 

Fletcher should hold the World title in 2026, and this is hopefully the first stop on the express train. He improves with every match and every second spent on the microphone. This was the year everything came together for him. It was a delight watching him grow to become a main event-level talent. Most ascents to the top have a longer runway with the performer being eased into the biggest spots. Even though this was comparatively sudden, it feels completely right. Fletcher excelled with whatever was thrown his way, proving himself beyond ready for more and more still. His journey to the main event is close, but his ceiling is still tantalizingly far away.

Cole was once in Fletcher’s shoes — someone seen as a no-doubt main eventer in any major promotion; a true can’t miss talent. He reached the top in Ring of Honor, NXT, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Technically, he made it to the top of AEW when he main evented the first All In at Wembley Stadium in a forgettable match with MJF. That was as good as it got for Cole.

Unfortunately, his circumstance is an all-too-painful reminder of how fleeting success can be. The window of opportunity is perilously small and can be snapped shut at a moment’s notice. Whether through injury, luck, or just the passing of time, Cole’s window is closed. Fletcher locks it shut at All In.

Prediction: Kyle Fletcher wins the title

Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland vs. The Young Bucks 

The stip here: the Bucks put up their EVP status against a year of World title shots for Strickland and Ospreay.

The evil authority figure is a familiar and tired wrestling trope — a lazy escape hatch relied on to explain a lack of foresight and reaffirm poor booking. The decision to add a stipulation here is a clever and necessary one. It provides a simple storyline-based way to move the Young Bucks out from their positions of televised power and properly slot them as “regular” wrestlers.

I’m glad Ospreay and Swerve had to offer up something of substance, too. This particular stipulation adds so much intrigue to the match. Is Ospreay really going to go another year without challenging for the top title when he’s already a top babyface? Will Swerve be able to exist in a world where he can’t come after Hangman’s title? My inclination is to say neither of those things will happen. There is too much money in a Swerve/Hangman title program, and Ospreay needs the creative direction of driving towards the title. 

A moment, before the formal prediction, for an important conversation:

Since their return, Matthew and Nicholas Jackson have been doing some of the best work of their careers. Their multi-person tag matches have been full of creativity and innovation. While we are consumed with answering the question of who is the best ever, it’s never a fulfilling conversation, especially so in wrestling, where things are entirely subjective.

Whenever I’m reluctantly pulled into that conversation, I try to think about whether the performer(s) in question were the best at their particular style. The best technical wrestler is wholly different than the best brawler, the best flyer, etc. And for their specific brand of wrestling, the Young Bucks are the second to none. The Jacksons might not be your personal GOATs, but they are the most important and influential tag team of this century.  

If recent form holds, this is likely the best match of the night with Swerve and Ospreay freeing AEW from the kayfabe clutches of the Jacksons.

Prediction: Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland

AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada vs. AEW International Champion Kenny Omega for the new Unified Championship

This is the defining pro wrestling rivalry of the past 15 years. No series of matches did more for the growth of wrestling in the modern era. Omega and Okada opened new eyes and awakened long-dormant passions in fans. Saying AEW wouldn’t exist without this rivalry is not hyperbole; it’s fact. People wanted matches like this so badly that an entirely new wrestling company started. 

Rarely are two performers so perfectly made for each other. Omega was a unique mover, all tightly coiled explosion and suddenness. His violently snapping off the ground for a V-Trigger frequently required multiple rewinds. How could he cover so much distance, so fast? His in-your-face athleticism was matched by Okada’s grace. Okada was sublime; he was effortless. A star by any definition. It’s easy to get lost in grandeur, but we will be hard pressed to have another rivalry this meaningful and this good in our lifetimes. Two generational performers entered each other’s orbits at the perfect time, and we were lucky to be along for the ride.

It would be unfair to expect this match to measure up to the unreasonably high bar of their previous ones, especially considering they’re both in far different stages of their career. Okada is, generously, mailing in half of his matches, something he has earned the right to do. Sadly, Omega is rapidly breaking down. He’s only wrestled nine times this year and is still badly beaten up. We should all appreciate his big matches now because there are fewer of them left than any of us probably realizes. Even in his diminished physical state, he remains a special wrestling mind, one that should be able to capture a different type of magic in a different style of match, especially with his wrestling soulmate. 

If this is Omega’s last big run, he should get the win here. He means as much to AEW and wrestling as anyone. Give him the spotlight one more time.

Prediction: Kenny Omega

AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Mercedes Mone

This is the biggest women’s match they could book and it’s the biggest women’s match in either of the two major wrestling companies. Storm has been in the “Timeless” character for so long that it’s easy to overlook just how impressive she is. This character should be eliciting groans at this point but instead, it’s kept her at the top of the women’s division for almost two years. In the hands of any other performer, it would be relegated to backstage segments and enhancement matches. Storm has turned something laughable into something lasting. So much of the world is forgetful. “Timeless” Toni Storm is anything but.

Mone has a legitimate case to be wrestler of the year. But she isn’t just chasing 12-month accolades — she’s authoring a legacy. Saturday could be another an unforgettable chapter in a year already rich with highlights. If her current trajectory holds, we may soon be forced to talk about her not just as one of the greats right now, but one of the greatest ever.

The star-making turn of being the person to beat Mone is not something Storm needs or would likely appreciate.  The whole point of a run like the one she’s been on is not just about her, but it’s also about the person who beats inevitably beats her. The countless young, hungry, and talented women on the roster would better fit that bill.  

Prediction: Mercedes Mone wins the title

AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match

It was always Hangman Page. No misguided notions about Darby Allin, no hoping for Samoa Joe to recapture the magic, it was always the cowboy. In a sea of stars and superstars, he remains the true north of AEW. Nothing speaks to the importance of his presence like his absence. The shows lacked a tight direction when he wasn’t around or was a background player. It was covered up by a focus on Bryan Danielson’s journey to the World title and subsequent retirement from full-time wrestling, but there was still a gap. It’s not a coincidence that AEW found its footing when the focus was back on Page.

Look no further than the Death Riders for proof of Hangman’s impact. For so long, both in this column and everywhere else on the internet, we bemoaned the overarching and overwhelming excess of the Death Riders. It was always the same. The matches, the finishes, the promos, whatever. Now there’s life. Is this results-based thinking? Perhaps. But for the first time since October, I find myself interested when their intro guitar riff introducing them hits the speakers. 

Moxley’s next chapter will be an interesting one. He’s approaching 40 with a lot of hard miles on his body. There is almost nothing left for him to accomplish in professional wrestling. He’s won every major title in every major company and has likely earned enough money for multiple lifetimes. He can start to take his foot off the gas or press it all the way down. With someone as unpredictable as Mox, any and everything is on the table. 

This always had to be a Texas Death Match. This was always going to be rife with run-ins and interference, so why not just put the whole world on the table? The possibilities for massive crowd reactions are endless. Here are just a few, ranked in order of how much they would move me:

  • Christopher Daniels runs in
  • Darby Allin returns
  • Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi run off the Young Bucks
  • Willow Nightingale single-handedly fights off The Death Riders 
  • Swerve directly helps Page win the title
  • Danielson returns

Regardless of how many people get involved, there will only be two left at the end and only one can get their hand raised. When the confetti falls and the show closes, the cowboy from Halifax, Virginia, stands tall on top of the company he was always meant to carry.

Prediction: Hangman Adam Page wins the title

All Star eight-man tag, Mercedes Mone & Toni Storm final face-to-face set for AEW Dynamite

Matches and segments have been announced for the next episode of AEW Dynamite.

An All-Star 8 man tag will take place just days before next weekend’s All In. Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and The Young Bucks will take on Hangman Page, Will Ospreay, Katsuyori Shibata, and Powerhouse Hobbs. It will be the last time Moxley and Page meet before their Texas Death match at All In.

A four-way match will determine the number two spot in the Women’s Casino Gauntlet match. Thekla, Queen Aminata, Tay Melo, and Megan Bayne will compete to see who faces number one pick Kris Statlander next Saturday.

Additionally, MJF and Mark Briscoe will have a “talky-talk” as they prepare to face each other in the men’s Casino Battle Royal. Mercedes Mone and Toni Storm will have one final face-to-face before their Women’s title match. And Samoa Joe will face Wheeler Yuta as Joe and The Opps continue to set their sights on the Death Riders.

Here is the updated card for AEW Dynamite:

AEW Dynamite for Wednesday, July 9:

  • Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and The Young Bucks vs. Hangman Page, Will Ospreay, Katsuyori Shibata, and Powerhouse Hobbs
  • For the number 2 spot in the Women’s Casino Gauntlet: Thekla vs. Tay Melo vs. Queen Aminata vs. Megan Bayne
  • Samoa Joe vs. Wheeler Yuta
  • Mercedes Mone, Toni Storm face-to-face
  • MJF and Mark Briscoe have a ‘talky-talk’

AEW Collision live results: All star eight-woman tag team match

For the first time in three weeks, AEW Collision returns for a live episode from Kent, Washington, headlined by an all star eight-woman tag team match.

On one side, ROH Women’s World Champion Athena teams with Thekla, Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford to take on former AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa, Queen Aminata, Tay Conti and Anna Jay.

AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm will be on hand to share thoughts ahead of her All In Texas defense against Mercedes Mone.

AEW World Champion Jon Moxley will take on AR Fox in non-title action while former champion Swerve Strickland takes on Shane Taylor.

**********

Hey folks, internet issues prevented me from starting the show right on time! Sorry about that!

Collision opened with Stokley Hathaway cutting a promo about the 8-man tag match against Paragon, Daniel Garcia, and Bandido following AEW’s successful debut in Arena Mexico. This week, they come live from Seattle.

The Death Riders made their entrance, with Moxley entering the arena ready for his match against AR Fox.

AEW World Champion Jon Moxley (w/ Wheeler Yuta) defeated AR Fox in a non-title match

Fox was very over in this match, with the fans chanting loudly for him as he went right after Moxley. However, as Fox launched off the top ropes, Moxley countered with a huge forearm that dropped Fox and it was quickly turned around where the AEW World Champion was beating on the local favourite.

Moxley’s heat was incredible in this match. Fox hit a DDT as Moxley got caught in the ropes, and flipped over the top rope into a stomp on Moxley’s chest before hitting a triangle moonsault to the floor. Moxley cut Fox off and locked in a choke while Fox was on the top rope, before suplexing Fox down and locking on a submission while crucifixing the arms of Fox.

Fox escaped to the ropes, hit an enziguri, and a tope sucidica to the floor on Moxley. Fox hit a pump kick on Yuta on the floor and a cutter on Moxley in the ring, followed by another pump kick and cutter. Fox celebrated, and Moxley immediately took advantage, hitting a lariat on Fox, a Gotch Style Piledriver, mounted elbows, and a rear naked choke until Fox went out. Great finish.

–After the match, Moxley hit a Death Rider and called for the microphone from Yuta. Moxley talked about how he was not as patient with Hangman as the the AEW audience was, as Hangman wasted all his opportunities and that All In would be no different. Excellent promo.

–AEW aired a great recap of the Dynamite at Arena Mexico. This hype package ruled, including highlights from Hangman’s awesome opening promo, Mercedes’ title win, and Hangman Page saving Swerve Strickland.

–Adam Cole, Daniel Garcia, Roderick Strong, and Bandio cut a promo about their upcoming 8-man tag.

Protoshita (Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita) & FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) (w/ Stokley Hathaway) defeated Paragon (Adam Cole & Roderick Strong), Daniel Garcia, & Bandido

This match served as the weekly Collision party match, and I’m glad it did. It is hard to have a bad match with these 8 tremendous wrestlers, and this was no exception to that rule. Harwood immediately attacked Bandido, but had to cope with Bandido quickly turning it around and tagging out to Strong. Harwood managed to drop Strong with a hard forearm and tagged out to Takeshita, who mocked the babyfaces as he beat on Strong.

Garcia made a brief comeback, but ate a kick from Fletcher that sent him to the mat, allowing Harwood to work him over for the next few minutes. Bandido tagged in and hit Harwood with several lariats before hitting a kick on Takeshita and an incredible tornado DDT on Fletcher. The match eventually broke down into everyone hitting big moves, ending with Cole and Fletcher exchanging strikes with Cole hitting a brainbuster onto his own knee. All 8 men started brawling, with Cole saving Strong from a Shatter Machine and Bandido hitting a moonsault to the floor. Strong, however, turned into a superkick from Fletcher and ate the Shatter Machine for the win for FTR and the Don Callis Family.

–The heels were beating down the babyfaces and The Outrunners, with hometown hero Truth Magnum, made the save. Wheeler was calling for help from someone, but they never arrived. The announcers highlighted that Harwood was shocked that the Outrunners took Bandido’s side, rather than theirs, highlighting the brief on screen friendship we saw with the Outrunners and FTR.

–Tay Melo, Anna Jay, Thunder Rosa, and Queen Aminata talked about their upcoming main event tag match against Athena, Thekla, Penelope Ford, and Megan Bayne. They cut to the other team, and Athena talked about how it was Athena Elite Wrestling tonight, and how she didn’t like Ford or Bayne, which Bayne took exception to.

–Mercedes Mone was interviewed by Renee Paquette in Mexico on Wednesday, and she talked about how Toni Storm’s time was up.

Swerve Strickland (w/ Prince Nana) defeated Shane Taylor (w/ Shane Taylor Promotions)

Early on, the Infantry seemed to be arguing with Taylor on the floor, betting money on the match among themselves and with Prince Nana, which confused the announcers. Swerve kicked Taylor right in the face to the delight of the crowd, and Taylor responded with hard forearms. The Infantry convinced Tony Schiavone to come over and bet on the match too, which was super entertaining.

Taylor hit a splash crushing Swerve against the apron. Schiavone came back to the desk and claimed he put his money on Swerve, while Nana and the Infantry continued to cheer on their subsequent betting partners. When the came back from the ad break, Taylor crashed into the corner, missing a corner charge. Swerve hit a dropkick to the knee of Taylor and then a running knee for a two count. At this point, the fans started chanting very loudly for local indie promotion Defy (which I highly recommend checking out, as their shows are always awesome).

Swerve locked on an armbar of sorts on Taylor, who fought out using his strength, hitting a big standing knee on Swerve. Swerve managed to stun Taylor on the top rope, and hit a massive Olympic slam on Taylor off the ropes. Swerve hit a Swerve stomp off the top rope onto the apron, and Prince Nana stole the cash from the betting, leading to money flying everywhere as Swerve hit a dive onto the Infantry and a House Call on Taylor for the win. This was tremendous.

–A recap of Toni Storm attacking Mercedes Mone aired.

–Toni Storm was on the stage dressed as Carmen Sandiego, and cut a promo about Mercedes Mone, talking about how Mone said that they were going to have the biggest match of all time, but Storm was disappointed in her. Storm asked if the AEW Women’s World Championship was just another trophy for her, and that she was not just some other opponent (cussing in the process), and that Mone better not take her lightly, because she was going to eat Mercedes Mone alive if she makes one mistake.

Storm said she wanted Mone’s best, because she is the best. The first woman to ever wrestle at Madison Square Garden, Wembley, the Tokyo Dome, and Arena Mexico, and Storm said she was the greatest of all time. Storm said that she wasn’t that, but that she was the one that made magic happen when she held the world title, and that Mercedes Mone would have to kill her to take her title. This promo was incredible.

The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Hologram, & Willow Nightingale) vs. MxM Collection (Mansoor & Mason Madden) & Taya Valkyrie (w/ Johnny TV)

This was a fun back and forth match that saw Hologram and Briscoe trying to over come the size of Madden and Mansoor. In a ridiculous spot, Mansoor hit a catapult into the posterior for Madden, but their advantage did not last long, with Mark Briscoe firing up for the comeback taking on both men to a roar from the crowd.

Briscoe hit a palm strike that sent Mansoor flying backwards to the floor, and Briscoe hit a running dropkick on Madden, but was double teamed by Johnny TV and Mansoor, leading to Hologram coming in and clearing the ring, but Taya Valkyrie hitting a hurricanrana on Hologram, leading to Willow Nightingale hitting a spear on Mansoor before Hologram hit a portal bomb on Mansoor. Briscoe and Hologram hit tope sucidias to the floor and Briscoe hit the Froggy-bow on Mansoor for the win. Really fun match.

–Kris Statlander was backstage with Lexy Nair, and she was fed up with people asking her about Willow Nightingale. Wheeler Yuta walked up to talk her, and she shoved Yuta away, but turned right around into Jon Moxley. She dropped her phone, and Moxley slowly picked it up, and said, “Don’t let anyone tell you who you are and what you are worth” before handing the phone back to her and walking away. This was very interesting.

–The Don Callis family came down to the ring with Josh Alexander and Lance Archer accompanying him. Callis announced the newest member of the Don Callis Family, officially now, Kazuchika Okada. Callis grabbed the mic back from Schiavone again, interrupting him, and the fans booed Callis out of the building as they re-aired the attack on Kenny Omega. Callis said he was tired of Schiavone talking trash about him, but he wasn’t here about that, and wanted to talk about Kenny Omega, asking how Omega felt to have his greatest opponent, Okada, and the man that knew all his weaknesses, Callis, was now a unit.

Callis said that even if Omega made it to All In, he has no friends left. Mark Briscoe came out and told Callis to shut up, claiming he was Omega’s friend. Briscoe said he wasn’t his only friend either, and out came Kota Ibushi, returning to AEW looking like he was in incredible shape. Briscoe and Archer started brawling, and Ibushi slowly walked down to the ring, and he laid Alexander out with a massive kick only to turn around and face one of his biggest rivals, Kazauchika Okada.

Ibushi and Okada have unfinished business from the G1 Finals years ago when Ibushi was injured and unable to finish the match, and it seems that the old feud is reigniting again. This was a huge angle, and it was tremendous.

–The Workhorsemen and Learning Tree were brawling when they came back from break, with both teams not having a match, but a massive fight that started backstage. Big Bill hit a massive chokeslam into a set of four chairs that were setup. As Bill grabbed a mic, Christian Cage and the Patriarchy came out. Christian said that the only good things to come out of Washington State were Nick Wayne and the Matriarch.

Christian claimed that the brawl was cutting into his mic time, and he had a huge announcement to make. Christian said that it was time that he and Nick Wayne became a tag team, becoming the first ever father & son tag team. Big Bill said a rather crass comment about Mother Wayne, and offered to fight Christian Cage & Nick Wayne tonight. Cage claimed to be the man that ran Collision and he only fights on his own terms.

–Last week, Anthony Bowens was with Billy Gunn after his loss. Bowens said that the two of them needed to get their act together, and Gunn was supposed to help him. He said he didn’t want to end up like Max Caster. It seems like we might see Bowens moving towards a heel turn and division with Billy Gunn.

Jetspeed (Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey) defeated The Gates of Agony (Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun)

I really like Toa Liona, and would love to see more of him. I have said this several times, but I’d love to see AEW do something with him. Ricochet was on commentary, saying that his crew was not going to be the Cru, as they ruined the chances of them being a part of his group. Liona spent the early portions of the match beating on Mike Bailey, saying his face was perfect for punching. Knight tried to armdrag Liona, but Liona blocked it. Knight sent Liona to the floor, but ate knees to his chest as Kaun put his knees up when Knight went for a splash.

Bailey went for a tope to the floor, and Liona hit a pounce on Bailey before he hit the floor, sending him flying. Liona walked up to the applauding Ricochet and put his arm around him as Ricochet showed his approval. The Gates of Agony hit a double team powerbomb on Knight for a 2-count, and it is clear that these two huge men are getting over in this match.

The Gates of Agony continued to beat on Knight for the next few minutes, coming back from break as Knight managed to hit a lariat off the middle rope on Kaun. Bailey made the hot tag, dodging a corner charge from Liona that saw Liona fly over the ropes, hitting the ring post as he crumbled to the floor. Liona, however, like a monster, came back in and hit a a fallaway slam on Knight while hitting Bailey with a Samoan drop.

Liona smashed Knight with a headbutt but as they went for Open the Gates, Knight hit a DDT on both men, but Liona just stood up again, and ate a double dropkick from Jetspeed. Jetspeed hit stereo tope con giro’s to the floor. Kaun and Bailey went back into the ring, and Kaun hit a gorilla press into a lung blower on Bailey. Bailey hit a spinning heel kick and triangle moonsasult to the floor on Liona while Knight hit a frog splash onto Kaun. This match was awesome. I would have had the Gates of Agony go over with Ricochet’s help, but this was not a bad result by any stretch.

Athena (w/ Billie Starkz), Thekla, Penelope Ford, & Megan Bayne defeated Tay Melo, Anna Jay, Queen Aminata, & Thunder Rosa

Athena came across as the biggest star in this match, by far, and she exchanged some very hard strikes with Aminata. Anna Jay came in and soon all women were setting up for a joint suplex, and all 8 women fought over a suplex, with the babyfaces and heels unable to complete the move. They broke off from each other and Athena and Megan Bayne both hit a double Samoan drop and fall away slam at same time on their opponents. Bayne and Athena stood face to face, as Thekla and Aminata resumed their match from last week.

Thekla was so fast in this match, with almost no one being able to keep up with her. Animata hit a huge headbutt, but Athena reached through the ropes to break the count. Tay Melo and Ford tagged in and resumed their violent feud from a few years ago, with Melo hitting a DDT on Ford. Bayne broke it up and hit a double German suplex on Jay and Melo at the same time.

Melo popped up and hit a knee strike on Bayne and tagged out to Rosa, while Athena came in and started exchanging chops with her. Athena hit a sole butt and then a series of kicks ending in an enziguri. Rosa hit a dropkick bouncing off the ropes. Rosa hit a stiff dropkick to Athena who was laying on the bottom rope. Melo hit a Gotch style piledriver on Ford, while Bayne hit a spear on Melo. Jay dropped Bayne with a DDT, and Thekla hit a spear on Jay. Animata hit a twist and shout on Thekla, and Athena hit a tombstone on Aminata. Rosa hit a Death Valley Driver on Athena, but Red Velvet ran out and tossed the ROH Women’s title to Athena, who leveled Rosa and pinned her for the win.

Final Thoughts

This was an awesome episode of AEW Collision, with some big angles, great promos, and great wrestling. As the show closed, Tony Schiavone announced that there would be a Casino Gauntlet match at All In, and that Kota Ibushi would be on Dynamite. Really great show, though some more matches announced for Wednesday would have been great.