So much is on the line tonight!

While Darby Allin fights to keep his shot at the AEW World Championship, Nigel McGuinness wants his final fight with the world champion, Bryan Danielson! We will all get what we want for this Grand Slam Dynamite?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Nigel McGuinness VS Bryan Danielson; Bryan wins.
• FTW Championship: Hook VS Roderick Strong w/ The Kingdom; Hook wins and retains the title.
• AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks VS Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher w/ Don Callis; The Bucks win and retain the titles.
• AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May VS Yuka Sakazaki; Mariah wins and retains the title.
• AEW World Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Darby Allin VS Jon Moxley w/ Marina Shafir; Moxley wins and will challenge for the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Nigel McGuinness VS Bryan Danielson!

A moment we thought might never come again might finally happen. The big caveat is that The American Dragon needs to be medically cleared to compete, but Jon Moxley’s brutal betrayal involved him damn near suffocating the AEW World Champion! Is Nigel just taking advantage of that to make himself feel better? Or is the shirt right, and Bryan FEARS Nigel?

The music isn’t Final Countdown but Born for Greatness, so that’s a curious move already. Everyone is watching the stage closely, but Nigel grabs himself a mic. He says he knew it! He hasn’t Bryan Danielson all day, so “The American Coward just dropped the ball.” Let’s get a ten count so Nigel can be declared the winner, and Bryan can be STRIPPED of the world title! The count does begin but hard to say about the rest of that. We pass 5 of 10, but then at 7, the song changes! “IT’S THE FINAL~ COUNTDOWN~!” And yes, Bryan Danielson has made it to Queens, New York, he IS cleared to compete!

Bryan high-fives and fist bumps the front row all around ringside before he steps into the ring. The bell rings and the fans are thunderous as this rivalry’s final chapter is written before our eyes! Nigel and Bryan stare down, circle, and they tie up. The fans are already losing their minds, and then Nigel UPPERCUTS! Nigel soaks up the cheers and jeers but Bryan comes back. They circle, tie up, and Bryan clinches to spin and UPPERCUT Nigel! Nigel staggers back, checks his teeth, and the fans rally up again. Nigel shakes that off, resets with Bryan, and the two tie up. Nigel wrenches and wristlocks, but Bryan rolls.

Bryan bridges, spins, and wrenches around to wristlock, but Nigel UPPERCUTS! The fans are torn but Nigel soaks it all up again. Nigel talks a bit of smack, “Too easy, Tony! Too easy!” The two go again, Bryan wrenches and hammerlocks, then spins Nigel to snapmare. Bryan KICKS Nigel in the back and the fans fire up! Nigel gets mad now, and stands right up. Bryan and Nigel get forehead to forehead, then Nigel pushes Bryan. Bryan and Nigel tie up, Nigel waistlocks, but Bryan wrenches. Nigel spins, slips under, and wrangles Bryan with a top wristlock. Bryan hurries right up, wrenches and wrenches and wristlocks.

Nigel spins, drops, breaks Bryan’s grip, then stands to wrangle him again. Fans cheer this exchange but it’s still going! Bryan uses that same spin move to get Nigel’s wrist! Nigel spins, facelocks, Bryan wrenches out, only for Nigel to wrench and pass the hand around. Bryan rolls, cartwheels, wrenches, and wristlocks again! The fans cheer more as Nigel moves around, and he sends Bryan into ropes! Nigel KICKS ropes to jam Bryan up! The ref reprimands, but Nigel brings Bryan up to fire palm strikes from all ends! Nigel BOOTS Bryan into a corner and fires more palm strikes! The ref reprimands, Nigel lets off, but then Bryan SLAPS Nigel!

The fans fire up, and Nigel grins! Nigel goes back to Bryan to SLAP him! Bryan UPPERCUTS Nigel! Nigel UPPERCUTS Bryan! Bryan shakes his head, UPPERCUTS again, so Nigel UPPERCUTS again! Bryan fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT but Nigel RAMS him! Bryan KICKS, and Nigel drops, claiming low blow! The ref checks but Bryan defends he did not aim there. Nigel grimaces as he goes to ropes, but then he trips Bryan! Top mount for ground ‘n’ pound! Nigel was tricking us, but Bryan turns things around to punch into the abs! Nigel brings Bryan in for a clinch, but Bryan fights up!

Nigel has the mount for more ground ‘n’ pound! Bryan turns things around again, has a leg, and he throws hands down on the abs! Nigel works around, and he ahs the omoplata! Bryan fights around and rolls, to get the omoplata! LEBELL LOCK!! Nigel endures, fights around, reaches out, and ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Bryan lets off quickly, reminding the ref he has ’til 5. But then Nigel YANKS Bryan out to the floor! Bryan clutches his arm, but Nigel storms out to sends him into railing! And then into steel steps! The fans are torn as Nigel now tips those steps over! The ref reprimands, Nigel refreshes the ring count, and goes back for Bryan.

Nigel drags Bryan up, around, and drop toeholds him into steel steps! Bryan’s arm gets hurt mostly from bracing himself against the steel. Nigel wrangles Bryan, hooks an arm, and he pulls on the steps! Bryan slips free before the steps can fall on his arm! Nigel storms up on Bryan but Bryan HEADBUTTS him! Nigel goes into the ring but Bryan drags him out, to POST him! Bryan then grabs Nigel’s arms, to YANK him into the post! But Nigel SLAMS Bryan’s arm into the post! Nigel pushes Bryan into the ring, storms in after him, and drags Bryan by the arm into the LONDON DUNGEON! Bryan endures the keylock stretch and fights back, ROPEBREAK!

The ref counts, Nigel STOMPS the arm as he lets off! The ref reprimands, fans boo, but Nigel soaks it all up. Bryan stands, Nigel is on him, but Bryan fights the suplex. Nigel throat chops! Nigel runs corner to corner, but Bryan follows to DROPKICK in the corner! Bryan KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! “YES! YES! YES!” Bryan underhooks to BUTTERFLY PLEX! The fans fire up and Bryan climbs, but Nigel trips him up! Nigel cravats, drags Bryan out, but Bryan slips free! Nigel elbows Bryan, runs, but into a BUSAIKU KNEE! But Bryan can’t cover because of the bad arm! A standing count starts while fans rally up.

Bryan and Nigel rise at 4 of 10, and Bryan stands at 5. Bryan KICKS Nigel! And KICKS! And KICKS! “YES! YES! YES!” Nigel curses each kick, but the BUZZSAW takes him down! Cover, TWO! Nigel is still in this but Bryan follows him to the corner. Bryan whips Nigel to the corner, but Nigel does a handstand! Nigel BOOTS Bryan away, but Bryan blocks the next! Bryan CHOPS, Nigel bridges on the corner, so Bryan TWISTS his head! Nigel is stuck up there, as Bryan CLUBS him! But Nigel rolls through that to KICK & CLUB Bryan! Cover, TWO! Nigel snarls as his improvising didn’t pay off. Nigel drags Bryan, and counters the leg scissors to a cover! TWO!!

Bryan has the arm and drags Nigel in, LEBELL- NO, Nigel blocks, and he bends the fingers before he hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Bryan writhes and gets away, and the fans rally while both men are down again. Nigel rises first, and he storms over. Nigel UPPERCUTS Bryan, then eggs Bryan on to give him one back. Bryan UPPERCUTS, but that’s the bad arm! Nigel grins, he goaded Bryan into that. Nigel hammerlocks the bad arm and sends Bryan to the corner, but Bryan goes up and over! Bryan keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Nigel blocks the forearm! Yoyo and LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!? Nigel can’t believe it but Bryan is all fired up!!

The fans are thunderous as Bryan rises again! Nigel is apologetic now, but then he pokes Bryan in the eye! The fans boo, but Nigel ripcords and LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Nigel’s Southpaw Rainmaker didn’t quite do it, but the fans rally up again. Nigel has the bad arm again, but Bryan KICKS him away! Nigel still wants that arm, but Bryan KICKS again! Nigel gets mad now, and he clamps on! Bryan KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! Nigel eggs Bryan on as he gives more kicks! Nigel uses HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! He’s using Bryan’s own idea! Then he dragon sleepers, and inverted suplexes Bryan to the top rope! LONDON TOWER!! Cover, TWO!!!

The fans fire up but Nigel is beside himself! Nigel goes back for the arm, LONDON DUNGEON!! The fans rally for Bryan as hard as they can, and Bryan moves around! Bryan fights up, but Nigel hooks the legs to make it part SURFBOARD! Bryan endures his back being bent and his shoulder being cranked! But he gets his feet free, rolls back, and now he HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS away on Nigel! The fans fire up, “YES! YES! YES!” Nigel is a ragdoll, but Bryan also falls back from using all that energy! The fans cheer, and they rally up again as Bryan rises. Nigel sputters as he sits back up, and both men stand.

Bryan storms up but Nigel UPPERCUTS first! Bryan KICKS! Nigel UPPERCUTS! Bryan KICKS! Nigel CHOPS! Bryan CHOPS! They CHOP and CHOP and Bryan HEADBUTTS again and again and again! But Nigel hits an ARMBAR DDT! Bryan clutches that hand, Nigel runs up, and he BUSAIKU KNEES!! But Bryan yoyos!! Only for Nigel to LARIAT him first!! Cover, TWO!! Bryan survives and the fans are thunderous again! Both men stir, and Bryan finds Nigel’s arm! Bryan sits up into the omoplata, but Nigel fights the ret! “This is Awesome!” as the LEBELL LOCK returns!! But the bad hand won’t hold on!

Nigel fights around, Bryan tries to get a crossface, but Nigel won’t stop moving! Bryan HAMMER FISTS away on Nigel! Crossface for the LEBELL LOCK!! But Nigel rolls it! Bryan’s shoulders stay off the mat, but Nigel pops free! Bryan gets the hold again, LEBELL LOCK!! Nigel still fights, but the grip blinds him! Nigel doesn’t know where to reach! Nigel says F YOU, BRYAN! But he still TAPS!! Bryan wins!!

Winner: Bryan Danielson, by submission

This battle was 15 years in the making, and though Nigel pushed Bryan, he could not break Bryan! The AEW World Champion stands- WAIT! Christian Cage is making his way out here! Captain Charisma does have that Casino Contract, is he going to cash in now? Bryan stares Christian down, not intimidated in the least. Christian opens up the folder, clicks his pen, but Kip Sabian is creeping up! Mr. Superbad says YOINK and takes the pen! Christian chases Kip down, but then Claudio Castagnoli & PAC are there! Christian goes the other direction, but is still looking for Kip. Will there be no “undisputed” next AEW World Champion if Kip can help it?

As for The Swiss Superman & The Bastard, if they’re in the building, will they expect Wheeler Yuta to talk with them? Will Bryan look to have some words of his own?

FTW Championship: Hook VS Roderick Strong w/ The Kingdom!

Just as The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil saved this title from the #JerichoVortex, he ends up running afoul of the Undisputed Kingdom. The Savior of the Backbreaker says the controversy of his defeat is reason enough HE should be champion now, but he’ll have to prove it by winning. Will Roddy #SendHook home without this gold? Or will Hook prove Roddy isn’t as strong as he thinks?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who aces the match in Arthur Ashe!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Hook waistlocks. Roddy wrenches free, but Hook powers up. Roddy cranks the wristlock, but Hook powers through to wrench back. Roddy shifts around, has a wristlock but wants a leg. Hook fights that off so Roddy wrenches. Hook pushes through to a takedown! Hook then floats to the head, KATAGATAME! Roddy fights and rolls but Hook holds onto the head ‘n’ arm triangle! ROPEBREAK! Bennett & Taven drag Roddy out even as Hook is letting go, and the fans boo. Hook storms out to CLOBBER Roddy right through The Kingdom!

Hook sends Roddy into railing, fires a KNEE, then fires forearm after forearm against railing! The fans fire up, The Kingdom protests, but this is FTW Rules so there are no count outs and no disqualifications! Roddy KNEES Hook back and THROWS him into railing! Roddy grabs a kendo stick, swings, but Hook dodges! Hook DECKS Roddy, then SMACKS him with the kendo stick! Hook SMACKS Bennett, too! Taven leaps from the apron but Hook SMACKS him outta the air! Hook CHOKES Roddy with the stick, then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP into railing! The fans fire up as Hook stands tall, but Bennett runs up!

Hook clinches Bennett first, EXPLODER! LARIAT for Taven! But Roddy fireman’s carries! And he POSTS Hook! The fans are torn as Roddy stands over Hook, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Roddy drags Hook up, CHOPS him against the apron, and then CHOPS again! Hook drops to his knees but Roddy puts him in the ring. Roddy storms in after Hook to BOOT him down! Roddy drags Hook up to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Hook writhes, Roddy soaks up the heat, and then he drags Hook up again. Roddy puts Hook in a corner, to CHOP! Hook ROCKS Roddy! Roddy CHOPS Hook! Hook ROCKS Roddy! And Hook ROCKS Roddy again and again, until Roddy KNEES low! Roddy whips, Hook reverses and clinches, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Into a KOJI KLUTCH! Roddy endures and flails his way to a cover, TWO!

Hook lets Roddy go, and Roddy CLOBBERS Hook! Roddy rains down fists, then soaks up more heat. Roddy then stalks Hook, steps over, and he grinds Hook down into a modified CAMEL CLUTCH! Hook endures, fights to get his arms free but it’s still a chinlock stretch! Hook claws at the mat, fights up to his feet, but Roddy becomes a backpack! Roddy’s leans his weight on Hook, Hook still fights up, but Roddy spins him. Roddy clinches but Hook fights the lift with elbows! Hook goes for the arm but Roddy stuffs the sayanagi into a roll-up! TWO!! Hook escapes that deep leg hook, but Roddy stomps away!

Roddy drags Hook up to CHOP! Hook sputters, but Roddy CHOPS him again! Hook fires a CHOP, Roddy CHOPS again, repeat! Roddy KENES low, huffs ‘n’ puffs, then brings Hook around. Hook JAWBREAKERS free! Roddy staggers, comes back, but gets another JAWBREAKER for it! Hook NORTHERN LIGHTS! Dynamite returns to single picture as Hook goes to ropes. Roddy runs up, into a BOOT! Hook goes to a corner, Roddy runs up again, but Hook sends him into buckles! Hook then clinches to SAIDO! The fans fire up and Hook LARIATS! And LARIATS! Hook KNEES low, then hits the UCHIMADA!

The fans fire up as Hook runs corner to corner to LARIAT! Hook fires body shots, a HEADBUTT, then brings Roddy in, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover this time, TWO! Hook holds onto a wristlock, wants a keylock, but Roddy fights with his own grip. The fans rally as the two stand, and Hook brings Roddy to a corner. Roddy blocks the buckle bump to DECK Hook! The fans rally, but The Kingdom sends in chairs for Roddy! Roddy wedges a chair in the corner, but Hook has him! RED- NO, Roddy RAMS Hook into the chair! Roddy runs corner to corner, JUMP KNEE! And then RUNNING MAT RETURN! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Hook stays in this. Roddy grabs the chair out of the corner, sets it and another chair up, and then brings Hook over. Hook fights the nelson with elbows, then FULL METAL SAYANAGI! Roddy writhes from landing on the chairs, Hook covers, TWO!! Roddy stays in this, but Hook wants the Redrum! Roddy fights it, fireman’s carries, and he FULL METAL GUT BUSTERS! SICK KICK!! Cover, TWO!!! Hook survives, the fans are thunderous, but The Kingdom says Roddy has this! Roddy hobbles back to Hook, drags him up, and suplexes, but Hook slips free! REDRUM!! Roddy drops, The Kingdom panics, but RODDY TAPS! HOOK WINS!

Winner: Hook, by submission (still FTW Champion)

No controversy this time! Hook makes Roddy tap and there’s not denying it! But then The Kingdom regroup, and they get in Hook’s face! Only to offer a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Hook accepts. They hug it out, and Roddy leads the way out. Hook has won the respect of some ROH icons, will that seal of approval take him to new heights?

As Hook exits the ring, Tony Schiavone hopes off commentary to talk with him. Schiavone says take a breath, Hook, you earned it. Let’s give it up for Hook! The fans cheer, and Schiavone says this title defense must be Hook’s most satisfying. Back in 1998, only three miles from here, at The Elks Lodge, the FTW Championship was born by Hook’s father, Taz. Tonight, right here in Queens, Hook is still champion, so congratulations. Hook says yeah, well, thanks for that. And with all that being said, all good things must come to an end.

Hook says that on behalf of the family, he would like to thank each and every wrestler who has ever competed for this championship. The fans cheer that. Hook says on top of that, he’d like to thank each and every one of the fans for supporting the FTW Championship. The fans cheer again, and Hook says that for now, in this very moment, the FTW Championship is officially retired. Hook hands it off to his dad, and Taz hugs it out with his son. The fans cheer this great moment, “Thank You, Taz!” Hook has kept his family’s legacy strong, but is he now going to truly carve his own path in pro-wrestling?

AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks VS Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher w/ Don Callis!

While Matthew & Nicholas Jackson have given the Aerial Assassin & Aussie Arrow their flowers over impressive abilities and storied journeys, that’s all they’re getting from the EVPs. Will The Bucks remind everyone who’s the elite tag team around here? Or will Ospreay & Fletcher use this gold to build the United Empire’s new foundation?

The Bucks do their pose, Ospreay & Fletcher mock it right behind their backs. The introductions are made, the tag titles are raised, and we see who truly reigns over AEW!

The teams sort out and Ospreay starts against Nick. The fans fire up as the two circle, they tie up, and Nick headlocks. Ospreay powers up and out, Nick runs him over, but Ospreay kips right up. Only for Matt to throw Ospreay down by his hair! Speaking of, what is in Matt’s hair…? Nick sucker punches Kyle while fans boo, but then The Bucks kick Ospreay, Nick runs, and Matt gives him the boost to RANA! Ospreay tumbles out, Kyle runs in, but The Bucks mug him now. The Bucks double whip but Kyle ducks the double lariat, breaks the line, but then The Bucks duck to DOUBLE ELBOW!

The Bucks double kip up and they hit their pose again. The ref reprimands them both and Matt exits. Nick headlocks, Ospreay powers up and Kyle tags in. The Empire double whip Nick then DOUBLE HIP TOSS Nick to then split the wishbone! They DOUBLE PENALTY KICK Nick, and Matt runs in! The Empire double drop toehold Matt onto Nick, and uh, it’s a bit awkward now. Kyle sets up, Ospreay steps up, STANDING MOONSAULT on both Bucks! The Bucks bail out while the fans fire up, and The Empire climbs the corners! DOUBLE ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! The fans are thunderous as The Empire throws up the crowns, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Ospreay fetches Nick into the ring, covers, ONE!! Nick hangs tough but Ospreay CHOPS him. Ospreay ROCKS him, tags Kyle, and the Empire mugs Nick. Kyle fires hands, the fans rally with Ospreay, but Nick powers out of the headlock. Nick then drops under, and Matt DUMPS Kyle out! The ref reprimands Matt, but has to stop Nick from getting at Ospreay, so Matt stomps away on Kyle! Matt stands on Kyle’s face, lets off to soak heat, then leaves fans hanging on the high-fives. Nick pulls the switcheroo to a middle finger, and Matt puts Kyle in for him. Nick scrapes laces off Kyle’s face, then puts him in a corner.

Nick scrapes Kyle’s face on the ropes! The ref counts, Nick lets off, and he CLAWS Kyle on the back! The ref reprimands more, but Nick KICKS Kyle in the back. Nick runs to stomp Kyle, then brings him over to the corner. Tag to Matt, and Matt goes up to drop an AX HANDLE! Kyle grits his teeth while leaning on ropes, but Matt fires haymakers and body shots! Matt has Kyle in the corner as he stomps away, but the ref backs him off. Matt gets in Ospreay’s face, goes back to Kyle, but Kyle fires body shots! Kyle fights to his feet to fire forearms! Matt scoops to BACKBREAKER! Tag to Nick and he adds the slingshot LEG DROP!

Nick cocky covers, ZERO! Kyle isn’t having any of that, but Nick tags Matt. The Buck smug Kyle, and Matt kicks Kyle around. Matt mocks the fans with his own applause, but Kyle CHOPS! And CHOPS! Matt CLAWS Kyle’s eyes and CLUBS him down! Dynamite returns to single picture as Matt tags Nick. The Bucks whip Kyle to the corner, but Kyle goes over Nick, switches with Matt, sends Matt into Nick, then catches them both, DDT FLATLINER COMBO! The fans fire up while both Bucks are down! Kyle crawls his way over, hot tag to Ospreay! Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO for Matt! Ospreay kips up to fire hands on Nick!

Ospreay CHOPS Nick, whips him, but Nick reverses. Matt joins in but the handspring DOUBLE NEURALIZER hits The Bucks first! The fans fire up, STANDING SKY TWISTER on Nick! Cover, TWO! Ospreay fires up and the fans are with him! Ospreay aims at Nick, HIDDEN- NO, Nick dodges to ROLLING ROUNDHOUSE! Tag to Matt, Nick whips Ospreay corner to corner. Ospreay reverses, Nick goes up and over, and Matt SUPERKICKS! Nick and Matt coordinate, ASSISTED SLICED BREAD! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives the string of moves, but Matt drags him up. Matt hangs Ospreay out to dry and Nick climbs!

Nick aims to DRAPING SWANTON into the BOMB! Cover, Kyle breaks it!! Nick TOSSES Kyle out hard, then tags back in. The Bucks go after Ospreay, E V P TRIG- NO, Ospreay kips up, springboards, DOUBLE OSCUTTER!! Cover, the ref hesitates, maybe forgetting who’s legal! The count starts, but Matt breaks it! Ospreay argues with the ref and Callis isn’t much happier about it. Tag to Kyle, the fans fire up as The Empire drags Nick up. They hook him up, COR- REVERSE RANA!! Nick spikes Ospreay, then he dodges Kyle! Nick kicks Kyle, The Bucks double whip, but Kyle ducks the superkicks to DOUBLE LARIAT!!

The fans fire up and Kyle hauls Nick up! POWER- FACEBUSTER! But Ospreay 450 SPLASHES! Matt hits a DESTROYER!! But Ospreay rebounds to HIDDEN BLADE!!! All four men are down and the fans are giving a standing ovation for “A E DUB!! A E DUB!!” A standing count starts, Matt and Ospreay bail out, and Nick sits up. Kyle reaches for Ospreay, but Nick BLASTS Ospreay! Nick slaps Kyle around, talks trash, but Kyle winds up to ROCK him! Kyle eggs Nick on so Nick fires a forearm! Kyle shakes his head and fires a flurry of forearms! He ROCKS Nick, runs, but Matt trips him up!

Matt drags Kyle out but Kyle ROCKS Matt! Nick PENALTY KCIKS Kyle from the apron! Nick avoids Ospreay to then FLYING RANA! The Bucks hurry to put Kyle in, and Nick goes up the corner. Matt has Kyle on the apron, gut wrenches, and fans freak out already! APRON T K DRIVER!! The fans lose their minds while Kyle flops down! The Bucks leave him behind, they want the count to handle this! Kyle sputters at 5 of 10, but the fans rally as hard as they can! Kyle stands at 9, and LEAPS in at 9.9!! But Nick is already aiming from a corner. Kyle sits up, into the SHINING WIZARD! Nick soaks up heat, and Dynamite goes back to picture in picture.

Nick paces, then he rains down fists on Kyle! Nick tags Matt, and The Bucks pace around. Kyle sits up but Matt BOOTS him! Matt fires punches in the headlock, the ref reprimands and counts, but Matt lets off. Matt then grabs the legs, drags Kyle around, and he tags Nick. CATAPULT GAMANGIRI! Kyle falls back, Nick climbs up, DOUBLE STOMP BACKBREAKER!! Cover, OSPREAY BREAKS IT!! The Bucks are furious, and Matt TOSSES Ospreay out. Ospreay stays on the apron, to Matt TRIANGLE DROP APRON DDTS!!! Matt almost jacks himself up there but Nick has Kyle in a drop zone. Nick climbs, to SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!!

Nick can’t believe it, but Kyle is still in this! Nick shakes his head while Kyle sputters. There’s a bloody cut on Kyle’s head, but Nick drags him up. Kyle scoops to MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!!! Nick gets away to tag Matt, and Matt DECKS Kyle! Matt puts Kyle in a corner, pie faces him around, then scoops him for a SLAM! Tag back to Nick and the Bucks coordinate. RISKY BUSINESS! Cover, TWO!! The Bucks are even more frustrated, but they’ve still got tricks to try. Matt tags in, Dynamite returns to single picture, and The Bucks drag Kyle up. Matt gut wrenches, Nick goes up, and they want it again! T K- NO, Ospreay catches Nick’s flip!

Kyle turns things around on Matt while Ospreay pops Nick into position! STEREO STYLES CLASH!!! Cover, TWO!!! Matt survives, The Bucks know Uncle Allen’s move well! But Kyle tags Ospreay, and he takes aim at Matt! HIDDEN BLADE!!! And then the underhooks, for the STORM BREAKER!! Cover, NICK BREAKS IT! Kyle CLUBS Nick, but Nick TOSSES Kyle! Nick bails out, but Ospreay stands again. “This is Awesome!” as Ospreay says time to use that! Ospreay underhooks, but Nick storms in! SUPERKICK! Kyle tags in, he clinches Nick to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Kyle dodges Matt to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF!

The fans fire up as Kyle has Bucks in corners! Forearm SMASH for Nick, then Kyle runs corner to corner! Matt dodges, Nick SHINING WIZARDS! GAMANGIRIS! FOREARM! BULLDOG! The Bucks coordinate again, and Matt drags Kyle up. Nick climbs, Matt fireman’s carries, but Ospreay anchors Nick! Kyle slips free to gut wrench Matt! Nick kicks free of Ospreay, then he SUPERKICKS Kyle! Matt is able to flip the gut wrench around! Nick resets up top, but Ospreay gets back up! FLYING CUTTER!! Kyle again turns things around on Matt! Ospreay goes up!? They steal the T K DRIVER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!

The fans cannot believe it, but of course Matt knows his own move! So The Empire scoop Matt into CORIOLIS!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Matt survives and the fans are in disbelief! But Ospreay says this is it! Kyle runs up on Matt, GAMANGIRI!! Kyle puts Matt up, fires up, and the fans are with him! Ospreay keeps Nick back, Kyle SUPER BRAINBUSTERS!!! Cover, NICK BREAKS IT?!?! Nick got loose just enough, and the fans are electric! Nick TOSSES Ospreay, but Kyle TOSSES Nick! Nick gest up but into the CALF KICK! Kyle takes aim again, and he DIVES! Nick is sent into the desk! The fans are thunderous and Callis checks on his guys.

Callis tells Kyle to use the screwdriver!! Callis scurries away, Kyle hides the tool, and then Callis distracts the ref! Kyle looks at Matt, looks at the screwdriver, and he wants to do it! But Ospreay says no! Not this way! Ospreay turns the screwdriver in to the ref, argues with Callis, but Matt BELT SHOTS OSPREAY! Matt swings on Kyle, Kyle dodges and waistlocks! Kyle pushes Matt to ropes, Matt tosses the belt to Nick, O’Conner Roll! TWO and Nick BELT SHOTS Kyle!!! Cover, with tights! TWO?!?!? Kyle survives all that, but The Bucks DOUBLE SUPERKICK!!! Then E V P TRIGGER!!! Cover, Bucks win!!

Winners: The Young Bucks, by pinfall (still AEW World Tag Team Champions)

Callis is in disbelief! If Kyle had done things his way, maybe Kyle & Ospreay would have the belts now. But was it also what cost them the belts? Ospreay looks to Kyle, and the two are on different pages. What will this mean for their friendship? Will any team ever take these titles from The Bucks?

Backstage interview with The Conglomeration.

Renee Paquette is with Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly & Rocky Romero. Cassidy says no need to put “and” here, as The Conglomeration officially welcomes Rocky to the team. Cassidy hands Rocky a shirt, and Rocky is honored to conglomerate with them. Renee moves on to note The Conglomeration’s Cassidy, Briscoe & O’Reilly will be taking on Chris Jericho’s Learning Tree in a Trios Tornado match for Collision, what can we expect? Mark says one thing to expect is some cool Conglomeration shirts! Brand new on AEW Shop! But that new shirt is gonna have to be changed already to include a doodle of Rocky…

Anyway, Mark will explain why he’s wearing the classic #DemBoys shirt for tonight. That is because he is feeling the energy here in Arthur Ashe Stadium, just five miles away from where The Briscoes had their last tag team match ever! The baddest team of all time, #DemBoys! And Collision, The Conglomeration is gonna give The Learning Tree a #DemBoys style ass whoopin’! Briscoe style! Be ready Jericho! Be ready, Bill! Be ready, Keith! Because they’re comin’ for ya! RA RA RA!! Wait, what’s the word of the day? Oh, shoot, thank you, Kyle, for reminding him. The word of the day is, “vociferous.”

Ah yes, to be outspoken, blatant and noisy. YEAH, like the crowd here in Queens, baby! Just like the Grand Slam Dynamite crowd tonight, and the Grand Slam crowd for Collision, when The Conglomeration whoops The Learning Tree up one side o’ the tree and down the other, LET’S GO, BABY! Mark is fired up, Kyle follows, and Cassidy says Rocky can go follow them. Rocky says okay, and heads out. Renee says Rocky will get there. Cassidy agrees. But will things be even sweeter for The Conglomeration now that they’ve added some Azucar?

Tony Schiavone is on stage.

Schiavone says here with an update on Swerve Strickland, here is New York’s own Prince Nana! The fans cheer as Nana makes his way out, and he shows off his brand of java, on sale now. Nana still does the dance for Swerve’s House, and Schiavone says it has been a few weeks since we’ve seen Swerve, after quite a wild couple of weeks for him. First at All In, he loses the AEW World Championship to Bryan Danielson. Then, Hangman Page burns down Swerve’s childhood home. And then, All Out, the Lights Out Steel Cage, Hangman brutalizes Swerve, and Swerve loses by referee stoppage.

Nana says first of all, he must say, it is good to be in New York in whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Then how is Swerve doing? Nana says hey, he’s known Schiavone a long time, and Swerve means a lot to Nana. Mentally, there is nothing that can stop the most dangerous man in AEW! The fans cheer that. But physically… Swerve is not cleared to come back, but is fighting hard every single day for each and every one in whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” But then someone interrupts Nana, and out walks MONTEL VONTAVIOUS PORTER, M V P!! Fans go nuts and MVP asks Schiavone to please pardon the intrusion.

MVP reintroduces himself, M to the V P! But you already know that, don’t you? MVP says he must agree with Nana: Swerve IS the most dangerous man in AEW, no question about it. As a matter of fact, MVP will do us one better. It is MVP’s opinion that Swerve is the most phenomenal talent to ever set foot in AEW. Yes! His 2024 run will be studied by future generations. Eight MONTHS without being pinned or submitted, with wins over the likes of Samoa Joe, Roderick Strong, Christian Cage, and Will Ospreay! Chef’s kiss, MVP was watching all of it.

But he also saw what Schiavone talked about. MVP saw Swerve lose the AEW World Championship in the main event of All In. And he saw Swerve’s childhood home burned to the ground. And he must ask Nana, the man that beat Swerve for the title, WHY is he walking around, talking about it, all smiling? The man that burned Swerve’s home to the ground, WHY is he not beat all the hell?! See, none of this is a failure on Swerve. MVP knows how good that man is. This is a failure on Swerve’s manager! A manager more concerned with selling his coffee and “shuckin’ ‘n’ jivin’,” dancing for the people!

The fans boo and Nana gets worked up, but MVP says take it easy, it’s not that kinda party. What MVP wants Nana to do is to let Swerve know, that when Swerve is ready to be taken seriously again, when he is ready to return to the mountaintop where he belongs, please give him MVP’s business card, and let him know that MVP will be ready to talk business. MVP leaves, and Nana is beside himself. What will Swerve choose when he returns to 100%?

The Scapegoat bus continues on.

Jack Perry drives on the bridge, headed into Queens, ready for a Collision. The TNT Championship Open Challenge awaits, who will answer the call?

AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May VS Yuka Sakazaki!

The Glamour has not taken the Wrestling Magical Girl serious for even one nanosecond since her return, and that’s even when Yuka & Queen Aminata almost won a tag match against Mariah & Serena Deeb. Will Mariah have no choice but to take Yuka seriously here tonight? Or will that Cruella-inspired gear be more than for show?

Oh wait, Yuka SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES Mariah down at the ramp! The fans fire up as Yuka is not waiting for introductions or ceremony! Yuka pushes Mariah into the apron, SMACKS her off it, and then uses the apron to 619 Mariah in the face! Mariah falls back, the fans fire up, and Yuka throws Mariah into the ring. The bell sounds, Yuka covers, TWO! Mariah is mad now, but Yuka waits on her to get up. Yuka then fires a forearm! Mariah SLAPS Yuka! Yuka SLAPS Mariah back! Mariah SLAPS again, so Yuka winds up, to SLAP! The fans rally, Mariah SLAPS again, but Yuka isn’t backing down! Yuka SLAPS yet again!

The SLAPS keep going, faster and faster! Mariah fires a flurry, but Yuka is just annoyed. ROLLING ELBOW! The fans fire up as Mariah ends up on ropes! Mariah ducks the 619 this time, then trips Yuka up to YANK her outta the ring! Mariah soaks up cheers and jeers, throws off the armbands, and runs up to SHOTGUN! Yuka falls hard and Mariah smiles. Yuka rises but Mariah puts her in the ring. Mariah storms in, stomps Yuka around, then scoops to SPIN OUT SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Yuka stays in this and Mariah snarls. Mariah stalks Yuka, puts her in ropes, and bends her back with the chinlock!

The fans boo, the ref counts, and Mariah lets off at 4. Mariah runs to SHOTGUN Yuka in the back! Cover, TWO! Yuka toughs it out but Mariah soaks up the cheers and jeers. Mariah SLAPS Yuka again, puts her up top, then puts some stank on the DOUBLE CHOPS! Maria struts, goes corner to corner, STRATUS- NO, Yuka stops that to push Mariah back! Yuka catches Mariah into a HANGING HEADSCISSORS! The fans fire up, the ref counts, and Yuka lets go at 4! Mariah sputters as she staggers away. Mariah storms back up, Yuka winds up, but Mariah blocks the haymaker to ROCK Yuka! Mariah then drags Yuka into a fireman’s carry!

Mariah storms around, but Yuka sunset flips it! TWO! Mariah stands, swings, but Yuka gest around to roll-up! TWO! Yuka spins and wrenches and backslides Mariah, TWO!!! Mariah barely gets free, but not really as Yuka has the body scissors! GURU GURU GURU GURU, ROLLING CLUTCH!! Cover, TWO!!! Mariah narrowly escapes again! Yuka shakes her head, and the fans fire up with her as she drags Mariah up. Yuka wrenches, hammerlocks, and lifts Mariah for a SPINNING- NO, Mariah slips free to HEADBUTT! Now both women are dizzy! Yuka fires up, takes a swing, but Mariah BOOTS the lariat away!

Mariah waistlocks and then lifts, HIGH ANGLE GERMAN SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Yuka survives and now Mariah is getting mad! The fans rally, Mariah drags Yuka up, scoop and swing, to SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Yuka is still in this, but Mariah takes aim. Yuka sits up, Mariah runs up, but Yuka swats the kick! Roll-up, SUPERKICK! Mariah wobbles, Yuka scoops, NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Yuka says time to end this and the fans fire up! Yuka goes to the apron, climbs the ropes, MAGICAL GIRL SPLASH, onto knees!! Mariah KNEES Yuka in the face! But she’s not done! STORM ZERO!! Cover, Mariah wins!

Winner: Mariah May, by pinfall (still AEW Women’s World Champion)

A powerful showing by Yuka, but she didn’t have enough power to bring down the evil villainess that is Mariah May! But Mariah is still in a foul mood, so she winds up and aims at Yuka! But wait! Here comes Willow Nightingale! The Babe with The Power stands in Mariah’s way! The fans fire up for this one, but then wait! Here comes Mina Shirakawa! Willow looks for the Fighting Gravure Idol, but Mariah CLOBBERS her with the belt first! And that shocks Mina! Mariah runs up to pick Mina up in her eyes, and she sweeps Mina up in the celebration! Mina is unsure what to do, but here comes Yuka!

Mariah runs away, and Mina is literally caught in between her former friend and her peers! Will it take her friendship with Mariah to snap Mariah out of this insanity? Or will Mariah keep AEW #AllAboutMay?

AEW World Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Darby Allin VS Jon Moxley w/ Marina Shafir!

The Relentless One was supposed to be fighting for the world title tonight, but The Maniac got in his way. Moxley doesn’t think Darby is ready to reach the mountaintop, and wanted Darby to simply hand over that golden ticket. Darby dared Moxley to take it from him, is that exactly what’s going to happen? Or will Darby prove Moxley doesn’t know what he’s talking about?

The introductions are made, the stakes are raised, and we see who will live the WrestleDream in Tacoma, Washington!

The bell rings and Darby runs up, into a BOOT! Moxley uses Darby’s style against him there, and then puts him in a corner. Moxley CHOPS, and CHOPS, then ROCKS Darby with forearm after forearm. Moxley climbs to CLAW Darby’s face! The ref counts, Moxley lets off at 4, and he runs Darby corner to corner to TOSS him into buckles! Darby falls, writhes, but Moxley stomps his hand! Moxley BOOTS Darby, drags him up, and puts him against ropes. Moxley makes Darby bite the rope, to then KICK the rope! Darby gets jammed up right in the teeth! Moxley drags Darby up, makes him bite more ropes, then KICKS ropes again!

The fans boo while Darby writhes, bleeding from the mouth! Moxley drags Darby up, scoops and SLAMS him into ropes! Moxley scoops and SLAMS Darby into ropes again! Moxley then puts a leg on the ropes, to HIP DROP it! The fans rally for Darby while Moxley paces. The ref checks Darby but Darby is still in this. Darby fires forearms on Moxley but Moxley ROCKS him right back. Moxley whips Darby hard into the corner, and Darby goes between ropes to tumble out onto apron, steel steps, and then floor! Marina likes what she sees, but the ref has her back up. Darby crawls his way to the ramp side and a ring count starts.

Darby drags himself up with the apron skirt, Moxley goes out after him, but Darby trips Moxley into the apron skirt! The fans fire up as Darby HAMMERS away on Moxley, then CLAWS Moxley’s back! Moxley shoves Darby away, but Darby runs up to SHOTGUN! Moxley stumbles, Darby JUMPS on him for a SLEEPER! Darby fires more hands, but Moxley THROWS him off! Moxley goes to the ring, Darby crawls in after him! Darby gets Moxley on the apron, drags him up a corner, and sticks Moxley’s arm inside the post!? There isn’t some kind of topper on those?! Darby HAMMERs the arm, CLAWS Moxley’s face, but lets off as the ref counts.

Darby steps back inside while Marina helps Moxley. Moxley is free, but Darby goes up! SUPER COFFIN DROP!! Down goes both men and the fans are thunderous! Surprisingly, Moxley stands up first, but Darby runs up on him! Darby puts Moxley in the ring, but Moxley bails out. So Darby DIVES! Down goes Moxley again! And this time Darby is up first, and he grabs a chair. The fans fire up for Darby as he sets that chair up nearby. Darby drags Moxley around, but Marina stands in the way. The fans boo as Marina and Darby stare down. Moxley slithers away, Darby pursues, and they’re on the apron. Moxley scoops to SLAM Darby on the apron!

The fans boo but Moxley leaves Darby behind. Moxley has the ref check him over, and that lets Marina stomp away on Darby! Talk about a Problem! Marina BODY BLOWS Darby! The fans boo, but Moxley takes his time going outside. Darby flounders back to the ring, so Moxley drags him into a corner. Moxley uses his boot to push Darby’s head against the post, while pulling on his arm! Darby endures, the ref counts, and Moxley lets go at 4. Darby crawls away from the corner while Dynamite once again goes picture in picture.

The ref checks Darby, but he refuses to give in. Moxley snarls as he storms back into the ring. Moxley looms over Darby, drags him up, reels him in, but Darby fights the lift! Moxley still hoists Darby up, still holds him up, and then the PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Darby is shill in this and Moxley is furious! Moxley storms around, drags Darby back up, and winds up to ROCK him with a forearm! Darby staggers before he falls over, and Moxley storms up on him again. Moxley drags Darby to center, STOMPS him in the gut, then turns him over to a HALF CRAB! Then shift into an STF! Darby endures as Moxley grinds him down!

Darby fights, reaches out, but Moxley lets go to STOMP that hand! Darby crawls to a corner, but Moxley drags him up to TOSS him out! Moxley tells the ref to call it, but then Moxley goes outside. Moxley and the ref argue, and that just lets Marina get more cheap shots in! The fans give thumbs down but Marina gets away with it all. Moxley goes after Darby now, but Darby TACKLES him! Darby fires fists, but Moxley turns it around to fire forearms! The ref reprimands as Moxley BITES Darby on the face! Moxley lets off to then drag Darby up and into the ring. Dynamite returns to single picture as Moxley aims from the corner.

Moxley winds up as Darby stands, and Moxley LARIATS Darby back down! Cover, TWO! Moxley is annoyed with Darby, so he ELBOWS, then KICKS, and repeat! Darby writhes as Moxley lets off, and the fans rally up. Moxley drags Darby up, scoops, but Darby fires elbows! THROWBACK STUNNER! Moxley staggers and flops out of the ring! Moxley takes a seat in that chair from earlier, and Darby hurries up top again! SUPER MISSILE DROPKICK! Moxley falls right over in the chair and the fans fire up! Darby pushes Moxley in, runs up, CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Moxley survives but Darby has a wild look in his eyes!

Darby hurries up top, rips the buckle pad away, and then looks at Moxley. Darby drags Moxley up but Moxley fights off the buckle bump! Moxley throws elbows into Darby, then runs up, to SHOTGUN Darby into a corner! The fans fire up as Darby clips buckles, and Moxley clutches own back. Moxley snarls and uses anger to ignore the pain. Moxley drags Darby up, reels him in, suplex, but Darby slips free to O’Conner Roll! TWO but Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover again, TWO!! But Darby has the FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Darby bends Moxley’s fingers! Moxley endures, rolls, but Darby reels him in, GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!!

Moxley endures but the fans rally behind Darby! Moxley powers Darby to the top rope, but Darby SLAPS him! So Moxley SLAPS Darby to the floor! The fans rally while Moxley paces around. The ring count begins, but Moxley is impatient. He goes out to pull the steel steps away, and Marina pulls up the floormats! The fans are freaking out already as the hard wood is exposed! Moxley nods, and says this is what Darby wanted. Moxley storms over to Darby, drags him to the wood, and he underhooks! PARA- NO, Darby slips free! Darby staggers, Moxley runs in, but Darby sends him into the steel steps!

Darby refreshes the ring count and again has wild eyes! Moxley hobbles, but Darby BOOTS him from the apron! Darby runs, DIVES, but Moxley moves! Darby hits hard wood and nothing else!! Moxley then gets Darby up, X PLEX onto steel steps!!! Darby writhes, Moxley leaves him behind, and the fans are losing their minds as the ring count climbs! Moxley sits back and waits. The fans tell Moxley he’s sick but we’re past 5 of 10! And then 8! Darby springs to life at 9 to slide in at 9.9!! The fans are thunderous and Moxley is frustrated now. The fans chant “You Can’t Kill Him!” and maybe they’re right.

But Moxley takes that as a challenge now, and he dares Darby to get up. Darby fires hands from all sides! The fans fire up, but Moxley SLAPS Darby right to a corner! Moxley runs up, but into the bare buckle!! Darby rolls Moxley up, TWO!!! Moxley survives, but Darby goes up top! COFFIN DROP, into the REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Darby is caught in sleeper and body scissors!! Darby flails, reaches out, claws at the hold, slaps at Moxley’s face, but Moxley turns him over for a BULLY CHOKE!!! Darby endures again, but he’s sputtering, foaming at the mouth, and fading out!! Wait, now Darby GRINS?! Darby sputters, but he fights to the ROPEBREAK!!

The fans are thunderous as Moxley lets Darby go! Darby still has life, but Moxley drags him back up. Moxley goes up top, drags Darby in, HANGING SLEEPER!! Darby CLAWS Moxley’s face! Moxley lets Darby go, Darby goes up after him to fire haymakers! Darby then shifts around, goes to the very top, and he BITES Moxley’s head! Marina goes to the apron, the ref reprimands, but Darby dares her to do something. Marina can’t, so Darby- SUPER PARADIGM SHIFT?!?! Moxley busts that one outta nowhere, and he covers, to WIN!!

Winner: Jon Moxley, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW World Championship)

The Relentless One certainly proved that to be true, but he could not overcome The Maniac. And now, the WrestleDream might become a nightmare as- WAIT! Bryan Danielson runs in from the crowd, armed with a neck tie!! Bryan CHOKES Moxley with it!! Marina jumps on Marina to CHOKE Bryan!! Bryan won’t let go of Moxley, so now Claudio & Pac run out here! Three people have to pry Bryan away from Moxley, and fans chant for “YUTA! YUTA!” But here comes Private Party and Komander! They still want their shot at revenge, and Brother Zay has that busted hand all taped up!

The fans fire up as things are now even, but Claudio sends Marq Quen into barriers! Pac does the same to Komander, and then Moxley TOSSES Zay! But Bryan is up, “YES! YES! YES!” But Claudio drags Moxley out of the ring to avoid the Busaiku Knee! Bryan grabs a mic to shout at Moxley, “You said you wanted war?! I DECLARE WAR!!” The fans fire up for that one! Bryan continues by saying, “Here’s the thing. You want a shot at my AEW World Championship? You got it! Me, and you, at WrestleDream! And I’m gonna kick your EFFIN’ head in!!” The fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” but Claudio whispers something to Moxley.

Bryan Danielson is ready to fight the man he once called friend, but will Saturday, October 12th be the end? Or will The Maniac fail to slay The American Dragon?

My Thoughts:

An awesome Dynamite here, really making the most of their time in Grand Slam. And I’ve said this in the past that keeping the championship status quo is fine, so long as it is all done in great, entertaining ways, and we certainly got that tonight. Granted, I expected a bit more out of that FTW Championship match, but maybe that’s just from Chris Jericho always going the extra mile in wacky weapons and overbooking. Hook of course retained against Roddy, but the surprising thing is that, though rumored for a few weeks now, the FTW Championship is once again “retired.” Hook can move on from here, and I would think he goes for the TNT Championship.

The only thing about that, though, is that Collision is being recorded right after Dynamite, it isn’t going to be live on Saturday. Hook VS Roddy probably held itself back as an FTW Rules match so Hook wouldn’t be wiped out and could still do a match with Jack Perry. It might be a bit much, but they’re in New York, that’s Hook’s territory, so I would think the fans would love seeing more Hook. But even then, I don’t see Jack losing the TNT Championship on TV, even if it is Grand Slam. That might be more a PPV level thing, against someone more like Daniel Garcia. Though, Garcia is also a New York guy, maybe he gets the Open Challenge match?

I appreciate that we didn’t get as many promos as usual on a Dynamite, and we made sure the promos we got were important. Nana gave a rather expected update on Swerve, but what a surprise to see MVP here tonight! And quite the intriguing move for MVP to offer his managerial services to Swerve. I would think Swerve politely declines and sticks with Nana, which can then give us Swerve VS Bobby Lashley, each man having a manager that could get involved. Hurt Business signing with AEW right as a handful of AEW stars are considering their options in WWE, certainly interesting timing but perhaps it just couldn’t be helped.

The other promo being Conglomeration hyping up their Trios Tornado match was also very good, but I really did mean that about the shirt thing. “Interesting timing” is more like poor timing here. AEW has a new and very clever Conglomeration shirt idea, only for it to be obsolete because they need to add Rocky now. That Trios Tornado is going to be great stuff, probably goes either way, and I would love if Big Bill gets a lot of shine being a New Yorker, and also because fans are starting to accept Bill. Something has to happen where Bill breaks free from Jericho, what with that line from a few weeks ago, “If you think you have a friend in this business, they’re just using you.” I’d love to see Jericho show his true colors, Bill gives him a choke slam, Conglomeration wins.

And speaking of Conglomeration, I didn’t think Willow would lose only to move up to the world title scene. Great match from Mariah VS Yuka, and great win for Mariah, only for Willow and Mina to both show up. Yuka didn’t look all that done with Mariah, either, so maybe we get a tag team match first, Willow & Yuka VS Mariah & Mina. And depending on how that goes, we can easily pivot into Mariah VS Mina given Mina did a pretty good job showing her conflicted feelings over how Mariah was acting just tonight. And if they want to stretch this story a bit, that’s fine, Willow can get the WrestleDream match, and then Mariah VS Mina is for Full Gear.

Awesome tag team match from The Bucks VS United Empire, but it still went as the math showed last week, aka Bucks retained. Good use of Callis and that evil screwdriver, though, as Ospreay left The Don Callis Family over the very same disagreement. Kyle was ready to jab a Buck with the screwdriver, Ospreay said no, and Callis will surely bend this into blaming Ospreay. Might complicate my hopes that Kyle was to join Ospreay, but maybe there will be some more twists and turns along the way. But this all opens the door for WrestleDream, Bucks can defend against just about any team, while Ospreay has to worry about Ricochet next week for the Dynamite Anniversary before going on to the PPV. It would be wild if we get Ospreay VS Fletcher for the International Championship because of Callis’ manipulation.

And great move bookending the show with the AEW World Championship story. Anyone that thought Nigel VS Bryan was going to main event was not thinking of AEW doing things realistically here. No one is going to schedule a main event that might not even happen, so you of course open with it instead. Granted, we all knew Bryan was showing up, this was a great call. Awesome opener, but Bryan of course won. Very clever move for Christian Cage to try a cash-in, only for Kip Sabian to stop it. And the detail of Pac & Claudio being just behind the curtain was also good, as they weren’t going to let anyone else take this title off Bryan, this is for Moxley to do.

Awesome match from Moxley VS Darby, and I did not expect so much blood from Darby’s mouth. Of course Marina was a factor during the match, and while in a vacuum, it is a shame Darby lost his world title match opportunity, there is obviously a lot of heat to this Bryan VS Moxley story. Bryan using a neck tie as a nod to when he did that to Justin Roberts was clever, and good move for Private Party & Komander to help Bryan fight off BCC. Seems the World Trios Championship match is still on if Zay’s gonna be out here, so it kinda falls on what Yuta chooses to do. Will Yuta still fight to win? Or will he throw the match at screw over BCC?

My Score: 9/10