Will the reign of terror finally come to an end?

AEW’s most dangerous men, Jon Moxley and Swerve Strickland, battle for THE World Championship, and the right to lead this Dynasty!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Zero Hour – Six Man Tag: AR Fox & Top Flight VS Nick Wayne & The Cru; Nick & Cru win.
• Zero Hour – Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge: Max Caster VS Anthony Bowens w/ Billy Gunn; Bowens wins.
• 2025 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Opening Round: Will Ospreay VS Kevin Knight; Ospreay wins and advances.
• AEW World Tag Team Championships: Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin w/ MVP VS “Big Bill” Morrissey & Bryan Keith; Lashley & Benjamin win and retain the titles.
• 2025 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Opening Round: Mercedes Mone VS Julia Hart; Mone wins and advances.
• AEW World Trios Championships: The Death Riders VS Rated FTR; The Death Riders win and retain the titles.
• AEW Women’s World Championship: Toni Storm VS Megan Bayne; Toni wins and retains the title.
• 2025 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Opening Round: Kyle Fletcher VS Mark Briscoe; Fletcher wins and advances.
• ROH World Championship Title VS Mask: Chris Jericho VS Bandido; Bandido wins and becomes the new ROH World Champion.
• AEW TNT Championship, No Time Limit, Full Ringside Ban: Daniel Garcia VS Adam Cole; Cole wins and becomes the new AEW TNT Champion.
• AEW International Championship Triple Threat: Kenny Omega VS Ricochet VS “Speedball” Mike Bailey; Omega wins and retains the title.
• AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley VS Swerve Strickland; Moxley wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the AEW Dynasty Zero Hour!

Join Renee Paquette, RJ City & Jeff Jarrett in discussing, analyzing and predicting all of the action here in the City of Brotherly Love!

 

Backstage interview with Ricochet.

Lexy Nair is with The One & Only and brings up his challenge for the AEW International Championship being in a rather unusual circumstance. Ricochet wanted Kenny Omega, but now he’s got Omega and Mike Bailey. Where is his head at? Ricochet says it is no secret that since his AEW debut, he has been on the quest for championship gold. And despite his Herculean efforts, he has been screwed all along the way. Whether that was AEW stacking the odds in Triple Threats, some prancing, dancing manager, or a bunch of jackasses in the crowd, Ricochet has been screwed.

But now, they are in Philadelphia, the city of champions! Nothing will stop him from being the NEW AEW International Champion, and showing everybody why Ricochet is Outta This World! AHA~! Ricochet heads out, but will he fly like an eagle and become a champion?

 

Zero Hour – Six Man Tag: AR Fox & Top Flight w/ Leila Grey VS Nick Wayne & The Cru w/ The Patriarchy!

There is a lot of history here, as we’ve seen The Whole Fox’n Show win $300,000 alongside Darius & Dante Martin, but we’ve also seen Fox assault The Patriarchy’s Prodigy within an inch of his life. Darius & Dante used to be on the same team with Lio Rush & Action Andretti, but ambition and ego got in the way. Nick claims he is only fighting Fox for himself, but will he and The Cru still stand tall together? Or will Fox & Flight soar like the eagle here in Philly?

The teams sort out and Philly is fired up for “A R FOX! A R FOX!” as he starts against Action. The bell rings, but then Action bails out. The fans boo, The Cru laughs, but Fox FLIES! Down goes The Cru! Top Flight goes after Nick and then helps with The Cru! The fans fire up as Dante throws down hands, Darius stomps, and Fox puts Nick in the ring. Nick bails out, The Cru rushes in, but Fox fires kicks and hands on them first! The fans fire up, Fox runs, but The Cru split the difference! Lio grabs a leg, Action hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, Darius BOOTS Lio onto it! Darius whips, Lio reverses, and Nick trips Darius!

Nick drags Darius out but Darius DECKS Nick! Dante half nelsons Lio but Lio fights and arm-drags free! Dante runs up, Lio slips under, and Action CLOBBERS Dante! Action tags Lio in, the Cru storms up on Fox again, and they fire hands! The fans boo, Action CHOPS, and The Cru double whip. Fox KICKS Lio, TOSSES Action, then goes Matrix to dodge Lio! Hot tag to Darius! The fans fire up as things speed up! Darius CLOBBERS Lio, BLASTS Nick, then BOOTS Lio! Darius keeps moving, and he BULLDOG HOTSHOTS Lio! SUPERKICK for Action! GAMANGIRI for Lio! But Nick RAMS Darius into steel steps! Darius tumbles and the fans boo, but Nick eggs Philly on!

Kip Sabian makes a cameraman focus on Nick, the “star” of the show, and Nick drags Fox Darius into the ring. Lio stomps Darius, rains down fists, but the ref reprimands. Lio lets off to taunt Dante, “SUCK IT!” Lio bumps Darius off buckles, tags Action, and Action fires hands. Action tags Nick, Nick stomps Darius and snapmares him. Nick drops a leg, then covers, TWO! Nick stays on Darius with kicks, then he bumps Darius off buckles. Tag to Lio and he stomps Darius. The fans rally but Lio snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Lio keeps Darius down with a facelock but the fans rally again. Darius fights as Dante & Fox coach him up.

Darius reaches out, Lio grinds the hold, then Lio gator rolls Darius away. Tag to Action and he stomps Darius. Action kicks Darius and talks trash but the fans rally again. Darius CHOPS Action, then UPPERCUTS! Action CLUBS Darius, then he snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Darius is tougher than that, but Action clamps on with a chinlock. The fans rally as Darius endures, but Action thrashes him around. Action drags Darius up, RAMS him into the corner again and again, then tags Lio. Lio snapmares Darius, then KICKS him in the back. Lio swaggers, then he sucker punches Dante! The ref keeps Dante back, and Lio CLAWS Darius’ face!

The fans boo, Lio grins, and Lio brings Darius around to wrench. Darius fires body shots, but Lio CLUBS him down. Lio gator rolls Darius again and tags Nick. Nick stomps Darius now, but the fans boo more. Nick drags Darius up, snapmares and KICKS! Cover, ONE!! Darius is toughing it out but Nick keeps him down with a facelock. Nick drags Darius over, tags Lio, and they mug Darius. Darius fires body shots in return, then he ROCKS Lio! And ROCKS him again! The fans fire up but Lio BOOTS Darius! Then he sucker punches Fox! But Darius DROPKICKS Lio! Both men are down, and the fans fire up again!

Darius crawls, Lio shakes out the stars, and Darius hot tags Dante! The fans fire up as Dante rallies on Lio, then whips. Lio reverses, runs up, but Dante slips out, goes up and around, and GAMANGIRIS! Dante SUPERKICKS Nick, then springboards in, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Lio stays in this but the fans fire up with Dante. Dante hurries to a corner and climbs. Kip is creeping up but Dante stares him down. Action sneaks a chain necklace to Lio! Lio runs up, but Dante SUPERKICKS him down! And he sees the chain! They both scramble for it! They tug-o-war while Kip keeps the ref distracted!

Dante THROWS Lio out, but Action rolls Dante up! TWO, and Lio is back to roll Dante, for Action to BOOT! Lio fires a fast strike fest, then Cru DOUBLE BRAINBUSTERS! Cover, Darius breaks it! Darius TOSSES Lio, then goes out to throw hands! The fans fire up while Action stands Dante up. Action torture racks, but Dante fights free! Dante flips up and over Action, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then springboards to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Action and Dante crawl, hot tags to Nick and Fox! A fated encounter as Fox RAMS into Nick! Fox goes up, up, but Nick avoids the 450 attack! Only for Fox to flip through and CANNONBALL Action!

Nick reels Fox in, but Fox hits the ANARCHY! Lio is back, he kicks Fox, and then whips. Fox reverses, then runs up to A-LIST LARIAT! Fox ELBOWS Action, skins the cat, and DROPKICKS Lio to then roll and STUNNER Action! Fox dodges Lio, then DOUBLE CUTTERS Lio & Nick!! The fans are thunderous and Fox has targets all around the ring! Fox builds speed to FLY! Down goes Cru! Then he FLIES and Fox takes out Nick! The fans fire up more as Fox puts Nick back in! Fox runs, and he FLIES to take out Cru again! Fox is right up top, Philly roars for the SWANTON but onto knees! Nick runs up, but Fox goes Matrix!

Nick SUPERKICKS Fox! Darius is back in, he slips around Nick and hits a SPANISH FLY! But Action mule kicks, knee lifts, and ROLLING ELBOWS! Darius CHOSP! Action ROUNDHOUSES! Action whips, Darius reverses, but Action handsprings to BACK ELBOW! Dante slides in but Action shoves him. Dante springboard SHOTGUNS! Lio slides in, he bobs ‘n’ weaves to whip, but Dante reverses. Lio reverses that, Dante reverses back, but gets RUSH HOUR! Fox BOOTS Lio! Nick BOOTS Fox! Nick goes up, but Fox is right up after him! LOW MEIN PAIN!! The fans are thunderous but Kip distracts the ref again!

Leila YANKS Kip down! And then dares Superbad to do something! But Shayna SHOVES Fox off the corner!! WAYNE’S WORLD!! Cover, Nick & Cru win!!

Winners: Nick Wayne & The Cru, by pinfall

It may not have been The Patriarchy, but the numbers game is the same! Has the Prodigy found teammates that actually respect him? Will Nick use this momentum as he goes into NJPW’s Best of the Super Juniors?

 

Zero Hour – Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge: Max Caster VS ???

Platinum Max promised just last night on Collision to do this, so here he is. He shows off his “official” document, and he has them cut his music like a certain other Max. “Philadelphia, you are lookin’ live at the Best Wrestler Alive!” The fans boo, but Caster says, “There’s been a lot of names talked about with this match. But we all know that the Maximaniacs here in Philly only wanna say one name and one name only. Guys, it’s time to chant my name! ‘Let’s Go, Max! You’re the Best Wrestler Alive! Let’s Go, Max! You’re the Best Wrestler Alive!'” Wait, the fans are actually trying it? But Caster says you gotta match his inflection!

The fans try but Caster stops them. Even when he gets what he wants, it isn’t enough. Caster tells Philly they are allegedly the greatest sports city in the United States. Allegedly! So what he needs right now is for them to show up for him like they did all the great Philly athletes in history. They need to show up for the Best Wrestler Alive, Platinum Max, and here’s something that’ll make them feel at home. Caster unzips the jacket, to reveal a BEN SIMMONS Philadelphia 76ers jersey! The fans boo, but Caster says let’s try this again! Just like you would for Simmons… “Let’s Go, Max! You’re the Best Wrestler Alive!”

The fans change it to “Worst Wrestler Alive,” so Caster says they’re not as great as New York like where he’s from. The fans boo but Caster says time for business. Who can survive the Best Wrestler Alive? We all look to the stage, and then the lights go out! A new song plays, and it’s ANTHONY BOWENS! Philly erupts as The 5 Tool Player has returned and he looks better than ever! And he even has Daddy Ass with him! Will the Scissor King, The Pride of Pro-Wrestling, finally shut Caster up?

The fans cheer, “F HIM UP, BOWENS, F HIM UP!” Caster points to his document, but Bowens snatches it and TOSSES it! They shove each other, the ref has them back up, and Bowens puts his entrance attire aside. The bell rings, Caster runs up, but Bowens DECKS him! Bowens eggs on the Best Wrester Alive to then mule kick, front KICK, and FAMOUSER! The fans fire up and Bowens says “Throw ’em up!” Everyone puts up their scissors, and Bowens winds up to show ROCK!! Cover, Bowens wins!

Winner: Anthony Bowens, by pinfall

Caster is 0-8 at his own challenge, but the biggest thing about this is that Bowens is ready to make history! Will nothing and no one stop The 5 Tool Player from being THE Face of AEW?

 

When the chance is in front of you to build a legacy…

… how will you seize it? What lengths do you go to in your mind? Where do you allow yourself to go physically? Because any true Dynasty only exists when you win. On a night like this, in a city built by a championship grit, the moment is yours, so take it!

 

2025 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Opening Round: Will Ospreay VS Kevin Knight!

The Aerial Assassin and The Jet teamed together and were victorious, but now they must test each other as opponents. Ospreay already called his shot for All In: Texas, will he hit this one out of the park? Or will Knight be #2Fly2Stop now that he’s All Elite?

The bell rings and the fans sing for “OSPREAY~, OSPREAY OSPREAY OSPREAY~!” Knight smiles and brushes that off. Ospreay and Knight shake hands, the fans cheer the sportsmanship, and the two tie up. Knight wrenches to wristlock, but Ospreay uses the ropes to flip through. Ospreay wrenches and wristlocks, but Knight fights up. Knight rolls, handsprings, and wrenches to WRING Ospreay! The fans are torn as Knight smiles and eggs Ospreay on. Ospreay runs up, Knight hurdles then REVERSE MONKEY FLIPS Ospreay! Ospreay goes to a corner, Knight runs up to LARIAT, then he cravats for a snapmare.

Knight runs, SLIDING SHOULDER TACKLES, then covers, ONE!! Ospreay is tougher than that but Knight keeps cool. Knight stomps Ospreay, UPPERCUTS him, then wrenches and whips. Ospreay grabs ropes, then he FLAPJACKS Knight! Ospreay BOOTS Knight right out of the ring! The fans are thunderous already and Ospreay PLANCHAS! Down goes Knight at the ramp! The fans fire up, Ospreay bows to the Owen Hart Cup itself, and he puts Knight back in the ring. Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Ospreay keeps his focus on Knight. Ospreay brings Knight up, and CHOPS!

The fans “WOO~” and Ospreay stalks Knight to a corner. Ospreay CHOPS Knight again! Knight goes to a corner, but he puts Ospreay in the corner to CHOP back! But Ospreay clamps on with a COBRA TWIST! Knight endures, but Ospreay digs his knuckles into Knight’s ribs! The fans rally, Knight pries at the hold, and Knight hip tosses free! Knight then drags Ospreay up, but Ospreay CHOPS! Ospreay whips Knight to a corner, but Knight comes back and CLOBBERS Ospreay! And CLOBBERS him again! Knight whips, Ospreay reverses, but Knight goes up and over to come back and LARIAT! The fans fire up with Knight now!

Knight scoops Ospreay, SLAMS him, then UFO SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is still in this and the fans rally up. Knight drags Ospreay up to fireman’s carry, but Ospreay slips free to spin Knight around! Knight fights the suplex, then Knight suplexes, but Ospreay STUN DOG MILLIONAIRES! Ospreay whips, Knight reverses, but Ospreay NEURALIZER KICKS! The fans fire up, Ospreay crawls to a cover, TWO! Knight stays in this and Ospreay nods. The fans rally up as Ospreay prepares the elbow pad. Ospreay aims from a corner, Knight rises, HIDDEN- NO, Knight hurdles over! And BOOTS in return!

Knight runs, BOOTS again, then reels Ospreay in! GERMAN SUPLEX, but Ospreay lands out! Ospreay CHOPS, runs, but Knight runs up! Ospreay gets around to SNAP GERMAN! Ospreay holds on, but Knight fires elbows! Ospreay CHOPS again, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Knight gets air again and fires up! The fans cheer, Knight runs, but into a SPANISH FLY! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Ospreay rises first, and he drags Knight up. Ospreay CHOPS Knight back down! Ospreay stands Knight up again, and CHOPS! The fans rally and duel, and Knight stays on his feet! Ospreay CHOPS Knight again!

Knight glares up at Ospreay, shakes his head, so Ospreay eggs him on. The fans fire up as Knight fires a forearm! Ospreay CHOPS! Knight forearms, Ospreay CHOPS, repeat! Ospreay fires up, the fans are with him, and he CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Knight shakes his head, roars, and he fires forearm after forearm! The fans fire up as Knight fires shot after shot, then DECKS Ospreay!! Knight brings Ospreay up, whips, but Ospreay reverses! Knight ducks the chop to CHOP, then runs, into the TIGER WALL KCIK! Knight DROPKICKS first! Knight goes corner to corner but Ospreay BOOTS him! Ospreay goes up, Knight sends him to the UPPER ROOM!

Ospreay tumbles out, Knight builds speed, but Ospreay dodges! Knight slides out, goes up and over the corner to PLANCHA! Down goes Ospreay and the fans are thunderous! Knight says L F G, then puts Ospreay in the ring. Knight runs up, SATELLITE- NO, Ospreay puts Knight on the apron! Knight ROCKS Ospreay, but Ospreay KNEES him in return! Ospreay runs, FLYING SUNSET FLIPS, but Knight holds onto the ropes! Ospreay pries Knight free, tucks him in, but Knight sits back up! SATELLITE DDT to the ramp!! The fans are thunderous again, and even losing their minds, while both men are down.

Referee Aubrey Edwards checks both men, and somehow they’re both okay to continue. Knight rolls into the ring, but Ospreay is still down at 5 of 10! Ospreay stirs at 6, rises at 8, but Knight SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans are electric as Knight puts Ospreay in, then somersaults for the SATELLITE DDT!! Cover, TWO!?! Ospreay survives all those high impacts and Knight is shocked! The fans rally and Knight goes a corner. “This is Awesome!” as Knight aims, springboards, but Ospreay dodges! Ospreay runs up, slips through the lariat, then hauls Knight up! Knight RANA, but Ospreay blocks it!

Ospreay raises Knight up, but Knight RANAS after all! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay narrowly escapes and Philly is giving this a standing ovation! Ospreay ROCKS Knight, Knight wobbles but roars! Ospreay SWATS the lariat, HOOK KICKS, then calls his shot! OSC- DROPKICK! Antiair from Knight connects, then he hurries to the corner! Knight is up top, U F O LANDING!! Cover, TWO!?!? Ospreay survives and Knight can’t believe it! Knight goes to a corner while the fans duel as hard as they can, and Knight springboards in! FLYING- CUTTER!! Ospreay hurries to springboard, but Knight catches him to a backslide! TWO!!!

Ospreay hauls Knight up to POWRBOMG, then STYLES CLASH!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Ospreay doesn’t hesitate, he just springboards, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!!! Knight survives again, but Ospreay aims again! HIDDEN BLADE!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Knight wants to be #The1YouLookUp2, but Ospreay is still #OnAnotherLevel. They shake hands to show respect, and while Ospreay moves on in The Owen, Knight prepares for the Best of the Super Juniors. Will both these men be hoisting up trophies before the end of the summer?

 

AEW World Tag Team Championships: Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin w/ MVP VS “Big Bill” Morrissey & Bryan Keith!

The Hurt Syndicate crashed the Private Party, they outdrew The Gunns, and they ran through the Outrunners. Needless to say, they’ve been dominant. But The Redwood & Bad Apple were given an ultimatum from Chris Jericho: They need to win something that matters, or be cut off from The Learning Tree. Will Bill & Keith finally win when it matters? Or will Lashley & Shelton show them how they hurt people?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who’s really the biggest and the baddest!

The teams sort out and MVP joins commentary. Lashley starts against Keith and the fans rally up. Keith backs off to a corner and the ref has Lashley step back. Keith then steps out from the corner, circles with Lashley, but then he tags Bill. The fans cheer for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” as Lashley and Bill stare down. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Lashley pulls hair, puts Bill in the corner, and he tags Shelton. Bill CLUBS Lashley then ROCKS Shelton! BOOT for Lashley, BOOT for Shelton, then Bill LARIATS Lashley up and out! Bill runs to LARIAT Shelton up and out! The fans fire up for Bill as he gets himself fired up!

Bill waits on the Hurt Syndicate, and MVP leaves commentary to he can huddle up with them. Philly cheers Bill on more while Lashley storms back into the ring. But then Shelton tags in, so Bill goes out after him! Bill ROCKS Shelton, puts him in the ring, but Shelton STEP-UP KNEES Bill! The fans fire up while Bill flops in! Shelton tags Lashley and they get Bill up. They mug Bill, Lashley bumps Bill off buckles, then RAMS into him again and again! The fans are torn, the ref counts, but Lashley lets off to flex. Lashley bumps Bill off buckles, tags Shelton, and Shelton fires hands. Shelton then winds up, but Bill UPPERCUTS!

Shelton dodges a lariat, waistlocks, but Bill powers him to the corner. Tag to Keith and Bill scoops Shelton to SLAM! Keith drops a KNEE on Shelton’s face! Cover, ONE!! Keith rains down fists, then lets off to stand Shelton up. Keith ROCKS Shelton, but Shelton snarls. Keith ROCKS Shelton, but Shelton LARIATS Keith! Shelton whips Keith, then BACKDROPS him! The fans fire up while Keith writhes. Shelton puts Keith in the corner, fires hands, then he tags Lashley. Shelton digs boots into Keith, and Lashley runs up, but he blocks Keith’s boot! Lashley LARIATS Keith down, and the fans fire up for Lashley!

Lashley drags Keith up, TOSSES him out, then tags Shelton. Shelton goes after Keith, and he RAMS him into the barriers! Then the apron! Then the barriers! Then the apron again! Shelton brings Keith around, to THROW into the barriers! The fans cheer and sing, “We Hurt~ People!” Shelton drags Keith back up and into the ring, then stalks him. Shelton keeps Keith from Bill, then tags Lashley. The Syndicate mugs Keith, then Lashley stares Bill down while he suplexes Keith! Lashley holds Keith up, and with one hand, before the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Keith snarls as he toughs it out, but Lashley stays on him for a gut wrench!

Lashley has the Canadian Rack, but Keith lands out of the Dominator! Lashley ducks a kick, rolls Keith up, TWO! Both men stand, Lashley runs up, but Keith sends him into buckles! The fans rally as Keith and Lashley crawl, hot tag to Shelton! Shelton pushes Keith back, blocks a boot, then kicks, only for Keith to block! Keith ducks the Dragon Whip! Hot tag to Bill! Bill LARIATS Shelton, DECKS Lashley, then LARIATS Shelton again! Bill sends Lashley into a corner, runs up and SPLASHES! SPLASH for Shelton! Another SPLASH for Lashley! Another SPLASH for Shelton! BOOT for Lashley and the fans fire up again!

But Shelton GERMAN SUPLEXES Bill?! Cover, TWO!! Bill snarls as he stays in this, but Shelton fires hands! Bill glares at Shelton while the fans sing, “We Hurt~ People!” Shelton runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Bill scoops for the SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, TWO! MVP is a bit worried but claims he’s on his feet to get a better look. Bill grabs Shelton for the SKYSCRAP- ARM-DRAG! And SUPERKICK! Shelton has Bill in a corner, runs up, but Bill BOOTS Shelton down! Tag to Keith, and Bill runs in for a SPLASH! But Lashley CLOBBERS Keith! Lashley then catches Bill to FLATLINER! The fans fire up while Lashley stalks Bill!

Lashley reels Bill in, but Bill scoops Lashley! SNAKE EYES, and a LARIAT! Lashley is outside the ring, Bill goes out after him! MVP argues with the ref as Bill runs up, but Lashley sends him into barriers! Lashley runs up, but into BOOTS! MJF is there?!? SUCKER PUNCH from MJF, then Lashley SPEARS Bill!! MJF applauds and the fans cheer! Lashley is pissed, he can’t believe MJF just helped him take out Big Bill! Lashley storms back to the corner, MJF shrugs, and The Syndicate sees Keith is all alone. Keith knows it, too, and Shelton GERMAN SUPLEXES him! Lashley adds a SPEAR!! Cover, Hurt Syndicate wins!

Winners: The Hurt Syndicate, by pinfall (still AEW World Tag Team Champions)

Maxwell Jacob Friedman said he’d prove himself to the Hurt Syndicate, and he gave them the unsolicited assist. Will Montel Vontavious Porter have to talk with him about it later? As for Bill & Keith, will this be the last straw with The Learning Tree?

 

2025 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Opening Round: Mercedes Mone VS Julia Hart!

The (self-proclaimed) greatest TBS Champion is facing a former TBS Champion, both of them wanting to win the Women’s Owen Hart Cup. Will #FourBeltsMone soon upgrade to five? Or will the Princess of the Black Throne soon become the Queen of Harts?

The bell rings and the fans duel. The two circle, tie up, and Mone waistlocks. Hart switches, then headlocks, but Mone powers up and out. Hart handsprings over and the fans cheer. Hart smiles, but Mone kicks low! Mone whips, but Hart blocks the hip toss! Mone blocks a hip toss, but Hart knees low and flips up and over! Mone takes a swing, Hart ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl and RANA! Mone flounders to a corner, the fans fire up, and Hart runs up, only to be sent into buckles! Mone stomps a mudhole in, then digs her boots into Hart. The ref counts, Mone steps off and throws her armbands at Hary.

Harley Cameron is watching backstage with “Mini Mone,” and Mercedes Mone scoops Hart. Mone puts Hart in the Tree of Woe, then Mone stomps another mudhole in. The ref reprimands, Mone sneaks some heel kicks, then she gut wrenches Hart off the corner for CIPHER- NO, Hart victory rolls it! TWO and Mone victory rolls it! TWO, and Mone goes for the Gory Especial! Hart fights that to a backslide, TWO! Mone CHOPS! Hart sputters, Mone knuckle locks, and Mone goes up, up, but she slips! Mone arm-drags anyway, but the fans boo. Mone just does her dance to show it doesn’t matter. Mone then runs in at the corner, but Hart dodges!

Hart runs side to side, and Hart ELBOWS Mone! Hart wrenches the arm, and now she goes up the corner! Hart tightrope walks to go Old School! The fans cheer and Hart runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Hart dribbles Mone off the mat and the fans fire up! Cover, TWO! Mone bails out but Hart storms out after her. Mone grabs Hart’s legs, Hart kicks her away, then cartwheels to dodge! But Mone still RAMS her into the barriers! Mone then goes to the apron, and she METEORAS to the floor! Mone grins and points to the Owen Hart Cup. The fans duel, Mone drags Hart up and makes her look at the trophy. Mone puts Hart in the ring, covers, TWO!

Mone is annoyed but she clamps onto Hart to KNEE her in the back again and again! Mone runs and METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Hart stays in this and Mone is annoyed. Mone paces, the fans rally up, but Mone drags Hart to her feet. Mone scoops and SLAMS Hart, then pretends she can’t hear the fans. Mone clamps onto a chinlock while the fans duel, and Hart endures as Mone squeezes tight. Hart fights up and JAWBREAKERS free! Then she cradles Mone, TWO! Mone DROPKICKS Hart down! Cover, TWO! Mone grows frustrated but she looms over Hart. Mone drags Hart up, reels her in, and snap suplexes!

Mone rises up, that’s just Una Amiga. Then she hits Dos Amigas! The fans boo, but Hart wrenches and WRINGS Mone’s arm! Then STANDING MOONSAULT, but onto knees! Mone covers, TWO! Hart stays in this and Mone is furious! Mone drags Hart up and scoops her into the Tree of Woe! Mone stomps away again, then sits down to mock Hart. Mone SLAPS Hart, then goes out to the apron. Mone soaks up the cheers and jeers, then climbs up the corner, only for Hart to sit up! SPIDER SUPLEX! The fans fire up while Hart shakes her head. Mone runs back in, but Hart sits up! Mone POSTS herself, falls to the floor, and Hart is up top! SUPER CROSSBODY!

The fans fire up while both women are down! Hart drags Mone up and puts her in the ring, but Mone scoops her! Hart tilt-o-whirls through to DDT! Cover, TWO! Mone survives and Hart grows frustrated. Hart drags Mone up, runs, and tilt-o-whirls again, but Mone stops that to CIPHER UTAKI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Mone and Hart crawl to center, and Mone brings Hart up. Mone goes for the Gory Especial, but Harty sunset flips! Mone stops that, drags Hart up, but Hart trips Mone to a jackknife bridge! TWO, Mone high stacks! TWO, and Mone Gory Especials! Hart fights it, so Mone THROWS her to the corner!

Mone SLAPS Hart, then runs, but Hart goes up to catch Mone into a TARANTULA!! Mone endures, the fans fire up, and Hart lets go at 4. Hart then steps in, tilt-o-whirl and IRON OCTOPUS! Mone endures, reaches out, and fights her way over to RAM Hart into buckles! Roll-up and TWO! Hart kicks, Mone blocks, and Mone KNEES her! Mone staggers up, into BOOTS! Hart stomps Mone for good measure before she climbs the corner. The fans fire up, and HART SAULT into BOOTS! BACKSTABBER! Mone drags Hart back up, another BACKSTABBER! The fans boo while Mone looms over Hart. Mone clamps on, but Hart fights the drop!

Hart pries free, ELBOWS Mone, then ROCKS her! Hart runs, slips around, CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! Hart grabs at Mone, but Mone reels her into the CROSSFACE!! Hart endures, reaches out, but Mone is between her and ropes! Hart pries at the hold, and opens it up to put on the HARTLESS LOCK!! Mone flails, the fans are thunderous, but Mone pushes to a cover, TWO!! Mone has the CROSSFACE again!! Hart’s arms are free but the facelock is on tight! The fans rally for Hart as she crawls, rolls, and has the cover! TWO, but the CROSSFACE is on deep!

Hart endures, the fans rally harder, and Hart keeps fighting! Mone shifts sides to pull way back! Hart keeps clawing at the mat, rolls again, then slips out to OKLAHOMA ROLL! TWO!! Mone has the SEATBELT! Mone wins!!

Winner: Mercedes Mone, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

The CEO had one of her toughest matches yet, but she’s the one that cashes in! We now see Athena is watching backstage, and Athena will face Harley Cameron in their own opening round match. Who will Mone meet in the semifinals?

 

AEW World Trios Championships: The Death Riders VS Rated FTR!

These teams have battled before, but that was when Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & Pac were trying to keep Adam Copeland from the AEW World Championship. That mission had Dax Harwood feeling like he and Cash Wheeler were taking a backseat on a detour that went nowhere, but that disagreement has since ironed out. Will Cope, Dax & Cash soon reign together? Or will the Swiss Cyborg, Decoder & Bastard continue to hold these titles hostage?

Philly sings Metalingus to the end, just for Cope, “CHANCE TO FEEL ALIIIIIIIVE~!” Then The Death Riders make their entrance, and the fans boo. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which side falls apart first!

The trios sort out and Dax starts against Pac. They circle, the fans rally behind Rated FTR, but also chant, “F U, YUTA!” Dax and Pac tie up, go to a corner, and they turn things around back and forth. Pac is in the ropes as a defense and the ref has Dax back up. Dax and Pac reset, tie up, and Pac headlocks. Dax powers up and out, but Pac runs him over! Pac runs, Dax drops down, but Pac slides under a boot to roll Dax up! TWO, and Pac waistlocks to O’Conner BRIDGE! TWO, but Pac wrenches Dax to a BACKDROP! Pac drags Dax over, BRUTALIZER, but Dax has the ROPEBREAK! Pac lets go and Dax is frustrated already.

Cope & Cash coach Dax to keep cool, then Cope tags in. The fans cheer as The Rated R Superstar tells off Claudio & Yuta. Cope and Pac tie up, they end up in a corner, and the ref counts the break. Pac lets go, but then wrenches the arm! Tag to Yuta and Philly boos their hometown villain! Yuta wrenches Cope to YANK the arm, then he wristlocks. Cope pulls Yuta’s shaggy beard and TOSSES him to a corner! Cope ROCKS Yuta, ROCKS him again, then tags Cash. Cope whips Yuta for Cash to slingshot SHOULDER TACKLE! Cover, ONE!! Yuta stands but Cash CHOPS him! Yuta goes to a corner, Cash UPPERCUTS! And CHOPS!

Cash bumps Yuta off buckles, wrenches him, then tags Cope. They whip Yuta for a DOUBLE FLAPJACK! Yuta flounders, but Pac runs in! So he gets a DOUBLE FLAPJACK! Claudio tags in then runs up, but Cope & Cash dodge for Dax to fire haymakers! Claudio staggers, Cash & Cope join in! Rated FTR pinballs Claudio, then Cash goes up! Cope & Dax hoist Claudio up to Cash for a SUPER POWERSLAM! Cover, but Yuta is in! Dax LARIATS Yuta, Cope LARIATS Pac! Cash covers, TWO! Claudio bails out, Cash DIVES out onto him! The fans fire up with Cash and he puts Claudio back in the ring.

Cash climbs, but Pac runs up! Cash kicks at Pac, the ref backs Pac off, but Yuta SHOVES Cash into the UPPERCUT! Claudio drags Cash over, tags Pac, and the Death Riders stomp away! The ref counts, Pac tells the fans off, and then Pac glares at Dax. Cash sputters to ropes, but he’s far from his team. Pac stomps Cash, then runs to BOOT him down! Pac soaks up the heat, then he drags Cash over. Tag to Claudio, the Death Riders mug Cash and Claudio stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, and Claudio tags Yuta in. The fans boo even louder now, but Yuta & Claudio still mug Cash. Yuta snapmares Cash, drops a knee, then covers, ONE!

Yuta clamps onto Cash with a chinlock and he grinds Cash down. Cash fights up, fires body shots, then he headlocks. Yuta powers up and out, drops down, but Cash catches him into a POWERSLAM! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Pac runs in and BLASTS Dax, but Cope DECKS Pac! Pac crawls, he brings Yuta with him, hot tag to Claudio and- Dax?! Dax takes that from Cope so he can fire hands on all of the Death Riders! Dax rains down fists int he corner on Claudio, then CROSSBODIES Pac! Atomic drop for Yuta, then a whip, but Yuta reverses, only for Dax to reverse back and LARIAT! Dax whips Claudio, Claudio reverses, but Dax reverses to LARIATR!

Claudio stays up and roars! Dax LARIATS again, and again, but then Claudio dodges to POP-UP- NO! Backslide! TWO!! Claudio stands, but Dax trips him! Yuta scrambles in to DECK Dax! Cope grabs Yuta for the GRINDHOUSE CROSSFACE! Claudio is up, he trips Cash! Dax trips Pac! DUELING SHARPSHOOTERS!! The fans are thunderous as Claudio and Dax trade SLAP after SLAP! They let the others go so they can slap and fire furious fists! Dax runs, into a POP-UP UPPERCUT! Cope runs up, Claudio POP-UP UPPERCUTS! Claudio LARIATS Cash, then roars! The fans fire up, but then Yuta tags in so now they boo!

Claudio has Dax by the legs and SWINGS him around! We go to TEN and Yuta DROPKICKS Dax! Cover, TWO!! Dax survives and Yuta is furious! The fans tell Yuta off but he rains down fists on Dax! Yuta tags Claudio, they get Dax up, then tag to Pac. They send Dax to a corner, Yuta ELBOWS, Claudio UPPERCUTS, Pac ELBOWS, and repeat! The cycle of violence continues, then feed to the gut wrench! Pac gives Dax a TOMBSTONE while Claudio BLASTS Cope! Yuta is up top, FASTBALL SPECIAL! Pac goes up, ANOTHER FASTBALL!! Cover, Cash breaks it!! The fans are thunderous as Cash saves this one for the team!

Claudio drags Dax up, puts him in the corner, then Yuta sends him in. Dax dodges, Claudio POSTS himself! Dax dodges Yuta to hot tag Cope! Cope CLOBBERS Yuta & Pac, then whips Yuta for a BACKDROP! Cope DECKS Pac, FLAPJACKS Yuta, then IMPALER for Pac! Cover, TWO!! Pac survives and the fans fire up again! Cope hauls Pac up, hoists him to the top rope, and he tags Cash. Cash tags Dax, and they go to the adjacent corners! Cope brings Pac up for the SUPERPLEX! There’s Power, Cash hits GLORY! Dax hits DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, Claudio breaks it! The fans boo, but Claudio BOOTS Cash! Cope LARIATS Claudio!

Yuta MISSILE DROPKICKS Cope, then kips up! Dax POP-UP SLINGSHOT POWERBOMBS Yuta! But Pac ghost pins Dax, TWO!! Pac clamps on with the BRUTALIZER!! Dax endures, Claudio intercepts Cope, and Yuta hurries to grab Cash in a SLEEPER! The fans boo but Cash drags Yuta from the ropes! Cash runs to FALL onto Pac! The fans are thunderous as Cash saves Dax again! Claudio and Cope are on the outside, and Cope whips Claudio into railing! The fans rally for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” while Pac crawls away. Pac tags Yuta, the fans boo, but Yuta aims at Dax. Dax stands, but SHATTER MACHINE hits! Cope SPEARS Yuta!! Dax covers, CLAUDIO BREAKS IT!!

The fans can’t believe it as this one keeps going! Cash drags Pac up, and suplexes Pac and himself up and out of the ring! Cope has Claudio on the outside, but now Claudio whips Cope into railing! Cope comes back to SPEAR Claudio down!! Dax and Yuta are in the ring and “This is Awesome!” Cope slides in, and he’s in a corner. Yuta rises up, Cope runs in, but Yuta hurdles! Cope avoids spearing Dax, but Yuta shoves Cope into Dax! Then BUSAIKU KNEE on Dax! Cover, DEATH RIDERS WIN!

Winners: The Death Riders, by pinfall (still AEW World Trios Champions)

The Decoder gets a win in his hometown, and they hate him for it! But it was really the fact Rated FTR was not 100% on the same page that allows the Death Riders to survive! Will their reign of terror define AEW in 2025?

As for Rated FTR, they are frustrated with how this went, but Cope still offers Dax his hand. Their miscommunication did cost them, but they hug it out. The fans cheer as the three stand together, but then Dax reels Cope in!? PILEDRIVER?!? The fans boo and Cash is stunned! How could Dax do that to a man with a bad neck like Cope?! But then Dax grabs chairs!! Dax storms into the ring, and he puts one down to put Cope’s head on it! And he has the other chair, to offer to Cash?! Dax wants Cash to have the honors?! Cash says hell no, and he SHOVES Dax down! The fans cheer Cash having the level head, and he helps Cope up.

Cash then feeds Cope to Dax?! SHATTER MACHINE?!?! FTR is united after all, and now they hit a FULL METAL MIND BREAKER!!!! Cope is helpless as Dax puts the chair back under Cope’s head, but then Cash takes the other chair after all! CON-CHAIR-TO!!! And then ANOTHER CON-CHAIR-TO!!!! FTR don’t even let the medics get in, and Cash steals the neck brace to wear it mockingly! Cash hops onto the stretcher and Dax pretends to give him CPR. Cash “revives” and he says Cope needs the brace more than he does. Dax & Cash leave Cope, and now the medical team can put on the neck brace and even place Cope on the backboard.

From there, Cope is taken out of the ring and put on the stretcher to be wheeled to the back. The fans cheer in hopes Cope will be alright, but it might be too soon to tell. Needless to say, the question isn’t “What’s next for FTR?” but #WhyFTRWhy?

 

AEW Women’s World Championship: Toni Storm w/ Luther VS Megan Bayne w/ Penelope Ford!

After the epic conclusion to the incredible trilogy against Mariah May, Timeless Toni has perhaps shifted genres to star in a mix between Greek mythology and gritty sports drama. The underdog champion even gives us her take on a Rocky Balboa training montage for her entrance! But will she unlock the Eye of the Tiger? Or will this be more Wrath of the Titans?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who eats thunder and craps lightning!

The bell rings, the fans rally behind Toni, and the two storm up. They tie up, and Megan powers Toni to a corner. The ref counts, Megan lets off with a smirk, but the fans rally for “TONI! TONI STORM~!” The two tie up, but Megan throws Toni away! Toni storms back up, headlocks, but Megan powers up! Megan powers out, then she runs Toni over! Megan soaks up the heat while Toni rises up. Megan scoops, Toni slips free to waistlock, but Megan RAMS her into a corner! Megan runs, but into a BOOT! Toni then goes up and over, keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Megan catches the crossbody! Megan pops Toni around, but Toni slips free!

Toni RAMS Megan into a corner, whips, but Megan reverses. Toni goes up and up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up but Ford panics! Toni KICKS Megan, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Megan blocks! EXPLODER! The fans boo but Megan looms over Toni. Megan drags Toni up, scoops her, and holds her up before she SLAMS him down! Megan “kicks dirt” at Toni, then drags her back up. Megan whips Toni to the corner, Toni bounces off buckles, and Megan scoops! The fans rally for Toni but Megan gives her a FALL AWAY SLAM! Megan runs and BOOTS Toni off the apron! Luther is there to help coach Toni, but Megan builds speed!

Megan DIVES, and down goes Luther at the ramp! Toni kicks Megan and uses Luther as a boost for a TORNADO DDT to the floor! The fans fire up and Toni drags Megan up into the ring. The fans rally as Toni climbs, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Megan is still in this and she goes to the ropes. Toni is on Megan with a whip, but Megan reverses. Ford trips Toni up while Megan distracts the ref! Then Megan BOOTS Toni down! The fans boo but Ford applauds while Megan paces. Megan drags Toni up, then RAMS her into a corner! Megan RAMS Toni in again and again and again, but she stops as the ref counts 4.

Megan snarls and winds up to CHOP! Megan talks trash on the fans, then whips Toni corner to corner. Megan runs in and SPLASHES, then she BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES! Toni writhes and Megan is having fun now. Megan soaks up the heat while Toni crawls to ropes. Ford taunts Toni then cheers on Megan as Megan scuffs Toni again and again. The ref backs Megan off, but Ford CHOKES Toni! Ford gets away with that, and Megan drags Toni up. Toni fires body shots, but there isn’t much to them. Megan short arm LARIATS! And short arm LARIATS! And then short arm LARIATS again! Megan is toying with Toni at this point but the fans still rally.

Megan drags Toni up, puts her on the ropes and CHOKES her! Ford poses with Megan but the ref counts. Megan stops at 4, then Ford CHOKES Toni again! The fans boo but Ford licks Toni! And no biting this time! Toni still gets up to CHOP Megan, and CHOP, and forearm, and repeat! Toni runs, and THESZ- NO, Megan catches Toni to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Then another OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Ford loves it, and Megan hauls Toni up again! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Megan drags Toni to a cover, TWO!! Toni stays in this and Ford argues the count. Megan just rains down forearms! Cover, TWO!

Megan SLAPS Toni! Megan stalks Toni to the ropes, CHOKES her again, then lets off. Ford storms up to CHOKE Toni some more! The fans boo, but Luther drags Ford away with an Electric Chair! Ford freaks out, Megan is furious, but now things are even! Toni fires forearms on Megan and the fans fire up! Megan swings, misses, and Toni ROCKS Megan! Megan roars, Toni dodges, and Toni hits the THESZ PRESS! And rains down fast hands! The fans fire up but Megan pushes free. Toni roars and she runs in for a SPLASH! The fans fire up as Toni hits a TORNADO DDT! Toni isn’t done, she ties up Megan’s legs for a QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH!

Megan endures, reaches out, and the fans rally as Toni pulls on the facelock! But Megan powers up with her arms alone, and she drags Toni along to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Toni lets go in frustration, but Toni brings Megan in. Megan BACKDROPS Toni to the apron! Toni ROCKS Megan, Megan ROCKS Toni! Megan goes up the ropes and brings Toni in with a deadlift BACK SUPLEX! Megan then drags Toni to the drop zone, goes up the corner, but Toni waistlocks! Megan ELBOWS Toni away, climbs more, but Toni is right after her! SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX!! A rough landing for them both and the fans are stunned!

The fans rally for “Women’s Wrestling!” while both women are down, and the standing count climbs. We pass 5 of 10, but both women sit up at 7. Toni grabs Megan to CLUB her! Megan ROCKS Toni! Toni ROCKS Megan, but Megan ROCKS Toni! The forearms keep going, then Toni fires a flurry! Toni has Megan in the corner and fires more shots! The fans are thunderous for Storm, but Megan BOOTS her! Megan runs, but Toni dodges! SNAP GERMAN! Megan flounders, Toni has her closeup, but Megan stops the hip attack! Megan carries Toni for a GERMAN SUPLEX of her own! Megan huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Toni back up!

Megan suplexes, for the FALCON DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Toni survives and the fans fire up! Megan is furious, but she drags Toni up to the fireman’s carry! Toni hits a crucifix takedown, TWO! Toni dodges the boot, waistlocks, but Megan switches! Toni fights the German Suplex to switch and GERMAN SUPELX! Megan flounders to a corner and the fans fire up! SWEET HIP MUSIC! But Megan rises?! So Toni HEADBUTTS her back down! Toni goes to the corner, she gets another closeup, and she runs in, SWEET HIP MUSIC!! And then a THIRD SWEET HIP MUSIC!! Toni isn’t done, here’s THE FOURTH!!

Toni drags Megan up for STORM ZERO!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Megan is truly superhuman and Toni has no idea what to do! Toni kicks Megan low, reels her in, but Megan BACKDROPS free! And LARIATS! And LEAPING LARIATS!! Megan isn’t done, she hauls Toni up for a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! The fans boo but Megan drags Toni up again. Fireman’s carry, and “BOW! DOWN!!” FATE’S- CRADLE!! TONI WINS!!

Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall (still AEW Women’s World Champion)

In a very Rocky way, the champ took hit after hit but still pulled out the victory! Megan is still a monster, will she simply go on a rampage until she’s back again?

 

2025 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Opening Round: Kyle Fletcher w/ Don Callis VS Mark Briscoe!

For the fourth time already, we see The Aussie Arrow and the Sussex County Chicken cross paths in a 1v1 showdown. Kyle trails in the series and that really sticks in his craw. Will Mark #ManUp and make things 3-1? Or will The Protostar be the one taking a step closer to the Owen Hart Cup?

Mark makes his entrance and Kyle DIVES onto him at the ramp! The fans boo but Kyle puts Mark in the ring and the ref rings the bell! OFF COME THE PANTS, and Kyle GAMANGIRIS Mark in the corner! Kyle then brings Mark in, grins, and suplexes, but Mark cradle counters! TWO! Mark clinches to EXPLODER! Kyle tumbles out, Mark builds speed, but Mark blocks a boot to UPPERCUT! Don Callis is on commentary to complain about Redneck Kung-Fu, just like he did on Collision. Mark goes to the apron to join Kyle, but Kyle SUPERKICKS him first! Kyle then runs up, but Mark BACKDROPS Kyle to the apron!

The fans fire up while Kyle hobbles around, and Kyle BLOCKBUSTERS to the floor! Mark grabs a chair, tosses it into the ring, but the ref tells him not to use it. The fans boo because they know how Mark gets down. Mark says, “Boo this man!” The fans boo the ref, but the chair is still put aside. Mark WRECKS Kyle with a dropkick, then he fires hands. Mark stomps Kyle down, then high-fives the front row. Mark goes up onto the barriers, the fans cheer more, and BANG BANG! FOLEY ELBOW DROP! Philly appreciates that, and Mark goes looking. Mark brings out another chair! The fans cheer as Mark puts that in the ring.

The ref reprimands Mark, so Mark just puts more chairs in! The ref does his best to clear those out but Mark keeps adding more chairs! The fans cheer as Mark finally sits one up! Mark builds speed but Kyle gets in! SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF onto the chair! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives being hoisted on his own petard, and we see Konosuke Takeshita watching. Konosuke likes how his felly Don Callis Family member is doing, but the fans rally for #DemBoys! Kyle KICKS Mark to a corner, then fires forearms and body shots! The ref counts, Kyle sits Mark down, and then he soaks up the heat! The fans boo Kyle while he flexes on the corner.

Kyle hops down and drags Mark up. Kyle wrenches and scoops to SLAM, then he paces. The fans tell off Callis even though he’s just on commentary. Kyle tells the fans to hush, then he drags Mark up. Mark CHOPS, ROCKS, and repeat! The fans fire up but Kyle scoops and SLAMS Mark again! Kyle then basement SUPERKICKS! Kyle grins, brushes himself off, then taunts Mark. Mark goes to ropes, Kyle eggs him on, but Mark REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Mark CHOPS and ROCKS Kyle, then UPPERCUTS again! Mark whips, Kyle reverses, but Mark goes up, out, only for Kyle to BOOT him down!

The fans boo but Kyle brushes off his boot. Kyle then goes out and fetches Mark. Kyle reels Mark in, then hoists Mark up for an APRON POWERBOMB! Mark falls in a heap but Kyle grins. Kyle drags Mark up, to APRON POWERBOMB again! Kyle drags Mark up again, but the ref wants him to stop. Kyle says fine, fine. But then he BARRIER BOMBS Mark instead!! Kyle leaves Mark behind, and he soaks up the heat while he flexes again. Mark flounders while the ring count climbs, and Kyle paces while he waits. Mark drags himself up at 6, flops at 7, but springs in at 9! The fans cheer and Kyle is annoyed. Mark drags himself up while the fans rally again.

Kyle runs corner to corner, GAMANGIRI!! And then he hoists Mark up top, climbs up to join him, and Kyle hushes the fans. But Mark fires body shots! The fans fire up as Mark BITES Kyle’s forehead! Mark SHOVES Kyle down, Kyle tumbles, and Mark aims! MISSILE DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! A standing count starts, and now we see Brody King watching. Kyle stalks Mark, but Mark CHOPS! And ROCKS! And CHOPS! Kyle bumps Mark off buckles to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Mark CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! And again! Kyle knees low, KNEES again, then KNEES again!

Kyle soaks up heat, then runs the ropes, but Mark dodges and comes back! Kyle dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! The fans rally, Mark and Kyle rise up, and they both nod. They fire forearms back and forth! Mark ROCKS Kyle, Kyle ROCKS Mark, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots keep going, then Mark gets the edge! Mark winds up, but Kyle BOOTS first! Kyle whips, Mark ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle! Kyle goes to a corner, Mark runs up, and Mark LARIATS! Mark reels Kyle in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives but Mark is not deterred!

Mark drags Kyle up, CHOPS, then fireman’s carries. Kyle grabs ropes, Mark pries him free, but Kyle gets around! Mark fights the Half ‘n’ Half, elbows free, but Kyle SUPERKICKS! Kyle reels Mark in, but Mark slips out of the bomb to fireman’s carry! Kyle fights free of that to reverse suplex and gut wrench, to LAWN DART! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kyle and Mark stir, and Mark is on the apron. Kyle reels Mark in through the ropes but Mark fires body shots. Kyle KICKS Mark, then goes to the apron! Kyle brings Mark in, but Mark fireman’s carries! Kyle fights free again to ENZIGIRI! And SUPERKICK!

Kyle reels Mark in, grins, and suplexes to APRON BRAINBUSTER!! Kyle drags Mark into the ring, suplexes again, another BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Mark survives and shocks Kyle! Callis storms off commentary to argue with the ref, but that was a fair count! Kyle drags Mark up, puts him in the corner, and he puts Mark back up top. Kyle SLAPS Mark, then climbs. Kyle suplexes Mark, but Mark slips free! Mark SLAPS Kyle on the back! And then straitjacket and torture racks! But Kyle grabs the ropes! Mark SLAPS Kyle’s back again, then goes up to HEADBUTT the back of Kyle’s head again and again!

Mark lifts Kyle with the crucifix, for a B T BOMB!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Kyle survives, but Mark SLIDING LARIATS! Mark hurries up and the fans are thunderous! FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Kyle survives again and Callis can breathe again! Mark reaches for the sky and calls his shot! Underhooks, but Kyle spins and victory rolls, TWO! Mark rolls Kyle up, TWO!! Mark kicks low, underhooks, but Kyle wrenches out and suplexes! But Mark slips free again! Straitjacket, torture rack, CUTTHROAT DRIVER!!! Callis is freaking out, but both men are down! Philly is thunderous, but then Kyle flops out of the ring!

Mark says whatever, and he goes up top! Mark aims to SUPER FROGGY-BOW!!! Mark hurries to get Kyle back in, and he goes right back up! FROGGY-BOW!!! But into BOOTS!! Kyle runs and GAMANGIRIS again! Then GAMANGIRIS again!! Kyle hoists Mark right up top, climbs right up after him, and shouts as he hits the TOP ROPE BRAINBUSTER!!!! Cover, KYLE WINS!

Winner: Kyle Fletcher, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

The series is 2-2, but Kyle gets his win in the spotlight! Will The Protostar soon stand atop all of AEW?

 

ROH World Championship Title VS Mask: Chris Jericho VS Bandido!

The Learning Tree can never leave anything at just a victory. He already beat The Most Wanted in a standard title match, but he still felt Bandido needed to learn his place. Jericho humiliated and perhaps even traumatized Bandido’s family by beating Gravity down in front of their mother and sister, and then he stole Gravity’s mask! Bandido took his brother’s mask back, but now he must put his own mask on the line tonight. Will Bandido win it all or lose it all here in the City of Brotherly Love?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly El Campeon de Honor!

The Code of Honor is skipped, the bell rings, and CODE BREAKER outta nowhere!! Cover, TWO!! Bandido survives that sudden shot, but Jericho rains down fists! The fans boo Jericho but he mocks them. Jericho CHOPS Bandido, whips him, then CLOBBERS him! LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bandido stays in this but Jericho soaks up the heat. Jericho wants Bandido’s mom & sister to see as he rains down fists! Jericho CHOPS Bandido, then CHOPS again! Jericho whips, Bandido handsprings, but Jericho dodges! Jericho BOOTS Bandido down, then BOOT- NO, Bandido goes Matrix and even headstands!

Jericho runs up, Bandido dodges, then TOSSES Jericho out! Bandido runs to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp but Bandido reloads! The fans fire up as Bandido FLIES! Down goes Jericho at the ramp! The fans fire up, Bandido drags Jericho up, and Bandido whips Jericho hard into railing! And then into more railing! Bandido hugs his mom and tells her, “Tranquilo.” Bandido puts Jericho in the ring, climbs up the corner, and TORNILLO! Cover, TWO! Jericho stays in this but Bandido argues it. The count is the count, so Bandido drags Jericho up. Bandido reels Jericho in, suplexes, and he holds Jericho up with one arm!

The fans count with Bandido, and he goes past TEN to then go to TWENTY! Then THIRTY!! The count keeps going and Philly loves it! FORTY!! Jericho is red in the face as we hit FIFTY!! Then SIXTY!! A full minute of suplex and the fans fire up! Cover, TWO!! Jericho survives but the fans rally behind Bandido! Bandido drags Jericho up, whips him to a corner, but Jericho reverses. Bandido goes up, out, and Jericho is sputtering from that stalling suplex! Jericho flops out of  the ring, so Bandido DROPKICKS him into the post! Bandido fires forearms, then runs up again, but Jericho pops him up! POWERBOMB from apron to floor!!

The fans fire up while both men are down! The ref checks and somehow Bandido is still in this. Jericho stands and soaks up the heat. But then he stares down Bandido’s mom! “You gonna cry again?!” Mom and daughter, and all of Philly, cheers for Bandido! Jericho flips them all off for it! Jericho goes back to the ring as the count climbs. Bandido is still down at 7 of 20, then 10! Jericho soaks up the heat, then lounges in the corner. Bandido rises at 12, but he still needs to drag himself up. Bandido rolls in at 15! The fans chant at Jericho, “Please Retire!” Jericho drags Bandido up to hit a BIG back suplex! Cocky cover, TWO!

Jericho paces while the fans boo. Jericho SLAPS Bandido while he’s down! Bandido sits up but Jericho slaps him more. Bandido SLAPS! Jericho SLAPS! It is a SLAP fight! Bandido fires a flurry of forearms, then runs, but into a BOOT! Cover, TWO! Jericho is annoyed but he mocks the fans booing him. Jericho drags Bandido up, but Bandido blocks the punches to fire body shots! They brawl, and Jericho gets the edge again! Jericho whips, Bandido KICKS him, then runs! Tilt-o-whirl and DDT! Jericho tumbles away and the fans fire up! Bandido feeds off that energy and he shakes the ropes! Bandido SOBATS, KNEES, and JUMP SOBATS!

Jericho falls, the fans fire up, and Bandido runs, but into a DROPKICK! Bandido goes to the apron, and Jericho shouts at Bandido’s mom again! The fans boo Jericho, but Bandido gets up to jump and SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Jericho survives but mom and sister still cheer Bandido. Bandido goes up, up, but Jericho trips him! Jericho CHOPS Bandido, and CHOPS, and then climbs up the corner. Jericho soaks up heat, then he rains down fists! Jericho goes to NUEVE! “Hi, guys!” TEN! SUPER- NO!! Bandido stops the Super Steiner and hoists Jericho back up! But Jericho SUPER RANAS after all!!

Jericho rises, the fans boo, but Bandido gorilla presses Jericho! One arm! And the SLAM! Then Bandido goes up, up, and Latino Heat before the FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Bandido shouts out Eddie but Jericho knew Eddie well! The fans rally for Bandido as he rises back up. Jericho goes to a corner, Bandido runs in, but Jericho puts him on the apron! Bandido GAMANGIRIS, goes up top, and he TORNILLOS into a CODE BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! Bandido survives and the fans fire up! Bandido and Jericho sit up, and they’re back to back. They look over their shoulders at each other, and they nod. Time for five paces to the corners!

The fans rally as both men march, but then Jericho SUCKER PUNCHES Bandido! Roll up, feet on the ropes! TWO!! Jericho goes up, “Hi, Guys~!” But Bandido stops the headscissors! Jericho shifts to roll Bandido into a cradle, TWO!! Bandido BOOTS Jericho, reels him in, gut wrench and torture rack! X KNEE!! Jericho staggers, he’s on the ropes! Bandido deals the hand, BLACKJACK- NO, Jericho stalls, then victory rolls, TWO!! Both men stand, Jericho trips Bandido! WALLS OF JERICHO!! Bandido endures as Jericho sits deep on that back! Bandido claws at the mat, the fans rally, and Bandido powers up to fight his way forward!

Jericho still sits deep on the hold, but Bandido still makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Jericho holds on but the ref counts! Jericho lets go at 4, but he shoves the ref! The ref warns him, the fans fire up, and Bandido SUPERKICKS Jericho! Both men are down again and the fans rally! Wait! Bryan Keith hobbles out here! The ref stops The Bad Apple, but GRAVITY is here! Gravity fires off hands on Keith to help protect his brother! More refs come out here, but Jericho grabs Floyd the Baseball Bat!! The fans boo, but Jericho CLOBBERS Bandido!! Jericho hides the evidence, then he crawls over to cover! JERICHO WINS?!?!

Winner: Chris Jericho, by pinfall (still ROH World Champion)

Wait, Aubrey hears from Bandido’s mom and sister. They protest how this happened, but Jericho wants this to wrap up already. The family exposes the BAT! The fans cheer but Jericho is furious! The refs all talk this out, and Justin Roberts makes the announcement: This match must CONTINUE! The fans cheer as justice is served, but can Bandido recover after taking that shot? Wait, Jericho grabs Bandido’s sister!! But she SLAPS Jericho!! Bandido BOOTS Jericho, then scoops him! Torture rack and X KNEE!! Jericho staggers to the ropes, BLACKJACK 21 PLEX!! Bridging cover, Bandido wins!!

Winner: Bandido, by pinfall (NEW ROH World Champion)

Now THIS is justice! Bandido regains the title he never truly lost, and he also keeps his mask and defends his family’s honor! If Jericho is no longer champion, what is The Learning Tree to do now?

 

AEW TNT Championship, No Time Limit, Full Ringside Ban: Daniel Garcia VS Adam Cole!

It has been quite the back and forth between these two. While the Undisputed Kingdom has had 2Point0’s number in trios matches, interference ruined the first TNT Championship match, and then time ran out on the second. But now there’s nothing to it but to do it! Will Red Death prove himself under the spotlight? Or will this title finally be Undisputed?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly worthy of this title!

The bell rings and the fans fire up. Cole and Garcia step up, talk a bit of smack, and then they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, then break, and tie up again. They break, and Garcia pie faces Cole! Cole pie faces back! The forearms fly and the fans fire up! The fans duel as Garcia kicks low then CHOPS Cole in the corner. Cole turns things around to ROCK and CHOP Garcia! Cole whips, Garcia dodges the boot and SHOTGUNS Cole down! Philly is torn while Cole goes to a corner. Garcia runs up to LARIAT Cole in the corner, then he wraps Cole’s arms around the ropes! The ref counts while Garcia pulls, and Garcia lets go to put a leg on the ropes!

Garcia CHOPS Cole, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, Garcia stops at nine to wind up, and TEN! The fans cheer but Garcia wags his finger, because he goes for another round! But Cole DUMPS Garcia out at 15 total! Cole hits a SUPERKICK and Garcia hits the floor! The fans rally and duel as Cole goes to the apron. Cole takes aim, but Garcia avoids the Panama Sunrise! Cole hobbles from the bad foot jamming! Garcia SHOTGUNS Cole into railing! The fans rally while Garcia gets space. Cole flounders, but Garcia storms up to stomp away on the bad leg! The ref has Garcia back off so he can check Cole.

Cole is in the ring, and he insists he can continue. Garcia and Cole circle, but Garcia still dropkicks the bad leg! Cole clutches the foot but Garcia grabs it! Garcia GROUND DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Cole crawls to ropes, Garcia puts him in a corner to fire body shots. The fans rally, Garcia puts Cole’s leg in the ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Garcia lets go, to then DROPKICK the leg! Cole falls over in a heap while fans are torn. Garcia puts the leg on the ropes to stand on it! The ref counts, Garcia steps off, and Garcia drags Cole around to hook up the legs. Cole resists while the fans duel, but Garcia rises up to do his dance! Then he STOMPS the legs!

Basement dropkick and Garcia covers, TWO! Cole stays tough but Garcia drags him up. Cole fires body shots, Garcia backs off, but then he grabs that bad leg! DRAGON SCREW, and FOOT DDT! Then Garcia pushes on the knee to JAM it! The fans rally while Cole writhes in pain, but Garcia is ice cold focused. Garcia storms up on Cole, but Cole fires body shots! Cole stands, swings, but Garcia slips around and reels Cole in! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia drags Cole up again, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! That’s double and Garcia drags Cole up again! But Cole suplexes! Garcia fights that, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia grins and he drags Cole up again.

Garcia reels Cole in, but Cole fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! That was double-edged given the bad leg, but Cole refuses to let that stop him! Both men rise up, Garcia runs in at the corner, but Cole ELBOWS him away! And BOOTS him! Cole goes up the corner, PANAMA SUN- NO, Garcia backdrops through and steps into the legs! But Cole makes it a cradle! TWO, and Garcia LARIATS Cole down! The fans fire up and Garcia snarls. Garcia drags Cole up, reels him in, but he hesitates. Cole fights the lift, but Garcia CLUBS away! Garcia now Gotch holds, for the lift and SPINNING PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Cole survives and Garcia is frustrated.

The fans rally and duel, “F HIM UP, DANNY, F HIM UP!” Garcia looms over Cole while Cole flounders. Garcia brings down the kneepad! Cole ROCKS Garcia first! And then ROCKS him again! And again! Garcia ROCKS Cole, Cole ROCKS Garcia, and they go back and forth! Cole BOOTS Garcia, but Garcia snarls and BOOTS in return! Cole and Garcia fire up, and they DOUBLE FOREARM! And DOUBLE BOOT! Cole swings, Garcia dodges and SAIDOS! But Cole rises up! Garcia runs, into a BOOT! Garcia clamps onto Cole’s neck! Cole breaks free but Garcia CHOPS in return! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS!

Garcia winds up, but Cole SUPERKICKS! Cole falls over with the bad leg, and Garcia falls onto him! It’s a cover, TWO and Cole has the ghost pin! TWO!! Garcia survives and the fans fire up again! Cole and Garcia rise up slowly, and Cole uses his bad leg to SUPER- NO! Garcia blocks the kick, and twists it into an ANKLE LOCK!! Cole endures, reaches out, but Garcia drags him away from ropes! GRAPEVINE!! Cole still endures, still fights forward, and the fans rally as he claws his way to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts but Garcia holds until 4. Cole rolls out of the ring and flops to the floor, but Garcia rolls out to pursue.

The fans rally, Garcia drags Cole up, and Garcia sends Cole into the steel steps! The knees hit hard and Cole falls over! Garcia stands on Cole’s foot, then goes up the steps. Garcia winds up to mock the Adam Cole Baybay! Cole rises up but Garcia reels him in! Garcia says a quick prayer for forgiveness, but Cole CLUBS at Garcia’s legs! Cole fires a body shot, and now he’s up there with Garcia! Cole ROCKS Garcia, then suplexes, GHOSTBUSTER!! Garcia falls to the steps then the floor! Cole rests on the steps, the fans rally up, and Cole takes aim for the PANAMA SUNRISE to the floor! Philly loses its mind as Cole puts Garcia in!

Cole fires up and he brings down his kneepad! Cole runs, but Garcia falls! Another Boom denied and Cole is beside himself. Cole hobbles over to drag Garcia up, but Garcia cradles! TWO!!! Cole narrowly escapes, and he runs up, only for the bad knee to give out! So Garcia goes up!? PANAMA SUNRISE?!? Garcia uses Cole’s move against him, and now THE BOOM!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Cole survives both his own moves, and Garcia is seething! Garcia SLAMS the leg against the mat again and again! Garcia drags Cole up, reels him in, but Cole still fights the lift! Garcia lets Cole go, and he thinks about the corner…

Garcia drags Cole to the corner, puts him up top, but he hesitates a moment. The fans rally up as Garcia climbs! The ref says not to do this, but Garcia lifts Cole up! Cole fights the driver and fires body shots! Cole HEADBUTTS again and again, then HEADBUTTS one more time! Garcia falls down, Cole adjusts his position, and PANAMA SUNRISE!!! The fans fire up, Cole goes back up the corner, for another PANAMA SUNRISE!!! The fans fire up even more as Cole rises again! The kneepads are down, Cole gets moving, THE BOOM!!!! Cover, COLE WINS!!!

Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall (NEW AEW TNT Champion)

Adam Cole’s 17 year anniversary is commemorated in the best way possible! After setback after setback, he finally has singles gold in AEW! But he also shows Garcia great respect by offering a hand. The fans cheer, and Garcia stands back up. Garcia shakes Cole’s hand, and the fans cheer more! But if Garcia still isn’t ready for the brightest lights and the biggest stages, when will he be ready?

 

AEW International Championship Triple Threat: Kenny Omega VS Ricochet VS “Speedball” Mike Bailey!

After thwarting diverticulitis, The Cleaner doubted if he’d ever even be able to return. But not only did he return, he proved that even his “new normal” was championship caliber when he dethroned The Alpha, Konosuke Takeshita. The Dynasty International Eliminator Tournament gave us quite the diet of amazing talent, but there was controversy in that Fatal 4 Way, thus bringing about this epic three way! But will Omega prove he is still better than even two great opponents? Will the One & Only make this title #OuttaThisWorld? Or will they both get bounced in Speedball Bailey’s AEW PPV debut?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is THE Best Bout Machine!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Ricochet tries to convince Bailey to work with him against Omega, but Bailey just storms up on Ricochet. Ricochet bails out, the fans boo, so Bailey and Omega square off after all. The fans rally while the two circle, and the fans duel “SPEEDBALL!” “KENNY!” “SPEEDBALL!” “KENNY!” The two tie up, go around, and end up on ropes. They go around and into a corner, then back to ropes, then to another corner. Ricochet watches from a distance, then he slithers in as the two are stuck on ropes. Ricochet storms up and spins Bailey around, but then narrowly avoids a roundhouse!

Ricochet bails out again, Bailey storms up to the ropes, but Omega O’Conner Rolls him! TWO and Omega tumbles to the outside! Ricochet RAMS Omega into the desk! Then Ricochet RAMS into Bailey, slingshots up and over, then whips. Bailey reverses, bypasses, and hurdles to then drop down! Ricochet grabs ropes to stop himself, and says he’s too smart. But Omega CLAWS at Ricochet’s head, and throws Ricochet down! Ricochet tumbles away, Bailey runs up but Omega ROCKS him! Omega bumps Bailey off buckles, then goes up the corner! CROSSBODY! The fans fire up for Omega and he brings Bailey back up.

Omega CHOPS Bailey, CLUBS him, then whips corner to corner. Bailey reverses, runs up, but Omega BOOTS him away! Bailey comes back, Omega goes up and over, then comes back to RANA! Bailey tumbles out, Ricochet slides in, and he RAN- NO, Omega shoves that down to Oklahoma Roll into an ARMBAR! Ricochet scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Omega lets go and Bailey kicks Omega. Bailey whips, Omega reverses, and Omega dodges the handspring. Bailey fires the Lightning Kicks! But Ricochet waistlocks Bailey! Omega runs, but Bailey ducks, the BOOT hits Ricochet! The Lightning Kicks continue!

Bailey ENZIGIRIS Omega out and the fans fire up! Bailey builds speed but Ricochet is waiting! Bailey avoids the springboard, then dodges again to SLINGSHOT RANA Omega on the outside! The fans fire up again, and Bailey brings Omega up, only for Ricochet to PLANCHA! Omega and Bailey split up, and Ricochet finds himself surrounded! Bailey says, “Bald!” and SLAPS Ricochet on the head! Omega says, “Bald!” and SLAPS Ricochet on the head! The fans cheer as they then DOUBLE SLAP Ricochet! Bailey then kicks Omega, whips, but Omega reverses to fireman’s carry! Omega goes around the way, “YOU! CAN’T!”

Wait, Bailey does escape as he flails and slips down! Bailey is in the front row and he SLAPS Omega! And he SMACKS Omega off the barriers! Bailey has Omega dangling, and he KICKS, KICKS, KICKS! Bailey hops up, the fans fire up, and Bailey sets up, only for Ricochet to grab him! Bailey grabs Ricochet’s ears, but Ricochet CLAWS Bailey’s eyes! Ricochet fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER onto Omega’s back! Ricochet says he looks too damn good while he stands over Omega and Bailey. Ricochet drags Omega up, RAMS him into the corner, but fans taunt Ricochet with, “You’re Still Bald! You’re Still Bald!”

Ricochet puts Bailey in, stomps him around, and soaks up the heat from the fans. Ricochet stomps Bailey more, puts him under the ropes, and then jump stomps! Ricochet CHOKES Bailey on the ropes, and he tells the fans, “I can do what I want!” Ricochet drags Bailey to a cover, ONE! The fans chant, “Bald Forever!” Ricochet DROPKICKS Omega off the apron, then storms up on Bailey. Bailey CHOPS, but Ricochet CHOPS him down! Ricochet drags Bailey up to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Then he scoops and hits another BACKBREAKER, then a SIDEWALK SLAM!  Ricochet sees Omega coming so he handspring kicks him back down!

Bailey waistlocks, Ricochet switches, but Bailey fires elbows! Ricochet gets under to NORTHERN LIGHTS, rolls through, and deadlift– NO, Omega saves Bailey from that to kick Ricochet low. The fans rally and Omega CHOPS Ricochet in the corner! And CHOPS! And SLAPS! CHOP! SLAP! Omega whips corner to corner, runs in, but Ricochet goes over! Bailey catches Ricochet, Omega runs up, but Ricochet BOOTS him away! Ricochet sends Bailey into Omega, then NECKBREAKER DDT COMBO! Bailey tumbles out and the fans fire up! Omega bails out, Ricochet builds speed, and Ricochet DIVES to take out Bailey!

Ricochet hurries back in, DIVES and takes out Omega! Ricochet commandeers Schiavone’s headset to tell everyone that he is that damn good! He can take out Speedball, he can take out Omega, and at the same damn time! There’s nobody out here that can- Bailey DROPKICKS Ricochet down! The fans fire up, Bailey takes the headset and apologizes to Schiavone for Ricochet. Bailey puts Ricochet in the ring, then goes up the corner. The fans fire up for Bailey as he MISSILE DROPKICKS! Ricochet flounders and the fans fire up more! Bailey winds up, SOBATS, then AX KICKS! And ROUNDHOUSES!

The fans fire up more as Bailey aims, RUNNING SHOOTING STAR FLOPS as Ricochet moves! Omega fireman’s carries Bailey, “YOU! CAN’T! ESCAPE!” ROLLING SENTON, and then the MOONSAULT FLOPS as Bailey moves! Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT! LIONSAULT FLOPS as Omega moves! Bailey has Omega for a turn and backslide, TWO as Ricochet pushes it over! Ricochet then double stacks them, TWO! The fans fire up, Ricochet swings but Bailey sends him into Omega! Bayley then hooks them both up, and manages a DOUBLE CRUCIFIX TAKEDOWN! TWO!! Ricochet CHOPS Omega, and swings on Bailey!

Bailey slips around, Ricochet fights the backslide, but Omega gets them for a DOUBLE BACKSLIDE! TWO!! DOUBLE BUZZSAWS hit Omega! DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES take Ricochet and Bailey out! The fans are thunderous and even giving a standing ovation! “This is Awesome!” while all three men stir. They all sit up, and Ricochet fires a shot on Omega. Bailey hits Ricochet, Omega hits Bailey, then Ricochet hits Bailey. Bailey hits Omega, Omega hits Ricochet, Bailey hits Omega again! All three men stand, Bailey fires fast hands on Omega, but Ricochet CLAWS Bailey’s eyes! Omega TOSSES Ricochet, then stands Bailey up.

Omega CHOPS Bailey, but Ricochet is back to CLAW Omega’s eyes! Bailey CLUBS Ricochet, TOSSES him out, but Omega ROCKS Bailey! And ROCKS him again! The fans fire up as Omega JABS, JABS, JABS, then winds up, to CHOP! Bailey falls over, but he gets up as he gets mad! The fans rally as Bailey KICKS! And KICKS! Omega shakes his head, so Bailey KICKS again! Omega falls and the fans fire up with Bailey! But Ricochet grabs Bailey by the hair! Bailey breaks free to SUPERKICK! Then Bailey goes up and TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! The fans fire up again as Bailey rises. Omega WRECKS Bailey with a dropkick!

The fans start the Terminator Drums already! Omega feels that, and he rises up to build speed! Omega FLIES, and down go Ricochet & Bailey! The fans are thunderous as Omega still hits the classic! Omega drags Ricochet up and into the ring, and fans hope they “Fight Forever!” Omega grabs at Bailey, Bailey fights him off, so Omega goes to the ring, But Ricochet DROPKICKS Omega down! Ricochet builds speed to FLY! Down go Omega and Bailey! The fans boo but Ricochet goes back into the ring. Ricochet builds speed again, but Bailey is up! Bailey jumps over Ricochet, and he ASAI MOONSAULTS Ricochet and Omega down!

The fans fire up again and cheer Speedball on as he puts Omega in the ring. Bailey RANAS Omega into a cover, TWO! Omega sunset flips, Bailey rolls through, but Omega avoids the Penalty Kick! Omega avoids the standing moonsault, but Bailey fights the powerbomb lift! Bailey backdrops, Omega sunset flips, and Ricochet is back! Bailey BACKDROPS Ricochet onto Omega! Bailey then MOONSAULT KNEE DROPS on the double stack!! The fans are thunderous and Bailey aims at Omega! Spin and HEEL KICK!! Cover, Ricochet YANKS the ref! The fans boo but Ricochet grins! Bailey is furious but Ricochet tells him to chill.

Bailey rains down palm strikes on Ricochet! The fans fire up, Ricochet pushes free and flops out of the ring! Bailey storms out after Ricochet, rains down more shots, but Ricochet again pushes free. Ricochet hurries back into the ring, but Bailey grabs his feet! Bailey drags Ricochet out to fire hands on the apron! Bailey goes up, and he stomps Ricochet in the gut! Then he APRON MOONSAULT KNEE DROPS but only gets apron!! Ricochet avoids disaster but Bailey is clutching his knee! The ref checks Bailey, Ricochet CHOP BLOCKS Bailey but also hits the ref! The fans boo as Ricochet doesn’t care, and he goes back to Omega.

Ricochet mocks Omega’s pain, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Omega pie faces Ricochet! Ricochet comes back, but into a BOOT! Omega goes up, Ricochet somersaults to SHORYUKEN! Ricochet CHOPS Omega, climbs up after him, and fires hands! The fans don’t count, they just chant “BALD!” Ricochet says fine, and he BITES Omega’s forehead! But Bailey is back to KICK Ricochet! Bailey climbs up, and he SUPER DUPER POISON-RANAS!!! Ricochet tumbles away and the fans are thunderous! Bailey goes back for Omega, even with the bad leg, but Omega ALLEY-OOPS Bailey off buckles! SNAP DRAGON!!

Bailey is down in a heap but Omega has a wild look in the eyes! Omega sees Ricochet rising up, and he brings him into the full nelson! SNAP DRAGON!! Bailey staggers up, hobbles around, and Omega has him again! SNAP DRAGON!! The fans rally up, Omega brings Bailey back up, and fans want it “ONE MORE TIME!” Omega obliges, but Bailey fights it! Bailey grabs Ricochet! Ricochet fights, but Omega CLUBS away on them both! DOUBLE DRAGON!!! The fans are thunderous as both Ricochet and Bailey flounder around! It’s another standing ovation as Omega has his pick of targets.

Omega brings out two finger guns, “BANG!” V-TRIGGER for Ricochet! V-TRIGGER for Bailey! Bailey tumbles right out, Ricochet staggers to his feet, but Omega pops Ricochet up! Electric Chair, but Ricochet flails free! Ricochet pulls hair to get the dragon sleeper! VERTI- NO, Omega slips free! Ricochet ELBOWS Omega, goes up, but Omega catches him! Electric Chair for the COYT’S WRATH!! Bridging cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous again as Bailey returns. Omega has Bailey for the Electric Chair! Bailey slips free, shoves Omega into Ricochet, HEEL KICK! Omega fights the backslide, but Ricochet adds a high stack, feet on the ropes! TWO?!?!

Ricochet is shocked but the fans fire up again! Ricochet grabs Bailey’s foot, and DRAGON SCREWS him! Ricochet shouts, “I’M WINNIIING~!” The fans boo but Ricochet scuffs Omega. Ricochet eggs on Omega, “You supposed to be the Best Bout Machine, huh?” Ricochet drags Omega up, reels him in, and puts one out! But Omega DUMPS Ricochet out of the ring! Omega runs at Bailey, but Bailey THRUST KICKS! Omega staggers, Bailey powers up, and SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE!! Bailey goes up the corner, takes aim again, ULTIMATE WEAPON misses! The knees take damage again! Omega sees his opening, SNAP- NO, Bailey switches!

Omega drop toeholds to a KNEEBAR!! Bailey endures, reaches out, but Ricochet aims from the apron! Springboard and 450 onto Omega!! Cover, TWO!!! Ricochet hurries to a corner, but then he goes for Bailey. Bailey victory rolls! TWO, but Ricochet SWEEPS the legs! Ricochet dragon sleepers, VERTIGO!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Bailey survives and Ricochet is shocked! Ricochet goes to a corner, the fans rally for Omega and Bailey, but Ricochet locks ‘n’ loads. SPIRIT- NO, Omega trips Ricochet and drags him out! Omega runs in, Bailey dodges! Roll up, high stack, TWO!!! Omega escapes in time, but Bailey hits a TIME ADVENTURE!!

Bailey hits another heel kick on Omega, and now he goes up! But Ricochet SHOVES Bailey down onto Omega! Bailey clutches that bad leg, Omega sputters in the drop zone, and Ricochet goes up top! SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! Cover, TWO!! Omega survives again and Ricochet is pissed at the ref! The ref defends the count, the fans boo Ricochet, but Ricochet DROPKICKS Bailey! Bailey is in the drop zone now, and Ricochet climbs up again. SHOOTING STAR onto the knees! Bailey cradles Ricochet, TWO!! Bailey hobbles, Ricochet sits up, and Ricochet wants mercy? Bailey SLAPS Ricochet, fires palm strikes, then a BUZZSAW! BUZZ- NO, Ricochet blocks the second!

Ricochet CLUBS the bad leg, then drags Bailey up to CLUB it again! The fans boo but Ricochet says he’s too smart. Ricochet goes to a corner, then comes back, but the Crane Stance stops him! Ricochet laughs, as if this is Daniel-san IRL. This isn’t gonna work! But the CRANE KICK hits after all!! The fans are thunderous while Bailey goes up! ULTIMATE WEAPON!!! But Bailey can’t make the cover! Bailey hobbles his way back, finally covers, V-TRIGGER!! Omega roars and the fans fire up with him! Omega drags Bailey up, turns him around, Electric Chair Lift! Ricochet shoves them both into the corner!

Bailey is stuck up top, Ricochet POISON-RANAS Omega! Ricochet goes up, dragon sleepers Bailey, but Bailey fights with body shots! Ricochet pulls hair, goes up and dragon sleepers again! But Omega CLUBS Ricochet’s legs! Omega gets up and under Ricochet! And has an Electric Chair Lift?!? SUPER ONE WINGED ANGEL!!!! Cover, OMEGA WINS!!!

Winner: Kenny Omega, by pinfall (still AEW International Champion)

Bailey is stuck in the Tree of Woe, he was literally so close and yet so far away from stopping that! But in the end, that shows why Omega is still THE Best Bout Machine! But wait! Kazuchika Okada is here! Philly fires up as the Rainmaker, the Continental Champion, makes his way out here to stare down his old rival. The fans love this stare down, but Omega steps out as he’s already done his job tonight. Will Omega and Okada soon battle again to reignite their rivalry?

 

AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley w/ Marina Shafir VS Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana!

The Maniac’s reign of terror has all but defined AEW in 2025, from destroying Bryan Danielson to screwing over multiple contenders, some at the same time. But now, he may have run into a man even more dangerous than him. Moxley asked the question and tonight, we may get the answer: How far is Swerve willing to go to make AEW whose house? SWERVE’S HOUSE!

But for his entrance, this isn’t just Swerve. This is STATIC SHOCK STRICKLAND! Does that mean he’s about to shock Moxley? Speaking of, Moxley makes his entrance from the bowels of the arena, Marina Shafir again by his side. The introductions are made, the briefcase is raised, and it is time to see who leads the Dynasty!

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. Moxley and Swerve stare down, feel things out, and Moxley talks a bit of smack. They feel out a knuckle lock but Moxley pie faces Swerve. They go again, Swerve gets a leg and he drags Moxley down. Swerve rear mounts, throws some hands, but Moxley bucks and slips out the back. Moxley hooks a leg, tries for a cover but Swerve keeps his arms up. Moxley top mounts, then hooks the arm! ARMBAR, but Swerve pops right out to float and go for an arm in return! Moxley shifts but Swerve hooks his head. Moxley still fights, but ends up in a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Moxley endures, Swerve rolls him, ghost pin, ONE!!

Moxley gets up and the fans applaud this opening exchange. Swerve and Moxley circle, but Swerve stays low and uses a leg guard. Moxley and Swerve knuckle lock, then Swerve rolls to hook a leg! Swerve powers Moxley into the drop toehold, then rear mounts again. Swerve wants the arm but Moxley wrenches to double wristlock. They end up in the corner, the ref counts, and Moxley lets go slowly. Moxley then sucker punches Swerve! Swerve ROCKS Moxley in return! And ROCKS him again, and again, and again! The fans fire up, Swerve snapmares and goes up, FALLING UPPERCUT! Swerve hits the Griddy and the fans fire up!

Swerve stomps Moxley, then paces around. The fans rally for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” as he and Moxley knuckle lock again. They go shoulder to shoulder in the Test of Strength, then they go forehead to forehead. They go back to shoulders, and Moxley cranks the knuckle locks. Moxley eggs Swerve on, but Swerve grits his teeth and stands back up. Moxley kicks and CHOPS Swerve, CHOPS again, then whips. Swerve handsprings up and around to then sidestep and SNAP GERMAN! Moxley is up but the EDDY GORDO RANA sends him out! Swerve hurries to the apron and he BOOTS Moxley down!

The fans fire up for Swerve and Swerve stalks Moxley. Swerve BOOTS Moxley, brings him around the way, and whips him into railing! The fans cheer while Moxley slumps down. Swerve grabs a water bottle, takes a drink, and then he BOOTS Moxley! Moxley goes to commentary, Swerve brings him into the ring at 7 of 10. Swerve climbs up, Moxley stands, and Moxley DECKS Swerve! Swerve hits apron then the floor! The fans boo, Moxley argues with the ref, and Marina steps on Swerve! Nana protests but that’s the least The Problem could do. Moxley goes out to drag Swerve up, and he stands on Swerve to STOMP him on the steps!

The fans boo but Moxley whips Swerve hard into the other steps! Moxley leaves Swerve behind, we’re at 5 of 10, but then the ref and Mox argue again. Marina KICKS Swerve down! The fans boo, Nana protests, but they have no solution to The Problem after Moxley took out Willow Nightingale. Moxley has Swerve in the ring and fires forearms, even scraping them in! Moxley fires some quick headbutts, then more forearms! The fans boo but Moxley paces around while Swerve sputters. Moxley drags Swerve up to TOSS him out, and the fans rally, only for Moxley to AX HANDLE from the apron! Moxley TOSSES Swerve over the desk!

Commentary has to clear out as Swerve falls down! Moxley digs his fingers into Swerve’s face then stomps him down! Moxley storms off, Swerve sputters, and the ref reprimands. Commentary has to watch from the other side of the desk now, but Swerve is busted open! Moxley drags the steel steps around, then comes back to BOOT Swerve! Moxley drags Swerve up and over, and he fishhooks Swerve’s mouth! Moxley BITES Swerve’s bloody forehead! The fans tell Moxley he’s sick, but Moxley rains down fists on Swerve’s head! Swerve is stuck on the steel steps as Moxley BITES him again! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Moxley stops at 4.

Swerve snarls as he rises up. Swerve goes into the ring but Moxley drags him back out. Moxley storms in and argues with the ref again, then he goes out after Swerve. Swerve fires body shots, but Moxley KNEES low! Moxley drags Swerve up the steps, underhooks, and FULL METAL PARADIGM SHIFTS! The fans boo, Moxley flips them and Swerve off, then he leaves Swerve behind. Swerve blinks through the blood while the ring count climbs. We hit 7 of 10, then 8! Marina lurks nearby, but Swerve springs in at 9.9!! Moxley drags Swerve in while the fans rally up. Moxley lifts Swerve for a PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!

Swerve survives but Moxley keeps on him with a knee in the back. Moxley pulls on a leg, then the other, and he ties those up! Moxley pulls Swerve’s hair to sit him up, and he rains down fists! Moxley DIGS his fingers in, then BITES Swerve’s forehead! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Moxley shoves Swerve down. Moxley keeps the legs tied up and then headscissors. Swerve endures this unique pretzel hold and the fans rally up. Moxley shifts around again to again pull Swerve’s hair. Moxley throws more forearms, then backs up to flip the fans off. PENALTY KICK! Swerve sits back up while the fans boo Moxley.

Moxley drags Swerve up, suplexes, and X PLEXES! Swerve sputters after that crash landing, but he rises back up. Philly lets Moxley have it but he just soaks it up. Moxley storms back over to Swerve, eggs him on, and the fans rally for Swerve. Moxley mockingly asks Swerve if he’s good, then he BITES Swerve’s forehead again! The ref reprimands, Swerve takes wild swings, and he hits Moxley! And again! And again! Moxley just eggs Swerve on! Swerve CHOPS, CHOPS, but Moxley says he knows Swerve can hit harder than that. So Swerve ROCKS Moxley with a right! Moxley grins and comes back to fire a forearm!

Swerve fires back, the shots go back and forth! The fans cheer Swerve and boo Moxley as the two pick up speed! Swerve wobbles, Moxley SLAPS him! So Swerve SLAPS back! Swerve fires another forearm, another forearm, and a  BOOT! Then another BOOT! Another BOOT! Swerve runs, but Moxley ROCKS him! Moxley runs, but Swerve dodges to waistlock. Moxley wrenches to a KIMURA! The fans boo but Swerve endures! Swerve fights around, the fans rally, but Moxley powers into the ARMBAR! Swerve fights, kicks at Moxley, and powers his way around, only for Moxley to have a TRIANGLE HOLD! Nana coaches Swerve and Swerve fires body shots.

Swerve clasps hands, powers up to his feet, and he clinches Moxley so he can deadlift Moxley! POWERBOMB!! Both men are down but Philly fires up! Swerve snarls as he rises up, then runs up. Moxley dodges a boot, but Swerve fights the waistlock. Swerve ROCKS Moxley, runs corner to corner and ROCKS him! BOOTS him! ROCKS him again! BOOTS him again! Swerve whips corner to corner, then HIP TOSSES! Gator roll, deadlift and BRAINBUSTER! Swerve crawls to the cover, TWO! Moxley stays in this but Nana tells Swerve he is this close. But Moxley sits up to get the REAR NAKED CHOKE! Swerve rolls back to a cover, TWO!!

Moxley kicks, Swerve blocks and slips through, BACKBREAKER! Swerve then goes to the corner, rolls back, but Moxley CUTTERS first! The fans rally, Moxley gets mad now, and he drags Swerve into the underhooks. Swerve wrenches out, kicks, and he hooks Moxley up into the inverted Gory Especial! Moxley slips free, and hits an INVERTED HEADLOCK TAKEOVER, into the BULLY CHOKE!! The fans rally as Swerve endures, and Swerve fights around, only to end up back in the REAR NAKED CHOKE! The fans continue to rally as Swerve continues to fight, but Moxley shifts his grip again.

Swerve fights free of the body scissors, stands up, and he pushes off a corner! They roll back, Swerve is free, and he somersault FLATLINERS! The fans fire up, and we get a HOUSE CALL!! Cover, TWO!! Moxley survives but Swerve shouts, “JON!!” HOUSE CALL AGAIN!!! But Swerve isn’t going to cover? Swerve goes back to a corner, and he reloads! “Whose House?!” But Moxley LARIATS first!! Moxley shakes out his arm, but Swerve is up! HOUSE CALL!!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! Moxley rolls away, a standing count starts, and Marina slides in, briefcase in hand! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but NANA storms in!

The fans fire up as Nana tells Marina to stop being a problem! Marina just CLOBBERS Nana!! The fans boo but Marina kicks Nana out of the ring! But Swerve stalks behind Marina! But Moxley storms up on Swerve! Swerve dodges, the CUTTER catches Marina!! The fans fire up as Swerve now kicks Moxley, and steals PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, TWO!!! Moxley survives his own move and Swerve cannot believe it! The fans rally as hard as they can for Swerve, and he goes back to the corner! Swerve climbs up, takes aim, but Moxley stands! Moxley SHOVES Swerve to the floor! The fans boo but Moxley avoids the killshot!

Swerve flounders, the fans tell Moxley off, but Moxley goes out to look under the ring. Moxley drags out a ladder! Moxley tells off the fans, and then he brings that ladder over. Moxley stands that ten footer up near the steel steps but also Spanish commentary. There’s just enough room for that, and then Moxley says, “Whose house is it now?!” Moxley goes up the steel steps, tells the fans to shut their mouths, and he uses a GUILLOTINE CHOKE to bring Swerve around. Moxley makes Swerve climb the ladder, then he goes up the other side! The ref reprimands, the fans freak out just anticipating this!

Moxley throws hands on Swerve, then BITES the forehead! Moxley wants to get that wound bleeding again before he hauls Swerve up! Swerve fires body shots! Swerve CLAWS Moxley’s back! The fans cheer as Mox tastes some of his own medicine! Swerve SMACKS Moxley off the ladder, throws more hands, then he BITES Moxley’s forehead! Moxley starts to fall back, and Swerve hops over to join him on that side! KILL STOMPS down through the desk!!! Philly loses their minds and cheer on “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as both men go down! The ref checks both men, and while Swerve clutches a knee, it seems both men are okay to continue.

Swerve and Moxley both crawl out of the wreckage, Swerve going under the ladder. Hopefully that isn’t bad luck… Moxley flounders off to one side, Swerve goes to the other. They both stand and roll into the ring while the fans rally as hard as they can. Moxley and Swerve crawl, they lock eyes, and they head to center. They go forehead to forehead, then Moxley pie faces Swerve. Moxley eggs Swerve on, then fires as forearm! Swerve SLAPS! Moxley fires a forearm, Swerve fires back! Moxley wobbles, but he ROCKS Swerve! Swerve ROCKS Mox! Both men rise up, and now they throw haymakers! The ref reprimands but the shots keep going!

Moxley CHOPS, Swerve CHOPS, repeat! Then they fire forearms! The fans cheer Swerve, boo Moxley, repeat! Moxley kicks a leg out and Swerve falls! Marina is back and she slips a chair into the ring! The fans boo but the ref is busy helping Swerve. Moxley takes aim, Swerve ducks, the chair flies into the ref’s face!! The fans are shocked and Moxley is pissed, but the ref is down in a heap! Swerve reels Moxley into the Inverted Gory Especial! VERTEBREAKER!! Both men are down, Swerve clutching his knee, but here comes HANGMAN PAGE! The Cowboy vowed to never let Swerve be world champion again, is this that time?

But then Hangman also looks at Moxley, a man he hates just as much. But then Pac, Claudio & Yuta attack Hangman! They save Moxley from a potential Buckshot, then stand him up. Yuta runs up, but Claudio is sent into the BUSAIKU KNEE! Hangman TOSSES Pac, LARIATS Yuta, but Moxley reels Haman in! Hangman turns that into a DEADEYE! Claudio drags Hangman out to RAM him into the steps! But here comes The Opps! Samoa Joe told everyone that he, Hook & Shibata would be watching closely, and now they’re after the AEW World Trios Champions! The fans fire up as The Opps run Moxley’s minions off to the back!

Swerve has a chair! He CHUCKS it into Moxley’s face! Moxley falls, Swerve drags him into the drop zone! The fans are thunderous as Swerve climbs the corner! Swerve lines up the shot, K I L L S T O M P S!!! But where’s the ref?!? Swerve has to crawl back to the cover because of the bad leg! THE LIGHTS GO OUT?!? And when they come back up, THE YOUNG BUCKS HAVE SWERVE!? Matthew & Nicholas Jackson hit an E V P TRIGGER!!!! The fans boo, why’re The Bucks back to do this?!? Moxley covers, the ref is back to count, Moxley wins!

Winners: Jon Moxley, by pinfall (still AEW World Champion)

The prodigal EVPs return to screw over Swerve, and it makes no sense! Moxley’s reign of terror was saved again, what will it take to save AEW from this madness?

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My Thoughts:

Another great PPV for AEW, but this Death Riders double reign of terror is certainly… something. With the trios title match, all that actually works out. We saw FTR slowly turning Heel in their quick feud with The Undisputed Kingdom. Dax was the one most blatantly passive aggressive and salty about stuff, and I figured after losing the title match tonight, we’d get something like this. It was definitely brutal of them to do multiple Con-Chair-To shots, but that was good Heel heat. But in tonight’s main event, after an awesome match where the overbooking made sense, from Hangman wanting to screw both enemies, and then The Opps basically calling their shot on the trios titles, we get that?

The last time we saw the Young Bucks in AEW, they were running scared. They were shredding documents, hiding evidence, and just getting away from the company in general. So much so, they went back to NJPW to have a short reign with the IWGP Tag Team Championships. It’s not even so much that Swerve was guaranteed this win, given we’ve still got the Owen Hart Cup to determine who goes to All In. Is this solely based on how Swerve led Team AEW against Team Elite? Is this to lead to the “unlikely” duo of Swerve & Hangman taking on The Bucks? That’s rather wild, mostly because it means Tony Khan is actually thinking this through on levels above the rest of us.

Moving on from that, everything else was 100% A-OK. Very good Zero Hour, and I’m surprised they kept it to just two matches. Great Six Man Tag from Fox & Top Flight VS Nick & Cru. Good win for the Heels, and I feel this still can help build Nick’s departing from The Patriarchy. Nick will also have a great time in Best of the Super Juniors, can’t wait to see him face some of those great names in NJPW and beyond. I was saying Bowens should answer the challenge, he did, and that was a great return for him. Small quibble is that 5TP resembles STP (Shane Taylor Promotions), and I’m surprised we didn’t get anything from STP tonight despite them talking smack on The Opps.

Awesome stuff in the Owen Hart Cup’s opening around, with Ospreay VS Knight being an awesome first match for the main card. I figured Ospreay was going to win this but Knight looked amazing all the same, and as I said in the play by play, Knight will also being going into the BOSJ and I’m personally hoping he’ll have a great run there. Kyle VS Mark Part 4 was perhaps a show stealer in itself because they really cranked things up a notch. Much like with Ospreay over Knight, Kyle over Mark was the expected outcome, because that gives us the potential of Ospreay VS Kyle one more time in the finals.

Mone VS Hart was good, but a little janky at parts. It can’t even be Hart that was rusty or something because she’s been back for a minute, it could just be they were going for fast pace and high difficulty without really ironing out the wrinkles. Either way, Mone was expected to win, so this is fine. Good detail of the other entrants watching these matches, such as Harley and Athena watching Mone VS Hart, and Brody and Konosuke watching Kyle VS Mark. Surely Athena beats Harley to then face Mone, while I think Konosuke beats Brody to then face Ospreay, really giving Ospreay an amazing match even before the finals.

Very good stuff with the Learning Tree stories. Hurt Syndicate VS Bill & Keith was great, and fans still love Bill, even in Philly where he’s from New York and there’s all that old rivalry and stuff. But I kinda sensed MJF would get involved, and Hurt Syndicate couldn’t do anything about it, they just had to accept his help. That does add some intrigue to that story, and with Bill & Keith having lost again, that puts them on thin ice with Jericho. Though Jericho won’t really be one to talk, as he lost to Bandido. I’m not sure why they needed to “reverse the decision,” other than they wanted to give reason for Bandido’s mom & sister to get more physically involved. But of course Bandido won this. He isn’t losing his mask, and Jericho is finally no longer ROH World Champion. Guess the TV deal fell through.

Awesome stuff from Toni VS Megan, especially everything in Toni’s Rocky Balboa homage. They did a perfect job in playing up Toni as the underdog champion and Megan as this super human, but then it was great that a technical thing like that cradle won. While the Women’s Owen Hart Cup feeds All In, Double or Nothing is still open, maybe we wait and see who doesn’t win their way to the finals to see who challenges Toni. Great TNT Championship match, really good stuff playing up Cole’s bad foot, and that makes for a great win for Cole. It’s perhaps unfortunate timing for Garcia, as the other midcard titles are spoken for and he’s not getting in on the world title story at this point.

Last but certainly not the least, Omega VS Ricochet VS Bailey was perhaps the new best Triple Threat I’ve ever seen. For the longest time, Samoa Joe VS AJ Styles VS Christopher Daniels in TNA from like 20 years ago was that. There have perhaps been Triple Threats that matched that, but this has to have surpassed all of those. It wasn’t just the strikes, the speed, the hard hitting spots, but it also had the character work and the comedic elements that have helped Ricochet become such a great Heel in a relatively short time. Epic win for Omega, but then it makes a lot of sense for Okada to show up.

It was only a matter of time before Omega and Okada would have it out, and both of them being midcard champions, hard to avoid the temptation of a Winner Takes All. Or even a title unification. Double or Nothing and All In are each fitting PPVs by their names. Unification would feel like AEW conceding to the point that they’ve got too many titles and that they need to consolidate them. But at the same time, maybe they do have one too many because this was a huge PPV and they still couldn’t put all the belts on the line.

My Score: 9.1/10