AEW ALL OUT (2025) Pro Wrestling Review

It's been quite a while since I last did a pro wrestling review, but with a jam packed weekend I thought I would try to get back into it.

AEW is a promotion that I have sort of fallen out of keeping up with. I don't watch every single show just because of a lack of time and interest. I still think the shows often have the best in ring product in North America, but I just find too much of it skippable or not to my personal taste. It's just a me thing. So let's see how this PPV goes.

Pre-Show Matches

Match 1

The Opps (Will Hobbs & Samoa Joe) vs The WorkHorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry)

I typically don't watch pre-shows for wrestling events as they are more often then not meaningless. Just matches to fill time while people enter the arena.

This tag match felt like it belonged on a house show. Joe and Hobbs are great, but they barely even broke a sweat in this match. Honestly, it hurt me the most with this match because I watch a good amount of independent wrestling and the WorkHorsemen are one of the best tag teams out there. Their work in Deadlock Pro Wrestling is seriously incredible. But the fact that they lose in this fashion where they barely got any offense in just hurts. I really hope AEW gives them something to do soon. Hell, let them win the AEW Tag Team Championships.

Result: The Opps win

Star Rating: 2/5 Stars

Match 2

Daniel Garcia vs Katsuyori Shibata

Daniel Garcia is one of the "homegrown" talent that AEW has. Sure he wrestled on the indies before signing, but he was not super well known. In AEW, he has really succeeded and become a top young guy. His booking has been rather up and down in my view. Like he was sort of positioned to be in the same vein as the likes of Sammy Guevara and Darby Allin, but for now...I don't think he's quite there yet. Him joining the Death Riders does really fit his character and style though. It's been very beneficial for him, so that's good.

Meanwhile Shibata is an absolute legend of Japanese wrestling. Dude had to retire for years do to the fact that he would LEGIT headbutt his opponents and eventually he cracked his skull doing one. I watched that match live and was terrified. The fact that he was able to come back at all is shocking, but it's awesome to see.

This match is right up both men's alley. It was physical and very technical with a good amount of big spots here and there. This match, unlike a lot of pre-show stuff, did have a pretty good story going along with it. Having Matt Menard on commentary, who has LONG been established on television as the best friend of Garcia, was a great touch. And having him get up to try and shout some sense into Garcia only for Garcia to ignore him was fun too. My only issue with it is that Menard is not really a top guy. Hell he is barely a midcarder. If you want to position Daniel Garcia as a top star, then the match between them needs to be a total squash with Garcia murdering Menard in the ring. I know that won't happen because that is typically something AEW struggles with, but I am hoping that they do it for this feud, if it even goes to a singles match.

The match continued to be incredibly physical, but it did bother me a little bit. The fact that, again, they are trying to push Garcia to be a top level guy only to have to cheat and use a distraction from Marina Shafir to win bothered me. Although I will say that the wrist grabbed curb stomp being Garcia's finosher is perfect for this character. I loved it. Just wish they could've had Garcia win clean and not need to stoop to that level. I don't care if Shibata is a legend who should be "protected" it does more for Garcia then it would hurt Shibata.

Result: Daniel Garcia wins

Star Rating: 2.25/5 Stars

Match 3

Hologram, Kyle O'Reilly, & Roderick Strong vs The Frat House (Preston Vance, Griff Garrison, & Cole Karter)

Why is this match happening?

I don't really know or care. I am a huge fan of Roderick Strong, Kyle O'Reilly, and Hologram. But these are the people they are going up against? Alright.

This match was a whole lot more competitive than I was expecting. The Frat House feels like it should be a comedy faction, but at least it is giving young and talented people stuff to do. I'm not a fan of it, but it's better than I was expecting.

Hologram was the star of the match like he often is. Dude is extremely talented and athletic and usually puts on some amazing matches and performances. THis really just felt like a showcase for him, but also getting more people a chance to show up and wrestle for a bit.

The match ended so short and abrupt. I barely even had time to process it when it suddenly ended.

Then...there was tension between Hologram and Roderick Strong? Alright. Seemed out of nowhere but whatever.

Result: Strong, O'Reilly, & Hologram win

Star Rating: 1.5/5 Stars

Match 4

8-Woman Tornado Tailgate Brawl (whatever that is)

Harley Cameron, Mina Shirakawa, Queen Aminata, and Willow Nightingale vs. Megan Bayne, Penelope Ford, and Triangle of Madness (Julia Hart and Skye Blue)

This was really just an excuse to get all these women on the show. It was basically a comedy hardcore match. The match started with a hike like it was football. The face team took off their shirts to celebrate and make the crowd go crazy. There was a slapstick push over somebody on their hands and knees spot.

I honestly find it wild that people like Julia Hart, Willow Nightingale, Mina Shirakawa, and more recently Megan Bayne used to be treated like totally big deals and possible AEW Women's Champions. And now they're doing this stuff? Alright.

Bayne especially is somebody I find as a really weird case in AEW. She came in as a surprise debut and signing, but was quickly treated like a super big deal and a major player. Her first real feud was even for the AEW Women's Championship. I thought she could be like the next Jade Cargill with a long undefeated streak. But she really hasn't been treated like that. Her teaming with Penelope Ford is one of the many times I have been confused with women's tag teams in AEW. They don't have women's tag titles for some reason, so it just feels like they pair people up in order to ahve them all opn the show together.

Then there were more comedy spots with comedic weapons. Lawn chairs, red solo cups, ladels, plastic hockey sticks. It was just super weird. But then, you get a freaking nail gun getting used which just goes against the rest of the match in such a weird way. I just...I am fine with comedy wrestling in small doses. I'm not huge on fully comedic matches. It's the main reason I can't really watch DDT Wrestling in Japan. It just takes me out of it too much.

I like most of the women in this match, I just wish that they were doing more in AEW. Also a weird thing with this match was the commercials. I am watching this live on HBO Max, and it really felt like the commercial break came durning a majority of the fun stuff. I come back and there's weapons and carnage all over the place that I didn't get to see. We see coolers being used as weapons and a giant spot onto Willow onto multiple coolers. Like...what is happening.

Aminata and Mina have some pretty great chemistry together, which is good to see I guess. It just felt like this amtch was too short due to the time limit of the actual show starting, as well as too comedic with a large portion of it being missed due to commercials.

I feel like this would've fit better on a normal episode of Dynamite or Collision then the pre-show of a PPV. But it's whatever. It got a bunch of women on the show which is always good. It was what it was, which personally isn't my kind of wrestling.

Result: Willow, Mina, Aminata, & Harley Win

Star Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

Main Show

Match 1

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler)

We get a backstage video segment with Copeland and Cage just trying to relieve their glory days of the Attitude Era with absurd humor that seems like references that Canadian fans would get. Sure it's great because the show is in Toronto, but I didn't really understand any of it. That's not really a negative. Just an observation.

I was quite surprised that Adam Copeland was the very first person to come out, considering his song is the most well known and always has the crowd singing along for even a few minutes after it ends. But it's a great way to wake up the crowd instantly so gotta give it to them for that.

We start off the match with Christian and Dax. They have I guess the most history in terms of fighting in AEW, so that's cool. It was FTR who sort of convinced Nick Wayne to turn on Christian, so it's a good way to start it off with some smooth wrestling.

Adam Copeland comes in after not too long.

Now, ever since Copeland/Edge came back from his first retirement in the 2020 WWE Royal Rumble, I think it has been a really mixed bag of matches. For the most part, his matches go on way too long and try to make him look way too strong. That's at least in my opinion. Just look at his matches against Randy Orton, Jon Moxley, and Christian Cage himself. And don't even get me started on his cage match against Aleister Black.

This match though was sort of something that we always knew was going to happen since Copeland showed up in AEW. Reuniting with Christian one last time and going up against close friends Dax and Cash. I am just hoping that this match is a classic and not an overly long drama fest like most of their matches so far.

FTR got the advantage on Christian with some smart, sneaky tagging in which is kind of...okay. Like it was painfully obvious that match was going to revolve around FTR working over Cage so we would get a hot tag with Copeland, but predictability can still be good...as long as it's entertaining and fun to watch.

I have long thought that Christian Cage is FAR better as a heel than a face. And there was. a point in time he was my favorite wrestler in the world. But especially since he has been in AEW, he has thrived as a heel and sort of just been...a guy as a face. It just suits him better. Meanwhile FTR are perfect as faces or heels, able to easily go either way and the crowd will love them no matter what. And Copeland, especially at this point in his career, is a perfect babyface. Dude is just too likeable and popular to be booed.

FTR continue to beat down and work over Christian, even including a point where Christian could've tagged out but FTR cut it off in a pretty well done bit.

Copeland finally got the tag in and just laid into both Dax and Cash. Taking them both out with ease for a bit while the crowd was...pretty quiet to be honest. I was surprised by the reaction, but I guess they're saving themselves for the rest of the show which is sure to be long and full of great action.

Copeland continued to dominate, even doing something that I thought was pretty great. He paid tribute to John Cena and hit a Five Knuckle Shuffle as well as an Attitude Adjustment, which comes a little over a week after Cena hit a Spear in WWE. It was a great moment and the crowd totally blew up and loved it, which is always fun to see.

Shortly after we get a moment where all four men get taken out, and the crowd sort of takes a few seconds before realizing they're supposed to applaude and chant. It really didn't feel earned when the crowd started to chant "this is awesome" which might be the most overdone chant in all of wrestling. But that quickly gets drowned out by Christian and Copeland locking in duel Sharpshooters...because they're in Canada after all. It is basically law that Canadian wrestlers have to perform a Sharpshooter when in Canada.

We get some comedy with Stokely Hathaway on the floor for a bit. As much as I love Stokely and think he has great moments, I just don't think he fits in with FTR. He is too goofy and silly for the serious act.

Copeland and Cage were going to give a tribute to the Hardy Boyz, but it got cut off by FTR hitting Power & Glory. It was at this moment that I began to worry about this match.

Back in 2020, FTR took on the Young Bucks in what was a dream match years and years in the making. The first match was great, yet it was almost entirely made up of other teams moves. Hardyz, DIY, Road Warriors, all it was was nostalgia and paying tribute. It was fine, but not what the match should've been. I am worried this is going to go the same way.

Cage and Copeland break up a Shatter Machine attempt with Cage hitting a Spear and Copeland hitting a Killswitch, which was pretty awesome to be honest.

Stokeley breaks up the pinfall attempt by pulling the referee out of the ring, which then leads to the AEW debut of Beth Phoenix/Copeland, Adam's wife. I...yeah okay. I don't really think she needs to be in AEW, but whatever. Good for her and a great pop.

Cage and Copeland hit 3D to pay tribute to the Dudleyz (I think. The camera missed it) but FTR kicked out and the match is somehow still going.

Copeland and Cage prepare for a Spike Piledriver, which is FTR's own finishing move. Cash cuts it off in what was actually pretty impressive as he carried Cage down the steps in a powerbomb position and then slams him down onto the announce table. While the referee is distracted, Dax smashes Copeland over the head with the ring bell followed by a Spike Piledriver.

Somehow, Copeland kicked out and I actually shouted "That's BS!"

This is turning into a signature Copeland going on way too long. Copeland then blocks a Shatter Machine on his own and hits 2 Impaler DDTs to Dax and Cash. I just...this is going on way too long. This match had 3 different points it could've and should've ended.

Copeland goes for a Spear, but FTR counters with a Shatter Machine. Well it's about time that...oh no Copeland kicks out. Whatever. Match going on even longer. FTR hit a second one, and Copeland almost stays on his feet. He is still fighting and Cage just slaps Cash, who turns around straight into a Spear from Copeland and the win.

Well alright. That's one way to have a stupid finish. Look, the match itself was actually pretty good with good moments. But this went on way too long and had way too many false finishes. I began to get angry at the amount that Copeland was kicking out of.

Result: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage win

Star Rating: 3/5 Stars

After the match, Cage's former stablemates Nick and Mother Wayne come out to dsitract them so FTR and Kip Sabian can ambush them. Copeland gets handcuffed to the ropes, allowing FTR and Sabian to attack Christian. Beth doesn't go to save Christian for some reason. She just watches Christian get hit with a Spike Piledriver...for some reason.

But then Beth tries to free Copeland, only to kiss him and try to fight off FTR. It was actually a pretty awesome moment when she then gets hit with a Spike Piledriver by FTR while Copeland could do nothing about it. But...yeah I just have feelings about all this stuff. Copeland is too old, the match went too long, Beth doesn't really need to be in AEW, and this has really just run its course for me.

Match 2

Eddie Kingston vs Big Bill

Eddie Kingston has been injured and away from AEW for 16 months. He has long been one of if not my total favorite in all of AEW. The fact that he is coming back on PPV and going to get a win back is great. Also Big Bill has been doing the best work of his career, so having him get such. a big oppurtunity against a real legend of wrestling is pretty awesome. I'm excited to see how this match goes.

The crowd was going absolutely wild for Kingston, chanting his name over and over. Then his music hit and they exploded.

It's pretty awesome to see such a welcome for a true legend who really should be treated with the regard that he is getting now. Dude is the realest wrestler out there and I've been saying almost since he showed up in AEW that he should be AEW World Champion.

Eddie starts off the match hot with chops, but Bill just shrugs them off. The crowd was still hot while the match started off fast and physical. Kingston was doing a great job selling, really making Bill seem like a giant powerhouse who could kick his ass. He made Bill look like a star with the crowd reacting in just the right way.

Eddie had the fighting spirit and heart to get the crowd behind him, doing an incredible job throwing himself around and screaming in agony for everyone to hear. Kingston began to get his comeback and it was awesome to watch, showing that he was building up to hitting a massive Exploder Suplex that was very impressive to see. A great bit of psychology from the legend that is Kingston. It was great to watch and see.

Kingston was able to survive a lot of punishment, with the story coming now that Bill wasn't taking it seriously. Kingston was able to hit a big DDT and a Backfist...for Bill to kick out at 1. I wasn't a huge fan fo that, but whatever. Maybe if Shibata didn't kick out at 1 on the preshow and me knowing that there are going to be multiple moments like that tonight, it would mean more. Bill hits a Big Boot but misses a Corner Splash. Kingston almost wins with a roll up, but then hits a really sloppy and weird looking Backfist and...oh that's it. Kingston got the win in a bit of a messy and sloppy finish. Maybe it was a botch, but it looked really weird.

Result: Eddie Kingston wins

Star Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

After the match, Bryan Keith attacks Eddie Kingston. The lights go out before HOOK comes out to make the save. The crowd didn't react at all, which was a little strange. HOOK just dodges a Boot and Bill falls out of the ring which looked way too goofy. Then HOOK and Kingston work together to take out Bryan Keith before they hug and pose together in the ring. It was a nice moment I guess. I was honestly hoping that HOOK was going to attack Kingston, but it seems like they're going to be a partnership now which I guess is a good idea. Two similar characters and styles with HOOK having somebody to learn from. It should only benefit him hopefully.

Match 3

Tables N Tacks Match

Mark Briscoe vs MJF

About 24 hours removed from an absolute 5 Star Classic against Mistico in CMLL, MJF got on a flight from mexico to Canada to fight Mark Briscoe.

This feud can be described as tasteless in times, with MJF bringing up Mark's dead brother Jay often. I understand that's basically what MJF's character is, but yeah I'm not big on this. MJF, for me personally, has felt like he has reached his ceiling in AEW and is just sticking around. Mark Briscoe meanwhile is somebody who I enjoy and find fun to watch, but I don't see him anywhere near main event level. I don't see Mark winning the AEW World TItle ever in his career, and I don't think there is anything wrong with that. But this match is sure to be extreme and bloody and good.

The match started with MJF leaving the ring not wanting to fight, followed by Mark briscoe dumping out all four buckets of thumb tacks all over the ring. It was a cool visual, but yeah...it's just such a weird stipulation for this match. I get its a blood feud and all that, but it's just weird. I am curious to see how this match goes.

MJF continues to stay outside, even trying to walk out before Mark attacks him and they brawl around the ring for a bit.

We finally get inside the ring and MJF sells like he is terrified of the tacks. They trade strikes in the center of the ring, trying to see who would fall into them first. It is actually pretty cool to see something like this. A ring completely full of tacks and two guys fighting over them. I just find it weird in a match like this.

Mark hits some punches and MJF does a big goofy sell with his arms waving, followed by both men failing to hit Bodyslams to loud crowd reactions. MJF tries to shove Mark's face into the tacks, which is really just what a lot of this match is going to be. It's going to be a lot of teases and faking it.

MJF pulls the ref in the way of Mark, pokes him in the eye, then Bodyslams him down onto the big mat covered in tacks. Now I would NEVER want to do anything like this, but I was surprised with how few tacks stuck and how little blood there was.

MJF grinds Mark's fae into the tacks, with stuff sticking to his forehead. It was a great moment and great reaction from the crowd, followed by MJF grabbing a table from the floor and throwing it under the ring to make the crowd boo and hate him, which is a great wau to build heel heat. I loved it.

Mark is bleeding from his forehead, selling until MJF finally gets back into the ring and goes on the attack. MJF takes off Mark's shirt and slams him down with a massive Alabama Slam into the tacks, trying to pin him with only one foot. It was an awesome moment and the crowd went wild, but it was better when MJF grabbed Mark by his legs and dragged him around in the tacks.

More blood began to come from Briscoe's back and arms. MJF then forced a handful of tacks into Briscoe's mouth, followed by a massive right hand to make tacks go flying. I always love those kinds of spots, even if I find them a bit ridiculous.

MJF hits a Back Body Drop to Briscoe onto the tacks, just making him bleed more and more while MJF's white gear began to get covered in Mark's blood. Another Back Body Drop and MJF just plays to the crowd. Bryan Danielson on commentary keeps saying that Mark isn't staying down and that's the story of the match. MJF goes for another Back Body Drop, but Mark lands on his feet in a pretty surprising and awesome moment. Mark then hits MJF with a Body Drop of his own to a HUGE pop. MJF sold it perfectly with a face of pure shock and pain, finally getting beaten down for a bit. Briscoe then took MJF's shirt off, the two trading moves. Briscoe hits an Enziguri and landed on the tacks, which was a pretty great moment. Briscoe then hits a massive Spinebuster onto the tacks, but MJF kicked out.

The crowd was getting hot and loud for this match which is pretty cool. Briscoe is putting his body on the line and MJF is playing his role and character perfectly well. Briscoe grabs the table that MJF got rid of earlier, setting MJF up on it on the floor. Briscoe goes for his signature steel chair assisted Tope Con Hilo (basically sits a chair up in the ring, runs and jumps off of it to do a front flip over the ropes and to the floor) onto MJF through the table in a pretty cool moment.

Mark Briscoe drags MJF around the ring, beating him up and taking the punishment to him while he pulls out a second table. He lays MJF off of it and does a Running Elbow Drop off the apron like Cactus Jack, with the crowd loving it. The table break was a little weird and messy, but you can't predict that kind of stuff.

Briscoe grabs a third table from the floor, leaning it up against the apron. MJF and Briscoe got back into the ring, with MJF taking a handful of tacks and throwing them at Briscoe in a great moment of strategy and playing dirty. Briscoe follows this up with a Powerbomb onto the tacks, the crowd going wild once again.

Briscoe goes under the ring and takes out a steel chair that was covered in tacks glued to it. They traded blows when MJF hit a Tombstone Piledriver onto the chair, followed by a kick out. They traded a bit more blows before MJF stood up a table in the ring and dumped two bags of tacks all over the table. MJF then climbs up to punch Briscoe, attempting to then Powerbomb Briscoe through the table. Briscoe lays in with his own punches.

They continue to build around the table and tease some big spots, going on for multiple minutes. Teasing Avalanche Drivers and Dives and all sorts of things.

It ends with a really awesome looking Elbow Drop to a standing MJF, which looked weird because MJF had to jump up to make it look good. Briscoe then hit a Diving Elbow Drop to a prone MJF, followed by going for a Jay Driller, the finishing move of his dead brother Jay briscoe.

Mark spikes MJF onto the tacks and covers to get the victory.

Result: Mark Briscoe wins

Star Rating: 3.75/5 Stars

We get a video segment that is trying to build to the reuinion of The Acclaimed, which I think is. astep backwards for both men. We don't need them together anymore. Just let them do their own things.

Match 4

Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, & MVP) vs Ricochet and Gates of Agony (Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun)

I am personally been pretty mixed with the Hurt Syndicate in AEW. I understand that their whole thing is that their badass dudes who are big and muscular and strong, but I personally feel like they have been booked TOO strong. When they won the AEW Tag Team Titles from Private Party, it was practically a squash match. A lot of their matches were until they lost the belts because Ricochet and the Gates of Agony interferred to cost them their titles.

And I'm not going to take backstage rumors into account with them seemingly not wanting to do business with some people, like (allegedly/reportedly) refusing to wrestle some people, do rematches, or lose to some people. In some instances I understand it, but in others it seemed to really hurt the home grown talent.

Ricochet was somebody I was worried about when he arrived in AEW as I thought he was going to be lost in the shuffle, but he has honestly become one of the most enjoyable and best parts of the entire company. He's great. And pairing him up with GOA puts them in a prominent position which is always great to see for people. It's great to rotate out the stars and give everyone a chance to shien and show off their skills.

We start off the match with MVP and Ricochet...at least until Ricochet tags out to be a cowardly heel. We then go to MVP vs Bishop Kaun, who I really have seen very very little of. He has a great look and was really giving it to MVp. But once again, it's a thing with me. MVP is 51 years old and is semi retired. Why is he able to outpower and beat up a much younger guy? I don't get it.

Bishop and Shelton Benjamin put on a great sequence together, with Bishop showing some strength and intensity. Benjamin truly is a super athlete and watching him wrestle at any point is awesome.

This is followed by Ricochet and Lashley going at it, with Ricochet laying in a bunch of strikes that have no effect. It felt a bit comedic for. abit until Lashley just threw Ricochet around like he was a child. Lashley even carried Ricochet in a Suplex while tagging in MVP, which was pretty cool.

MVP does his signature "Ballin" Elbow Drop to Ricochet which the crowd loves. MVP dominates Ricochet for a while the crowd goes a little quiet.

Bishop and Liona work together to beat down MVP, working over the older veteran. This is the stuff I like to see. MVP is making these guys all look like dominant badasses and gives them all time to work him over and sell. This is honestly what I like to see from veterans. Making the younger guys or the guys who have been in the company longer look good.

Ricochet and GOA continued to beat down on MVP, but it didn't last long until Lashley came in and just wrecked everybody with ease.

Bobby Lashley in AEW is one of those situations that I find weird. The dude LOOKS like a athlete and a superstar. The fact that he hasn't even had a chance to fight people like Hangman Page, Jon Moxley, Will Ospreay, or other top guys in AEW aside from Swerve Strickland is wild to me. It's a situation where you feel like it's weird he isn't in the World title scene because...look at him. He could murder anybody and everybody.

Shelton Benjamin comes in next and just shows why he is so so good. German Suplexes to everyone with the crowd seriously behind him and his freakish athleticism. Some serious power and agility that doesn't make sense with a human being.

And this is a personal thing with me across all of wrestling. Bobby Lashley does a Spear to try and win...when just a few matches ago Adam Copeland hit a Spear to win the match. I don't like when multiple wrestlers on the same show use the same finishing move. I feel this way with WWE as well, especially wth JUST HOW MANY Spears there are in WWE. But I feel AEW is a little bit worse with it. The amount of Piledrivers and Superkicks and Cutters and Dives and all that stuff just gets repetitive.

Lashley goes for a Spear on the floor but Liona blasts him with a steel chair. The commentary does a bad job to explain that the referee didn't see it so it wasn't a DQ, but it just felt messy. We get a bunch of big moves in the floor around the time keeper's area, which was just so Ricochet could do a big dive over the corner and take out Lashley and Benjamin.

This is followed up by Liona being thrown and sending himself as well as Lashley and Benjamin over the barricade, taking them all out. It turned into 2 on 1, with Ricochet and Bishop taking on MVP. Yet, again, MVP was able to fight them both off with ease at least for a bit. He only got taken out when he played to the crowd, followed up by Ricochet hitting the Spirit Gun (which I don't think is a good move) and gets the surprising victory.

Once again, why are the Hurt Syndicate being booked this way?

Result: Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, & Toa Liona win

Star Rating: 3.25/5 Stars

Match 5

TBS Championship Match

Mercedes Mone (c) vs Riho

Riho was the inaugural AEW Women's Champion all the way back in 2019. Since then...she hasn't done much.

Riho is somebody who disappears for quite a long time and then comes back for a title match. It's happened a few times and it's something that I never like. There was a similar situation for a while with Nyla Rose ALWAYS being the first challenger for any AEW Women's Champion due to the fact that she once held it.

Mercedes Mone meanwhile is currently, actively holding 5 different championships across multiple promotions. Her whole character right now is just going to promotions and winning titles.

Now, Mercedes Mone is somebody who I think is incredibly talented in ring. She is a great wrestler. That is obvious. However, I do not think that she is the greatest women's wrestler in North America or the world like many online fans try to say. I think she's great, just not the best. I personally really didn't like her matches against Kris Statlander, which people seemed to think were match of the year candidates when they happened. Maybe there is a slight bias for me, but I am hopefully optimistic that this will be a good match.

Mercedes immedately goes for her finishing move the Statement Maker, followed by trying to go for her other finishing move. Riho transitions into a Single Leg Boston Crab. The start was fast and furious with technical wrestling, which I always appreciate and am always a fan of.

Riho then starts to mock Mercedes by doing her dance for a bit, then dodging moves back and forth. They continue to do. alot of technical and counter wrestling which again, is my favorite kind of wrestling. Riho hits a Tiger Feint Kick (also known as a 619) which is followed up by quite a nasty looking Foot Stomp off the apron. She plays to the crowd only to then hit another Foot Stomp off the announce table, with Mercedes selling them like death.

They go back into the ring with Riho going for another Foot Stomp, but Mercedes dodges it. Riho stays on offense with a Headscissors, a nasty Dropkick in the ropes, and then an even more nasty Crucifix that slammed Mercedes down hard onto the back of her head and neck.

Commentary tries to add drama by saying that Mercedes is looking past Riho and wants to try and break Ultimo Dragon's record of the most titles heald at the same time, which I guess is a story they can tell, but it sort of feels tacked on. Mercedes gets the advantage and hits a Meteora off the table and to the floor, finally getting time to be on offense and have the advantage.

Mercedes continued to dominate for a bit including quite a nasty Dropkick that connected to the throat.

Mercedes slows it down with more technical wrestling and submission holds, including a Pendulum Swing which is one of my favorite holds. I just like how it look, especially when they swing their opponent back and forth. Mercedes follows this up with a Romero Special, another move I love. Riho countered in a pretty unique way, going straight for Mercedes' leg and weaking it up for her submission hold.

Riho locked in a Boston Crab and boy did she WRENCH on that thing. The fans and commentary gasped while I leaned back in my seat shocked by the angle she was able to bend Mercedes. Mercedes got out with some hair pulling, but then Riho took Mercedes down and locked in Mercedes own Statement Maker (Crossface) submission hold which was fun. Riho then hit a Victory Roll into a Foot Stomp, which...this is going to be a minor nitpick.

Riho has been targeting the midsection as well as the leg. Her finishing move is seemingly a Single Leg Boston Crab. Now, in real combat I understand going after multiple body parts, but in wrestling you usually target one over and over. Why is Riho targeting two that don't really have much connection to them?

Anyways, Riho hits a great Dragon Suplex for a nearfall. This match is really showing what Mercedes is best as, which is selling. Making her opponents look good and like they could win at any possible moment. Mercedes had some time to get some work in before Riho gets her knees up on a Frog Splash. Mercedes slams herself into the corner, followed by a Tree of Woe Foot Stomp from Riho.

I am starting to realize that half of Riho's offense is just Foot Stomps. Like to the level of Suerpkicks the Young Bucks or the amount of V-Triggers Kenny Omega does.

Mercedes gets back on top with a Sunset Flip Powerbomb into the corner followed by a Running Meteora. Riho kicks out and Mercedes is furious, despite the fact that she really hasn't even done that much offense to Riho. Riho has been primarily dominating the match.

Mercedes goes for another Meteora, but Riho once again bends her like crazy in a wild submission hold that I can't even describe. That is until Mercedes reaches the ropes to escape.

Riho keeps herself on offense with a nasty German Suplex and a Diving Crossbody. Followed by a Northern Lights Suplex. Riho is really just dominating until Mercedes grabs hold of the referee before clawing at Riho's eyes. A Tombstone Lungblower followed by a Mone Maker leads to Mone getting the victory in somewhat abrupt and anticlimactic fashion.

Result: Mercedes Mone retains

Star Rating: 3.75/5 Stars

Match 6

AEW Unified Championship Triple Threat

Kazuchika Okada (c) vs Konosuke Takeshita vs Mascara Dorada

Before this match even starts, I just have a simple question:

Why isn't this just Okada vs Takeshita? They have been building that feud up for a while! Throwing in Dorada just doesn't make sense. Even the video package before the match was all about Okada and Takeshita where you go "oh yeah and Dorada is also in the match" which is a real disservice to him. I just find his inclusion uneccesary and weird. It'll be a good match, but I just really want the singles match between two of the best Japanese wrestlers of the past decade.

Also, I feel like it needed to be brought up. Kazuchika Okada held the AEW Continental Championship for 549 days and counting. The dude has been champ for almost as long. ashe has been in AEW. He feels so above this title that I don't understand why he still has it. Like, let him drop it and go on to the World title scene already. Dude was the ACE of Japanese wrestling for decade. Now he is holding possibly the least important title in AEW? Alright.

The match starts off fast and furious like I expected. Takeshita and Okada try to throw Dorada out and fight, but Dorada puts on a great showing with some great lucha libre flying and moves. He is showing that he belongs in this match and wants. to put on a true showing. I really see this as three different styles. The high flying and lucha libre of Dorada, the power and striking of Takeshita, and the technical mastery of Okada.

Dorada is obviously the flashiest of the three, pulling off a bunch of impressive and awesome moves onto both men. Some crazy dives and epic reversals from any position into arm drags and hurricanranas, only to then get taken out with a Brainbuster on the ramp by Takeshita.

Takeshita throws Dorada into the ring to work him over with some submissions, dominating Dorada on his own for a bit. Anytime Okada tried to get involved, Takeshita would take him out. All while Don Callis on commentary is trying to say that things are respectful and friendly.

Oh also sidenote that I forgot about until commentary brought it up: Konosuke Takeshita just won the freaking G1 Climax in New Japan Pro Wrestling! The most legendary and prestigious tournament in all of pro wrestling. I bring this up because WHY IS HE FIGHTING FOR A TITLE THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING!?

Takeshita is going to the biggest show in Japanese wrestling to fight for the biggest, most important prize, the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. And yet here in AEW he is in a throwaway three way that should really just be a single match.

And look, I am predicting that this match is going to end with Okada pinning Dorada and so then Takeshita doesn't take a pinfall loss and blah blah. But...it's still a loss.

Takeshita should be winning every match he has until he challenges for the belt in New Japan.

Ayways, back to the actio.

Okada is now the one working over Dorada, beating him down while Takeshita just rests on the outside. Dorada gets. abit of. acome back and hits some great high flying moves and some awesome lucha libre offense, showing that again, he belongs in this match. It's really just a great showcase for him and the crowd is very much behind him. Dorada continued to dominate for a bit, getting a great near fall on Okada after a wild move that I don't know how to explain. But Okada got back on top very quick and easy, hitting a lot of his greatest hits. The Air Raid Crash Neckbreaker, the Elbow Drop, and the Rainmaker pose into. the middle finger.

We get a pretty awesome exchange of counters and counters between Okada and Takeshita, including an awesome Rainmaker into a Blue Thunder Bomb for a great near fall that had the crowd going wild.

Dorada comes back for a bit gettting some more fancy and awesome moves in that you won't see anywhere else. Dorada hit a big 450 Splash, but Okada pulled him out of the ring.

The crowd continues to be hot for this match. Every one of the wrestlers is giving it their all, pulling out every move they can. This match doesn't have story other than Okada and Takeshita having a rivalry that is simmering on the verge of no longer being friendly or respectful.

Dorada though makes sure everyone remembers him as he hits a massive Abalanche Hurricanrana onto both Okada and Takeshita off the top rope at the same time. It was absolutely wild. andthe crowd exploded with cheers. It was impressive to see, only for Dorada to get blasted by Okada and Takeshita at the same time.

The two havfe a tense face off, as if finally having a chance to fight.

Now, I think if this was the first time they traded blows all match it would hit harder. But they have been fighting all match long. It didn't feel as epic as I think they were hoping for.

The two continue to trade moves back and forth with Takeshita fetting he better of it at first. But then both men are down and Dorada sees his time to take advantage. He goes to. thetop rope and hits a Moonsault, landing on his feet and hits a Standing Moonsault onto Okada. He then his a big Moonsault onto both men and covers them at the same time.

I know what I said earlier about Dorada being in this match, but he is really the star of this match if not this whole show so far. Dude is giving it his ALL. This really is his star making performance in AEW and I hope he sees more success and high profile matches after this.

Takeshita takes out Dorada before Okada takes out Takeshita, but everyone is too exhausted and lay on the mat. The crowd chants for them to fight forever, which they seemingly will if they can.

We get strike exchanges with all three men on their knees, standing up slowly to trade harder and harder strikes back and forth.

We get some great moments with all three men avoiding moves and using each other to dodge or block, ending with Takeshita going for a Double German Suplex on Okada and Dorada, only for Dorada to land on his feet and get a near fall on Takeshita. He then takes out Okada with a massive DDT on the apron, but then plays to the crowd too much. Takeshita is able to block a dive before hitting a massive Superplex, rolling through and going for a Brainbuster, only for Dorada to reverse into a pin until Takeshita lifts him up and hits a Falcon Arrow. Okada breaks it up by picking Takeshita up for a Rainmaker, but Takeshita dodges. The finish comes fast and wild as Okada hits a Dropkick to Takeshita, sending him out of the ring as Okada then blasts Dorada with a Rainmaker.

The finish was EXACTLY what I was expecting it to be, but holy crap the match was perfect. Dorada put on the performance of the night and had the crowd going wild for him. Takeshita was close to winning, but just fell short. Meanwhile Okada keeps hold of the title for even longer.

Result: Kazuchika Okada retains

Star Rating: 4.75/5 Stars

Match 7

Coffin Match

Darby Allin vs Jon Moxley

Jon Moxley was once THE guy of AEW. Back since their first ever PPV, he was the main event guy who showed up and really helped put AEW on the map. The former Dean Ambrose in WWE, Moxley did everything he could and has held more titles in AEW than anybody else. Then, his most recent run saw him as the leader of the Death Riders. The group that tried. to kill AEW and ruin wrestling.

Meanwhile Darby Allin was bascially a nobody when AEW debuted. He had a great performance against Cody Rhodes, but even then he was just a guy. A young indy guy.

Years later. and Darby is perhaps the most beloved fan favorite homegrown AEW star they have.

And now? The two go head to head.

I will say that the commentary sort of hinted at the story of the match a bit too much. Bryan Danielson on commentary says how he promised Darby he wouldn't get involved no matter what. So Darby. isgoing to be brutally beaten down and Bryan just has to watch?

During Moxley's entrance, Darby Allin blindsides and attacks him. We get a great brawl through the crowd, which is perfect since both of these men excell in more hardcore brawl settings.

Things get especially violent with some biting and clawing each other. It was like two wild animals fighting for dominance in a disgusting and violent display that is perfect for these two. Any time that these two have fought before, it's been amazing.

I will say though that there was some weird camera moments with this part of the match. Some weird stuff where the camera wasn't showing Moxley at all because. heneeded to blade and cut himself open, but then the cameras didn't show the blood for a while after.

Moxley threw Darby around and got the advantange, going for the coffin at ringside. This leads. toa moment that was actually really awesome to watch, even if it makes no logical sense.

Moxley opens the coffin and stands it up at ringside. He then stands in front of it, allowing Darby to hit a Tope Suicida that sends both men into the coffin and fall over. andclose. It. was AWESOME...but again makes no sense.

Darby then goes for another Tope on the other side of the ring, but Moxley catches him in midair with a Cutter. While Moxley keeps beating down on Darby, including a nasty Suplex onto another coffin, Marina Shafir at ringside is taking apart part of the ring. The rest of the Death Riders show up just to stand around for a bit and help get the coffin into the ring. And then...all fo the Death Riders head to the back. Alright. Cool. Why did they even show up?

Moxley continues to beat down on Darby, slamming the lid of the coffin onto his hand and choking him out while shouting trash talk into his face. The crowd is loud for this match, all of them shouting hatred and boos at Moxley. They start to cheer on Darby, who doesn't get a lot of time until he grabs hold of a fork (from somewhere) and stabs it into Moxley's ear followed by stabbing him over and over and over again on the foehead. Darby gets back with a Coffin Drop off the top rope onto the floor, showing that Moxley was now a totally bloody mess.

They get back into the ring and Darby hits a Coffin Drop onto Moxley on top of the coffin, getting closer to winning. Darby now smashes Moxley's hands with the lid, followed by a Scorpion Death Drop. A tribute to his mentor and former tag team partner Sting.

Darby goes under the ring and grabs a lead pipe, but Moxley is able to get back on top. He tries to stab Darby with the fork, but Darby goes after the ear that he busted open earlier. Darby then uses the fork to completely mutilate Moxley's ear until Moxley fights back again. Both men get on top of the coffin where Moxley hits a Death Rider on top, which looked extremely brutal and awesome.

Excalibur and Bryan Danielson on commentary are doing a great job at selling the severity of the violence. The drama. Meanwhile Taz is more just talking about. themoves and stuff.

Moxley throws Darby into the coffin and tries to shut the lid, but Darby blocks it with the lead pipe. Darby brings the fight outside the ring where Bryan Danielson passes Darby Allin a plastic bag (a year or so ago the Death Riders attacked Danielson and choked him out with a plastic bag).

So Darby does some revenge for Bryan, including some Danielson stomps to Moxley's head with the plastic bag still over his head.

Darby drags Moxley into the coffin, but before he can shut the lid he gets ambushed. byPAC...who looked very different. He has been injured and now he has short hair and was dressed in normal black clothing. Pac lifted Darby up and hit a Powerbomb that threw Darby out of the ring and onto the coffin on the floor, then threw Darby back into the ring. Pac brought a bodybag with him, which is. acommon thing with Darby matches and feuds since his time in AEW. Pac put Darby inside the bag and zipped it up, then put Darby inside the coffin. All Moxley had to do was kick the lid to close it and get the win.

Result: Jon Moxley wins

Star Rating: 3.75/5 Stars

We go backstage to see The Conglomeration with Harley Cameron, Willow Nightingale, Mark Briscoe, Hologram, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O'Reilly all hanging out. Briscoe cuts a wild and rambling promo that basically was done to hint at Orange Cassidy returning from injury. I feel like they could've kept it a surprise, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Match 8

AEW Women's Championship Four Way

Toni Storm (c) vs Kris Statlander vs Thekla vs Jamie Hayter

Jamie Hayter is one of my favorite wrestlers on the entire planet, so I will always be rooting for her. As for Statlander, I'm happy to truly see her being put in such a major spot. Meanwhile Thekla is somebody I know nothing about and have never seen wrestle. She came into AEW with a LOT of hype, so she must be good. I'm excited. tosee how she does and how this match goes.

Now, ever since Mariah May left AEW I have had this feeling with the AEW Women's Division. There aren't really many people at the level of skill or popularity as Toni Storm. Now, there are PLENTY of extremely talented and popular and loved women on the roster. Hayter, Statlander, Thekla, Willow Nightingale, Julia Hart, and plenty more that are loved and deserve success, but at this current point in time with the division it just doesn't feel super realistic for any of them to win the title.

Before. thematch started, Wheeler Yuta came out to try and give Statlander some advice or encouragement due to them teasing Statlander joining the Death Riders. Now I personally think that would be the best move for Statlander and give her a real chance at a good character and story. Her last heel run against Willow was abolustely incredible and the teases at her returning to some similar character would be great.

The match itself starts off very chaotic and messy. A whole lot of fighting on the floor and everyone hitting dives or big moves to take each other out. Thekla was the first person to really get any type of advantage, taking off a belt from her gear and whipping her opponents with it. hayter than uses a handkerchief from her ring gear, which is creative but. I really wasn't expecting so much clothing based offense in this match up.

There was a great squence with Thekla hitting a Spider Suplex to Toni, then dodging an attack from Statlander only to brawl with Hayter and hit another Spider Suplex. Thekla then brawled with Statlander and hit yet another one, showing off some great mobility and flexibility that was cut off by Storm in a pretty hilarious moment where Toni just stomps on Thekla while she was doing a spider crawl.

This match is incredibly fast paced and chaotic. Unlike the triple threat match from earlier, there is never really one person working with just one more person. Every single spot and bit of offense is dealing with multiple people in just an endless flurry of moves. It makes. the match incredibly fast paced and energetic, but it also just makes it really difficult to focus on anything before something else happens, then about 5 more things in just a few seconds. It's difficult to keep up with everything.

Toni Storm and Jamie Hayter briefly work together for a bit, which I honestly find really strange considering that when Hayer was AEW Women's Champion, Toni was the one who took it from her and injured her. When Hayter came back, it was literally to feud with the people who injured her and get her revenge. This is another match that I wish was just a singles match. This really should just be Toni Storm vs Jamie Hayter.

Storm and Hayter finally get time to fight each other one on one, but it's quickly broken up by Thekla.

The match is finally beginning to slow down now, with long stretches of just one on one fighting in the ring. It's perfect for the fans to catch their breath and finally figure out what is going on. Not just endless fighting and non stop blurs of offense. This is much needed.

Hayter and Thekla fight each other on the apron, ending in a WILD Spear from Thekla that sent them both flying off the apron and onto the floor.

Back in the ring Statlander rolls up Toni Storm in a pin and...OH SHOOT SHE WON!?

I was not expecting that at all. The match really just seemed to stop out of nowhere. There was no build up or climax. Hell, it didn't even feel like the match got into a second act.

I'm happy for Statlander because I think she is amazing and long overdue for this title run, but wow this match just wasn't as great as I was expecting. It almost felt like it was cut for time.

Result: Kris Statlander wins the AEW Women's Championship

Star Rating: 3/5 Stars

I am so curious with what Toni Storm does now. She was completely shocked and speechless that she lost, and I don't think there is anything else left for her to do. So I'm curious. But I am also wondering how the whole Death Riders story is playing into this. I am just really shocked and confused by this to be honest. I don't think Toni should've lost the title here, especially in such underwhelming fashion.

Match 9

AEW Tag Team Championship Four Way Ladder Match

Brodido (Bandido & Brody King) (c) vs The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs Jet Speed (Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight) vs Don Callis Family (Josh Alexander & Hechicero)

It was at this point in the show I realized just how long this show is. This match, as crazy as it may sounds, is one that I am not expecting a lot from beyond wild spots and craziness. It's going to be a long match with the crowd popping at every huge move and dive and ladder spot. I could not possibly imagine being at this show live. AEW shows are almost always too long and packed with way too many matches that go on too long and with too many spots and moves that things just go numb by the end. I know. I just complained about the previous match being too short, but it wouldn't be so bad if every match was a normal length and had better psychology or booking. At least in my opinion.

And this is another example of AEW just wanting to cram everyone onto a card with multi person or multi team matches just because. There is no real storyline reason to this. There were some qualifying matches, these teams won, and it's a ladder match just because ladder matches are fun. This is something I have had issues with about AEW for quite a while. Just having gimmick matches for the sole purpose of gimmick matches being able to have fun chaos and destruction.

Think of it like this. Darby Allin and Jon Moxley NEEDED to be a Coffin Match. They have a multi year BLOOD feud with a lot of history and interconnected parts. The Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland matches NEEDED to be Texas Death and Lights Out Steel Cage because they wanted to KILL each other.

Why the hell is this a ladder match and not just a normal four way? Because it's a ppv and ladder matches mean weapons and flips and giant dives? Okay.

The match starts and, as to be expected, it's chaos and moves from the get go. Just all moves and spots and emptying arsenals. Dives and double team moves and some offense involving ladders. Now there were some cool and unique spots, like the fact that Brody King hit a German Suplex on 3 men at the same time, as well as a pretty cool moment where Hechicero and Josh slide under the ropes with Brody lifting the ladder up, then backng up with it to take them out.

But then we get the PWG or indy promotion moment where everyone in the matcht akes turns hitting dive after dive to the outside. This ends with a pretty cool if not logical moment where Bandido is lying across a ladder that HIS OWN PARTNER BDOY IS HOLDING so that Bailey can hit a Sprigboard Moonsault onto it. Why not oh I don't know MOVE YOUR PARTNER AWAY!?

Back in the ring there are big slams and spills and moves onto ladders with wrestlers taking a move or spot then rolling out so that way somebody else can run in and have their moment to do something crazy.

The bad guys of the Bucks and Family seem like they're going to strike an alliance, then working together to take out Brody King with a ladder on the floor. The heels then do what they can to eliminate Brodido from the match. Meanwhile I was trying to figure out where Jet Speed were for a while cause they were gone. Eventually they get beat up too and the heels work together to try and make it so it is only the two of them fighting.

Multiple tables are set up as well as a ladder bridge between the ring and steel steps. Nick Jackson hit a Swanton Bomb onto Brody King laying on top of the ladder, which of course is a great and cool moment. But again, this match is nothing but moments and spots and carnage.

We finally get a great moment with Alexander and Hechicero setting up Jet Speed on tables, and the Young Bucks go into the ring acting like they're going to climb up and dive off the top ropes onto them. But instead, the Bucks set up a ladder and try to climb it as quickly as possible. The alliance between the bad guys falls apart, leading to Jet Speed able to recover and try to win.

Brody King stops them fir a but, but Jet Speed work together to take him out. Bandido then takes them out single handedly before trying to climb the ladder. Bailey hits a Sprigboard Moonsault onto everyone on the floor while Knight springboards into the ring to take out Bandido while he was climbing a ladder. Knight sends Nick Jackson off a ladder and onto everyone on the floor...again. But then Bailey gets up right after and we get Young Bucks vs Jet Speed, including a moment where they were basically having a chicken fight with them being on each others shoulders and brawling. A bunch of quick moves and spots come in hot and fast until Josh Alexander and Bailey are the only ones standing. Bailey takes him out and sets up a ladder, but Alexander locks him in a Ankle Lock on the ladder. Alexander sets up a ladder bridge o the ladder, which...I always love spots that feature that type of thing, but they never make any sense.

On the outside, the Bucks set up some tables just because I guess.

Hechicero. andBailey fight on the ladder and the ladder bridge, leading to a rather impressive and awesome Romero Special on top of the ladder bridge which was so cool. Hechicero is probably my favorite luchador right now, but he gets taken out with Bailey doing a Moonsault Knee Drop "to" Hechicero as it really looks like he either overshot completely or just drove his knees into Hechicero's face.

Josh Alexander and Bandido now fight on top of the ladder, leading to Bandido hitting a giant Sunset Flip onto the ladder bridge, taking both men out. The Young Bucks then hit some wild moves and dives, taking out Bandido and Alexander on some tables. Well actually, everyone gets put on a table. Nick Jackson, Matt Jackson, and Kevin Knight all hit dives through tables while Brody King put Mike Bailey through the ladder bridge on the floor from earlier with a Samoan Driver.

Now again, all of this stuff is toally awesome and spot fests are something I really enjoy sometimes...but I still find it weird that this match is even happening.

Kevin Knight and Matt Jackson get up really fast to climb the ladder, which then leads to everyone else getting up really fast. Brody and Bailey look like the only ones selling and staying on the ground Hechicero ends up being the one on top of the ladder, until Brody King finally runs in. Alexander shows off some impressive strength lifting King onto his shoulders and hitting him with a Torture Rack Bombm but he then gets taken out by Kevin Knight. This match is really just moves and like nothing else.

The Bucks and Don Callis Family all work together to pick up the ladder that Knight is on, then tilt it so Knight falls and crashes through the tables set up on the floor. Alexander and Hechicero throw the Bucks out of the ring then hit low blows to both King and Bandido, but then the Bucks get back into the ring and take out Alexander with a BTE Trigger. They are SO CLOSE TO WINNING...

Until Brody tips the ladder over and Bandido hits a Moonsault to the floor onto the Family while holding onto a ladder. This is then followed by a Suicide Dive from Brody to the Bucks, leaving Bandido in the ring on his own to climb the ladder and retain the titles.

Result: Brodido Retain

Star Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Look the match is insane and incredibly enjoyable and a total fun car crash of action. I just wish that there was a proper reason for this to be a ladder match. That's all I ask for.

But after the match we see the return of Jack Perry, who turns on the Bucks and attacks them before they lay him out with Superkicks. This really just felt tacked on and I don't totally inderstand why they're doing this now.

Before the Bucks can hit Perry with a BTE Trigger, the lights go out and we get a cinematic video of Perry pulling somebody out of a grave. But this was just to show that Jack Perry brought Killswitch back to life, but as Luchasaurus like he was when AEW was founded.

We get the reunion of Jurassic Express, but I guess in a more badass way? I'm confused on if they're supposed to be heels or faces. I mean they play their original theme song Tarzan Boy and the crowd is doing the wave so I have no ide what to expect from this pairing.

Before the next match, we go backstage and see Darby Allin getting out of the coffin and brawling with Jon Moxley some more. Darby puts Moxley in a body bag and covers him in lighter fluid, then LIGHTS JON MOXLEY ON FIRE. WHAT ON EARTH!? I guess this feud isn't done yet.

Match 10/Main Event

AEW World Championship Match

Hangman Page (c) vs Kyle Fletcher

We get an awesome and epic video package that shows just how huge this title match is for both men.

The stipulation with this match is that if ANY members of the Don Callis Family interfere in the match, then not only does Kyle Fletcher lose the match, but he will also be stripped of his AEW TNT Championship.

The ring announcements. The entrances. The commentary. They all made this feel like a huge main event fight from the get go.

I will also say that they changed the lighting for this match, making it stand out from the rest of the card in a way that I thoroughly enjoyed. It made it feel unique and almost cinematic.

Hangman is going into the match with an injured neck, and from the start Fletcher uses holds and basic mat wrestling in order to target Page's neck and arms which grinds the muscles and tendons leading to his neck.

The two men had a pretty great moment where they began to trade chops back and forth. Page clearly was the harder, better striker...but he was injured already. Fletcher was able to get the advantage using strategy and smarts rather than power. Although during the exchange, the lights eventually changed back and I didn't like it.

The pair eventually make their way tot he floor and Fletcher quickly gets the advantage, using more strength and striking to wear down Page. They even make their way into the crowd including Fletcher going for a dive over the barricade, but Page catches him and slams him down in a great move.

Page takes it back to the ring and gets the advantage for a bit. Page was preparing for a Moonsault to the floor, but took too long due to his injury which allowed Fletcher to shove Page off the top rope and flying right into the barricade with force. Fletcher followed this up with a Powerbomb onto the apron, continuing to target Page's injured neck.

Fletcher continued to beat down on Page and proceeded to set up a table on the floor. The pair began to fight on the apron with the crowd scared of what might happen. They trade move attempts back and forth before Page goes for a Buckshot Lariat, but Fletcher drops him with a devastating Elevated DDT, still going after Page's neck and head.

Fletcher continues to target the neck with brutal offense, followed by a Liontamer like move that was bending Page in half. Fletcher is showing serious intelligence and strategy, making him truly look like a superstar. A real contender to be World Champion. And that goes with his already well known skill and moveset.

Page is eventually able to fight back and hits a Fallaway Slam into the corner, something I've never seen before, to get as much damage as he could. Page then struggles to hit many of his moves due to his neck injury, a great amount of selling and storytelling that Page excels at so much.

Page hits a Crossbody to the floor followed by a Moonsault, quickly taking advantage with a Powerbomb in the ring and a near fall. Page has adrenaline pumping through his body to fight through the pain, which is honestly a thing about wrestling I love. I love when the fighting spirit or adrenaline gets them to do some moves before they are drained and can't maintain the pace. It adds some realism that I enjoy very much.

Page is unable to hit his finishing move the Deadeye, Fletcher able to get back on top. Fletcher prepares for a DDT on the floor to truly finish Page and his neck, but Page is able to fight out and hit a nice Tombstone Piledriver on the floor. But the best part was Page's selling. Dropping to his knees sent shockwaves up his body and to his neck, preventing him from fighting. Showing just how bad his neck was and how much pain he was fighting through.

Page then hits his own Elevated DDT to Fletcher off the apron and onto the floor. His anger was taking over, needing to do ANYTHING to keep his title and fight back against the disadvantage of his pain.

Page goes for another Moonsault to the floor, but Fletcher dodges it. Fletcher continues to beat up Page, eventually hitting a brutal and nasty Brainbuster through the time keeper's table. The crowd went wild and it seemed like both men were done.

Fletcher is unable to win, so he just hits big move after big move to keep beating down on Page, who never gives up. He keeps kicking out and fighting through the pain. The two men make their way to the apron and trade move attempts, ending with Page hitting a Deadeye off the apron and through the table on the floor. It was wild and crazy with the crowd going nuts.

Both men were down, showing that they were beaten and battered from the WAR they had been putting themselves through.

Page begins to sell nerve damage in his arm, needing to keep clenching his fist and fingers to keep feeling in them. Page goes for a Buckshot Lariat, but Fletcher just collapses and Page throws everything into the move onto the miss, damaging his neck and arm even more.

Both men are down and get up before the referee could call for it to be a no contest. Page has a wild look in his eyes and does something that was truly awesome and a great story beat.

Fletcher uses the ropes to pull himself up and Page holds out a finger gun. The crowd immediately knows what this means, and Page hits a V-Trigger, a move belonging to one of his biggest friend turned rival Kenny Omega. He then even tries to hit Omega's finisher the One Winged Angel, but his neck gives out. Fletcher goes. fora Suplex, Page lands on his feet only to get blasted with a Superkick followed by a Powerbomb attempt, but Page reverses right into a Deadeye. It was a lightning fast exchange with Fletcher barely kicking out.

Page gets up first and goes for a Lariat, but Fletcher hits him with his own friend turned rival Will Ospreay's move the Hidden Blade. Fletcher picks up Page and goes for the brutal Storm Driver (also an Ospreay move) but Page reverses it into a JML Driver, which belongs to another rival Swerve Strickland. But most importantly...GOD DAMN Fletcher gets dropped right onto his head and neck. I jumped out of my seat and was shocked Fletcher was okay.

Page goes for a Buckshot Lariat again but Fltcher reverses with just a basic small package. Page kicks out, but both just keep going for quick flash pins to try and end the match quickly. Page continues to keep kicking out and gets blasted with a Brainbuster, but Page kicks out again.

Fletcher starts to play to the crowd and just weakly kick Page's head, seeming to think he already had the match won. Page was still fighting back, even with his strikes having no power behind them.

Fletcher removes a turnbuckle from a corner, and drags Page over to hit a Top Rope Brainbuster onto the exposed steel. The crowd was going nuts and it was very tense as it felt like Fletcher was willing to kill Page to win the title.

Page fights back with Headbutts, the only thing he could that hurt both men. Page then hits an absolutely INSANE Deadeye off the second rope, again dropping Fletcher scarily on his head. Page rolls to the apron and blasts Fletcher with a Buckshot Lariat to finally get the win in a true classic.

Result: Adam Page retains

Star Rating: 5/5 Stars

This show was top to bottom good to great. I personally had some issues with booking decisions and minor gripes that really don't hurt the show as much as it might seem. I think this show was incredible and really does show that AEW specialises in major shows. In huge events packed full of in-ring quality.

Overall Rating: 9/10