Ciocco’s AEW Grand Slam Mexico Review 8.5.26

SICKOS! It’s Wednesday, you know what that means! AEW Dynamite is LIVE tonight from Arena Mexico in Mexico City, but it’s not just ANY episode of Dynamite. No, tonight we are preparing ourselves for Grand Slam Mexico, and the card is chockfull of matches that would not feel out of place on a PPV show. But, then again, the company does love to dress up these TV specials as pseudo-PPV events anyway. Titles will be on the line, pride will be on the line, and the possibility of drawing number one in the Men’s Casino Gauntlet match at All-In London is also on the line.

For more, let’s get to those Headlines!

ProtoBall! After winning a number one contender’s ladder match in his home province of Quebec back at Redemption, Speedball Mike Bailey is cashing in his International title shot tonight against the Protostar Kyle Fletcher in hopes of winning the belt.

Trios are all the Rave! Last week in the main event of Dynamite, The Demand defeated The Conglomeration for their Trios’ Titles, and tonight, they make their second defense of said titles when they face Hangman Adam Page and his new best friends Brodido.

Settling the tie! Former United Empire Members Will Ospreay and Mark Davis have each won a match against the other over the past year, and in a street fight with no outside interference, both men will go to war to see who takes the rubber match.

Whose got the Qualifications! A guaranteed spot in the Men’s Casino Gauntlet match slated for All-In London is on the line tonight, as National Champion Andrade El Idolo, Komander, and Tommaso Ciampa will duke it out to determine who makes it to London.

New Best Friends face Death! Nick and Matt Jackson will challenge Adam Copeland and Christian Cage for the World Tag Team Titles at All-In London, but tonight, they have business to attend to when they square off with the Death Riders.

For those who have been Spited! Mercedes Mone gets her shot at Willow Nightingale and her Women’s World Title on August 30th, but tonight, the Champion will team with the Brawling Birds to face Mone and her new best friends in the Women’s World Tag Team Champions Divine Dominion.

Tough Girls Hit Hard! Kris Statlander might be a babyface in most situations, but tonight, she faces Persephone who, while she was born in El Paso, Texas, has made Mexico her home country due to her work in CMLL.

Sing it Loud, Sing it Proud! Members of the Don Callis Family in TNT Champion Kevin Knight, Kazuchika Okada, and Hechicero will face Chris Jericho, Darby Allin, and Mistico, who should get a rousing home country singing of his theme song. All of this and, of course, so much more in store for us tonight!

Usually, I would ask how everyone is doing (and do tell, of course), but I noticed the Headlines ran a little longer than expected, so I will just close it with my usual ending.

But enough about me and enough about you, let’s get ready to make the Dynamite go BOOM!

Tonight, AEW is bringing Dynamite to the legendary Arena Mexico in Mexico City! Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Nigel McGuinnness will bring us the action!

Excalibur welcomes us to the show in both Spanish and English. Very cool, that masked man is. Not as cool as our Masked Chair Shot, though!

Arena looks AMAZING! I have a feeling this will rule ass.

And we’re opening with the eight-man cluster!

The Death Riders vs. The Young Bucks & the AEW World Tag Team Champions Cage & Cope

PAC and Christian Cage to start this one. Lock-up, PAC goes after the injured wrist of Christian. He gouges the eyes of PAC behind the ref’s back, but Daniel Garcia kicks Cage in the back as he’s running the ropes. All heckity heck breaks loose, and everyone grabs a dance partner.

Order is kind of restored, as Cage and Cope lay out PAC in the ring. The Bucks go through the ropes, and they wipe out all of the other Death Riders on the floor. Not one to be outdone, Cage also comes off the top rope with a Crossbody to all of the Death Riders! That takes us to our first break of the evening.

The Riders of Death are in control as we return. They clear everyone from the apron, and they run the clothesline choo-choo train on Nick Jackson. Release German from PAC, and Garcia locks on the Death Lock. The good guys make the save for him. Nick is still left to fight off the Death Rider’s B-Team, which he does. Nick looks to tag in Jon Moxley, which is either intentional or just unironically funny.

Copeland does get the tag, and he lays into every Death Rider. Double Clothesline to Yuta and Garcia! Moxley surprises him with a CUTTER. Moxley gets tripped into the ropes, Copeland with a splash to the back, Cage stands on his back, and the Bucks kick him in the head. Copeland and Matt Jackson look at each other, and we get a double 619! Or I guess that would make it a 1238?

The Death Riders look to save Moxley, but they fail to do so. Moxley gets kicked in the dick by Cage as Bryce is distracted. TRIPLE SUPERKICK to Moxley, but his guys save him this time. It’s down to Copeland and Moxley. Cope counters the Death Rider with the Impaler DDT! Copeland sets up for the SPEAR as the fans love it. Marina Shafir grabs Cope by the hair! Cage pulls Marina off the apron and he kicks her low! Oh dear lol.

Back in the ring, and Yuta hits a Busaiku Knee to Copeland. Double teamwork to Cage, but the Jacksons get the better of the B-Team. Here is PAC. He leaps one Jackson and throws the other with a German. Copeland with the inverted DDT to PAC. Copeland rolls up Moxley for a two. Yuta has the ref as Copeland hits a SPEAR, but no count can be made. PAC in the ring, Copeland bumps into Matt Jackson, and Moxley rolls up Copeland with a fist full of pants for the win!
WINNERS: The Riders of Death
TIME: 11:50
THOUGHTS: The Death Riders lost on Collision to the BBG, and tonight, they defeat the “Mutual Admiration Society” of the Bucks and the Champions. The more solid unit prevailed whether by hook or crook, and so we can build more tension between the good guys.
RATING: ***1/2

Post-match, Matt, Nick, Christian, and Adam all argue over the match ending. While they are doing this, Excalibur runs down the matches for tonight.

Amazing kick arse video package incoming for the Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay World Title match at All-In London! That show ending promo last week on Dynamite still gives me chills.

ABRUPT BREAK IN PROGRESS FOR THE SAKE OF BEING ABRUPT!

MY SHADOW KNOWS MY STORY! MMMMMHMMMMMMMM, MMMMMHMMMMMM!

3-Way Dance to determine the number one entrant for the Casino Gauntlet Match at All-In London: Tomasso Ciampa vs. Komander vs. AEW National Champion Andrade El Idolo

The bell rings, as everyone takes time to pose on the top rope. Andrade gets a great reaction, as he should. We get a stand-off to start. Andrade shoves Ciampa, so Ciampa stomps the crap out of Komander. Makes sense lol. Andrade lights up Ciampa with strikes, sending Ciampa to the corner. Andrade looking double knees, but Komander intercepts him and hits a springboard, Rana!

Andrade meets Ciampa on the floor, but unbeknownst to them, Komander is walking the tightrope, and he takes both men out! Not to be outdone, Andrade returns to the ring only to leave it again when he hits Komander with a Tornio! Andrade takes a second to find tonight’s epic baddie at ring side so they can take selfies. That takes us to the break.

Ciampa is fired up as we return. Unfortunately for him, he ends up colliding with Andrade in the middle of the ring, and both men hit the deck. They both get back to their feet as we see Komander on the floor. Strikes are traded, but Andrade takes over with flying elbow strikes. Andrade with the Kip-up! Off comes the belt and down come the pants! Aubrey turns away like she’s not impressed makes me LOL.

Komander is back in the ring, but he may as well have stayed outside, because Andrade hits the Three Amigos. Massive EDDIE chants in kind follow. Andrade to the top, but Ciampa is back. He swipes out the legs of Andrade and throws Komander to the apron, where he knees him in the head. Ciampa picks up the pants of Andrade which are still in the ring, and he lays an elbow drop on them. PROJECT CIAMPA TO THE PANTS! DAMN IT, TOMMASO, THOSE PANTS HAD A FAMILY! Hilariously, Aubrey goes to count the pin, but here comes Komander, who misses a 450 and instead hits the pants. I know a certain I8MyPants that may or may not like this.

Andrade meets Ciampa on the top rope and they trade strikes. KOMANDER OFF THE ROPES WITH AN ESCALARA TO ANDRADE! CIAMPA WITH AN AVALANCHE PROJECT CIAMPA, BUT KOMANDER KICKS OUT AT 2.9! Ciampa argues with Aubrey, but she screams at him, and he cowers into the corner. This allows Andrade the chance to hit the double knees! Dos Muertas to Ciampa from Andrade. Here comes Komander, who walks the ropes and hits a springboard moonsault! Andrade grabs Komander and he hits him with the DM, and he takes this one!
WINNER: HOW YOU KNOW?
TIME: 11:10
THOUGHTS: Narrowly a break to be had in this match. You had Ciampa as the anchor, Komander for the exhilarating moments, and Andrade who was able to do both. Andrade is on such a heater that it was hard to deny him here.
RATING: ****1/4

Post-match, Andrade has the mic. He cuts a Spanglish promo. He says he is going to win the Casino Gauntlet and then the AEW World Championship. He wants to win the title not just for himself, but for all of the Latino people and everyone in Mexico. Do you think Andrade can win the World Title? He has one question. WHERE’S THE BADDIES HOW YOU KNOW?

The music of MJF hits, but he doesn’t come down the ramp, he sneaks in from behind him in the ring. He hits Andrade in the back of the head with his Triple B. You know, the one that the Young Bucks were supposed to throw in the garbage. MJF takes his Dynamite Diamond Ring back and puts it on his finger. He hits Andrade in the face with it. MJF continues to beat the crap out of Andrade on the ramp before he throws him off the ramp and to the floor. Oddly enough, Komander is still there as well lol.

Oh shit, we haven’t heard MJF talk in like two weeks. I’m sooooooo stoked . He tells them to get this piece of trash out of this piece of shit country known as Mexico. MJF thinks it is cute that these fans are calling him a PERRO. He wants them to shut their mouths, and then he rips into Ospreay and Omega. He cries because Omega and Ospreay took his main event match from him at All-In, and he claims Kenny is walking around with a toy title.

MJF says he always gets what he wants, and since Dynamite is in Las Vegas next week, he is feeling lucky. And what he wants is to be in the Casino Gauntlet match at All-In London. So, next week, there is a qualifying match for the Casino Gauntlet, so he is going to win it, so he can dog walk Andrade yet again. And he doesn’t care if the Best Bout Machine wins or if the Aerial Assassin wins, he will be acknowledged as the REAL AEW World Champion!

Incoming video package for the Women’s World Title match between Mercedes Mone and Champion Willow Nightingale at All-In. Speaking of, we will get the six-woman tag team match, next!

BREAK IN PROGRESS!

Lots of belts in this match, Cotton!

AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions Divine Dominion and Mercedes Mone vs. AEW Women’s World Champion Willow Nightingale and the Brawling Birds

Willow wants Mercedes at the bell, but she gets Megan Bayne instead. That means Alex WINDSAH gets the tag, and both ladies lock-up. Chops from Windsor, but Bayne plants Alex with a shoulder tackle. Bayne corners Windsor and rams her with the shoulder. Hammer throw, but Bayne hits the corner when Alex moves. Windsor with some fists, and she tags in Jamie Hayter.

Both Birds work to drop Bayne to the mat, and here comes Willow with a back splash for a two. Bayne latches on to the hair of Willow and drags her to their corner. Tag to Mone, who kicks Willow into the corner. Mone initiates the Three Amigos, but Bayne tags in before the third one happens. Hayter in the ring now, here comes Lena Kross, Windsor is in, they try the triple team suplex spot, but they abandon that ship lol.

Both Kross and Bayne find themselves on the floor, and here Windsor and Hayter with CANNONBALLS to the Champions! Not to be outdone, Willow lines up all three of the heels and hits a CANNONBALL of her own! That takes us to the break!

Mone has control of the Women’s Champion as we return. But it’s short lived, as Willow with a SPEAR to Mone! Kross and Hayter get the tags, but the Birds take care of Bayne before going after Kross. Lena tries to fight back, but she eats a missile dropkick from Hayter. Side Russian Leg Sweep and a basement lariat from Windsor, but Kross is saved by Bayne.

The Birds and the Champions come face-to-face in the middle of the ring. Strikes from the Champions, NO, the Birds hit hard. Double knees from the Champions, NO, the Birds give as good as they get. The Birds hit near stereo lariats to the Champions, and they are down and out. It’s Willow and Mercedes now. Willow lays into her and hits the Spine on the Pine for a two.

Mone catches Willow in the corner, and she hits a Meteora from the second rope. We have officially hit the part of the match where everyone gets their shit in. It comes back to Willow and Mercedes, as Willow puts Mone on the top rope. Mone shoves her off the top rope, Mone misses another Meteora, and Willow decks her with a lariat. Willow looking for her Powerbomb, but the Champions stop that. The Birds slide in and hit stereo Germans! Mone rolls in, Willow looking Powerbomb, but Mone escapes. Mone looking Statement Maker, but Willow counters with the backslide and she wins!
WINNERS: The Birds that Brawl and the girl who smiles anyway
TIME: 11:30
THOUGHTS: A fun time to be had. Color me surprised that not only did Mone, Bayne, and Kross NOT win, but that Willow pinned Mone to win the match for her team.
RATING: ***3/4

Post-match, while the winning girls celebrate, we see not only the graphic for Willow and Mone, but we see a graphic for the Tag Team Titles between Divine Dominion and the Brawling Birds! Nothing like getting the obvious out of the way 25 days early!

Ah, hey, Speedball is out in a purple Bandido mask! Noice!

AEW International Title Match: Kyle Fletcher (C) vs. Speedball Mike Bailey

The bell rings, as Bailey takes his purple mask off. Fletcher also has a mask, but he drops it on the mat and steps on it. What a jerk. Speedball opens with strikes, but Fletcher snatches up Speedball for a scoop slam. Ground wrestling breaks out, and that turns into a roll-up attempt from Bailey for a two.

Bailey ducks a lariat, Fletcher ducks the springboard attack, but Bailey grabs the arm of Fletcher. He lands body shots, he jumps to the top rope, walks the ropes, and Speedball with a springboard Snap Rana! Fletcher hits the floor, Bailey to the top, but he’s caught by Fletcher. Kyle chucks Bailey into the barricade like human refuse. Back in the ring, and Bailey sneaks in a roll-up for a two. Speedball rolls Fletcher out of the ring between the ropes and to the floor. Bailey hits the Triangle Moonsault on the floor!

Bailey with another top rope attempt, but Fletcher avoids it this time. What he can’t avoid is the kicks and the running Shooting Star Press from Bailey. That gets him a two. Fletcher looks to corner Bailey, but Speedball moves, and he sits Kyle on the top rope. Snug kick right to the face, but Bailey takes WAY too long climbing to the top rope. Fletcher snatches up Bailey and hits an avalanche Michinoku Driver for a two! That takes us to the break.

Fletcher has turned the tables as we return. Kyle slaps Bailey in the back so hard that he goes spilling out of the ring. Fletcher sees Bailey on the apron, but he moves as Fletcher slides out of the ring. Moonsault from Bailey wiping out Fletcher! Back in the ring, both men trade roll-up attempts. Bailey crowns Fletcher with a Tiaras. Again, Bailey goes around the world, and he rolls Fletcher into a roll-up for a two.

Fletcher is like ENOUGH M8, and he crowns Bailey with a Half-and-Half. Fletcher with a big boot that sends Bailey up and over the top rope and onto the ramp. Bailey crawls up the ramp as Fletcher stalks him all the way. Fletcher looking to suplex Bailey onto the entrance steps, but Bailey reverses it and hits a dropkick from the steps. Speedball climbs to the middle step, and he hits a corkscrew kick to the head of Fletcher!

Back in the ring, and Fletcher avoids a 450 Splash, and both men hit the mat. Bailey is the first to land strikes, but Fletcher hits a leaping Michinoku Driver for a two. Fletcher looking for a Powerbomb, but Bailey drops his knee. Kyle tries again, but Speedball punches him in the head, and they both fall to the floor. Fletcher keeps ahold of Bailey, though, and he hits an apron Powerbomb! Fletcher returns Bailey to the ring, where he hits him with the corner kick and the Brainbuster, but Bailey kicks out at 2.8!

Fletcher is beside himself and he places Bailey on the top. He’s thinking corner Brainbuster, but Bailey escapes and he hits a kick to the head of the Champion. Bailey to the top, AVALANCHE POISON RANA! ULTIMO WEAPON FROM BAILEY, BUT FLETCHER KICKS OUT AT 2.9999999999! Not going to lie, that should have been three. Too bad they can’t challenge calls here. Bailey looking for a spinning wheel kick, but Fletcher catches him and hits the corner javelin throw. The corner Brainbuster finishes this one properly.
WINNER: The Pink Koopa Troopa (And still!)
TIME: 16:45
THOUGHTS: You all thought this WOULDN’T cook? Crazy if you did think that. I was kind of biting on Bailey winning the title here, but then you see the bigger picture at All-In is going to be Fletcher-Takeshita-Okada, and you salivate at that. Bailey was game, but Fletcher is a superstar.
RATING: ****1/2

Post-match, Fletcher celebrates with his title, but the coin hits, and Kazuchika Okada is here! Fletcher taunts him with his International Title before taking his leave.

TNT Champion Kevin Knight, Hechicero, and Kazuchika Okada vs. Chris Jericho, Darby Allin, and Mistico

After a LONG period of entrances and sing-along sessions, Knight chooses to ambush Allin before the bell. The bell rings officially with the other four men in the ring. Hechicero stomps on Mistico in the corner, and Okada attacks Jericho in the corner. Okada takes WAY too long posing, and Jericho lights him up with chops. Jericho off the ropes, but Okada with his picture-perfect dropkick.

Knight gets the tag, and he lays into Jericho with shots to the back. Hammer throw, but Knight telegraphs the next move, and he gets kicked in the face for it. Knight leaps at Jericho, but he is caught and he eats a DVD for his trouble. Tags are made to Allin and Hechicero. The Alchemist pops up Allin, but he counters with an arm drag. Allin gets running, he has Knight targeted, but Okada with the perfect anti-air knee strike, and Darby is officially DED again. That will take us to the break.

Allin is back from the DED again and he meets heads with Knight as we return. Allin tags in Mistico, who wipes out Knight with a crossbody block! Hechicero and Okada enter the ring and attack Mistico. One-by-one, Mistico takes care of all three men while Jericho stands there clapping. Okada goes behind Mistico, but he drops steps and throws Okada into Jericho, who hits a Codebreaker.

It’s down to Allin and Knight now. Allin taunts Knight with the drop steps the Butcher used to do, and he locks in the Scorpion Deathlock! Jericho cuts off Okada with the Walls of Jericho, but Hechicero saves the day. Mistico off the ropes, but Hechicero catches him. A lot of heavy dancing takes place, but Mistico scores with an arm drag that sends Hechicero to the floor.

Jericho with a crossbody block to Okada! Coffin Drop from Allin to Knight! MISTICO CLEARS THE CORNER AND HE WIPES OUT HECHICERO! Back in the ring, and Allin sizes up Knight for another Coffin Drop. But Knight drops him in the corner and is looking for the Coast-to-Coast! Jericho with an Anti-Air Judas Effect! Jericho catches Okada’s dropkick and applies the Walls! Mistico locks up Hechicero, and Allin drops the Coffin on Knight for the win!
WINNERS: Meeeeestico, the guy who will never be DED, and Corazon Leon
TIME: 10:35
THOUGHTS: A pretty fun match. Allin going over Knight was good for him and his insistence for revenge on Knight after what he did to him back at Double or Nothing. The crowd LOVED Mistico, and hey, why wouldn’t you?
RATING: ***3/4

We get highlights from earlier in July, documenting the issues between Persephone and Kris Statlander. That match is coming to us right now!

CMLL World Women’s Champion Persephone vs. Kris Statlander

This is not a title match. Thunder Rosa is shown as ring side, as Excalibur says she is here to cheer on her friend Kris. Early lock-up, and Persephone overpowers Statlander. The fans boo when Statlander hits back and, hey, you HAD to expect that one. Both ladies clash again, and Statlander takes Persephone to the ropes. Persephone with a self-defense elbow, so Kris clotheslines her to the floor.

To the apron goes Statlander, and she flips off the apron and hits a leg drop! Statlander returns Persephone to the ring, and she looks for the Guillotine leg drop, but Persephone moves, and she hits Kris in the back with a dropkick. Persephone goes over and gets in the face of Rosa, and they talk some mad smack. Back in the ring, and Persephone has locked on the most dreaded hold ever, the chinlock. Excalibur says we will step away for one minute and 59 seconds. Alright, but I’ll be counting!

Persephone lays out Statlander with a rolling DVD as we return. She does miss her moonsault, however, and Statlander chucks Persephone with a release German. She lines up Persephone in the corner for some running kicks, and Kris with the Falcon Arrow. She did the deal, but it was only a two. Both women pull counters, Kris rolls through, and she uses her buddy Wheeler Yuta’s seatbelt, but that’s just a two. Persephone unleashes all her power into one big lariat.

Both ladies to their feet now, appropriate BOO-YAY for Statlander and Persephone follows. Statlander with a drop toehold and a crossbody to the back of Persephone. Statlander to the top rope, but the 450 Splash comes up empty. SPEAR from Persephone, but Kris kicks out at two. Persephone heads out to the floor again, and she tries to grab the title belt from Rosa. She ends up pulling Rosa over the barricade and to the arena floor! Persephone clocks Rosa in the head with her title belt!

Statlander off the apron with a CANNONBALL, and she takes out both Persephone and referee Brandon Martinez! Statlander rolls up Persephone, but here comes Hikaru Shida! She hits Statlander with Rosa’s title belt, and Persephone with a Springboard Frog Splash! The ref is slow to the count, but Persephone keeps Kris down for the win!
WINNER: Persephone
TIME: 10:05
THOUGHTS: This was a fun little match. Even though Statlander getting booed was expected since Persephone wrestles in CMLL (and Mexico is her backyard), but it was still weird hearing Kris get booed.
RATING: ***1/2

Post-match, Persephone and Shida celebrate their handiwork. Persephone gets out of dodge when Maya World and Hyan run down to the ring.

Excalibur tells us that the Mexican Street Fight is our main event match tonight, but up next is the Trios’ Titles match!

We have a Mariachi band playing the challengers to the ring! Kemalito is also here with the challengers!

AEW Trios’ Titles Match: The Demand (C) vs. Brodido and Hangman Adam Page

Tony Schiavone lets us know that this is Hangman’s first match in 154 days in AEW. The Demand launch an attack before the bell, so Bryce just rings the bell anyway lol. Hangman takes Toa Liona to the mat with a Tiaras to open the match. Hangman to the top, but Liona throws him out of the way. There was a blind tag from King, and he takes both Liona and Kaun to the ropes, he hits the ropes, and hits a double arm drag! Bandido’s turn now, as Hangman and Brody hold him up and he wipes out the entire Demand on the floor!

Bandido wants to do the macarena with Hangman and Brody, but the Champions don’t like to have fun. King and Hangman end up on the floor courtesy of the GOA, and Kaun hits Bandido with a backbreaker over the top turnbuckle. Off to the break we go for 119 seconds!

Bandido has a head full of steam, but he runs right into a knee from Kaun as we return. They return Bandido to the ring, as Ricky gets the tag and he throws Bandido into the corner. Ricky with the springboard attempt, but Bandido counters with an anti-air dropkick! Tag to Hangman, as he clotheslines GOA to the floor. He catches Ricky and hits him with the Fallaway Slam. Clothesline to Kaun, as Hangman eyes Ricky. Ricky with a knee, but his Rana is countered. Ricky escapes, but Page with a Liger Bomb. GOA save the day and beat up on Brodido on the floor.

Ricky sends Hangman to the apron, but Hangman with a counter boot. Page looking Buckshot Lariat, but the GOA cut him off. GOA wipe out Brodido on the floor, and Ricky hits Hangman with a Senton. Back in the ring, and Hangman gets attacked by all members of the Demand. Shooting Star Press from Ricky, but Hangman kicks out at two.

GOA look to open the gates, but King is back and he chokes out Ricky! This distracts Liona and Kaun, allowing Hangman to break free. King in the ring, CANNONBALL to Bishop in the corner. Ricky sends King from the ring, he uses Hangman like a human wall, but Page smashes Ricky with a lariat. Bandido gets the tag and goes for the 21-Plex, but he overthrew Ricky and Liona gets the tag.

Bandido with a one-handed press of Ricky to the mat, but here comes Liona. Here comes Hangman and Kaun, the latter gets dropped from the ring and hits the barricade. Liona stacks up Hangman and Bandido in the corner, Kaun helps by putting King on the pile. LIONA PRESSES ALL THREE MEN ACROSS THE RING AND HITS A SAMOAN DROP! Hol-E-Shit. King is back, however, and he hits a release German to Ricky and a dive out onto Kaun. Bandido looking 21-Plex on Liona, Hangman helps with a boot to the head, but he still won’t go down. Hangman with the Buckshot Lariat, which helps Bandido to complete the 21-Plex and we have new Champions!
WINNERS: The HUNG BRODIDOS! (AND NEW!)
TIME: 13:40
THOUGHTS: I’m not sure what it is about the Trios’ Titles lately, but the title reigns have been REALLY short. In this case, the Demand drop the titles after seven days and one title defense. However, you have to feel pretty good that Hangman not only returns to the ring but, with Brodido, is once again a title holder. I know Arilyn is for sure!
RATING: ***3/4

The new Champions FINALLY get to do the Macarena after the match, while Kemalito celebrates with the babyfaces. Our main event is coming up next after another 119 second break!

BREAK IN PROGRESS!

It’s time for a Mexican Street Fight between an Englishman and an Aussie!

No interference Mexican Street Fight: Will Ospreay vs. Mark Davis

Davis comes to the ring with a steel chair. The bell rings, and Mark chucks it at Will, but he misses. He doesn’t miss the big man back splash, though. Davis jams the chair in the corner and goes to throw Ospreay in, but Will cuts him off. Ospreay sends Davis to the floor, he hypes up the crowd, and Will hits a crossbody block to Davis. Mark doesn’t hit the floor, so Ospreay sends Davis careening into the barricade. WILL’S GOT A TIRE FOR THAT BICYCLE! He goes to hit Davis with it, but Mark kicks it out of his hands and he scoop slams Will onto said tire.

Davis with the hammer throw, but Will counters and sends Mark into the barricade. Davis sends Ospreay into the crowd, but Will kicks him in the head, he heads up a few steps, and he lands on the barricade before spinning down and taking out Davis! Back in the ring, and Ospreay with a running elbow strike. The cover, but Davis is out at ONE. Davis equipes himself with a chair, and he hits Will in the back with it. Davis looking for the HEADSHOT, but Ospreay off the ropes with the Springboard Corkscrew Kick, sending the chair into the head of Dunkzilla.

Davis rolls out to the floor, and here comes Ospreay. Will wants a Snap Rana from the apron, but he instead gets a Powerbomb onto said apron. Davis starts throwing chairs around and he grabs a Rubbermaid Trash Can. He chucks it at the head of Ospreay, and Davis Powerbombs Ospreay over the barricade and onto a Plant! We have to step away for 119 seconds!

We return to see Ospreay and Davis fighting on top of the entrance ramp. Ospreay with the Kawada kicks, but Davis gets a piece of board (or perhaps dry wall) and smashes it over the head of Will. Ospreay does a strategic barrel roll down all of the steps, and Davis throws him into the ring. Davis launches more chairs into the ring and goes to Powerbomb Ospreay, but Will escapes and kicks him in the head. Davis ends up sending Ospreay careening into that previously established chair in the corner. Davis sees that Ospreay is bleeding from the forehead, and he goes after the wound with his hands.

Davis takes one of the chairs and hits Ospreay in the back with it. Davis grabs Ospreay by the hair and he sits him in the chair. Davis has a fork! He grinds it into the forehead of Ospreay! Somewhere, Abdullah the Butcher is smiling! Davis charges in, but Ospreay counters with a drop toehold and Davis’s face meets the chair! Ospreay off the ropes and he hits the Springboard back elbow! Ospreay has a fork now, and he rams it into the forehead of Davis! Ospreay loads up, but Davis crushes him with a lariat. DAVIS HITS A RUNNING GANZO BOMB TO OSPREAY THROUGH TWO CHAIRS! The cover, but Ospreay kicks out at two.

Davis rips the barbwire off one of the chairs and he approaches Ospreay. He instead gets a chair thrown his face courtesy of Will. To the apron they go, as Ospreay is looking for something, but Davis counters. Ospreay fights off Davis, but Mark grabs the barbwire and rakes it across the back of Ospreay. WILL GRABS THE BALLS OF DAVIS! He hits an enziguri and catches out Davis with a Piledriver on the apron!

Ospreay returns to the ring, and Paul Turner TOTALLY doesn’t count out Davis (although it was a count of 11). Mark rolls into the ring, but Will is waiting with a Hidden Blade! The cover, but Davis kicks out at 2.8! Davis with a big lariat and a bigger piledriver, but Ospreay kicks out at 2.5! Davis wraps the barbwire around his hand and he goes after Ospreay. Will reverses Davis and he hits the BRUV CLASH! The cover, but Davis is out at two. Ospreay lays in the HEADSHOTS before setting up Davis for another Hidden Blade! Finally, Will has kept Dunkzilla down!
WINNER: BRUVSPREAY!
TIME: 17:00
THOUGHTS: Mileage will vary on the “hardcore” aspects of the match (and, if I am being fair/honest, it didn’t get THAT brutal outside the fork stuff), but you can’t deny the physically impressive stuff that both Ospreay and Davis are capable of. Even though a series defining win for Davis would have been clutch here, Ospreay wasn’t losing ahead of his World Title shot in 25 days.
RATING: ****

Post-match, Ospreay celebrates his victory, and Excalibur runs down Collision matches. And with that, we are done!

9.0

The final score: review Amazing

The 411

Matches that ruled, a pace that favored a show chockfull of action, and some more build towards All-In matches made Grand Slam Mexico a, well, Grand Slam! The fans added that extra level of excitement that made good matches into great matches and kept the enthusiasm up all night. Credit where credit is due, most every single wrestler responded in kind.