wrestling / TV Reports
Hunter’s AEW Redemption 2026 Review
Image Credit: AEW
Loading...AEW is LIVE from la belle province! Tonight’s event takes place at la Centre Bell in beautiful Montréal, Quebec, Canada! There are TEN matches on top for tonight, headlined by both the men’s and women’s World Championships on the line. “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega defends against TNT Champion “The Jet” Kevin Knight, while the former TBS and Tag champion WILLOW NIGHTINGALE looks to become the first women’s Triple-Crown champion in AEW history… but she has a fierce challenge in defending champion “THE TOXIC SPIDER” THEKLA!
Renee Paquette and “The Hardcore Legend” Mick Foley welcome us to the BUY IN broadcast! Our opening commentary team is Excalibur, Nigel McGuinness, and Tony Schiavone!
I do quite love the blue and white Quebecois color scheme for the event.
* It’s Montréal’s own PAPA MAGIE!! Matt Menard is out to introduce the Rougeau Family! Jacques and Raymond (better known as THE MOUNTIE!) come out to be honored!
I can’t really recap this, it’s 80% in French. I think Jacques may be hijacking the segment a bit lol. Daddy Magic looks good with a full beard. “BON SOIR THE HATERS” from Jacques and Menard is trying not to crack. Jacques leads the Montréal crowd in “Ole, ole, ole!”. For those who don’t know, fans of the Montréal Canadiens sing “Ole” at hockey games. Les Habitants!
The Don Callis drone note hits and here comes Rocky Romero to ruin the party! He talks about the only REAL family in Canada, the Don Callis Family. He threatens Jacques with a roll of quarters and gets nailed! Jacque holds Romero for Raymond to lay in a big kick. Menard and Jacques clothesline Romero to the floor and celebrate!
That was a lovely tribute primarily for the home audience, but I like that AEW and Tony Khan does things that are specifically for that town. PUT DADDY MAGIC BACK ON TV/COMMENTARY REGULARLY.
* “HAW-HAW!” Ricochet, Toa Leoni, and Bishop Kaun, THE DEMAND, enter! They take seats at the commentary table for the next match.
AEW WORLDS TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP: The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong) (c) vs Lethal Twist (Blake Christian, Jay Lethal, Lee Johnson)
Blake Christian has stolen Orange’s denim jacket. Ricochet is talking shit on commentary. Roderick Strong and Jay Lethal in an old school Ring of Honor match-up start off for their teams! Lethal muscles Roddy into the heel corner and SLAPS Roddy. Roderick responses with a MASSIVE chop that sends everyone sprawling!
Lethal gets backed into the Conglomeration corner. Kyle O’Reilly in, TEN PUNCH COUNTALONG! Roderick tags in and delivers a series of fists. Now it’s Orange… he climbs up… whoaaaaaa… ONE! Thunderous applause for Mr. Whatever! Hands in pockets brings the Swirl in, they get caught. Conglomeration looking for stereo attacks, heels block, three irish whips. Reversed! Lethal Twist dosey-do! That lets the heels nail the faces. They do it again, Twist again with a counter. Third time does not work! Strong has Orange up and uses him as a weapon!
We’re down to Orange and Jay Lethal in the ring. Tag made to O’Reilly. Some stuff happens, heels take over. Roderick Strong is playing the role of Ricky Morton here tonight, folks! Ricochet needs to figure out how to be a heel on commentary without overtaking the team, he’s kind of grating.
Kyle O’Reilly tags in and goes ham! Takes down Johnson! Kitchen sinks Jay Lethal, then knees O’Reilly. Johnson tries a superkick, caught, O’Reilly with the ankle lock! Hey, he tapped Jon Moxley out to that twice. Johnson is screaming but gets saved by Lethal. O’Reilly reverses a double-team attempt, but only momentarily. Enziguri by Christian, dragon screw from Lethal. Somehow, Orange Cassidy is now involved. I’m not sure who’s legal! HANDS IN POCKETS! Orange ducks a double-clothesline, dives over the Swirl, and hits a no-hands dropkick. Jay Lethal catches Cassidy from behind, however. He hangs Orange in a tree of woe… Orange’s hands are still in his pockets lol. Lethal hits the ropes, dives to the floor on O’Reilly! Christian and Johnson assault the helpless OC, then hit a series of dives on Roderick Strong. Christian to the top, 450 SPLASH, ONE, TWO, KICKOUT! Crowd really getting into this one!
Jay Lethal up to the top, looking for Black Machismo Elbow! Orange gets a foot up, Lethal stops short. FIGURE FOUR! O’Reilly breaks it up! Lethal on the apron, looking to climb again. Roddy pulls Lethal down! Blake Christian dives on Roddy! O’Reilly with a running knee on Christian! Lee Johnson over the top! OC hits the ropes, Lethal intercepts, Stundog Millionaire blocked, Lethal sends OC off, OC WITH THE TORNADO DDT! Crowd approves! “FRESHLY SQUEEZED, FRESHLY SQUEEZED!”
LETHAL COMBINATION! Jay is up top! Looks for the elbow drop – CASSIDY COUNTERS INTO A ROLLUP! Lethal kicks out! Johnson tries to bring a title belt in the ring, distracting the ref! Blake Christian in with another belt, ORANGE PUNCH, Lethal hits the Lethal Injection! REF IN! ONE! TWO! STRONG BREAKS IT UP! Lethal looks for Lethal Injection again, gets High-Lowed by O’Reilly and Strong! Strong dumps Orange on top of Lethal for one, two, three!
WINNERS: (and still champions) The Conglomeration
TIME: 12:01
RATING: **3/4
THOUGHTS: Crowd pleasing opener. Lethal Twist didn’t have a chance, but kudos to Blake, Lee, and Lethal for showing some stuff in the latter portions of the match. Strong, O’Reilly, and Orange got to do their stuff for the fans and retained the trios titles. Looks like The Demand will be their next challengers…
Looks like the PPV proper will be opening with the SIX-MAN LADDER MATCH! Entrances starting now at the end of the Buy In. Really good to see guys like Mortos, Clon, and Komander after all three have been largely absent from AEW TV for months due to visa issues. Well, this show is in Canada, sickos!
Speedball makes his entrance second last and monnnnn dieuuuuuuu THAT IS A FUCKING REACTION!! VIVA LA SPEEDBALL!
Speedball takes the turnbuckle and soaks in the incredible response of the Montréal fans. Now the “ole” chants break out. This is beautiful. Speedball has such a smile on his face.
There is one more man left. Baltimora picks up and it’s “TARZAN BOY!” The crowd sings along, but they are certainly not as loud as they were for Mike Bailey.
The Buy In is over! Switching over to MyAEW for the PPV proper!!
SIX-MAN LADDER MATCH; WINNER GETS A SHOT AT THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
“Speedball” Mike Bailey vs Beast Mortos vs Nick Wayne vs El Clon vs “Jungle” Jack Perry vs Komander
Tony Khan would be out of his mind to beat Speedball in Montréal. Unless he WANTS to kill the crowd off for the first two hours of the show beating the sole Francophone on the card. Ahem! This match is going to be absolutely bonkers!
The entrances were made on the Buy In! Here we go! Bell rings and everyone goes at it. Bailey is getting incredible reactions. Nick Wayne gets big boos cutting Speedball off. Perry applauds Wayne and hits a dropkick. I’m not possibly going to do this match justice, folks. Wayne sent outside. El Clon attacks Perry! Combination from El Clon sends Perry to his knees! Irish whip countered by an enziguri… Clon with a pele!
Clon the first to grab a ladder, but Beast Mortos is in. He nails Clon in such a way that the ladder takes Clon AND Perry down! Samoan Drop! Mortos is alone in the ring and sets the ladder up. Bailey and Komander rush in to prevent that. Bailey and Komander on either side of the ladder, scrambling up…MORTOS PUSHES IT OVER! Bailey and Komander down.
Ladder angled in the corner by Beast Mortos. He stalks Bailey. Speedball with chops! HEADBUTT by Mortos! Gorilla press! SLAMS BAILEY INTO THE CORNER LADDER!
I AM THE LADDER!!!
Ladder doesn’t even budge and Bailey is outside. Chant in French breaks out. Komander drop toe-holds Mortos ONTO the ladder, flies up top, SPLASH TO MORTOS ON THE LADDER! Clon in! Clon with a powerbomb into a knee! Komander is laid on the ladder, Clon with a unique springboard moonsault onto Komander! Perry slides in, monkey flips Clon INTO the ladder on the buckle! Nick Wayne in! Uses the ladder to deliver a Sliced Bread #2! Crowd is booing the shit out of young Nick! Wayne with a baseball slide INTO a ladder, sending it into Komander!
WAYNE DIVES OVER THE TOP ONTO KOMANDER!
Christian’s former protege seems to be in control, but Mortos with headbutts! Clon dives in, and incredibly, hits a double DDT on Komander and Wayne! Speedball is back in but gets clocked by Mortos. The SPEEDBALL chants from Speedball from Montréal are thunderous. Bailey and Perry with synchronized offense! Wow! Speedball heads up the ramp to grab a BIG ladder near the entrance, but Jungle Jack nails Bailey from behind! Another French chant picks up, Montréal does NOT love Jungle Jack!
All six men are fighting by the entrance way. BAILEY CLIMBS THE LADDER. ON THE VERY VERY TOP! OH MY GOD!
BAILEY WITH A FUCKING MOONSAULT ONTO THE PILE!!!
HOLLLLYYYYY HELLLLLLLL!
However, Jungle Jack Perry is the only man on his feet! He decides to climb the ladder… and hits a moonsault of his own. Lands on his feet, and now Perry is bringing the extra-large ladder to the ring. Ladder slid in, but Speedball follows. Bailey is pissed at Perry and they SLUG IT OUT ON THE APRON! Superkick from Perry! DESTROYER — SPEEDBALL BLOCKS! Wait! NICK WAYNE OFF THE TOP WITH WAYNE’S WORLD ON THE APRON!
Seriously, Nick, that move CLEARLY HURTS YOU MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE WHAT ARE YOU DOING!
This lets Perry set the ladder up. He climbs! Beast Mortos is there! GORILLA PRESS! PERRY TOSSED OVER THE TOP ONTO THE BOYS ON THE FLOOR! Beast Mortos is gonna climb! Wait, Komander is on the buckle. HE WALKS THE ROPES! DROPKICK FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE TOP ROPE TO TAKE MORTOS DOWN! Incredible!
Komander takes Mortos down, and then… shifts the ladder to PIN Mortos down to the mat!! But that does take Komander further away from the hanging contract. Fingertips… Mortos is PUSHING UP THE LADDER! Komander losing his balance, so he shifts to hit a dive on Speedball and El Clon!
Whew!
Mortos off the ropes SUICIDE SPINNING SPLASH ONTO SPEEDBALL AND CLON!
Mortos still in command, he resets the ladder in the ring. Perry slides another ladder in and smashes it into the back of Mortos. Perry sets the ladder up and starts climbing. Bailey grabs another ladder and starts climbing! EVERYONE IS IN! EVERYONE IS CLIMBING! ALL SIX ARE UP VERY HIGH! THEY SLUG IT OUT!
Ohhhhhh boy… This is going to be a car crash!
Nick Wayne and Perry’s ladder falls and they hit the ropes! Mortoso shoves Bailey and Komander’s ladder over! Clon is down! MORTOS IS STILL ON THE LADDER! PERRY SHOVES THE BIG LADDER OVER! Mortos crashes down, clutching his left knee. Perry is going under the ring…and pulls out LES TROIS TABLES. Montréal approves!
We have a little bit of a lull as folks are brawling or selling on the outside. Nick Wayne sets up one table, Komander with a superkick! Perry is in the ring trying to get ladders set back up. Mortos clubs him. Mortos pulls Jungle Jack on the apron. Perry flies off, huracanrana sends MOrtos into the table! MORTOS SLIDES OFF AND HITS A LADDER ON THE GROUND! Jesus!
CLON OFF THE TOP! DOUBLE STOMP ON BAILEY THROUGH A TABLE!
KOMANDER WITH THE ROPE WALK… MOONSAULT DRIVES NICK WAYNE THROUGH A TABLE!
We have CARNAGE, folks!
Perry is first up and tries to get the ladder. Clon and Komander are in. Komander taken down. Clon grabs at Perry. Mortos is in! He yanks Perry off the ladder and delivers the headbutt. Ladder angled on the corner again. PERRY IS POWERBOMBED INTO THE CORNER LADDER! GOOD LORD! Mortos charges at Clon — CLON WITH A SPIN INTO A BACKBREAKER! Oh dear, now El Clon sets the ladder between the buckles AND the ladder rungs, creating a bridge.
Komander is on the “bridge” ladder! He and Clon exchange chops! Clon hooks Komander up… DRIVES KOMANDER TO THE CANVAS! Nick Wayne with a crucifix driver on El Clon! There is ANOTHER table set up! Wayne drapes Clon over it… and there just so happens to be a ladder near the table. WAYNE CLIMBS IT… PHOENIX SPLASH FROM THE LADDER TO THE TABLE! CLON IS DEAD! UNBELIEVABLE!
LOL Nigel says the PHOENIX SPLASH is an homage to Christian Cage. “Holy shit” chant breaks out. Jack Perry is once again trying for the contract but Wayne is in to block! They’re slugging it out on top of the ladder. Perry smashes Wayne’s face into the top of the ladder and…
CANADIAN DESTROYERRRRRR!!! OFF THE TOP OF THE LADDER! INTO THE BRIDGE LADDER! HOLY SHIT!
Bailey is BACK IN! He wedges a ladder in the corner! Thrust kicks to Mortos! Roundhouse! Mortos gets laid across the ladder wedeged in the corner. BAILEY ON TOP. THE MOONSAULT DOUBLE KNEES ONTO MORTOS!
THE CROWD IS GOING ABSOLUTELY FUCKING BANANA AS BAILEY SETS A LADDER UP IN THE CENTRE OF THE RING! THE OPPONENTS ARE COMING IN!
THEY’RE TOO LATE! BAILEY PULLS THE CONTRACT DOWN! I think some people in the crowd are crying! Montréal is TRES BIEN!!! VIVA LA SPEEDBALL!
WINNER: Speedball Mike Bailey
TIME: 19:58
RATING: ****
THOUGHTS: To me, a good sign for any match is when you look at the time and think WOW, it was THAT long? This did not feel twenty minutes! The action was fast and furious with little downtime. They didn’t fall prey to the trope of doing a bunch of “renovating” and furniture setup. Everyone got to shine, with Beast Mortos heavily featured. I’ve missed him! Ultimately, exciting match with the ABSOLUTE CORRECT WINNER and a red hot (right, Jeff Jarrett)? crowd. I believe this match certifies as PEPE APPROVED
Young Bucks v Will Ospreay & Jon Moxley
SUPERKICK PAAAARRRRTY! Welcome Matt and Nick Jackson to the city! They get their trademark “bucks bills” confetti explosion.
Moxley’s music picks up. And we cut to the Deathriders backstage… INCLUDING Will Ospreay. The Assassin is NOT making his own entrance tonight. Unless I’m mistaken, this is the first time Will has done the full Deathriders entrance through the crowd. INTRIGUE~!
It’s Will Ospreay and Nick Jackson to start us off, and Montreal sings “Ospreay, Ospreay, Ospreay, Ospreay.” Clean break. Nick sent to the buckle, dodges, Ospreay countered, Nick with the wrist, off the top, sends Ospreay to the canvas! Tag made to Matt Jackson. Ospreay taken down with tandem offense. Moxley runs in and gets kicked for his troubles. Ospreay sent into the buckle by Matt, then held on the man’s knees — Nick off the top! Cover gets two.
Oof, head to head collision, not sure if that was intentional. Nick and Will both seem a bit shaken up. Tag into Matt. Ospreay charges! Arm drag with control from Matt Jackson. Arm twist, tries to tag into Nick. Nick is on the floor though still trying to shake it off! Matt outside to check on his brother. OSPREAY VAULTS OVER THE TOP! Ospreay takes down Matt Jackson and rolls his man in! Crowd still loudly behind Ospreay.
Ospreay asks the referee to check on Nick Jackson, which pisses Jon Moxley off. Back in, Matt Jackson catches Will with a jawbreaker. Off the ropes, Mox with a knee! Ospreay with the backflip off Matt, Matt dodges, fake out superkick, DDT! DIVE ONTO MOXLEY! ANOTHER DIVE ONTO MOXLEY! Marina Shafir is beside herself! Ospreay distracts the referee and SHAFIR SENDS MATT INTO THE RING STEPS!
Jon Moxley is now in control as the fans chant something in French, no doubt unpleasant towards Marina Shafir. Nick is still on the floor as Ospreay controls Matt. Tag into Moxley. Body blow. CLUBBERING on Matt in the ropes! Ref distracted again, Marina with a shot to the midsection. She is very pleased with herself.
Matt is now in trouble, eating a series of chops and blows from Mox in the Deathrider corner. Tag made to Ospreay. BIG backbreaker to Matt! OH NO! MATT’S BACK INJURY! IT’S NEVER FULLY HEALED! Double shoulderblock sends Matt Jackson to the canvas! Nick Jackson is back on the apron. Referee Rick Knox checks in and Nick says he’s okay. I mean, not sure you want RICK KNOX in charge of your health.
Matt tries to fight up but Mox cuts him off. Double Irish whip. Jackson gets the ropes! Takes MOxley out! Ospreay though regains control. Matt evades! MATT DIVES FOR THE TAG…
JON MOXLEY PULLS NICK JACKSON OFF THE APRON!
PILEDRIVER TO NICK JACKSON ON THE FLOOR!
Ospreay off the top with a FOREARM to the back of Matt Jackson’s head! POWERBOMB! Ligerbomb according to Excalibur. That gets two. Ospreay looks for the Deathground cross armbreaker. Jackson isn’t allowing Will to get the full extension. Rolls around. Almost free, but Ospreay with a knee. Sends Matt into the corner. Matt nails Mox! Hits Ospreay! Again! Matt goes for the tag to Nick, Ospreay grabs him again! Ospreay looking for something… MATT REVERSES INTO A FACEPLANT! But on the apron, Nick Jackson still looks confused. Matt slowly rolling towards his corner…
Nick screams “TAG ME.” Matt is unsure. NICK TAGS IN! Nick with right hands! Hits Ospreay! Mox! Fighting both men! Kicks Mox! Knees Ospreay! BULLDOG/CLOTHESLINE TWO FOR ONE! STUNNER ON OSPREAY! That gets two. Nick tags Matt back in and its time for some classic double-teaming! Matt drapes Ospreay on the top rope. Nick with the double stomp, Matt with the powerbomb! NICK FLIES OUTSIDE ONTO MOX! Ospreay kicks out!
Tag made back to Nick Jackson and they look for the DIRT SHEET DRIVER. Nick leaps, MOX PULLS HIM OFF! Moxley grabs Matt, PARADIGM SHIFT, countered! Moxley is in the Tombstone position! OSPREAY CATCHES NICK! MOX COUNTERS! STYLES CLASH AND PILEDRIVER! IN STEREO! COVER! NICK KICKS OUT!
Ospreay and Moxley run the train on Nick Jackson. Moxley with the cutter! Matt Jackson kicked to the floor. OSPREAY WITH A TWISTING DIVE TO THE FLOOR! Moxley off the ropes, SUPERKICK! MOXLEY STAGGERS, KING KONG LARIAT! EVERYBODY IS DOWN!
Moxley looks for a choke, Jackson backs him into the corner. Ospreay flies in — AND NAILS MOXLEY! YOUNG BUCKS ON THE ATTACK! OSPREAY COUNTERS! JACKSON X-FACTOR! Bucks looking for More Bang For Your Buck but Moxley slips behind and gets the choke on Matt! Matt rolls out! NICK WITH A 450!
WILL OSPREAY WITH A 450!
DESTROYER ON OSPREAY!
HIDDEN BLADE INTERCEPTED!
BTE TRIGGER NAILS MOXLEY!
HIDDEN BLADE BREAKS UP THE PINFALL!
HOLY HELL!
All four men are down as the crowd is INTO this. Knox makes a standing ten count. Nick and Will, the illegal men, are first up and take their corners. Matt and Moxley tag out. Nick… stumbles to his knees. Knox is checking on Nick, who staggers to his feet — AND NAILS OSPREAY! Ospreay goes for a body shot. Commentary notes that Ospreay maybe doesn’t want to damage Nick further… ROLLING ELBOW though, Nick is punch-drunk! Heel kick. Nick is down to his knees and looks like he’s on dream street. BIG FOREARM by Ospreay. Ospreay wants to do more damage, but Knox is checking on Nick. WILL SHOVES THE REF AWAY. Is Will going to do to Nick what he did to Adam Brooks less than two weeks ago?
Matt crawls in and covers his brother! That’s enough. Will tags Moxley in. STOMP ON NICK JACKSON. ONE, TWO… NICK JACKSON KICKS OUT! Bulldog Choke is on, though. Moxley is relentless and the crowd is booing Moxley. Nick somehow gets out, and now Moxley is driving the forearms into the back of Nick’s head. Matt has had enough. Moxley eats a superkick from Matt! Ospreay drags Matt out of the ring, SUPERKICK — WILL DODGES —
MARINA SHAFIR EATS IT!
SUPERKICK TO OSPREAY!
Matt Jackson catches Moxley with a hotshot. Rollup! Nick is out. Moxley with a Paradigm Shift. WITH ANOTHER. Nick is the walking dead. THAT MAN HAS A FAMILY AND JON MOXLEY DOESN’T CARE. DEATHRIDER! Instead of a cover, Moxley slides out and grabs a steel chair! Knox tries to take it away, Moxley pulls back and Knox goes down! MOXLEY SIZES UP JACKSON!
OSPREAY WITH THE CHAIR! He doesn’t want this!
MATT JACKSON SUPERKICKS THE CHAIR INTO OSPREAY’S FACE!
SUPERKICK TO MOX!
BTE TRIGGER…
MOXLEY WITH TWO MIDDLE FINGERS!
Will Ospreay is DOWN! SUPERKICK PARTY TIME! Moxley eats something like a dozen superkicks! Nick falls on top for ONE, TWO, THREE!
WINNERS: Young Bucks
TIME: 19:49
RATING: ****1/2
THOUGHTS: Oh that was just excellent. Some layered storytelling going on here. First, Ospreay’s inner conflict on going “full Deathrider.” Ospreay entering WITH Moxley was notable, but Ospreay was not willing to end the career of Nick Jackson. Moxley had no such problem. Nick did a great job selling his loopiness (even if arguably, a REAL concussion should have been an immediate match stoppage). Matt showed great concern. The mesh of styles was great, we got the grittiness of Moxley, the high spots of the Bucks, and Will somewhere in the middle. You have TV Bucks with fun party matches, and then you have PPV Bucks. Big ramifications here — the win should catapult Young Bucks into Tag Title contention. For Ospreay, he suffers a loss without taking the fall before facing Omega at ALL IN; Moxley took the pin and surely will be furious at Will for showing mercy.
INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: “Protostar” Kyle Fletcher (c) v ROH World Champion Bandido
Everyone is (allegedly” banned from ringside, as Kyle Fletcher wants to do this on his own. We’ll see if that holds true.
They exchange counters to start, leading to a VERY close pinfall by Bandido! Fletcher rolls outside after for a hydration break. Back in, nails Bandido with a boot. Arm wringer, irish whip, Bandio ducks, springboard — CAUGHT. Bandido slips out! Sends Fletcher INTO the top rope. Tijares! Bandido looks for a dive, Fletcher slides in, catches the man with a slam! Fletcher takes a moment to flex on the turnbuckle to a chorus of boos. Commentary points out that Kyle has switched to full length wrestling boots, switching from his former wrestling shoes/kickpad look. I like that commentary is breaking down how the switch could be a strange adjustment for Fletcher. Nice stuff.
Fletcher draws heat from the crowd. Bandido tries to fire back but that’s cut off. Repeated knees from the six-four Fletcher. Irish whip, reversed, both men over the top! Fletcher lands on the floor. Bandido remains on the apron. MOONSAULT OFF THE TOP — FLETCHER WITH A BIG KICK TO THE HEAD OF BANDIDO IN MID-AIR! WOW!
Bandido is OUT on the floor. Fletcher menaces referee Paul Turner. Fletcher has Bandido. Standing headscissors. APRON POWERBOMB.
Remember when that put Sami Zayn on a stretcher and out for weeks? LOL
Fletcher rolls in. He’s happy to take a count-out victory as Turner starts counting Bandido out. Bandido rolls in, Fletcher covers. Full-nelson from the Protostar, he’s ragdolling Bandido around. Fletcher falls back and wraps in a body scissors as well. Bandido is in trouble! But the Most wanted is able to get to the ropes with his foot, forcing a break.
Bandido gets to his feet, but Fletcher continues to cut him off. Fletcher looks for a suplex, blocked… Bandido slowly, impressively, DEADLIFTS Fletcher up and delivers a suplex of his own! Montreal is loudly behind the Most Wanted! Bandido tries to punch Fletcher in the corner. Kyle slips out. Bandido with a dive off the top! Running elbow! A second, a third! Bandido… GORILLA PRESS! ONE ARMED! Fletcher dumped hard to the canvas. Haha, great pained face from Fletcher. Bandido to the top! LIE, CHEAT, STEAL, AND FROG SPLASH! That gets two!
Bandido back up top. Fletcher cuts it off. Bandido ends up on the apron. He tries for a Gorilla press on the apron, Fletcher falls out. Nails Bandido. Fletcher on the apron, and goes for a BRAINBUSTER on the ring apron! Kyle smiles like a sick fuck as Bandido is in agony on the floor. Once again, Fletcher decides to take the count. Paul Turner begins counting Bandido out. Bandido manages to get up at 7, and GETS FACE TO FACE WITH A FAN IN AN OSPREAY KIT! THE YOUNG FAN SAYS YOU GOT IT! BANDIDO ROLLS IN BEFORE TEN! Fletcher grabs him and nails the LAST RIDE! One, two, BANDIDO KICKS OUT!
Crowd claps loudly, attempted to rally Bandido. Fletcher is the first man up. He grabs the hair, that Aussie prick. Half and half suplex! But Fletcher AGAIN decides to play to the fans instead of following up on his situation. Looks for another half-and-half. Countered! German Suplex! Bandido maintains control. Fletcher is reaching for the ropes. He reaches again. Bandido switches up to a Full Nelson! Fletcher is able to break it… WAIT A MINUTE!! BANDIDO PULLS THAT INTO A 21-DRAGON SUPLEX!! WHAT!! I don’t even know how to DESCRIBE that! 2.8!!!
Fletcher gets up and holds the middle rope. 21-Plex attempt! Fletcher shrugs Bandido off! They’re back on the apron, ANOTHER BRAINBUSTER. No! Bandido gets out. Fletcher on the apron… wait a minute… BANDIDO LOOKING FOR A MURDERDEATHKILL SUNSET BOMBTO THE FLOOR! KYLE FIGHTS! BANDIDO KEEPS AT IT — POWERBOMB TO THE FLOOR! But Bandido can’t win the title via countout as both men are DOWN!
Bandido is on the top turnbuckle…
OH MY FREAKING GOD!!! FROG SPLASH FROM THE TOP TO FLETCHER ON THE FLOOR. THEY’RE BOTH DEAD! Justified “Holy Shit” chants. Bandido is SOMEHOW up and rolls Fletcher in! The ROH World Champ is on top again. SHOOTING STAR PRESS! ONE! TWO! FLETCHER GETS THE SHOULDER UP! Just barely! Crowd seems deflated on that one, but the claps start back up. 21-PLEX ATTEMPT! Fletcher reverses! Half-and-half, Bandido lands on his feet. They exchange kicks! Fletcher sent face-first into the buckle. Bandido with an incredible Tornado DDT, but Bandido is unable to make the cover. I think this match has peaked but they’re still going. What do I know, crowd chants “THIS IS AWESOME.”
Turner with a standing ten-count on both men. Fletcher grabs Paul Turner’s boot. We have a head-to-head confrontation in the center ring. Oh God, Fletcher with a headbutt. Bandido returns it. Nigel McGuinness knows better than most what repeated headbutts can do! Fletcher is up, kicks to the head of Bandido. Fletcher is FURIOUS. Bandido fires back! Bandido gets Fletcher up… X-KNEE! Fletcher catches the leg! ROARING ELBOW from Fletcher! In the corner, Kyle Fletcher pulls his kneepad down. HE’S LOOKING FOR THE TAKESHITA KNEE! BANDIDO COUNTERS! Fletcher kicks out!
Both men end up on the top rope. Is Kyle Fletcher looking for the turnbuckle brainbuster? Whatever happened to that El Generico fellow who innovated it? Bandido blocks it though, Bandido… WITH THE FLIPPING SLAM! That would get three but Fletcher gets his WRIST on the rope. X-Knee from Bandido! Fletcher is dead, crawling to the ropes. Set up perfectly for the… 21-PLEX! GETS IT! ONE! TWO! FLETCHER KICKS OUT!
Oh come on, that’s unnecessary.
“Fight Forever” chants break out as Montreal loves this one. Fletcher clings to the boot of Bandido. The Most Wanted rains blows down on the International champion. Bandido showing some AGGRESSION. Fletcher is in bad shape. Bandido looks for a 21-Plex… LARIAT BY FLETCHER! POWERDRIVE KNEE! BRAINBUSTER! ONE! TWO! THREE!
NOOOOOOO!
BANDIDO KICKS OUT!
Fletcher looks for the Turnbuckle Brainbuster as THUNDEROUS Bandido chants break out! Bandido climbs to the top. Fletcher fights him off. Hammering elbows. Bandido falls. CLimbs back up… Fletcher catches Bandido! AVALANCHE SLAM! KICKOUT! SNAKE EYES! ENZIGURI! TURNBUCKLE BRAINBUSTER! BANDIDO STILL FIGHTING! Fletcher “connects” in ugly fashion, and that’s three.
WINNER: (and still champion) Kyle Flecther
TIME: 26:15
RATING: ***3/4
THOUGHTS: They had a great 18-20 minute match in there but went over 26 minutes. This is a difficult one to rate because absolutely, the crowd was into it, and they worked their asses off. But there was no story, it was just “hit every move you have until someone can’t get out.” 21-Plex kicked out of (which got a genuine “fuck right off” from me), Brainbuster kicked out of. They sold by “looking tired” but otherwise doing everything with zero issues. The match peaked and simply… kept going. There are ways to make both men “look tough” without just doing a dozen finisher kick-outs. It’s additionally sour because Bandido loses AGAIN on PPV, but it’s okay, because he had a “great match.” I can’t in conscience give this four stars when the match got worse the longer it went on, no psychology or story, just finisher spam. Worst, to me, it made the babyface look a bit shite. Fletcher took ALL of Bandido’s offense and kicked out of it all. Fletcher’s a heel. He’s a tough heel, but the underdog babyface kicks out of the crazy shit. Kyle Fletcher, the fighting spirit heel? Flame me all you want!
DOUBLE CHAIN MATCH: Bang Bang Gang (“Switchblade” Jay White & Juice Robinson) vs The Dogs (David Finlay & Clark Connors)
Connors and Finlay are both in camo pants, Finlay with his shillelagh. Commentary talks about the history these men all have with each other from back in New Japan pro wrestling.
“BY ORDER OF THE BANG BANG GANG!” The “switchblade” sound is now in the song instead of “guns up.” All five members are here for the best damn entrance in pro wrestling!!! It’s good see Jay White FINALLY back in action. I’m not sure about his baggy karate pants. The Gunns and Ace Austin give the Too Sweet and head backstage. As a duo, Jay and Juice were apart of perhaps the greatest tag match in AEW history, the 2/3 falls match against FTR. This could be a sleeper, folks!
Referee tries to chain the men up, the Dogs sneak attack the BBG! Bell doesn’t ring as the chains are not yet connected. Connors chokes Juice out while Finlay does similar to White. The chains are finally connected at the wrist. Montreal starts singing “WHO LET THE DOGS OUT”, ha! Connors and Juice are connected, and on the other side, Finlay and Switchblade are linked.
Irish whips are reversed! Jay and Juice take Connors down. They have the chains, and clothesline Finlay down with it! Connors takes a turn! Crowd politely applauds. They have their work cut out for them, the Dogs really don’t have any heat. Juice wraps the chain around his hand. Both Dogs sent to the floor> Jay and Juice slide under the ropes and use PHYSICS to trap both Connors and Finlay! Clubbering blows! Big chop! Shut up, spellcheck, clubbering is SO a word! Juice with a big chain-wrapped punch to the ribs of Finlay. And again. OOF. Jay whips Finlay with the chain! White and Robinson get back in the ring to untangle the chains. DOUBLE BODY PRESSES! Juice screams like a madman into the camera. He’s an ACTUAL madman…
Connors sent face-first into the announce desk. Switchblade winds up and tries to slam the chain into Finlay’s face! David ducks and Switch hits the ringpost! Juice gets dragged into the ring steps! FINLAY POWERBOMBS SWITCHBLADE INTO THE RING POST! Well, not really a powerbomb. The Dogs take control as the fans go back to Baha Men.
Connors sets Juice up in a chair and charges in with a shoulderblock! Finlay is getting some distance from Switchblade, pulls his man in for a big forearm.
Zoned out for a moment as the crowd is quiet and not much is going on. There is some violence with the chain, but this is slowwwwwwww. Unfortunately, it’s not slow in a compelling manner. We’ve got stereo chain chokes. Crowd mildly boos. Nigel points out a box of matches in the Dogs corner. This match is dying in front of our eyes. No blood in this one despite the chain. Is Montreal a no-blood province?
Switchblade finally makes a comeback, waking up the crowd. The chains are quite tangled up. Dragon screw to Finlay! Right hands to Connor by Juice! Left Hand of God is dodged by Connors, right into a DDT by Switchblade! They pile the chains on Connors and Juice hits a SENTON. Yeowch! Finlay runs in, caught by Jay with a uranage. Cover gets two. Excalibur says it’s the first cover of the match, nine minutes in. And now, more choking. Finlay backs into the corner to break it. Now it’s Finlay’s turn for a uranage, onto his knee. Powerslam by Connors. The applauds as all four men are down!
Jay gets tossed outside. Juice, alone, is WHIPPED by Connors and Finlay! Oooooof that has to suck. Juice’s screams are the best. Connors wraps the chain around the neck of Juice for… a choke. I know, you’re as shocked as I am. Finlay sends Jay White to the floor, Jay tries to get in. The chain is caught on the ropes and Jay can’t break up the chain-assisted hold! JAY USES THE POWER OF THE ABS TO PULL FINLAY! CHOP! JAY SUPLEXES FINLAY TO THE FLOOR! HE BREAKS THE HOLD! HALF AND HALF SUPLEX TO CONNORS!
Jay White flexing his abs got far and away the best reaction of the match.
Switchblade hoists Connors up, looking for Blade Runner! Finlay yanks on the chain to interrupt. SPEAR from Connors, but nobody can cover. Nigel calls it a “fascinating” back and forth. We get a spear, Finlay hits a dominator (UGLY, yikes), and Switchblade kicks out. The Dogs look for their tag finisher, the “Full Clip.” Juice blocks but gets knocked down. White flips out. Juice pulls Connor OFF THE TOP INTO THE STEEL STEPS. Ooooof. Switchblade with a suplex to Finlay! Juice is crawling in! Bang Bang Gang get some cheers from the crowd. Now it’s Finlay’s turn to get chain whipped! AHHHHH that has to suuuuuck. LOL Nigel says “this is a bit much.” Sure, Nigel. Attack to the balls of Finlay! I guess they DID threaten to “neuter” the Dogs. Juice has a chain wrapped left hand, but … Wheeler Yuta and Daniel Garcia are here to pull Jay White out of the ring! That brings out the remaining members of the Bang Bang Gang! FAMOUSER TO GARCIA! Ace, Colten, and Austen chase the Deathriders to the back.
Marina Shafir shows up and sneaks the Shillelagh to Finlay. Which isn’t actually illegal, so… Finlay nails Juice! That’s enough to get three.
WINNERS: Finlay & Connors
TIME: 17:36
RATING: *1/2
THOUGHTS: I can’t think of a PPV match from AEW that I’ve disliked as much as this one, not in a long time. This was slow, boring, dull, with basic ass use of the stipulation. The chain stip probably hurt this match more than it helped. The Dogs came out to no heat, and the biggest heat of the match was Wheeler Yuta showing up. This was a poor showcase for a returning Jay White. I don’t want to “dog” on it too much, but this was 17 and a half minutes that felt like thirty, with a shitty Deathriders finish. When the crowd singing “Who Let The Dogs Out?” is the most memorable aspect, you’ve done something wrong.
* Renee Paquette is backstage with Will Ospreay! Will notes Nick’s history of head trauma. Moxley walks in. Will says I’m not trying to KILL anyone, man! Moxley says “sorry Nick, welcome to pro wrestling.” It’s not about the TAG match. We’ll win another one next week. Mox is concerned about WEMBLEY. That’s NOT just another match for Will! Once in a lifetime! “Open your eyes! There are no friends at the top! You can’t be Mr. Nice Guy!” Moxley doesn’t want to be there when Ospreay learns this lesson… the hard way. “So if you won’t pull the trigger… I will.” A perplexed Renee sends it back to the announce team.
TBS CHAMPIONSHIP: Hikaru Shida (c) vs Maya World
Reminder: “TBS” stands for “The Best Shida.” These two have their work cut out for them to wake this crowd up. A fan has a “Happy Birthday” sign for Maya, who turns twenty-four today!
Big “SHIDA” chants break out at the bell. Takedown by Shida. Maya counters an arm drag into one of her own. Crowd is thankfully already applauding and seem into this. Maya off the ropes but runs right into a high knee! Maya sent to the floor, Meteora from the arpon connects. Maya rolled in. Shida plays to the fans, allowing Maya to try a baseball slide. Shida catches her. Maya is now on top, raining down blows! Maya looks for a stomp, dodged, Shida yanks Maya down! Maya face-first into the ring edge!
A charge from the TBS champ eats boot. Maya with a dive hits Shida on the floor! Maya in control. Pinfall gets two. BIG chop to Shida! Corner charge, Shida gets a boot up. Wraps Maya’s leg around the apron, kick to the knee. Shida up top, Maya with a shot. Maya looks for an enziguri… Shida grabs it… GOING FOR THE STRETCH MUFFLER ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! Oh Lord! Shida releases before the referee’s five count, but the damage is done. Maya is clutching her knee.
Shida follows up with a kick to the leg. Crowd is now behind Maya. In the corner, SHIDA BITES THE FOREHEAD! Is she secretly a Deathrider? Shida continues her attack. Duelling chants! Let’s go Shida, Let’s go Maya! Maya is trapped in the ropes, but manages to turn it around into a tijares! Shida GOES TO THE EYES! Cradle gets two. Schiavone complains about all the shortcuts Shida has been using, but Nigel rightly points out that it doesn’t “get points taken off.”
The Best Shida wants a superplex, but Maya sneaks out. Unfortunately, Maya’s knee buckles. Shida takes advantage. Maya trying to fire up, crowd behind her, Shida cuts it off. Shida looks for a FALCON ARROW, Maya counters with a cradle for two! Cazadora into a STOMP! Maya is first to her feet but that knee is bothering her. Maya hobbles forward and delivers some kicks to Shida. Irish whip reversed, Maya counters Shida’s attack. Maya climbs, stumbles, hits a Vadersault! Maya continues to limp. She tries a charge, it’s slow, Shida catches her and hooks on a single-leg crab! Crowd again rallying Maya!
Shida takes control and hits a Meteora. Shida — reversed! They trade pinfalls! Shida tries to grab the tights, ALMOST THREE, MAYA KICKS OUT! Double clothesline and BOTH WOMEN ARE DOWN! Back up, and it’s Maya World with a Shining Wizard. Maya with ANOTHER to the BACK of Hikaru Shida’s head! Shida is DAZED! MAYA WITH ANOTHER SHINING! Maya can’t cover right away because of her knee, and Shida ROLLS TO THE OUTSIDE. Maya steps out to the apron. Shida gets the kendo stick! Paul Turner grabbing it from Shida. Tug of war, Maya kicks the kendo stick away. TOPE SUICIDA TO SHIDA! Maya sends Shida back into the ring! Maya climbing the corner again. VADERSAULT… hits KNEES. Inside Cradle by Shida! KICKOUT MAYA!
KATANA! Maya is dead. That’s one, two, ………… what the hell was that? The count stopped and Shida pulled off, but Maya didn’t seem to actually kick out.
Shida looks for a slam, Maya counters. Wrist control by Shida and the two women trade blows. Shida goes for the eyes! MAYA CATCHES IT! Roll-up for another two-count! Shida CONTINUES to have wrist control and nails a TOMBSTONE. That should be all, but Maya gets the shoulder up. Knee to the back of Maya’s head. Shida looking for the “TBS Lock.” She doesn’t quite have it on. Maya’s arm goes up, but Shida … pulls Shida up? Shida with a GERMAN SUPLEX. She loads up. RUNNING KNEE. A second running knee. Shida isn’t done! A THIRD RUNNING KNEE. Maya looks dead, stop the match, Turner.
Referee Paul Turner tries to back off Shida, but Shida shoves him. FALCON ARROW. SHE DID THE DEED> One, two, MAYA GRABS THE ROPES. Shida thinks she won. Turner says nope! Shida is FURIOUS with Paul Turner! Shida charges — FALLAWAY SLAM! ONE, TWO, THREE!!!!!!!
WINNER: AND NEWWWWW TBS CHAMPION —- MAYA WORLD!!
TIME: 16:38
RATING: ***3/4
THOUGHTS: A very good match that did not quite kick into the next gear, but the crowd was invested in it and we got a BIG upset win for Maya World to cap off her sudden popularity! The crowd with a MASSIVE reaction and the women got the crowd back after that turgid chain match. This is a ***3/4 star match because it was very good with some sloppiness; Fletcher/Bandido I rate that because they went too damn long and hurt the work they had been building. Anyway, a big, big win for Maya World to pop the crowd and reward her for the past couple months of work! Just over a year ago, she was unsigned, and stepped in as a fill-in…
* Backstage, The Demand challenge the Conglomeration to a Trios Title match in Detroit, this Wednesday on Dynamite!
* Nigel McGuinness is gone, HERE IS TAZ on commentary! POUTINE JONES, HEAH!
AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: Christian Cage & Adam Copeland (c) vs Claudio Castagnoli & PAC
Deafening pop to the opening strains of “Metalingus” and Montreal is singing it at the top of their lungs! The “Rated R Superstar” poses for some pyro! I like that Cope has been wearing designs on his tights that are similar to the late 90s tights he wore when Edge & Christian were teaming.
Copeland gets in the ring — PAC AND CLAUDIO SNEAK ATTACK! Claudio has his luchadore mask on. HIT HIS MUSIC! Christian Cage runs down the rampway! Claudio takes him down and PAC joins in! Backbreaker to Christian on the ramp. Crowd chants something no doubt derogatory en francais. Referee Bryce Remsburg checking on Copeland and telling the Deathriders to get to their corner. Copeland is to his feet and there’s the bell!
Pac and Claudio pummel Copeland in their corner. Tag to Castagnoli, raining down boots. A veritable mudhole stomping, if you weeeeel. Christian is trying to get to the apron. Pac and Claudio assault him again and send him into the steps. I believe Taz just said “A&W” tag team champions. I could always go for a Teen Burger! Crowd boos. Copeland tries to fire back and EATS a European Uppercut.
While I do appreciate that Cope & Christian were involved in TLC and shit, it’s a little bit much how hard commentary is selling them as GOATS. They only teamed for a couple years. Anyway! Copeland continues to take punishment in the Deathrider corner. Christian is still down.
Quick tags by the Deathriders. Kick from PAC. Boot from Claudio. Claudio taunts Copeland. Copeland crawls to his corner, nobody home. Claudio cinches on an armbar. Montreal trying to get behind Copeland. Castagnoli with a sleeper hold, because that’s what this match needed. Copeland is able to send Claudio to the ropes, and gets a sleeper of his own! Claudio with a back suplex, though. Ooh, Claudio knows French, he knows what the crowd is saying.
Claudio looks for the Neutralizer. Back drop from Cope! Claudio lands on his feet. They both hit the ropes, double clothesline! Did these guys get their time cut or something? They basically cut off the first part of a match and went straight to the heat.
COPELAND TAGS IN CHRISTIAN CAGE! CAGE NAILS PAC! KICKS THE MIDDLE ROPE INTO CLAUDIO’S NUTS! Christian climbs up top and rains down the blows for a punch-count EN FRANCAIS! UNE, DEUX, TROUS, QUATRE! Christian BITES! DDT to PAC gets two! Claudio runs in, Christian goes to the eyes. Sends Claudio into PAC. THE FATHER OF THE YEAR does his rope-assisted choke! Claudio tries to take Christian down, gets knocked away. PAC charges, Christian is ON the apron, BACKDROPS PAC TO THE FLOOR ONTO CLAUDIO! Christian off the top! TWO COUNT! Christian is a HOUSE ON FIRE!
Cage sets up in the corner, looking for the SPEAR. Claudio grabs the leg! PAC WITH A BIG BOOT!
Now it’s Christian’s turn to play Ricky Morton. The Deathriders continue the assault in the corner. Christian tries to make a comeback but misses the blind tag. He superplexes Claudio, but PAC, now the legal man, with a splash to regain advantage. PAC runs around ringside to clothesline Copeland down! Back on offense, right hands to Christian. Big “LET’S GO CHRISTIAN” chants. Be careful, Montreal, the government of Quebec might fine you for those English chants!
Backbreaker by Claudio, PAC with a stomp to Christian! Modified Demolition Decapitation, but Christian Cage gets the shoulder up. OHHHHH AND NOW! Claudio applies the SHARPSHOOTER to Cage. Montreal IS FURIOUS. Raining down boos! Christian tries for the ropes, Claudio drags him back to the center of the ring! On the outside, Copeland tries to get up on the apron. Claudio releases the hold and dropkicks Cope back to the floor. PAC whips Copeland into the barricade, then rushes back to his corner to tag in CLaudio. Now CLAUDIO charges Copeland! Running European Uppercut sends Copeland over the barricade! Claudio follows, sending Copeland into something we can’t quite see, down by row ten.
PAC WITH A SHOOTING STAR PRESS
ONTO THE KNEES
Christian covers and gets two! CLAUDIO with a double stomp! The Deathriders run their train on Christian Cage. Giant Swing on Christian! Several rotations, PAC with a dropkick to the swinging Cage, but Cage manages to kick out. Deathriders look for a spike Neutralizer, but they spy Copeland climbing back over the barricade. Claudio charges — Cope backdrops Claudio to the floor! In the ring, PAC looks for a Brainbuster, CHRISTIAN REVERSES INTO THE KILLSWITCH! That gets two! Sorry, why did PAC need to kick out of Christian’s finisher?
Copeland is finally getting to the ring apron in his corner. Christian MAKES THE TAG! Big right hands stagger PAC! Claudio is getting back in, he eats some! Copeland slugging away on both men! He’s going CRAZY! DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE! Copeland looks for a powerbomb… POWERBOMBS PAC INTO CLAUDIO! IMPALER DDT! ONE ON CLAUDIO, ONTO PAC! Cope covers and gets two, Claudio breaks it up.
Claudio charges, Copeland sends him outside! PAC WITH A ROLLUP! FEET ON THE ROPES! ONE, TWO, REMSBURG SEES IT! PAC is arguing with Remsburg. EDGE-O-MATIC! Cope-O-Matic? Both men are down. Christian is not on the apron even though Cope is looking for a tag.
Copeland is in the corner… THE FANS ARE STANDING! CRAZY EYES COPE! SPEAR! DODGED! Claudio is in! SPIKE NEUTRALIZER! PAC covers! One, two, CHRISTIAN OUT OF NOWHERE WITH THE LAST MINUTE SAVE!!!
PAC — THE STRAPS COME DOWN! He rebounds off the ropes, lariat, CAUGHT, GRINDHOUSE CROSSFACE IS ON! Christian has Claudio by the ankle! Crowd SCREAMING for PAC to tap! Claudio kicks Cage away and breaks up the submission. Crowd boos.
Claudio bodyslams Christian like it was nothing, then tries to fire PAC up. The Deathriders doing a rotating train. Countered! CHRISTIAN SPEARS CLAUDIO! PAC charges Christian, Cage sends PAC up — SPEAR IN MID-AIR! Cope with the cover, one, two, three!!!
WINNERS: (and still champions) C&C Canadian Wrestle Factory
TIME: 18:41
RATING: ***1/2
THOUGHTS: Pretty good match that the crowd was hugely into. It’s interesting to note how much more the crowd was invested in Christian over Copeland. In no way am I suggesting Copeland isn’t popular in Montreal! I’m not sure about the match format where most of the eighteen minutes was basically a two-on-one for the Deathriders. PAC and Claudio didn’t really feel like PPV worthy opponents but obviously they can deliver in-ring. Good match with a very hot finishing sequence.
* The Canadians celebrate… and SUPERKICK PARTY hits! The Young Bucks come out to staredown Cage & Cope, and the graphic comes up on the screen. It will be CAGE & COPE defending the AEW World Tag Team Championships against the YOUNG BUCKS, ALL IN, WEMBLEY!!! Copeland shakes the hands of Matt and Nick, but Christian does NOT. The question is: Does this match REMAIN a straight up tag match? Or do any other teams get involved?
NO HOLDS BARRED: “Painmaker” Chris Jericho vs “Psycho Killer” Tommaso Ciampa
Ciampa’s entrance continues to be absolutely fucking incredible. Ciampa coming to what will be a violent bout in proper ring gear. Brave man.
In a wicked mask, spiked jacket, and wielding a barbed wire bat, here comes… THE PAINMAKER. Jericho got TK to shell out for JUDAS FUCKIN’ PRIEST! “PAINKILLER” brings PAINMAKER to the ring. The chyron only says “Painmaker.” I mean, come on. That’s a bad ass entrance. Crowd seems a bit disappointed they can’t singalong to Judas.
Aubrey Edwards draws the responsibility for this match, already wearing gloves. Ciampa counteres the barbed wire bat with a steel chair. DING DING DING! They collide their weapons together, Ciampa getting the better. Chairshot to the back! Jericho facefirst into the chair. Swing from Ciampa, CODEBREAKER! Whoa! That gets one. Jericho (I’m not typing Painmaker all match). Jericho has POCKET SAND! RIGHT TO CIAMPA’S FACE! Paybreak for Beach Break!
Ciampa ends up on the floor and Jericho follows. Gouge of the eyes, followed by a knife-edge chop. WHOOOOO!. Irish whip, reversed, Jericho sent to the barricade. Ciampa stomps away, then chokes Jericho with his boot. Aubrey tells them to get inside, but there are no count-outs, Aubrey! Ciampa flips up the ring apron and finds a table! Tommaso gets it set-up, but that’s allowing Jericho time to recover. JERICHO HAS A FIRE EXTINGUISHER! He sprays Ciampa in the face then sprays it up high. Ciampa grabs bottled water to flush his eyes. JERICHO BASHES CIAMPA WITH THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER! Jericho keeps spraying it lol.
Back in the ring, “Painmaker” has the chair. Oof. Chairshot to the back of Ciampa but it was mostly chair edge. Both men on the ring apron! Jericho looking for a suplex by the table. Ciampa counters. Double underhook HOLY FUCK. HOLY. ANGEL’S WINGS THROUGH THE TABLE. Oh Good Lord that looked ugly. Ciampa may have taken table into his leg.
Ciampa rolls Jericho back into the ring and covers, that gets two.
Excalibur: “I hear this child behind us saying ‘Ciampa, light the table on fire.'”
Taz: “It’s Canada, dude!”
HAHA.
Ciampa reaches under the ring. Gets a garbage can… AND TWO HOCKEY STICKS! CIAMPA BLASTS JERICHO WITH IT! CHOKE WITH THE HOCKEY STICK! Montreal is singing “Ole, Ole, Ole!” LOL. HAHA. Taz is CORRECT, the official national sport of Canada is LACROSSE.
OH MY GOD CIAMPA HAS A BOSTON BRUINS JERSEY. THAT IS FUCKING HEAT!!!! Hahahahahahahahaha. ANd now he has a plushie of the Canadiens MASCOT! CIAMPA IS DESTROYING IT WITH A HOCKEY STICK! CIAMPA WITH A LUNGBLOWER TO YOUPPI! CIAMPA DEMANDS AUBREY COUNT! JERICHO BREAKS IT UP! And now, Ciampa has the trash can over his head. Jericho with a stick. He tees up…
SLAP SHOT! Oh hell, that left a dent. Jericho consoles Youppi! MONTREAL IS LOSING IT!
Excalibur: “He’s Gritty’s cousin!”
Now Jericho goes under the ring… we see a barbed wire TABLE, but Jericho doesn’t want that? He gets another bag! He pours out… THUMBTACK COVERED HOCKEY PUCKS! No lie, the pucks will probably hurt worse than the tacks. The pucks are official CANADIENS pucks! Jericho looks to suplex Ciampa on the pucktacks! HE JERSIES CIAMPA! HOCKEY FIGHT! SUPLEX! OH GOD! CIAMPA ONTO THE TACKS AND PUCKS AND PUCKTACKS! That had to fucking suuuuuuuuck.
The crowd is absolutely loving this, and now what does Jericho have? He picks up … A SANDPAPER GIMMICK! Jericho rakes at Ciampa, and Ciampa is BUSTED WIDE OPEN! More sandpaper GRATING at Ciampa’s head! Jesus. Jericho takes the Bruins jersey off of Ciampa, and to great applause, dumps it into the trash can! This is beautiful with Ciampa legit being from Boston and the generational rivalry between the Habs and the Bruins.
And NOW… Jericho pulls out the barbed wire table! Crowd is happy about that. “THIS IS AWESOME” chants ring through la Centre Bell. But before Jericho can do anything, Ciampa hits him with a trash can. Now Ciampa gets a PUCKTACK and rakes it into Jericho’s forehead! “YOU SICK FUCK” chants! Aubrey has basically OVEN MITT gloves on, can’t blame her! Now Jericho is wearing some crimson mask. Ciampa lowers the kneepad. KNEE TO THE FACE! Ciampa covers! One, two, Jericho barely gets the shoulder up!
Oh God, Jericho has a tack embedded in his forehead. Meanwhile, Ciampa finds his OWN bag under the ring. What’s THIS…
A THUMBTACK STUDDED KNEEPAD. But Jericho double-legs Ciampa! WALLS OC JERICHO! CIAMPA IS CRAWLING THROUGH THE TACKS! HE GETS THE ROPES — there are no rope breaks, it’s no holds barred! Ciampa desperate. He gets the barbed wire bat! Smacks Jericho. That gets Ciampa free… shot to the head! Ciampa RAKING the barbed wire into Jericho’s forehead. Ciampa cuts up his own hand during it!
And now, Ciampa looks to send Jericho into the barbed wire table. The Painmaker fights back! He has Ciampa up…
DEATH
VALLEY
DRIVER
THROUGH THE BARBED WIRE TABLE!
Holy shit. Jericho looks to have cut up his forearm, and Ciampa looks like his arm is STUCK in one of the coils. Aubrey tries to help Ciampa out. Ciampa WRENCHES himself free from the barbed wire, his back is disgusting! Jericho covers… Ciampa somehow kicks out! Ciampa’s blood has made a big spot on Jericho’s chest.
Jericho puts Ciampa on the top turnbuckle. Ciampa looks dead. Jericho… … I don’t know what he has, but he stabbed Ciampa in the thigh! A spike? Whatever, Jericho is outside and grabbing chairs. Ciampa is literally leaning back on the top buckle, back of his head on the ring post.
Outside the ring, Jericho finds… A MIRROR. Sure, why not. Malicious grin! Ciampa is still dead. Crowd pre-emptively chanting YOU SICK FUCK to Jericho. The Painmaker opens up two chairs and sets them up front to front. HE LAYS THE MIRROR ON TOP OF THE TWO TABLES. Are you kidding me??? Jericho up top!!! He has the spike! MORE GOUGING — CIAMPA WITH A LOW BLOW!!! Ciampa hoists Jericho up NO, NO, NO!!!!
AIR
RAID
CRASH THROUGH THE FUCKING MIRRORRRRRRRR
JESUS CHRIST
Ciampa covers
JERICHO KICKS OUT!
I mean, I don’t think I would do a kickout on a TOP ROPE MIRROR spot, but hey. That shoulda been the finish.
Jericho has glass embedded in his back, it’s everywhere. Presumably it’s a gimmicked mirror but STILL. Ciampa goes under the ring while Doc Sampson checks on Jericho. CIAMPA FINDS THE DRILL. HAHAHAHA. Montreal is chanting “THIS IS MURDER.” Ciampa tries to drill Jericho! Jericho blocks! Ciampa bites the hands! GREEN MIST FROM JERICHO! JUDAS EFFECT! ONE, TWO, CIAMPA KICKS OUT!!!
A bloodied Ciampa is RESTING HIS HEAD ON THE YOUPPI STUFFIE!!
Jericho goes outside again… AND FINDS A SECOND MIRROR.
COVERED IN BARBED WIRE.
This match is fucked LOL.
Jericho smashes the mirror (back side) onto Ciampa. That breaks the glass! HE REVERSES! AND SMASHES THE BARBED WIRE SIDE ONTO CIAMP! Jericho has the thumbtack kneepad! He puts it on his elbow! JUDAS EFFECT! One, two, WHAT???? CIAMPA STILL KICKS OUT????!!!
Jericho grabs the drill. Jericho hovers over Ciampa. Jericho GETS THE DRILL INTO CIAMPA’S FOREHEAD!!! CIAMPA IMMEDIATELY GIVES UP!
WINNER: PAINMAKER
TIME: 22:00
RATING: ***3/4
THOUGHTS: I greatly appreciate when wrestlers promise violence and ABSOLUTELY DELIVER the violence. This was a bloody, violent, brutal affair. They didn’t pull any punches. I would say as a MATCH, the Beach Break contest was probably better. This was a few minutes too long, but once they brought out the hockey related stuff, they had the crowd for every second. I don’t have any beef with Jericho winning here. Ciampa beat him a couple weeks ago and this was an epic first singles match for Ciampa in AEW. He came out looking like an absolute fucking psychopath. This kind of violence is “your mileage may vary” but they didn’t pussyfoot around. The Bruins/Habs stuff was perfect. Shave a few minutes off and maybe take out the mirror bump kick-out and this is a better match, but it delivered what it needed to.
* Post-match, Jericho creeps out the commentary team with his crazy smile.
* Mick Foley is backstage with DIVINE DOMINION! The women’s tag team champions give Foley a chair so they can tower over him. Megan Bayne and Lena Kross question if he has seen women as tough, as dangerous, as superior as them. Megan wonders why there aren’t two women left to face with. Foley says there are… The BRAWLING BIRDS. Kross doesn’t think Jamie Hayter or Alex Windsor stand a chance in hell against them. They demand Foley “bow down,” so he “bows” like a dog. “Bowwow.” They glare at him, unimpressed. Foley nervous sends back to commentary.
AEW NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: “Dunkzilla” Mark Davis (c) v Andrade El Idolo
Andrade gets a fancy entrance and is flanked by two gorgeous women. Three! A fourth! As he goes down the ramp, he encounters more women wanting selfies! He has a great new Mexican-flag themed “HOW YOU KNOW?” shirt. I dislike his new theme music! His old theme is an all-timer!
Andrade’s “redemption” needs to be studied. It’s incredible how he has transformed himself since returning to AEW, showing charisma and character he really NEVER had before. He’s now one of the most popular men in the company with a spectacular catch phrase.
Andrade NAILS Davis right off! ONE, TWO, NO! Andrade immediately looking for the DM, Davis gets out. Dunkzilla gets a sleeper. Andrade backs him into the corner. Aubrey (wow, no break after that violent affair for Edwards?) counts as they’re in the corner. Andrade POKES THE EYES! Irish whip, Andrade with an up an over, off the ropes again, flying headscissors! Davis gets Andrade on the rope, then hits a MEAT senton! Mounts and punches Andrade.
The National champ takes advantage, but Andrade gets an armbreaker in the ropes! Can’t win that way, but that lets Andrade nail a flying splash. Gamengiri sends Davis to the floor. Andrade with a body press — Davis tries to nope, Andrade lands on the apron. Andrade takes Davis down to the floor! Andrade playing to the fans. He fist bumps a bunch of fans, and then finds a beautiful lady. Andrade chats her up, and here comes the selfie, complete with kiss on the cheek. The REAL LATINO MAN is happy. He takes a drink from a fan, CAREFUL ANDRADE! THEY’RE FROM MONTREAL! I kid. Hopefully that was a plant, because Andrade spits the liquid in the face of Davis. Andrade looks for something, but he gets countered and Davis slams Andrade on the ring apron.
In control, Dunkzilla stomps Andrade. BIG chop. Andrade rolls into the ring. Andrade is slumped in a corner and Davis rubs his forearm on the head. Charging elbow to Andrade in the corner. Cover, Andrade kicks out. Davis continues his assault, wrenching Andrade’s leg against the ropes. Andrade is clutching his knee. Arrogant cover from Davis. Now to work on the leg with boots to that injured knee. Crowd is chanting “I-DOL-O” (I think). Crowd boos the champ! Davis locks in an abdominal stretch. Crowd clapping, trying to rally Andrade. His fist shakes! Andrade trying to fight out! He goes to the fingers, but Davis slams his man to the canvas. Another MEAT Senton, Andrade gets the knees up! That did not help Andrade’s injured knee. Davis fires, Andrade back. They’re trading blows. BIG CHOPS! Brutal!
A lariat from Andrade, but Davis does not go down. Another, Davis is up. CHOP TO THE BACK by Dunkzilla! Andrade off the ropes, flying fist takes Davis down! Both men are spent. Andrade gets the advantage. Looks for running knees – DAVIS LEVELS HIM! Gutwrench, countered, Andrade chants HOW YOU KNOW and nails … something. Suplex, Andrade rotates the hips! THREE AMIGOS! Crowd chants EDDIE, EDDIE. Andrade gets the third! Cover gets two.
The challenger slaps the mat, getting the crowd clapping along. Andrade looks for it… RUNNING METEORA IN THE CORNER. That gets a two! Big kickout by the champion Mark Davis! Andrade goes for the DM, Davis counters! Cover gets two. Davis is up first, measuring El Idolo. Davis hits the ropes and RUINS Andrade’s day with a lariat! He yanks Andrade up! CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO FUCK! That gets… two. Haha really? Is tonight “kill finishers” night?
Crowd is still into this. With Andrade on the apron, Davis locks on a sleeper! Aubrey calls for a break, they’re in the ropes. Andrade gets a jawbreaker to free himself! What’s this. On the apron, Davis blocks. Knees from Mark Davis. LARIATS ANDRADE BACK INTO THE RING. Andrade back on the apron, Davis looks for a piledriver on the ring apron! Andrade reverses, huracanrana! Davis face-first into the turnbuckle! Crowd picks up a “HOW YOU KNOW” chant! Andrade to the top … MOONSAULT TO DAVIS ON THE FLOOR! El Idolo rolls Davis back in. Andrade with a moonsault, Davis rolls, Andrade does a standing moonsault for two! Crowd chants “TAKE YOUR PANTS OFF.” And now, Andrade looks to oblige, starting to undo his belt!
THE REAL LATINO MAN STRIPS THE PANTS OFF! It’s gotta be tough to them over his boots LOL. I mean, hey, Andrade is jaaaacked. Haha, he has HOW YOU KNOW? on the back of his trunks. Andrade goes to the top rope. FROG SPLASH! That hits the knees of Mark Davis. Davis with the gut wrench, countered, huracanrana pin, two, DIO DE LOS MUERTAS elbow, THE DM! ONE, TWO, THREE! NEW CHAMP! A
WINNER: and NEW AEW National Champion — Andrade El Idolo!
TIME: 16:13
RATING: ***1/2
THOUGHTS: Good match that probably didn’t need this much time, which is a running theme of this PPV. Crowd was super into Andrade and this was a well-deserved title win for THE REAL LATINO MAN. It remains astonishing just how fantastic Andrade has become in his second AEW run. He’s an entirely different wrestler from almost any other time in his career. Davis remains a beast. Don’t think we needed to kick-out of his deadly piledriver, but again, a running theme tonight, kicking out of people’s finishers.
* Andrade celebrates with the National title belt. He even gets some pyro for his win! HOW YOU KNOW? Andrade shakes hands with the Spanish announce team!
* Lexy Nair is backstage with Quebec’s own SPEEDBALL MIKE BAILEY! Bailey speaks some French. Bailey talks about coming to this arena ever since he was a child. Tonight was a dream! Speedball wants to make his challenge “international”… FOR AUGUST 5th GRAND SLAM MEXICO! They’re one and one, and Speedball is feeling REALLY lucky.
AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: “The Toxic Spider” Thekla (c) v Willow Nightingale
No question that Willow is extremely popular. With Timeless Toni Storm on the shelf, Willow is clearly the #1 babyface of the women. Thekla makes her badass entrance and she gets her own set of cheers! Montreal loves heel women!
“The CEO” Mercedes Mone is shown in a box watching on! Mone will face the winner at ALL IN LONDON.
Justin Roberts is here for SUPER SPECIAL IN-RING INTRODUCTIONS. Referee is Mike Posey.
Bell rings and Willow wastes NO time. Going to work on the smaller Thekla. Willow notably has her ear taped up, she got stitches on it Wednesday thanks to Thekla.
POUNNNNNNNNNCE… PERIOD! Thekla gets SHOT to the outside, and Taz decides to rag on the Canadian Football League for some reason. PIGSKIN JONES HEAH.
Willow continuing the assault on the floor, BIG chop! Thekla sinks to the floor against the barricade. Willow with a STALLING suplex to the floor! The crowd is chanting both “LET’S GO WILLOW” and “SPIDER THEKLA.” Willow charges, Thekla dodges and Willow hits the steps! CURB STOMP ON THE FLOOR FROM THE CHAMP! That silences the crowd. In the ring, Thekla stomps on Willow, then rips at the ear! Some blood leaking through the bandage!
Thekla BITES THE EAR!! Posey makes his count. A light “ECW” chant breaks out. Corner choke with the boot. Thekla is having fun, mocking Willow. Snap mare. Kick to the side of the head. Another kick. Willow is down and Thekla makes a pin with her knee into the chest. Just a mocking pinfall. Thekla AGAIN going to the ear! Thekla talks shit to the fans. Willow tries to fight back, Thekla cuts that off, looking for a submission. Fishhooking the mouth of Willow. The ear is exposed! Willow bites the fingers of Thekla to break!
Taz: “Long Island girls are tough, I’m telling ya.”
Thekla continues to dominate. She looks for something on the apron, but eats a big lariat from the challenger! Willow grabs THEKLA by the ear! Another clothesline! Another! Another! Back splash in the corner! Irish whip, another back splash! The champion sags down, but Willow brings her up. REPEATED CLOTHESLINES IN THE CORNER. Up top — MISSILE DROPKICK! That gets a two count. “LET’S GO WILLOW” chants break out, but there are still chants for Thekla. Thekla sent to the apron. Willow charges in but gets clocked. Thekla up top! Willow charges, Thekla leaps over. Shoulder tackle from Willow knocks the champion to the canvas!
Willow sends Thekla to the ropes, looks for perhaps a Bossman Slam, but Thekla wraps around in a spider-like submission hold! Willow gets free with a backbreaker! Willow goes up top. Thekla with a shot to block. Thekla is hooking Willow… SPIDER SUPERPLEX! Incredible! Thekla is posing BUT WILLOW IS UP! WILLOW PUTS THEKLA IN THE TREE OF WOE! Willow muscles Thekla up, RAMS Thekla into the buckle! Another attempt. Thekla floats out! Striking combo! Willow staggers back against the ropes, rebounds, big lariat! Both women are down!
Match slows down a bit. They exchange blows until Thekla goes back to the ear. Willow throwing forearms! Repeated clotheslines with Thekla on the ropes! Willow charges. Drop toe-hold by Thekla! Thekla grapevines the legs and arches her back! She grabs the mouth! Willow gets the ropes for a break, Thekla again goes to the ear. Nightingale is on the apron. Thekla charges in, misses a boot, Willow cracks her! The challenger roars — Death Valley Driver! Thekla counters out! DDT ON THE APRON! WILLOW ON THE FLOOR! Thekla up top, FLYING CROSS BODY TO THE FLOOR! She wipes Willow out!
The champion rolls Willow back into the ring and covers for two. Thekla showing some frustration! The spider pose! Thekla with the SPEAR — Willow with a sunset flip! That gets two! Willow hoists — DEATH VALLEY DRIVER gets two!
WILLOW PULLS THE STRAPS DOWN!!!!
Gutwrench… Thekla slips out at the peak! Forearm! Rollup into a bridge, Thekla grabs the ropes! Mike Posey sees it and stops his count. SPINEBUSTER from Willow Nightingale! The challenger drags Thekla into position. Willow heads to the top rope! Crowd roaring! All the way up to the top! WILLOW WITH A MOONSAULT!
And she MISSES. Thekla rolls out of the way!
SPEAR! WILLOW CATCHES HER!
BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB!
Willow can’t cover right away! Thekla rolls to the ropes. Willow covers and SKYE BLUE puts Thekla’s foot on the ropes to break the cover! A pissed-off Willow heads outside and chases Skye! POWERBOMB TO SKYE ON THE FLOOR! But back in, Thekla with a SPEAR! Thekla with the stomp, Willow dodges, BACKSLIDE PIN! ONE, TWO, THREE!!!
WINNER: and NEW AEW Women’s World Champion — WILLOW NIGHTINGALE!
TIME: 15:57
RATING: ****
THOUGHTS: Very good match and one of the best bouts on the card. Both women worked their asses off, the crowd was behind BOTH. Other than the interference from Skye Blue, they kept this match focused and simple. It did not need to be a clusterfuck or anything ridiculous. Willow is the first TRIPLE-CROWN woman in AEW – the first to have held the TBS, Tag, and World titles. The bummer about this match is the run Thekla has been on ending. It’s hard not to feel like Thekla deserved and earned the opportunity to walk into ALL IN the defending women’s champion. What’s next for Thekla? Nonetheless, terrific match with a big title change.
* The Conglomeration come out to celebrate with Willow! They have a colorful backpack for Willow to put the title belt in. Mone looks on, and the graphic goes up – it will be Willow defending against Mone at ALL IN WEMBLEY.
* Dynamite! The Conglomeration will defend against the Demand! Young Bucks & Cope & Cage sitdown with Renee Paquette!
* August 5th, Grand Slam Mexico! Kyle Fletcher defends against Speedball Mike Bailey!
* ALL IN video package
AEW MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega (c) vs “The Jet” Kevin Knight
Kevin Knight enters to… well, silence. Okay, there’s some boos. I’m trying, folks, but this is a tepid reaction to the heel in the main event. More boos when Knight hits the corner but looking at the crowd, people are looking at their phones or sitting on their hands.
NOW… huge “KENNY” chants break out.
Ooooh baby, we’re getting the FULL “Battlecry.” Omega gets his pyro! The AEW Men’s World Champion enters to THUNDEROUS applause!
Excalibur claims “this is the best Kenny Omega ever” right now. Yeah, dog, that’s Michael Cole level hyperbole. Yeesh.
Justin Roberts with SUPER SPECIAL RING INTRODUCTIONS!
Knight attacks before the bell, and the crowd starts chanting “DARBY.” Hooo boy. Knight undoes his wrist tape and starts choking Omega! The bell has yet to officially sound. Good aggression by The Jet! There’s the bell! Knight rushes in and Omega starts kicking his ass. BIG CHOPS by a pissed off BI-GOD KENNY OMEGA. Running elbow from the champ! Another chop! Off the ropes, Knight with a BIG drop kick! Boos for the challenger. Sends Omega into the corner and throws body shots.
HEY GUYS DID YOU KNOW KENNY OMEGA HAD TEN INCHES OF HIS INTESTINE REMOVED? THANKS, EXCALIBUR!
Knight sent to the floor. Omega starts the Terminator chants! Knight with a kitchen sink to counter. Omega sent to the floor. Knight with a flying body press! He mockingly does the Terminator chant on the commentary table. Knight is bleeding from the mouth. “FUCK YOU, KEVIN” chants. Well, hey, there’s some heel heat! The Jet continues to be aggressive, slamming Omega face first into the announce table. He jawjacks Omega and that just fires Kenny up! Knight sent into the announce table!
Omega repairs the announce table lol. Knight sent to the barricade, he leaps up and backflips over the charging Omega! Knight off the Spanish announce table with a flying forearm! Knight distracted by the fans, but rolls Omega in the ring. “YOU STILL SUCK” chants… is that heel heat or x-pac heat. LOL. SORRY. I’M TRYING.
The TNT champion whips Omega hard into the corner. Omega is in pain. “LET’S GO KENNY” chants break out. Knight maintains control. Uppercut rocks Omega. Boot choke in the ropes, Remsburg calls for a break. Omega on the apron. Kevin Knight stalks! Omega hotshots Knight’s neck across the ropes! Omega looks to make his comeback with chops, but The Jet gouges the eyes! Jet continues to show a lot of aggression and urgent! Knight attacking the leg of Kenny Omega. Omega counters, trying a cross arm-breaker. Knight gets free, WRENCHES the knee of Omega.
Kip-up by the Jet! Cocky pose gets boos. Knight wastes too much time, Omega grabs a leg lock! Knight to the ropes to break. Forearms by Knight. Omega in the corner. Knight with a boot choke! Remsburg has to almost pull Knight off at the five count. HAHAHA. “SPEEDBALL’S BETTER” chants ring out. Cover gets two.
Knight with a Randy Orton style chinlock. The Speedball chants are getting to Knight! He covers his ears, then regains the… sigh… rear chinlock. Now Knight looks for a modified abdominal stretch. Omega is almost doing the splits lol. Knight digs his elbow into the ribcage of Omega. Omega flips his man over and gets a cover! Knight kicks out, boot to the gut. Omega counters, looks for YOU CAN’T ESCAPE! Omega is tired, he hesitates before the moonsault. And thus, it eats knees! Uranage by Knight, arm drag counter by Omega! DRAGONRANA from Kenny Omega! Both men are down!
V-TRIGGER from Omega! He looks for the One-Winged Angel, Knight counters out! Knight with a leap, countered, SNAPDRAGON by Omega! And the crowd loves it! Both men on the ring apron. Omega wants something… He’s looking to hit a Snapdragon ON the apron! Knight fights… OMEGA GETS IT! Damn! Knight rolls outside the ring and on the announce desk! Knight crawls on TOP of the desk! He grabs a fan by the hand! Omega just continues to beat on Kevin Knight. LOL Omega gently hands the monitors to Excalibur. Omega hauls Knight up, both men on the announce desk. OMEGA LOOKING FOR A SNAPDRAGON?! Knight is fighting for his life!
JESUS FUCKING CHRIST SNAPDRAGON ON THE ANNOUNCE DESK
Omega wants a bottle of water as Kevin Knight is PRONE and gasping for air on the floor!
Back in the ring. Omega SHUSHES the crowd. “YOU WILL NEVER BE ME. YOU WILL NEVER TAKE WHAT’S MINE.” V-TRIGGER and Knight SAGS. Crowd chants “ONE MORE TIME.” Omega pulls Knight up by the air and once again shushes la Centre Bell. ANOTHER SICK V-TRIGGER. Jesus! The crowd loves this shit. Omega gives the THUMBS DOWN to The Jet! Powerbomb, Knight with a WILD counter into the DDT! That was beautiful.
“YOU STILL SUCK” chants again ring out. Both champion and challenger are down as the commentary team continue to talk about how Kevin Knight is the best TNT champion of all time. Crowd claps the T2 theme. Kenny Omega rocks Knight with several elbow strikes. “FIGHT BACK” Kenny screams! The Jet fires back, but Omega rocks him back. Omega loves it! Knight with an elbow strike! Omega asks for another! “MORE!” Knight fires up! Omega is SMILING! HE FUCKING LOVES THIS! KENNY, KENNY chants. Kenny floating like a butterfly! Omega with jabs! Knight has no answer, until Knight once again gouges the eyes. Knight looks for a rolling elbow, OMEGA WITH A BOOT! Omega charges — SKY HIGH FROM KEVIN KNIGHT! YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE! Knight is too tired to cover.
Both men on the apron, Jet springboards off and hits a flying strike to Omega! The champion is sent to the floor. Knight tries one from the inside to the out and OMEGA NAILS KNIGHT IN MID-AIR! Challenger rolled back in, Omega follows. Omega with the standing headscissors. CACTUS JACK STUMP PULLING PILEDERIVER! Well, sure! That gets a two count, not a great cover by Omega.
The Cleaner points to the sky. Omega up to the top turnbuckle. The Jet is up and hits the ropes, causing Omega to get crotched. Knight follows up, looking for a superplex. Omega fights back. Body shots from Omega. Knight with his own. Not sure who has the advantage. Double ax from Omega! Chop to the neck of Knight! Another! HEADBUTT! Match has crossed the twenty minute mark. Knight is knocked down… but he sprints up! KNIGHT BITES THE HEAD OF OMEGA! Because we haven’t seen that four times tonight. Omega leaps up and SENDS KNIGHT CRASHING DOWN WITH A POWERBOMB! OMEGA WITH ANOTHER POWERBOMB! V-TRIGGER! ONE, TWO, Knight kicks out.
Omega tries to keep on offense but Knight counters. He puts Omega in a Tree of Woe! Knight to the opposite buckle… COAST TO COAST! Knight connects! Now The Jet heads to the floor. He’s limping but he steals both title belts from the timekeeper’s table. He hides the TNT title under the ring skirt. Remsburg sees him with the world title belt. Knight throws the WORLD title belt to distract Remsburg and grabs the TNT title. Omega dodges the belt shot! Omega looks for the OWA, Knight escapes, CRASH LANDING! OMEGA LANDS ON THE BELT! ONE, TWO, KICKOUT! Knight gets up top and goes for the UFO! KNEES UP FROM KENY OEMGA!
ONE
WINGED
ANGEL
WHOA! Knight lands on his feet! Knight tries for a leaping strike, Omega with a knee!
ONE-WINGED ANGEL!!!! THAT’S IT!
WINNER: and still AEW Men’s World Champion — KENNY OMEGA
TIME: 24:58
RATING: ****
THOUGHTS: This was an excellent match. Kenny Omega was in big match Omega form, and the Montreal crowd was absolutely enamored with this man. I think Kevin Knight brought a lot of aggression and urgency to the contest. We all knew this was a foregone conclusion; the magic of such matches is when the wrestlers can get the audience to believe, even for three seconds. I don’t think Kevin Knight ever had anybody believing he could pull this off. This was a Dynamite main event. An excellent Dynamite main event, but if we were to compare this to the closest analog – Hangman v Fletcher at last year’s ALL OUT – Fletcher came out of it as a guy VERY close to being ready for the world title. I can only imagine this will divisive, but in my opinion, Knight showed that he has a VERY long journey to go to be considered a believable AEW Men’s World Champion. Omega was so far on another level. It is what it is, a pivot due to MJF’s health, and gave a up and coming guy a shot. I appreciate that they kept it around 25 minutes but the match generally flew by. If it wasn’t for the huge post-match angle, Willow’s victory should have closed the show, but I get it. Ultimately, Omega gets a big PPV win before ALL IN and they added more hype and intrigue to Omega/Ospreay at Wembley.
Excalibur, come off it, man. Omega is not “in the midst of his prime.”
Omega celebrates… THE DEATHRIDERS SWARM THE RING TO ATTACK KENNY OMEGA! PAC, Garcia, and Yuta in first. Claudio is in. Mox and Marina are on the floor. HERE COME THE YOUNG BUCKS! But the numbers are against them! Both bucks are dumped into the timekeeper’s table! Moxley stalking the ringside area. Claudio Castagnoli takes a chair from Marina and they wrap it around Omega’s head, just like they did to Will Ospreay last August.
HERE COMES OSPREAY! Ospreay gets in the way of Claudio from doing this! Ospreay screaming at the Deathriders, telling them to get out of the ring. Will wants to know where Jon is. Yuta grabs Will from the face. Yuta is hugging Ospreay. CLAUDIO TRIES TO RUN IN! OSPREAY NAILS CLAUDIO!
Ospreay is gonna turn on Omega, isn’t he.
Crowd is chanting OSPREAY, OSPREAY.
Now Moxley gets into the ring, on his own. Moxley quietly speaking to Ospreay. Moxley gets on one knee. The crowd is begging Ospreay to smash Moxley. Will, however…
lets Moxley take the steel chair. Ospreay stays in between Moxley and Omega. Jesus, the tension here.
MOXLEY HAS THE PLASTIC BAG. THE BAG THEY USED ON BRYAN DANIELSON.
Jon Moxley…
IS GIVING WILL OSPREAY THE PLASTIC BAG.
Crowd SCREAMING “NO NO NO.”
Ospreay is shaking.
The Deathriders watch on.
Ospreay…
He’s trembling…
OSPREAY RIPS THE PLASTIC BAG IN HALF! OSPREAY IS NOT THAT MAN!
Moxley is pissed. OSPREAY LAYS MOXLEY OUT!!!
MARINA IS IN THE RING! OSPREAY SENDS HER OUT! HE LOW BRIDGES THE OTHER DEATHRIDERS! HIDDEN BLADE DELIVERED TO PAC!!!
Claudio has a chair and wants to get in the ring, Moxley restraining CLAUDIO! CROWD IS CHANTING OSPREAY!!!
Holy shit, this is incredible.
The Deathriders finally retreat. LOL Taz: “After all the Deathriders did for Ospreay, this is how they repay him?”
Ospreay throws away his “Deathriders” kneepad. But…
Now, Will Ospreay spies the AEW world title belt on the canvas. He slowly lifts it up. Ospreay stares at the world title belt, and he’s holding it in a CLEAR way to smash OMEGA WITH IT.
Omega is finally up and he sees the ripped up plastic bag. No! Ospreay is handing Omega the World title belt! Kenny Omega is VERY unsure, holding the remnants of the plastic bag. Ospreay: “I wouldn’t do that to you. I’m so sorry.” Omega takes the belt from Ospreay, but there is a moment where Will doesn’t let go.
Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay… SHAKE HANDS!!!
Ospreay doesn’t let go, we get the perfect photo op stare down. Ospreay says at Wembley, it’s YOU and ME.
Ospreay and Omega hit the turnbuckles and pose for the delight of the fans! The ALL IN graphic comes up on the screen: OMEGA. OSPREAY. WORLD TITLE. ALL IN LONDON 2026.
Omega’s music hits! That’s all folks —
WAIT A DAMN SECOND!
OMEGA HOOKS OSPREAY! ONE-WINGED ANGEL ON THE TITLE BELT! Omega points to the ripped bag, Omega is furious about the entire situation! The Jacksons are back in the ring, and THEY’RE stunned at what just happened! Omega kneels down beside Ospreay, jawjacking. Omega points to the camera. The Bucks half-heartedly do their pose as Omega does his bang pose to the camera. We end the show with Will Ospreay writhing in pain on the canvas, perplexed Young Bucks, and a grim Kenny Omega!
Omega pats Will on the shoulder. He and the Elite leave the ring as Doc Sampson (I think) hits the ring to check on Ospreay. Will has gotten to his hands and knees, staring up the rampway at Omega. We fade out on Omega raising the title belt high.
