Join 411’s Live AEW Grand Slam Australia Coverage

 

Happy St Valentine’s Day to our resident 411 sickos! AEW comes to you from Australia for tonight’s super special Grand Slam event, which means we have pay-per-view quality action in store for us. It’s going to be a jam-packed 2.5 hour bumper edition of All Elite content, with the World title on the line in our main event, as MJF defends against Brody King. We’ve already seen the upset of the year with King getting a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it non-title victory over our World champion; can lightning strike twice down under? We’ll also see Konosuke Takeshita challenge Jon Moxley for the Continental Championship, as well as Kyle Fletcher defending his newly won TNT title in a Ladder match against Mark Briscoe. Both Takeshita and Fletcher will be looking to ensure the Don Calis Family leave Australia with as much gold as physically possible.

The Women’s World tag titles are up for grabs as defending champs Willow & Harley Cameron take on MegaBad, plus there are high stakes in other tag team action as Toni Storm and Orange Cassidy face Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta where the loser has their head shaved. Lastly, a new number one contender to the World title will be crowned, with Andrade taking on Hangman Adam Page. Phew, what a lineup! Let’s all settle in for tonight’s show, with a reminder for those following along live to please avoid any spoilers – so with that in mind, let’s have some fun!

Location: Sydney, Australia

Venue: Qudos Bank Arena

Commentators: Excalibur & Tony Schiavone

*We are live-to-tape from Australia as the Death Riders music hits, and it’s Jon Moxley here to kick us off with the Continental Championship defense. Looks like a packed crowd tonight!

 

[AEW Continental Championship] Jon Moxley (c) vs Konosuke Takeshita

No Don Callis accompanying, not even on commentary, so Takeshita is doing this one alone. Both men attempt shoulder tackles, Takeshita tries an early Raging Fire but it’s countered and they work to a stalemate. Moxley scissors the head of Takeshita, the challenger pulls himself away and they go head to head but pull away for a clean break. Mox begins to work the arm, back to their feet they get into a chop battle. Moxley changes it up with a kick to the gut but Takeshita reverses a piledriver with a back body drop. Moxley with a suicide dive to the outside, almost overshoots and both men go flying. Moxley sends Takeshita into the railings at ringside, until Takeshita reverses and hits a big boot. Back in the ring, Moxley delivers a piledriver and flexes, doesn’t go for the cover. Thumb to the eye from Moxley, shotgun dropkick sends Takeshita from the apron to the floor as we head to PIP break (…although the PIP inset isn’t actually working).

Back from commercial, a big boot connects on Moxley, followed by the flying forearm. Big boot in the corner, blue thunder connects! 1, 2, NO. Takeshita goes up top, Moxley meets him there, Takeshita rakes the back…sunset flip attempt but Moxley sits back up and delivers some right hands before biting the forehead. Takeshita picks him up though, powerbomb! 1, 2, kickout. Takeshita tries to hit a combination of strikes only for Moxley to catch him with a cutter. They both head to the apron, Moxley with a STOMP! The referee begins the count as Takeshita is down and out…barely making it back in at 9. ANOTHER STOMP! 1, 2, NOOOO!

5 minutes remain, Moxley goes for the bulldog choke, Takeshita gets to his feet but is pulled back down again. Takeshita is fighting! Cross-armbreaker now from Moxley, Takeshita rolls over into a cover for 2, before getting a foot on the ropes. Crowd is really behind Takeshita now. Forearm shots from Moxley, walks into an exploder! Another! And the Powerdrive knee! 1, 2, NOOO. Takeshita manages one more exploder and covers for another 2 count. Sleepers are traded, Moxley gets the Death Rider! 1, 2, NOOOOO! Takeshita kicks out of the Death Rider! Moxley looks to hit it again but Takeshita counters with a headbutt. They trade headbutts as we get the 1 minute remaining reminder. More headbutts, both men stagger back into opposite corners. 30 seconds! Both men rise up, Moxley with a lariat! 1, NO! 1 count from Takeshita too! Knee to the back of the head!! 1, 2, NOOO! The desperation! But the bell rings as we hit the time limit.

Winner: DRAW

Time: 20:00

Rating: ****1/4 – What a start to the show! That closing minute was as epic as you’d hope, with both men showing the desperation to get one final blow. Takeshita keeps losing these big opportunities and you have to believe the Don Callis Family won’t be happy with that.

*Moxley pie faces Takeshita after the match, so Takeshita responds with the Raging Fire! He leaves Moxley laying and walks off.

*Video package to highlight the upcoming Match 7 between Kyle Fletcher and Mark Briscoe later tonight. But first, it’s the Women’s tag team title match…NEXT.

 

---

 

*Video package time, and Kris Statlander speaks after her loss to Thekla this past Wednesday, and says she bleeds for the championship, but she has more blood to give. Thekla says everyone will remember this night as the night AEW became toxic. She walked out as champion. Statlander says she’s looking at the consequences of her actions. Karma isn’t a bitch, it’s a cosmic killer.

[AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championships] Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron (c) vs Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford

Cameron with a hot start leaping at Megan Bayne, kicking her in the corner, but Ford jumps her frmo behind. Willow in, and they alternate in the corners, hitting stereo right hands and lariats. Double team assisted splash, Bayne is ready for them though. Ford tags in and stomps Cameron down in the corner. Double shotgun dropkick from Willow. Ooof couple feed issues but we head to PIP with MegaBad in control.

We’re back as Willow and Megan make the tags, and Harley hits Penelope with a slingblade. Bayne with a waistlock, Cameron delivers a spinning DDT. She goes up top…crossbody from the top. Double chops to both members of MegaBad, but Cameron walks into a strike/big boot combo. Bayne gets Harley on her shoulders, Ford kicks Willow away but then nails Willow with a moonsault to the outside! Harley rolls up Bayne for 2. Bayne tries a wheelbarrow, Cameron reverses into a single leg crab! Ford is here to break it up with a dropkick though. Willow nails her with a lariat! Running kick from Bayne, Cameron hits an Australian Destroyer! All four women down.

Both teams slug it out now, spin kicks from the champions. Russian leg sweep/pump kick combo. Willow and Harley hit the backpack senton but only get a 2 count on Bayne. Ford in, ducks a lariat and hits a stunner. Lariat from Bayne and a suicide dive to Willow on the outside. backslide by Cameron on Ford, 1, 2, 3!

Winners and STILL AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions: Babes of Wrath

Time: Roughly 11mins (feed issues)

Rating: *** – Decent showing from the ladies here; MegaBad didn’t really get any good nearfalls so the Babes didn’t seem in danger of losing the titles, but the action was good and they kept the pace high throughout.

*Post-match, Lena Cross (Australian indy standout) shows up to take out Harley Cameron, seemingly aligning herself with Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford. MegaBad pose with the titles they didn’t win.

*Ricochet warns Jack Perry that something bad will happen very soon.

 

---

 

*AEW All In London is on Sunday Aug 30th at Wembley Stadium, and you can bet your ass I’ll be there.

*Video package highlights how we got to Hangman Adam Page vs Andrade El Idolo.

 

[Winner challenges for the AEW World Title at Revolution] Hangman Page vs Andrade El Idolo

Don Callis has joined commentary for this match. Andrade tries to hit a backflip of some kind and Page is there to boot him in the face while he’s upside down! Andrade is tranquilo but Page boots him to the outside, clearly not having any time for Andrade’s games. Andrade starts flirting with a women at ringside and takes a selfie with her until Page boots him away. Now Page takes a selfie with her, and then tells her he’s married haha. Both men chop each other once back in the ring, and Page hits the fallaway slam. Running shooting star, Page covers, 1, 2, no. They tussle on the ropes, Andrade headbutts Page and tries a sunset flip but Page hits his way out of it, then moonsaults back but Andrade escapes. Page boots Andrade on the apron, SPANISH FLY as Andrade leaps back inside the ring as Page goes to hit the springboard lariat, beautifully done! We head to picture-in-picture as both men battle around the ringside area.

We’re back, with Andrade in control of a grounded Hangman. Roaring lariat misses, Andrade tries a suplex but Page counters and hits the lariat this time. Running lariat in the corner, pop-up powerbomb connects! 1, 2, Andrade kicks out. They head to the apron now, trading shots. Discus elbow, Page looks for the Deadeye but Andrade rolls free, only for Page to hit a sliding lariat to take Andrade to the floor. Hangman up top, diving lariat, 1, 2, no. Page is thinking Deadeye once more, but Andrade counters to nail the Three Amigos. Cover, 1, 2, no. Andrade heads to the top and hits the Ibushi fake-out Moonsault, 1, 2, kickout. Page nails the rebound springboard lariat. Andrade with a tornillo to the outside but Page was ready, gets him with a fallaway slam into the barricade! Page deposits him back in the ring and sets up for the buckshot lariat…BACKFIST FROM ANDRADE! 1, 2, NO! Running double knees in the corner, hammerlock DDT connects, 1, 2, NO. Andrade kicks the bottom rope in frustration. Jackknife from Page, they trade nearfalls, only for Page to hit the Deadeye out of nowhere! He can’t capitalize though. And here comes Don Callis to get up on the apron for the distraction. Andrade tries a low blow, CAUGHT, Hangman smacks Andrade in the nuts! BUCKSHOT LARIAT. 1, 2, 3!

Winner and NEW Number One Contender: Hangman Adam Page

Time: 16:30

Rating: ***1/2 – Fun stuff without reaching fever pitch, with the crowd eeeever so slightly less into it. Hangman moves on to challenge for the world title at Revolution, and we’ll find out who he’s facing once we get through tonight’s main event.

 

---

 

*Speed’s The First Test is the official theme song of Grand Slam: Australia.

 

[Loser Gets Their Head Shaved] Orange Cassidy & Toni Storm vs Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta

Storm and OC meet Marina and Yuta in the crowd to get this one started early. They all fight up into the stands. Marina sits on Storm’s head and has a drink, clearly getting comfortable. Yuta chokes out OC with a jacket. Storm and Shafir battle near some lighting equipment and boxes, and Yuta appears, PILEDRIVING STORM on the boxes!! Yuta you sunnuvabitch! 2 on 1 assault on Orange Cassidy now. Big head on Yuta. Luther is there to help take Storm to the back. The others make it to the ring, where Cassidy receives a German suplex, still kicking out at 2 as we head to PIP.

Back from break, Marina is about to lock in the Mother’s Milk, starts dancing with OC but here comes Toni Storm back in action, marching down the ramp to deliver Germans to Shafir. Another! OC falls into Storm’s arms, and they dance once more, aiding Storm to hit a backfist on Shafir. Shafir misses a roundhouse, OC with the Beach Break to Shafir! Yuta appears to allow OC to pin Shafir but then breaks it up. Stundog on Yuta, Yuta rebounds back into the ring but walks into a tornado DDT. OC pulls down the elbow pad but it’s Shafir in the ring with him…she rolls him up for 2. Ankle lock, Yuta gets involved but Storm locks in the TCM chicken wing on Yuta! Marina still applies the ankle lock but screams at Yuta not to tap. Now Storm and Shafir comes to blows as the crowd give the yay-boo deal. Shafir shouts she’s gonna need Storm to do better. Busaiku Knee from Yuta on Storm! Cassidy breaks up the pin attempt. Yuta tries a Busaiku Knee but OC ducks it and Yuta takes out Marina! Tope suicida takes out Shafir, so Storm hits the hip attack on Yuta, followed by an Orange Punch by OC. STORM ZERO on Yuta, 1, 2, 3! Yuta is getting his head shaved!

Winners: Orange Cassidy & Timeless Toni Storm

Time: 11:27

Rating: ***1/4 – A lot more intergender violence than we’ve seen in the feud thus far, with some pretty big spots like Yuta’s piledriver on Storm. They had a lot of fun with it, and everyone was entertaining here, even Marina who seemed to switch into a different gear, showing more personality than usual.

*Mina Shirakawa brings out a barber stool post-match as the shaving implements are handed out. Yuta kicks away the stool and seems to have no intention of honoring the stipulation. He tries to exit through the crowd…but JON MOXLEY IS THERE TO CUT HIM OFF! Moxley tells him to face the music. Wheeler Yuta returns to the ring and is greeted by ‘you deserve it’ chants ha. Marina Shafir holds Yuta’s hands as Mina make the first cut, taking a chunk of his hair out. Haha Storm tries to take a chunk out but says ‘oh, knot!’ and finds a different bit. OC grabs the clippers and makes the big shave.

 

---

 

*We briefly recap the Swerve Strickland/Kenny Omega feud before they face off this Wednesday on Dynamite.

 

[AEW TNT Championship – Ladder Match] Kyle Fletcher (c) vs Mark Briscoe

Hometown hero response for Kyle Fletcher. What on earth is he wearing on his head? A reminder that Okada agreed not to get involved in this one tonight. But Callis is back on commentary, so who knows if that will play a role. Both men square up to each other and come to blows as the bell rings. Briscoe sends him to the floor and nails the tope con hilo between the ropes. Briscoe misses an elbow strike and Fletcher uses the momentum to catch his arm and deliver a half Nelson suplex on the floor. Fletcher grabs a ladder but Briscoe meets him with the scissor kick through the ropes. Briscoe places the ladder against the apron, then sets it up properly on the floor. Suplex to Fletcher, and now Briscoe climbs the ladder….Fletcher is up, TOSSES Briscoe off the ladder onto the apron, JEEZ Briscoe might have landed on his FACE there! Moonsault off the ladder catches Briscoe once more. Fletcher sets the ladder on top of the turnbuckle and runs Briscoe into it, but Mark puts the brakes on. Fletcher tries again though….LAWN DART into the edge of the ladder! Briscoe is busted open as Kyle makes the first climb, but Briscoe is back up there with him….back suplex off the ladder! Briscoe gets a ladder up and smacks Kyle in the face with it as we enter a picture-in-picture commercial.

During the break, Briscoe has been rearranging furniture at ringside. Fletcher has created a ladder bridge between the ring and another upright ladder. He’s busted open after Briscoe runs him into the ladder bridge face-first. They battle to the apron…Fletcher may be thinking brainbuster? No Briscoe avoids it. Big boot sends Fletcher backwards onto the ladder, and Briscoe goes up top…FROGGY BOW on the ladder bridge! Briscoe climbs and almost reaches the title but Kyle is back up to grab his leg. He pulls Briscoe into powerbomb position…and powerbombs him into a propped up ladder, breaking it in half. Ouch, Briscoe is being punished tonight! Fletcher climbs, Briscoe intercepts but gets superkicked. Running kick in the corner, and now Fletcher grabs another ladder. He makes a new bridge between one of he turnbuckles and the set up ladder in the middle of the ring. Kyle stands on the ladder bridge, pulls Briscoe up…but Briscoe bites the forehead and says it tastes like shrimp on the barbie. Briscoe hooks the arms, thinking Jay Driller…JAY DRILLER ON THE LADDER! Yeah that ladder buckled in half. Briscoe climbs, but Fletcher is back up on the other side, only to get clubbed down again. Briscoe reaches for the belt, no Kyle leaps back up again! He hooks the head…BRAINBUSTER OFF THE LADDER!!!!! MY GOD. Somehow Briscoe is back up to prevent Fletcher from climbing further, and he grabs another ladder to climb up with him. Briscoe delivers headbutts and reaches for the belt but Kyle shoves the ladder and Briscoe falls onto the ropes. Fletcher is there and he unhooks the title to remain champion.

Winner and STILL AEW TNT Champion: Kyle Fletcher

Time: 16:00

Rating: **** – Brutal from the get-go with some hard-hitting spots, Briscoe especially taking some nasty spills. Possible time constraints meant they didn’t get to sell all that much between spots (barely letting some moments register), and the finish was slightly anti-climactic after all that madness, but boy some of that stuff was insane, so I’ll commend the spectacle for this big occasion.

 

---

 

[AEW Men’s World Championship] MJF (c) vs Brody King

MJF immediately heads to the floor as the bell rings and the fans chant that he’s a wanker. MJF heads back to the ring, where a simple shove sends MJF back outside once more. King with a left-handed lariat knocks the champion down. King presses MJF above his head and drops him to the mat with a gorilla press slam. Canonball misses as MJF slides to the floor at the last second. MJF quickly capitalizes, wrapping the leg around the ringpost. Brody thinks about the Gonzo Bomb but MJF nails a chop block. And he’s looking for the Kangaroo Kick, he hits it! Kip up, MJF flips off the crowd. Suicide dive to the outside, back in MJF tries a sunset flip, King avoids it but misses a senton. Ankle lock from MJF, transitions into a leg bar. Brody makes it to the ropes to break the hold as we take our final commercial break of the evening.

We’re back, and MJF is sent to the outside. King is on a wobbly leg now, hobbles to the ropes and manages a suicide dive but his knee is in a bad way. MJF makes it back to the ring first, shortly followed by King who chops away at the champion. Back body drop, and now King goes for another canonball, MJF moves again but King doesn’t commit this time. MJF on the apron, King tries the sleeper but MJF bites the arm! Both men on the floor now, King sits the champ on a chair and takes a run up. Running crossbody! They head back to the ring, MJF is in canonball position once more…this time Brody nails it! 1, 2, no. Gonzo Bomb is avoided again, MJF leaps on his back with a sleeper, and the leg of King gives out, dropping them both to the mat. King may be out, Bryce Remsburg checks the arms. Bandido has arrived shouting at King not to give up. On the third arm drop, King gets some life back into him. He rears back with a senton to break the sleeper. King tries for another dive to the floor but MJF catches him on the apron and delivers a modified heatseaker DDT on the apron. MJF dives, King catches him on his shoulders…DEATH VALLEY DRIVER into a chair against the barricade! Both men are down as Bandido plays cheerleader. They make it back into the ring just in the nick of time at 9. Cameras catch MJF putting on the Dynamite Diamond Ring…but Bryce Remsburg catches him! He snaps it off his hand, and King knocks MJF with a straight right hand. Sleeper over the top rope! MJF is seemingly lifeless as he drops to the floor. King returns him to the ring…GONZO BOMB!! 1, 2, NOOO!

King gets a drop toe hold into the ropes, and MJF pulls the knee pad of King down, taking away any support. He bites the bare knee of Brody King! They battle on the apron once more, and King thinks about a Gonzo Bomb on the apron! Can’t get it, but he does hit a back elbow. Sleeper attempt, MJF punches the exposed knee. MJF has King limp over his shoulders…and he catches him WITH A TOMBSTONE ON THE APRON! Heatseeker back in the ring, 1, 2, 3!

Winner and STILL AEW Men’s World Champion: MJF

Time: 21:37

Rating: **** – King sold the leg damage wonderfully, humanizing the monster to give him that underdog edge. Another slightly flat finish as the heatseeker seemed like it would be a transitional move; honestly might have been better to just straight up pin King after the apron tombstone. That was a shame as the rest of the match was rocking. Still, Brody proved he can hang in the main event spot and doesn’t lose anything in defeat here.

*Before MJF can celebrate, the music of Hangman Adam Page hits, and here comes the new number one contender. Page has the contract in his hand and he signs it to make it official for Revolution. Page goes to hit MJF and MJF recoils from it, diving to the mat in fear. That’s enough for Page and he heads backstage as MJF looks rattled despite coming out on top this evening.

That’s all from Grand Slam, so I’ll see you next week, folks! Have a good one.