wrestling / TV Reports
Sambus’ AEW WrestleDream 2026 Review 10.17.26
Image Credit: AEW
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Hey friends, it’s Theo Sambus on WrestleDream duty this evening – welcome to 411’s live coverage!
I barely managed to secure tickets to AEW Dynasty 2027 yesterday; completely forgot about the presale earlier in the week, and it was slim pickings when it came to the general sale. But it’s great to have that on the horizon – and judging by the way the tickets have evidently been flying out, it wouldn’t surprise me to see a total sellout before we’ve even hit the new year.
I was pressed for time throughout the week so only got to skim through the go-home show of Dynamite/Collision, which means I am JONESING for my wrestling fix tonight. With a more condensed build-up largely in part due to recent tragedies in the wrestling world (RIP PAC – I regrettably still don’t have the words to convey anything more), it’s nonetheless a pay-per-view that has some tasty stuff on paper, where the action should speak for itself.
Our prime focus this evening will no doubt be the Clockwork Carnage main event, as Ospreay defends against 7 other top contenders in a two-stage format. It’s Eliminator style until everyone enters (and I’m already envisioning some kind of heartbreak as someone gets eliminated RIGHT before the final entrant makes it to the ring…) and then we have a scramble through the final 15 minutes, Iron-man style, to gain the most pinfalls or submissions. Yes, there’s every chance we could descend into Russo-era ‘LOLTNA’ territory but with the individuals involved, I can see them making this work very well indeed.
You’d think with such a star-fuelled main event that it would leave the undercard struggling for star power, but honestly it’s come together tremendously. Andrade vs Ciampa is going to ‘slap’ as the kids would, presumably, say. Moxley vs Davis is going to be a sheer hoss fight. Mone and Thekla haven’t set the world on fire with their build, but knowing what both women are capable of, this could be a match for the ages. I loved the last match between Swerve & the New Level/The Good, The Bad & the Ugly, so under 2 out of 3 Falls rules, I’m looking forward to some exceptional graps in this rematch. All of this, and we have the tantalizing prospect of a potential unbeseigbar new signee making their debut. Brian Cage has been kicking off about not having a match tonight so….open challenge? *Wide-eyed shrug*
The tone for the evening could very well be set from the pre-show, as Tailgate Brawl will feature the first in the Best of 5 series between FTR and Motor City Machine Guns. And with that said…well, would you look at that, it’s almost time for the Tailgate Brawl! Strap in, folks, it’s time to ride.
Location: Orlando, Florida
Venue: Addition Financial Arena
Commentators (revolving): Excalibur, Paul Wight, Nigel McGuinness, & Tony Schiavone
*Tailgate Brawl is LIVE and we’re kicking things off with some women’s tag team action as Divine Dominion head down to ringside.
Sisters Of Sin vs. Divine Dominion
Kross has a very ‘dark’ aura tonight after being misted this past week. Backbreaker to Hart, Hart tries an armdrag but can’t get it, manages a headscissor though. Blue in for a 1 count roll-up, Kross levels her with a thrust kick. Bayne in, Blue catches her with a tijeras. Blue avoids a German, hits a running knee, Bayne catches a crossbody though. Crucifix rollup from Blue! Blue with a kick to Kross along the apron, Bayne is there to bring her back into the ring hardway with a back suplex.
Skye Blue is worked over in the opponent’s corner during the break. Tag team offense, pump kick from Kross and a German from Bayne connects for a 2 count. Hart tags in, double sole food, kip up, and she hits the rope-walk tijeras on Kross. Crucifix bomb, 1, 2, Kross kicks out. Kross is taken to the outside, and Blue comes in with a Heatseeker! Double thrust kicks from the Sisters of Sin, 1, 2, Bayne goes to break it up but lands on her partner. Bayne with a double German to the Sisters! Divine Dominion with stereo clotheslines in the corner. Bayne and Blue jostle on the ropes, Cheeky Nandos from Blue, followed by a powerbomb out of the corner. Kross sends Blue to the floor, Hart moonsaults right into a German/big boot combo! 1, 2, Blue makes the save. Gourdbuster from Bayne, driving knee from Kross. Blue is sent to the outside, and DD nail a Divine Intervention to Hart for the 1, 2, 3.
Winners: Divine Dominion
Time: 9:38
Rating: *** – They set a fast pace from the off, with all four women putting on a very good display. It felt aggressive, and that seemed to be the story they wanted to tell with Kross showing an even more aggressive side after being misted. Finish felt slightly abrupt but that’s the only gripe here. Notably, it was some slick work from Hart & Blue, both on top form.
Jake Doyle, Josh Alexander & Wardlow vs Alex Breeze, Papi D & Rhys Maddox
Jobbers on a pay-per-view night! Alexander hits the running crossbody under the bottom rope, and Wardlow toys with his opponent. He rears back and unleashes the lariat, dropping the straps for the powerbomb symphony. Powerbomb to Breeze. One to Papi D, and again. All three make stereo covers for the 1, 2, 3.
Winners: Jake Doyle, Josh Alexander & Wardlow
Time: 2:46
Rating: N/R – I’m not quite sure why we’re doing filler segments on a pay-per-view pre-show?
[12-Man Tag Team Contest] The Dogs & The Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Gabe Kidd, Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia w/ Marina Shafir) vs The Conglomeration (Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Orange Cassidy w/ Willow Nightingale) & The Bang Bang Gang (Jay White & The Gunns)
JAY WHITE is in action! We thought he was going to be out for months but the wrestling Gods have shone their light upon us! Strong and Connors get us underway, exchanging strikes. Double team suplex with the help of Cassidy. Cassidy stays in the ring as various teammates assist with suplexes to the opponents. But they can’t suplex Claudio, and Claudio instead hits a double suplex on Cassidy and O’Reilly! Big Swing to OC. The Dogs clean house on the outside while Claudio spins OC, and he’s still going after 30 seconds! He speeds up! Big A-E-DUB chants as we head to break.
Stundog Millionaire to Yuta gives him a breather, tag to Austin Gunn, who comes in with a blockbuster. Jabs to Finlay until Gunn gets cut off. Kidd in with headbutts to Gunn, then he moves Gunn out of the way and headbutts the turnbuckle padding instead, because he’s a madman bruv. Gunn with a tag to Switchblade! Back body drops to Garcia and Finlay, dragon screw to Kidd, dragon screw to Claudio. OC with a springboard tope con hilo to the outside!! DDT to Finlay, White covers for 2. Backbreaker from Finlay levels the playing field. Colten and Castagnoli in, dropkick catches Claudio. Colten misses a splash in the corner, allowing the Death Riders to run the train on him. Marina gets involved, so Willow steps in to take her out. And Yuta throws Willow over the top rope! Connors with a spear to OC. Strong with a leaping knee to Finlay, Kidd with a German. Jay White with a cutthroat suplex. Garcia Twist & Shout! 3:10 to Yuma!! Claudio is taken down with a leaping lariat by the Gunns, they set up for 3:10 to Yuma but Marina grabs the leg. Claudio launches Yuta for the assisted splash for the 1, 2, 3.
Winners: The Dogs & The Death Riders
Time: 11:03
Rating: *** – Great surprise having White in action after we were told he would be out for a significant layoff. It’s the expected carnage you get from a 12-man tag with everyone trying to get their shit in, but pulled off admirably with a bunch of fun spots and more fast-paced action.
*All hell breaks loose after the bell, with everyone continuing to fight on the outside.
[Best Of Five Series: Match One] FTR vs. Motor City Machine Guns
Shelley and Dax have a feeling out process as we get underway. Leapfrog axe handle from Sabin, Cash tags in but eats an armdrag. Back elbow from Sabin, Dax spills to the outside for a quick breather. Stoke takes it to Sabin behind the ref’s back. Quick double team offense from FTR. Sabin and Harwood trade strikes, stereo clotheslines level both men. Dax cuts off the tag and throws Sabin to the floor, allowing Stokely to get the boots in. Back in, Sabin hits a diving crossbody to both members of FTR, and they spill to the floor to regroup. Both teams come face to face in the ring, Sabin with a back body drop and we are 1 minute away from the PPV starting. Manhattan drop by Wheeler, as Tailgate Brawl goes off the air…
…and WrestleDream begins with the pyro going off while the tag team action continues. Classic Machine Guns double team action on Dax, but then Shelley eats the apron as FTR toss him face first into it. Abdominal stretch applied to Shelley, with FTR taking it in turns. Small package by Shelley, but the ref has his back turned! Stereo clotheslines, again Shelley and Dax are down. Body slam by Dax, Shelley battles back on the apron, stun gun over the top rope. Cash dives off the apron but Shelley sidesteps and Wheeler goes face first into the announce table. Dax prevents the tag once more, striking combination knocks Shelley down. Assisted gourdbuster from FTR gets a 2 count. Shelley finally makes a break for it and dives for the tag, but Dax is there on the outside to pull Sabin off the apron in the nick of time. Dax misses Sabin on the apron this time, and Shelley finally makes the tag. Deep arm drags from Sabin, kick along the apron, tope con hilo off the apron to wipe out Cash Wheeler. Tornado DDT on the outside is blocked, Sabin ducks a blow from Stokely. Tornado DDT back inside the ring, cover on Dax, 1, 2, NO.
Sabin up top, Cash pulls him down and sends him into a spinebuster from Dax, 1, 2, no. Cutter from Sabin, cover, 1, 2, noooo. Shelley goes up top but gets crotched. Power and the Glory is interrupted, Dax is headbutted down, missile dropkick from Sabin, frog splash from Shelley, 1, 2, NO! Sabin is pulled to the outside, Shelley tries a sunset flip, Sabin dives back in the ring to hit a stereo sunset flip. Machine Guns with thrust kicks, enziguri/big boot combination. More classic Machine Guns offense with the Shelley Splash, cover, 1, 2, Dax gets a foot on the bottom rope! They look for a package-type deal but Cash pulls the legs. SPIKE PILEDRIVER on Sabin, 1, 2…NOOO!! They set up for Shatter Machine, Sabin is ready for it though. MCMG with stereo kicks, and the Package driver, 1, 2, 3!
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns
Time: 26:34
Rating: **** – In case anyone was worried, tag team wrestling is clearly alive and well. This was about setting the tone for the series, while leaving a lot on the plate for next time, and if they can keep this up, we’re in store for a cracking series. I will say I’m starting to not be a fan of the ‘pre-show match bleeds into the PPV’, as it often leads to stalling of spots while the guys wait for the right timing, even if the visual of the pyro going off while the action continues is pretty cool. The PPV portion of the match was stellar though, and these teams already gel so well.
[AEW Women’s World Championship] Mercedes Mone (c) vs. Thekla
Pretty neat to get this as the first ‘full’ match of the PPV, Mone often gets the ‘death spot’ before the main event so this is a nice mix-up. Thekla emerges from the stands on some kind of spider chariot…now THAT’S an entrance. Mone goes for the Statement Maker early, but Thekla contorts out of it with her spider pose. She goads Mone to the floor, where she whips her into the barricade. Kick to the side of the head, Thekla goes up top and hits a crossbody for 2. Mone catches Thekla in the spider pose, lifts her into tombstone position, KNEES HER IN THE HEAD a few times then hits the inverted codebreaker. Meteora connects for 2. Vertical suplex, Mone floats over into a cover for 2. Mone applies the knee between the shoulder blades and pulls the arms back. Now in a surfboard position, and she stomps her down. Surfboard stretch applied, Romero special! Thekla sits up but gets kicked away before she can capitalize. Thekla on the buckles, tarantula applied, using the full count.
Spin kick from the challenger, headscissors is caught, another codebreaker attempt but Thekla slingshots her into the ropes. Running face wash! To the apron they go, and Mone connects with a codebreaker. Misses the Meteora, and Mone goes knees-first into the ringpost! Double stomp off the apron to Mone’s back. And Thekla stands over a fallen Mone, swinging her ‘dick’ like Mone swings the championship. Thekla sends her back inside the ring for a 2 count. Spider suplex! Thekla with a spear (sort of), 1, 2, kickout. Mone with a sunset flip bomb into the bottom buckle! METEORA. And another Meteora from the middle rope, 1, 2, NO. Mone Maker is reversed, Thekla lays out Mone and traps her with a body scissor submission, legs wrapped around the face though! And Mone reaches the ropes. STOMP by Thekla, 1, 2…foot on the ropes. Mone rolls to the apron and takes off the protective face mask…and as Thekla goes over to her, Mone bashes her with it. Mone Maker reversed again, Thekla with a roll-up, tight clutch hold, 1, 2, NOOO!! Thekla misses the stomp, Mone Maker connects this time, 1, 2, 3!
Winner and STILL AEW Women’s World Champion: Mercedes Mone
Time: 14:34
Rating: **** – While Mone was once again in danger of resorting to a Meteora spam-fest, they fit a LOT into sub-15 minutes, and the crowd were biting heavily on those nearfalls towards the end. The Mone Maker reversal into that clutch pin from Thekla was a sensational nearfall. I want more from these two, run it back anytime!
Jericho vs. Nick Wayne
Wayne spits his gum in the face of Jericho as the bell rings, so Jericho slaps him in return. To the floor they go, Jericho sending Wayne hard into the barricade. They pull out the steel steps…and Jericho gives him an Attitude Adjustment into/onto the steps! Back in the ring, Jericho stands on the top rope for mounted punches…but Wayne shoves Jericho to the floor. ORIHARA MOONSAULT from Wayne follows. Jericho is sent shoulder first into the steel steps. Uppercut, Wayne handsprings to his feet but gets tripped by Jericho. Chops exchanged, handspring cutter is avoided, Judas Effect ducked, Wayne’s World attempt is countered with a Codebreaker! 1, 2, no!
More chops exchanged, stundog from Wayne but Jericho reverses with a brainbuster. Lionsault attempt but Wayne kicks out the legs. Wayne goes for the senton while Jericho is prone over the ropes, but Jericho sits up to avoid it! Jericho with a crossbody to the outside. He rolls Wayne back in the ring and goes up top once more, where Wayne catches him with a gamengiri. Wayne heads up top with him, looks for a top rope hurracanrana but Jericho drops him with a powerbomb. Right into the Walls of Jericho! Wayne escapes, takes a sip of water at ringside and spits it in the eyes of Jericho. They battle on the apron, SLICED BREAD #2 by Wayne! Back up top, 450 splash connects, 1, 2, NO! Another Wayne’s World attempt misses, Jericho jumps to the middle rope, Wayne catches him, CUTTER off the ropes, 1 COUNT KICKOUT! Jericho sweeps the legs, Walls of Jericho applied. Wayne desperately tries to turn, gets slingshotted into the buckles instead. German suplex with a bridge for 2, Nick kicks out. Ref gets turned around, low blow attempt by Wayne, but Jericho is still standing. Another low blow, Jericho is fine, and he’s wearing a cup – he came prepared. Jericho smacks Nick with the cup, referee grabs it from him, Jericho with a low blow now. Judas Effect, but Wayne cradles him, 1, 2, 3!
Winner: Nick Wayne
Time: 14:49
Rating: ***1/4 – Having Wayne bumping all over the place meant this didn’t plod like a lot of current era Jericho matches, and dare I say it, it exceeded expectations. Ending sequence felt a little unnecessary (and Jericho smacking him with the cup right in front of the ref was…questionable) but honestly this was largely a success. Upset win for Wayne, and maybe he can escape the Jericho Vortex unscathed?!
*Nick Wayne takes the mic to say for the second time he beat Chris Jericho.
[AEW World Tag Team Championships] The Young Bucks (c) vs. Kevin Knight and Kyle Fletcher
We’ve already seen some stellar tag team action tonight, so let’s see if these guys can match or even surpass that. Don Callis has of course joined commentary for this one. Knight and Matt kick us off with duelling displays of athleticism. Fletcher tags in to a decent pop as Florida is evidently a ProtoStar fan. Fletcher launches Knight into an assisted dropkick, and they use some Young Bucks offense against Matt. They even hit the stereo bulldogs, high-fiving as it connects. Matt Jackson with a crossbody off the apron to take out Knight. Nick in, frog crossbody to both opponents but they’re back up to eat some Young Bucks tandem offense. Matt offers the assist, helping Nick Jackson to the top rope for him to moonsault to the floor! Callis high-tails it as Nick approaches.
Matt with a sunset flip to help Nick deliver a German. Nick steps up for the rope walk hurracanrana, but Fletcher holds on, gets him in electric chair position…and Knight LEAPS up with a dropkick, almost like a dropkick variation of a Doomsday Device! Daaamn. Knight connects with a leaping lariat to Nick Jakcson in the corner. X-factor, Nick flips to the outside but Fletcher catches him…and Nick counters THAT, going opposite to the momentum with a tornado DDT! Knight cuts off the tag, nope, Nick still makes it and Matt is in. Matt with a Sliced Bread off the chest of Knight. Northern Lights suplex train connects, Knight avoids the third, but gets rolled up and as Fletcher comes in, Matt connects with the Northern Lights once more. Nick hits the double stomp into the powerbomb from Matt, then rolls right through into the backstabber on Knight. Matt covers for 2. TK Driver attempt is denied, Fletcher with a Michinoku Driver, 1, 2, NO.
Nick again on the shoulders of Fletcher, Matt gets Knight on his shoulders…duelling poisonranas! Matt with a DESTROYER off the back of Knight to Fletcher!! Quick strike attempts from Nick and Knight, Matt fakes him out on a superkick and lands a DDT. Fletcher with a half and half suplex. 15% from the Bucks, Fletcher is crotched on the ropes, hurracanrana takes Fletcher to the canvas. Knight is knocked down too, so the Bucks go up in opposite corners. But Knight and Fletcher are up to crotch them in return. Leaping hurracanrana from Knight, Fletcher is caught with a top rope poisonrana though. Knight meets Jackson with a UFO as he lands!! Knight and Nick head to the apron, German from Nick! Matt with a slingshot DDT to Fletcher! To the floor, Knight avoids a TK Driver on the floor and nails a leaping hurracanrana once again. Leaping lariat is ducked, superkick from Matt Jackson! Nick runs along the announce tables and the Bucks connect with a TK DRIVER ON THE FLOOR! Nick almost lost his footing there and yet still nailed it.
In the ring, Nick with a tight hurracanrana, 1, 2 , no. BTE Trigger, 1, 2, NOOOO! Fletcher kicks out! More Bang for your Buck, but Fletcher cuts it off at the last moment….and lawn darts Nick into Matt. Knight with a COAST TO COAST on both men! Fletcher delivers the BRAINBUSTER. 1, 2, NOOOOOO!!!! Fletcher with the TURNBUCKLE BRAINBUSTAHHHHH. Knight follows up with the UFO splash across the ring, 1, 2, NICK BREAKS IT UP! Fletcher delivers a half and half with authority. Knight tags himself in as Fletcher was readying for the corner kick. Coast to Coast again but he dives into a superkick. Half and half from Fletcher, corner kick, Bucks with a rising knee though. Superkick to Fletcher. Another, even more. Double superkick! BTE Trigger, they see Knight coming in and Knight inadvertently leaps with a lariat into Fletcher. BTE Trigger to Knight, 1, 2, 3!
Winners and STILL AEW World Tag Team Champions: The Young Bucks
Time: 22:39
Rating: ****1/4 – Some contrived spots aside, we saw some all-out insanity here, which was a blast from start to finish. That nearfall on the coast-to-coast/brainbuster combo, goodness me. Knight/Fletcher’s nearfalls towards the end were spectacular, which did mean the finish from the Bucks was ever-so-slightly anti-climactic, but I do like that it was the miscommunication (and selfishness) from Knight that led to their defeat. I can totally see others going even higher on this if you’re not bothered about those telegraphed spots.
[AEW TBS Championship – Four-Way] Persephone (c) vs. Hyan vs. Dani Luna vs. Queen Aminata
One fall to a finish here. Persephone takes a swing at Aminata as we get underway, and everyone goes for quick pinfall attempts to no avail. The three challengers back Persephone into a corner, and she pleads that it’s supposed to be a four-way! Tilt-a-whirl headscissors from Aminata, and she gaves Luna the Chocolate Kisses. PK connects, and she follows Luna to the floor to send her into the barricade. Aminata grabs a chair, sets it up and sits Luna on it. Aminata up on the apron, Hyan catches her and snapmares her, following up with a suplex. Leg drop, 1, 2, Persephone in to break it up with a crucifix pin of her own. Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker connects on Hyan. Persephone delivers a fallaway slam to Luna, and connects with a leg-trap German. Aminata and Persephone go at it now, hard strikes. Galleria attempt is denied, Hyan in with a double spear. Luna dives off the middle rope but Hyan catches her with a spear too. 1, 2, Persephone breaks it up again. Spear to Persephone on the floor and Hyan tries to get the crowd on her side but they seem indifferent.
Aminata up top, double stomp to Luna, 1, 2, Persephone again breaks it up. Dani Luna tries to suplex Persephone from the apron, Persephone drags her out instead. Persephone looks for a German off the apron, instead gets Luna on her shoulders, Hyan with a sliding dropkick and now tries to powerbomb Luna. Aminata headbutts Luna, allowing Hyan to connect with the powerbomb. Hyan sits in the chair from earlier, and Aminata comes back with a diving dropkick to take her out. Back in the ring Aminata connects with the Galleria and OFF WITH HER HEAD, pins Persephone, 1, 2, Hyan breaks it up! Butterfly suplex from Hyan now, and she sets up for the running knee, nails it. Falcon Arrow, 1, 2, kickout. Persephone in with a German to Hyan. Luna lifts up Hyan and uses her as a battering ram. Fireman’s carry/fallaway slam to both women. Slingshot Blue Thunder to Aminata, 1, 2, Hyan breaks that one up. Luna and Hyan go at it, big strikes from both women. Wheelbarrow faceplant, 1, 2, Persephone breaks it up with a moonsault (to the legs…). Persephone with a fireman’s carry, slams Hyan down, moonsault press connects for the 1, 2, 3.
Winner and STILL AEW TBS Champion: Persephone
Time: 13:57
Rating: ***1/4 – I liked that it was Persephone mostly being the one to break up the pinfalls, desperate to retain her title – she came across as a determined champion there, and it helps make the belt mean something. It somewhat lacked heat from the crowd, who were possibly just spent from the previous match, but I liked the work here. Aminata in particular always makes her shots count, and I really hope she gets rewarded with a belt before too long.
[AEW National Championship] Andrade El Idolo (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Ciampa is already not happy about the ‘take your pants off’ chants directed at Andrade. Andrade looks for Dia de Los Muertos early on, as Ciampa looks for the running knee, but neither man are successful. Three Amigos attempt, Ciampa with a go-behind and hits a German. Andrade up top, crossbody connects. Clothesline sends Ciampa to the floor, and Andrade takes his belt off, but Ciampa rushes back in before Andrade can rip off the pants. Haha Ciampa feints taking the belt off his trunks. Andrade baits Ciampa with a knee, and drags him to the outside where he hits the Three Amigos on the floor. Up top, Andrade hits a split-legged moonsault for a 2 count. Ciampa to the floor to recover, but Andrade keeps up the pressure with a step-up tornillo. Andrade is feeling it, so he heads over to the hottie at ringside for a selfie. Back in the ring, Ciampa has recuperated, tries to throw Andrade to the outside but Andrade holds the ropes, tranquilo. Ciampa with a knee strike though!
Andrade is knocked down at ringside, and now Ciampa takes a selfie with his daughter, who is sitting in the front row. Neckbreaker from Ciampa once they get back in the ring. Ciampa again feints taking off his own trunks before repeatedly stomping Andrade down. To the middle rope, Ciampa may be thinking Air Raid Crash but Andrade slips through and goes to pull the trunks of Ciampa down! Ciampa with a knee strike puts a stop to that. CIAMPA TAKES HIS TRUNKS OFF! And he has black trunks underneath saying “I JUST KNOW.” Andrade is up again, takes Ciampa down with a flying forearm. And now Andrade starts taking his pants off, but Ciampa cuts him off before he can fully take them off! Up top, Ciampa gets elbowed down, and Andrade still has his pants half on….MOONSAULT WITH HIS PANTS STILL AROUND HIS KNEES! Andrade finally gets the pants off, and Nigel has some glorious comments about the camera angle. Up top once more, Andrade may be thinking Air Raid Crash now, Ciampa looks for a sunset flip but Andrade moonsaults away, misses a knee strike as Ciampa rolls away but Andrade keeps running and connects with the knees against the ropes. Andrade gets shoved to the floor now, and Ciampa grabs the discarded pants, stomping them and delivering elbow drops to the pants. PROJECT CIAMPA TO THE PANTS! He demands Aubrey count a pin, 1, 2, THE PANTS KICKED OUT!! Hahaha what are we watching?! Amazing. Holy Shit chants from the crowd.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS out of nowhere! 1, 2, Ciampa kicks out! RUNNING KNEE from Ciampa, 1, 2, NO! Ciampa looks for another knee, rollup though, 1, 2, no. Both men hit lariats from both sides and collapse. On their knees, both men trade chops and slaps. To their feet, big boot from Ciampa. Project Ciampa is avoided, DM also evaded. DIA DE LOS MUERTOS AGAIN! But Ciampa falls to the outside so Andrade can’t make the cover. Andrade heads to the middle turnbuckle, moonsault to the outside but Ciampa sidesteps, sends Andrade into a camera man! RUNNING KNEE! 1, 2, NOOOO! Ciampa goes outside to grab the title, Aubrey sees it though and grabs it from him. Instead he grabs a chair and tries to slide it in the ring but Aubrey sees that too! The belt is still there though, and Andrade hits Widow’s Bell into the title belt! 1, 2, NO! DM connects! 1, 2, 3!
Winner and STILL AEW National Champion: Andrade El Idolo
Time: 20:56
Rating: ****1/4 – This was SO. MUCH. FUN. I’m sure some will take issue with the comedy elements but I think they nailed it perfectly as it didn’t detract from anything, and I genuinely laughed out loud at the pants kicking out at 2. Sometimes, silliness like that just works. Shame that Ciampa had to lose again, but equally I don’t think it’s time for Andrade to be losing either. Aside from the comedy, we had some glorious hard-hitting strikes, more great nearfalls in a night that has already been full of them, and it FLEW BY; that certainly did not feel like 20 minutes.
[AEW World Trios Championships – Two Out Of Three Falls Match] Swerve Strickland and The New Level (c) vs. Hangman Page and Brodido
Bandido and Creed begin as the legal men, looking pretty even in the early goings. Swerve with a quebrada, Kofi with a springboard splash. Bandido muscles Kofi up for a delayed suplex and makes the tag to Hangman. Fallaway slam, kip up, and Page goes for the dive to the outside but Swerve sweeps the leg, which of course irks Page and he gets right into it with Swerve, rights and lefts! Everything breaks down on the outside with all 6 men getting into it. Brody loses it, so Hangman has to try and restrain him, and we see a little tension there.
Back in the ring, Page knocks Kofi down with a big boot. Bandido tags in, Brody enters the ring too for some triple teaming. Running strikes to Kofi in the corner, ending with a shooting star press from Page, and an assisted splash by Bandido. Senton from Brody, cover for 2. Kofi with a step-up moonsault to create some space. Creed comes in with a gamengiri, splash off the apron, now a running dropkick. Swerve tags in for the rolling suplex, gets 2, and tags Creed back in. Bandido meets Swerve with an impressive DDT, but Kofi tags in for an assisted guillotine legdrop for 2. Creed with a suicide dive to the outside to keep Hangman neutralized. Double team DDT/cutter from New Level, 1, 2, 3!
Winners of the first fall: Swerve Strickland & New Level (9:21)
Swerve Stomp from Swerve, 1, 2, Page breaks it up, and the ref gets in between Swerve and Page as it’s about to kick off between them again. Bandido and Kofi get kicked away, and now Swerve and Page go back to it. House Call is cut off. Buckshot Lariat denied. DEADEYE! But before Page can cover, New Level pull Swerve to safety. Page battles them on the floor, and as he gets back in the ring, Swerve meets him with a House Call. 1, 2, no. Spinning lariat from Page, tag to Brody King. Black Hole Slam by King. Bandido in for a pop-up cutter on Swerve. TIP is blocked, Page delivers a Deadeye instead. German by King, overhead belly to belly on Kofi so he lands on top of Creed. Canonball by Brody! Buckshot Lariat connects on Swerve, King gets in position for Bandido, monkey flip splash connects! 1, 2, 3!
Winners of the second fall: Hangman & Brodido (13:43)
Third and final fall time. Page is poised, orihara moonsault wipes out Swerve. Bandido on the ringpost….swanton to the floor! King has Creed lying out along the barricade, Page is ready for something but Swerve leaps up for a hurracanrana. New Level hit a double stomp/DDT combo on the outside right into the knees of Swerve. Bandido in the ring, Creed hits the elbow drop, 1, 2, King breaks it up. New Level and Swerve are knocked to the outside, and Brody hits a tope suicida to take them all out. Page with a moonsault to Creed. Bandido with a SHOOTING STAR! 1, 2, NO. Bandido is maybe thinking X-Knee, connects with it! Buckshot lariat into the German suplex, 1, 2, Kofi breaks it up with a double stomp. Swerve and Hangman come face to face once more, slugging it out. Swerve is shoved into King’s corner, and Swerve pushes Hangman into him, knocking Brody off the apron! Flatliner connects on Page. Strickland is legal, goes up top, Page knocks him down again. Kofi with a powerrbomb attempt…countered…Deadeye on the apron! And Swerve is there for the double stomp to the FACE of Page. King and Creed go at it now, huge right hand knocks Creed out. He positions Creed on the top rope, Kofi grabs the ankle though. King pulls him up too! Brody is stacking them up for a DOUBLE SUPERPLEX…Swerve interrupts it though with a rising knee. Swerve has King on his shoulders, delivers a VERTEBREAKER!!! Bandido leaps to the top….DOUBLE MOONSAULT AND BATTERY ON THE NEW LEVEL!! X-Knee connects on Swerve. 21-Plex is countered though, Big Pressure reversed, ROLLUP, 1, 2, 3!
Winners and NEW AEW World Trios Champions: Hangman Adam Page & Brodido!
Time: 23:43
Rating: **** – I wasn’t sold at first, as a second ‘car-crash’ style spotfest like this wasn’t as effective after seeing similar in the Young Bucks tag earlier. But then it really kicked into a higher gear for that final fall, which went absolutely nuts. Bandido is a madman for that double moonsault and battery (and maybe Kofi and Creed are madmen for taking it too!). I expected the spotty elements to come later in the match so I’m surprised we didn’t get a more traditional affair in the early goings. Still, the action was as intense and hard-fought as you’d expect from these guys.
*Post-match, the New Level and Strickland grab back their titles. New Level pass theirs over to Bandido and King, and the shake hands and hug. That leaves all eyes on Swerve and Page. Swerve hands the title to Page but drops it on the mat just as Page reaches out for it. Ha, we see Page mouthing “that motherfucker” as Swerve exits back up the ramp.
*Renee Paquette is out on the stage to introduce the newest member of All Elite Wrestling. We see a metronome ticking on the stage, and then the lights go out. Classical music begins to play…and yes, it’s ILJA DRAGUNOV!!
Dragunov conducts the crowd as the flame pyro goes off. Man, Dragunov against guys like Ospreay, Andrade, Ciampa, Bandido, Swerve…we are going to eat well. GET HIM IN THE C2, TONY!!
[AEW Continental Championship] Jon Moxley vs. Mark Davis
Moxley looks to control the arm as we begin, but Davis reverses into a wristlock. A shoulder tackle has no effect on Davis, and he takes it to Mox with strikes in the corner. Moxley fires up and asks for more, then turns the tables with jabs and punches. Davis with a flatliner into the middle buckle, following up with lunging elbow strikes. Oh damn, big time blade job from Moxley on that one. Another elbow strikes opens Moxley up further. Cover, 1, 2, no. Moxley heads to the floor, and Davis hangs him upside down over the barricade, targeting the leg but also forcing the blood out of the head wound.
Moxley again fires himself up, eating elbow strikes but rising up to face more. Davis with mounted punches, then bites the forehead. Moxley shoves Davis to the floor, allowing Mox to follow up with a tope suicida. Moxley brings Davis back in the ring for mounted punches of his own, and he shows Davis how to properly bite the forehead. Lariat connects, Davis doesn’t go down. Again, Davis still on his feet. One more, Davis staggers….CUTTER! Moxley with a mahistral cradle, transitions into a cross-armbreaker, breaks the grip and gets the arm fully extended. Mox looks for something in the corner now, Davis counters with a powerbomb attempt but that’s denied. Davis plants Moxley with a slam, knockout punch gets 2. They battle onto the apron….DAVIS WITH A PILEDRIVER ON THE APRON. Yikes that looked like Moxley’s neck bounced off the apron. Somehow he gets back in the ring at 9 but is met with an enziguri. Moxley beats the floor in frustration, and he sits on the floor, may be thinking about giving up? Marina Shafir and Garcia appear at the barricade to talk sense into him, and it works as he gets back in the ring. Davis misses another enziguri, allowing Mox to hit a double stomp.
Headbutts from Moxley now. Davis with a lariat, Moxley is right there with one of his own in return. Another lariat from Moxley, and both men go down. Mox puts his hands behind his back now as Davis unleashes some strikes. Moxley eats an elbow strikes and is knocked to a knee. Davis with a rear naked choke. Mox knows how to get out of it though, and he counters into a choke of his own, changing to the bulldog choke. He jumps onto the back of Davis, only for Davis to dive into the corner back-first to knock him off. Back to the apron, Davis looks for another piledriver, Moxley sidesteps a run and Davis goes head-first into the buckles. Davis is busted open now, and Moxley hits another tope suicida. He goes up top, goads Davis in, but Davis hits a lariat from behind. Deadlift German, running lariat is countered through right into the Death Rider! 1, 2, NO. Headbutts from Moxley, lariat from Davis, and he thinks about the pendulum piledriver but Moxley locks in the Brutalizer! He transitions to the rear naked choke once more, Davis fires up but then drops. Davis is out.
Winner and STILL AEW Continental Champion: Jon Moxley
Time: 23:31
Rating: ***1/4 – The focus was on the story they’re telling with Moxley, and while I wouldn’t say Davis was an after-thought, he was certainly playing second fiddle here. It was also a lot longer than it needed to be (no 20 minute time limit then?), slightly outstaying its welcome. It’s a intriguing story with Moxley perhaps questioning his own mortality, so I’m certainly keen to see where they go with it.
[Clockwork Carnage – AEW World Championship] Will Ospreay (c) vs. Samoa Joe vs. Mike Bailey vs. Adam Copeland vs. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kazuchika Okada vs. Ricochet vs. Darby Allin
Entrant #1 and #2 are Will Ospreay and Konosuke Takeshita. Nice. They immediately start trading strikes as the 3-minute countdown begins until the next competitor enters. Tijeras from Ospreay sends Takeshita to the outside, and he follows up with a slingshot crossbody. Handspring corkscrew kick connects for a 2 count. Ospreay thinks about the flying forearm, Takeshita biels him away. Flying lariat by Takeshita instead! And a tope con hilo connects as we hit 0:00 on the clock.
Entrant #3 is Speedball Mike Bailey. Bailey comes in with a sunset flip for a 2 count. Takeshita elbows him off the apron and boots Ospreay for good measure too. Ospreay and Bailey work together now to target Takeshita, with Bailey hitting a running SSP for 2. Takeshita spills to the floor, leaving Ospreay and Bailey in the ring. Crowns up from both guys, and Takeshita dashes back in the ring to take them both out.
Entrant #4 is Ricochet. Takeshita is ready for him, but Ricochet says they should work together. They briefly do until Ricochet rolls Takeshita up for 2. Ricochet knocks him out the ring with a dropkick, and Ricochet hits a dive on Ospreay. Springboard crossbody takes Speedball down. Takeshita back in, offers the neck for a strike, and then levels Ricochet with a forearm. Ospreay and Bailey have Takeshita on the ropes now, but it’s Takeshita with a double superplex, and Ricochet capitalizes with a 450 splash to Takeshita!
Entrant #5 is Darby Allin. Double stomp to Ricochet, and Darby pulls out a table, setting it up at ringside. He plants Ricochet on it, climbs to the top rope, but Ricochet is back up to put a stop to it. Darby with a Code Red off the top, and another, 1, 2, NO. Darby back up top, COFFIN DROP to Takeshita on the floor. Darby goes for a suicide dive but Takeshita CATCHES HIM WITH A LEAPING KNEE IN MIDAIR! Takeshita looks for Raging Fire on Ospreay, stundog millionaire counters.
Entrant #6, get those middle fingers ready…it’s Kazuchika Okada. Okada and Ospreay go face to face and come to blows. Flapjack from Okada. Dropkick sends Darby to the floor. Okada dodges a thrust kick from Bailey, and he flips him off. Bailey avoids the dropkick, so he flips Okada off too. Triangle moonsault to Darby. Okada and Takeshita look for backslides, it’s Takeshita who gets it, but Bailey gets involved and rolls them both up for a 2 count. Okada misses a rainmaker and Takeshita catches him with a roaring elbow. Takeshita with the wheelbarrow German on Speedball. Tornado Kick is caught, Blue Thunder Bomb! Raging Fire! 1, 2, 3!
Mike Bailey is eliminated.
Entrant #7 is Adam Copeland. Ricochet and Cope go at it first as the fans continue singing. Spear is avoided, rising knee connects from Ricochet, and he heas up top for a Shooting Star, Cope gets the knees up. Takeshita with a right hand to Cope. Reverse DDT from Cope connects, and he looks for the spear on Takeshita, but Takeshita counters into the Blue Thunder. Okada in for the Rainmaker, 1, 2, 3!!
Konosuke Takeshita is eliminated.
Ospreay with an Oscutter, 1, 2, Okada kicks out. Stormbreaker is countered into Code Red from Darby, 1, 2, no. Ricochet up top but here’s entrant #8, Samoa Joe. Ricochet takes a run up to dive, and Joe NOPES out of it so Ricochet splats on the floor. Powerslam to Ospreay, and the 15 minute period has now begun. Muscle Buster to Darby! 1, 2, 3! Joe has 1 point.
Joe with a tope suicida to Ospreay. Ricochet pins Darby and gets 3 as well, 1 point to Ricochet. Rainmaker to Cope, 1, 2, 3! Okada with 1 point too. Ricochet covers Cope, but Joe drags him outside in a Coquina clutch, only to get sent into the ringpost. Tombstone from Okada on Ospreay. Rainmaker is countered into the Stormbreaker, 1, 2, Ricochet with a 450 to break it up. Hidden Blade is countered, Ricochet looks for a hurracanrana, nope, Styles Clash!, 1, 2, 3! Darby with a Coffin Drop, 1, 2, 3, he just piined Ospreay!
Everyone is on 1 point apart from Cope. Cope and Darby square off. Darby with a mahistral, 1, 2, 3! Darby takes the lead with 2 points. Stundog to Ospreay, Code Red attempted, Hidden Blade, 1, 2, 3. Ospreay and Darby are level with 2 points now. Ospreay fights off Cope and Ricochet now. Ospreay and Ricochet battle on the buckles…top rope hurracanrana, 1, 2, Ospreay kicks out. Ricochet sweeps the legs, goes up top, connects with a Shooting Star but only gets 2. 8 minutes remaining.
Ricochet catches Joe with a dropkick off the apron, then whips Cope into the barricade. Darby too. Ricochet re-enters the ring, gets launched to the apron by Ospreay and they battle near the table now. COPE WITH A SPEAR OFF THE APRON THROUGH THE TABLE. Okada hits the neckbreaker across the knee on Ospreay, while Darby and Joe battle on the floor. Okada drops the elbow on Ospreay….MIDDLE FINGER RAINMAKER POSE. Rainmaker countered into the Spanish Fly, 1, 2, no. 5 minutes remaining as Joe hits an STO on Darby onto the steel steps.
Ospreay is about to hit an Oscutter, Joe nopes away, Ospreay thinks he knows what’s happening so goes for another, but Joe still NOPES out of it. Coquina Clutch to Ospreay! Ospreay is almost out on the mat, and he taps! Joe, Darby and Ospreay all have 2 points with just over 3 minutes remaining.
Joe with a face-wash to Ospreay, and he appears to be taking his time even though he needs that extra fall. Joe looks for the Muscle Buster, Ospreay leaps out of it, Cope is there for the spear, 1, 2, 3! Spear to Ricochet too, 1, 2, 3! Cope equalizes with the others at the top of the pile with 2 points each. Ospreay catches a spear attempt with a rollup for 2. Kick by Ospreay, Hidden Blade is ducked, Impaler! Cope can’t cover though. 1 minute remaining. Cope struggles to his feet…dropkick from Okada cuts him off. SPEAR to Okada! 1, 2, HIDDEN BLADE to Cope! 1, 2, 3! Ospreay takes the lead at 3 points with 2 seconds remaining! And the bell rings.
Winner and STILL AEW World Champion: Will Ospreay
Time: 32:15
Rating: ***1/2 – Down the stretch there were good moments of drama for everyone to bite on, but it did seem telegraphed that we were headed in the direction of a last second clincher for most of that 15 minute Ironman stretch once everyone started racking up a fall. Psychology was an after-thought and for a large portion we were finisher spamming, so there’s only so much mileage you can get from that. Some of the guys did not play into the urgency (like Joe and Ricochet still taking their time when they desperately needed the points) which detracted a little, but on the whole this was a fine multi-man main event for everyone to go a little nuts. While I won’t be desperate for Clockwork Carnage to be an annual event, the concept came off reasonably well, and I liked that we saw two guys eliminated before they even got into contention.
*Post-match, Cope shoves Ospreay a little, then extends the hand. Ospreay gingerly shakes, and Cope pulls him closer and points at the belt, telling him he’s coming for it. Ospreay celebrates his title defense as tonight’s broadcast comes to a close.
That’s all from me this evening folks! Thanks for joining me as always, and I’ll see you next time – have a great weekend.
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