Posted By James Walsh on 04/12/26


Zero Hour results:
Alex Widsor defeated Marina Shafir
Kamille defeated Big Anne via squash
Jack Perry defeated Mark Davis to retain the AEW National title
Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne and Lena Kross) defeated Hyan and Maya World to retain the AEW women’s tag team titles

Match #1 – Tag Team Match: Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson) vs. Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita

Takeshita and Nick start, Nick tries a shoulder block but that doesn’t work then Takeshita drops him with one. Takeshita hits the ropes and lands a leaping back elbow. Okada tags in and Nick takes a double shoulder block then Takeshita and Okada take turns dropping elbows. Okada and Takeshita shake hands after that. Hilo from Okada then Takeshita tags back in. Nick fights back with the arm drag and headscissors move then he tags in Matt. Matt with an assisted Shiranui, Nick and Matt run through some double team moves on Okada and Takeshita, just their usual stuff before they clothesline Takeshita out of the ring. Nick with a springboard moonsault to the floor. Okada fails a dropkick in the ring then Nick with a dropkick to Takeshita and lands on Okada with a senton. Okada fights back by dropping Nick’s head into Matt’s groin on the ropes. Takeshita grabs a chin lock on Matt while Okada abuses Nick on the floor. Boot from Takeshita then he tags in Okada. Okada tosses Matt out of the ring and Takeshita then holds him so Don Callis, who’s on commentary, can gouge his eye.

Back in the ring Okada slows things down and kicks at Matt then slaps him. Matt tries to fire up but Okada spikes him with a DDT for a 2 count. Takeshita tags back in but Matt fights out of the heel corner, he tosses both Takeshita and Okada out of the ring but Takeshita yanks him to the floor only for Matt to sort of hit a Stunner. Okada yanks Nick away from the hot tag and snaps Matt over the ropes then DDTs Nick on the floor. Now Okada dons the Bucks headband and vest, the crowd like Okada as he takes the place of Nick and asks for a tag. Matt superkicks him but Takeshita drills him with an Exploder suplex for a 2 count. Okada tags in, the crowd think this is awesome because they’re easy to impress because this has been good but not great thus far. Double wheelbarrow bulldog from Matt to put bot Takeshita and Okada down. Nick finally gets the hot tag and gets to run wild for a bit. Nick gets Okada to run into Takeshita then hits a double stomp to Okada and an elevated Backstabber to Takeshita. Cutter to Okada from Nick but Takeshita breaks up the pin.

Matt shows up and we get all four men in the ring, the Bucks with stereo Sunset Flips into Sharpshooters. Okada and Takeshita are face to face, Takeshita stops Okada from tapping and they slap each other to fire up and both men crawl to the ropes. Matt tags back in and starts trading punches with Takeshita. Takeshita is the heavier handed, Nick shows up and Takeshita lays them both out. Okada with the Air Raid neckbreaker to Nick, Matt superkicks him then Takeshita takes a hurricanrana and Okada eats a double superkick. Nick and Matt both up top in opposite corners for a Swanton Bomb and elbow drop but Takeshita kicks out of the cover from Matt. Okada blocks a TK Driver and Okada with a Kryptonite Krunch to Matt and Okada with a Tombstone to Nick but Matt still kicks at 2. Takeshita puts Matt up top and climbs up with him, he wants an avalanche Blue Thunder Bomb but Matt fights him off then Takeshita crotches him and stands up with him to deliver a massive avalanche German suplex. Nick with a superkick to Takeshita, Okada dropkicks him. Takeshita with a power drive knee to Matt but Nick shoves Okada into the pin and saves the match.

Okada tags back in and hits a scoop slam to Matt then looks for a top rope elbow drop, which connects. Okada fakes the Rainmaker pose then Matt avoids a Rainmaker but then escapes a Tombstone and Nick lands a stepping knee to the head. Takeshita shows up and everyone’s lined up for Matt to do a Sunset flip that turns into a triple German suplex spot, which was just too silly. Takeshita and Matt trade bombs then Takeshita with a lovely Blue Thunder Bomb. Nick with a Canadian Destroyer to Takeshita but Takeshita fires up and kills both Nick and Matt with running knee strikes. All four men are back in the ring for the old “boo and yay” spot. That breaks down but Takeshita and Okada get the better of things. The two heels back into each other then start trading elbows to each other for a bit, but they still wipe out Matt with kicks. Matt is now stuck getting ping ponged between them. Matt then shoves Okada into Takeshita, Takeshita then accidentally with a Power Drive to Okada. A Poisoned Rana to Takeshita but he avoids BTE Trigger and clotheslines both men. Okada then blocks a Raging Fire and kills Takeshita with a Rainmaker. Nick and Matt with superkicks to Okada then a BTE Trigger for a near fall.

The Bucks want the TK Driver, Takeshita blocks it but then just lets Nick go so he can deliver the finisher and the Bucks win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: The Young Bucks won in 20:10

Rating: 3.5 stars
Thoughts: Solid opener but this suffered from the same kind of bloat that most Bucks matches do and selling became not a thing down the stretch. Okada and Takeshita’s tension has been building for a while now and so Takeshita’s actions track and make the eventual match between him and Okada a little hotter.

Post match Takeshita with a middle finger to the downed Okada.

Match #2: Chris Jericho vs. Ricochet w/ Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona

They take their sweet time as Jericho plays to the crowd and Ricochet just kind of lets him have the moment. It takes a full minute before they lock up and Jericho with an arm drag, he wants a reaction to that but doesn’t get one. After a bit the crowd finally gives him a “you still got it” chant so the match can actually progress. Ricochet slaps the back of Jericho’s head. Another tie up, Jericho pushes Ricochet into the corner then rubs his bald head. I’m told that’s good luck. Jericho takes a camera and brings it into the ring to show off Ricochet’s head. They tie up again and Ricochet grabs a side headlock then does some flips to show off his athleticism compared to the broken down Jericho, Jericho just chops him down. Jericho with some more chops, Ricochet fights back including a boot but then he jumps into a Jericho dropkick. Bulldog from Jericho, he half thinks about a Lionsault but Ricochet shoves him over the ropes when he tries it. Jreicho on the apron now, Ricochet follows and they trade strikes for a bit until Ricochet lands an enziguri then hits an apron Death Valley Driver.

Jericho barely beats the 10 count but powders again, he’s checking his right arm and Ricochet then follows him with a suicide dive. Ricochet rams Jericho’s bad arm into the barricade, then badly misjudges how far he is from the steps and Jericho has to really take extra steps to run himself into them. Back in the ring Ricochet with a corner kick, trip down then swinging mule kick. Some stomps from Ricochet and general control work. Jericho fights back with some chops but Ricochet trips him down and then starts yanking his bad arm around the ropes. Jericho has to call over Leona for the cheap shot but he gets the message eventually. Ricochet with some more arm work, Jericho looks to rally the crowd and fights up then boots a charging Ricochet. Shoulder blocks from Jericho then more rope running and Ricochet fails a dropkick then a Lionsault connects to a big pop. Walls of Jericho attempt but Ricochet is too strong and spins free but Jericho lands a kick to the back. Ricochet hides behind the ref then yanks Jericho into the corner and does the rolling Northern Lights Suplex, Jericho with a slow motion counter towards the Walls, Liona distracts the ref so Kaun to can save Ricochet. Jumping knee from Ricochet then another Death Valley Driver for a 2 count.

We get a “Y2J” chant so Jericho smiles then avoids Vertigo and hits a Codebreaker but is slow to cover so he only gets a 2 count. They start trading strikes on their knees and slowly fight upright, Jericho lands a series of chops. Jericho puts Ricochet up top and climbs up with him for an avalanche hurricanrana after a 10 punch. Ricochet blocks a Codebreaker and hits a kick, then a thrust kick, Northern Lights Suplex into a suplex that turns into a Vertigo but of course only a near fall. Because why should a big series of moves like that end a match? Ricochet heads up top, but Jericho crotches him then chops him and climbs up top. They fight over position, Ricochet rakes the eyes then shoves him down and follows with a Shooting Star Press but Jericho counters into a Codebreaker and just takes too long again for a cover. Because again, why should a wonderful counter like that actually end a match?

Now Jericho tries the Walls of Jericho again, this time he gets it locked in. Ricochet crawls towards the ropes, Jericho drags him back and we get DOA help so Liona can pull Ricochet free as Kaun distracts the ref. Jericho with a baseball slide to send Ricochet into Liona, then Jericho climbs up top for a jump onto all three men on the floor. Kaun eats a Judas Effect but Liona runs him over behind the refs back. Back in the ring Ricochet goes up top, Shooting Star Press and a lovely one but only a near fall. Good grief, did no one edit this in concept? Ricochet wants a Spirit Gun and hits it, but Kaun and Liona tell him not to pin but instead hit a Lionsault for good measure which gets the win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Ricochet won in 19:12

Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: This got way too indulgent down the stretch, and frankly 20 minutes felt almost masturbatory. The early story of Jericho being more focused on the crowd was a good idea but the apron Death Valley Driver and arm work led to absolutely nothing. Jericho looked just a hair rusty, and let’s be honest Liona missed a few cues that made things awkward. Cut 5ish minutes and let some of the more obvious ending sequences either end things or just leave them off and you’ve got a much better and more consistent match.

Match #3: Andrade El Idolo vs. Darby Allin

They stare down for a bit then tie up, Andrade overpowers Darby then mockingly pats him. Darby shoves Andrade the avoids strikes and lands blows before grabbing a side headlock. Hammerlock from Darby, he avoids a few counters from Andrade but Andrade then picks an ankle and grabs a nice looking Flying Surfboard then kicks Darby off into a face plant. Andrade hits the ropes and poses, then Darby with a flying attack and both men spill to the floor. On the floor Andrade launches Darby into the barricade. Andrade then picks up Darby for a suplex, walks up the ring steps then puts him on the top of the ring post and chops the lungs out of him to send him into the ring. There’s a female plant ringside and Andrade goes over to take a selfie with her. All that took way too long and Darby launches himself over the corner and onto Andrade with a Coffin Drop style dive and Andrade bangs his head into the barricade.

Both men fight up into the crowd and on the steps, Darby with a dropkick on the steps, that had to have hurt Darby more than it did Andrade. They fight back down to the ringside area and into the ring. You can see a mark on Darby’s back from that bump on the stairs, his right elbow is a little messed up too. Andrade blocks a corner attack then hits a 3 Amigos which gets an “Eddie” chant and the third sends Darby into the corner for a gnarly landing. Andrade misses the corner knees though and Darby with a flipping Stunner and both men are down. Darby heads up top but Andrade crotches him then flips off a fan. Andrade climbs up with Darby on his shoulders, Darby tries to fight free then hits a sort of avalanche Crucifix Driver, they went all the way over instead of on the back of the head, into a Crossface but Andrade gets to the ropes to save himself. Andrade tries to powder but Darby follows him with a suicide dive and both men ram into the announce desk. Darby puts Andrade in a chair and climbs up top then hits a dropkick that launches Andrade into the table from the chair.


Back in the ring both men roll around, the physical toll is real. Andrade rolls to the apron, Darby then tries a suplex back into the ring but Andrade lands body blows then hits a sick suplex over the ropes all the way to the floor. Just flat back bumps from both men, that looked deeply unpleasant. The ref starts counting, Andrade drags Darby back into the ring rather than take a potential count out win. Andrade wants the corner knees again and this time they connect but only a 2 count. Andrade gets distracted by a “take your pants off” chant and he obliges to a big pop. Next Andrade goes up top for a moonsault, he does the double moonsault spot and he still makes it look incredibly smooth but he only finds another 2 count.

Darby tries to fight back with slaps but he’s outmatched in the power game and they just start smacking the crap out of each other. Andrade with an overhand chop in the corner because he’s the more powerful striker. Darby then fights back with a Scorpion Death Drop, he heads up top and a Coffin Drop connects but his cover is poor and Andrade gets the shoulder up just before the 3 count, and his arm going up blocked the refs count. Andrade avoids a Code Red then hits his sick looking spinning back elbow but now it’s Andrade who can’t find a 3 count. Darby blocks a DM and grabs a Last Supper pinning hold to get the 3 count.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Darby Allin won in 16:46

Rating: 4 stars
Thoughts: I really dug this one, Darby is always willing to give so much of himself physically and Andrade matched him in many ways. Both men barely survived the big bombs then Andrade gave into frustration which opened up the Last Supper from Darby. Just a shade over 15 minutes too so they were shockingly economical.

Post match Andrade is pissed but shakes Darby’s hand and raises it before heading out.

Match #4 – AEW Tag Team Title Match: (c) FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) w/ Stokely vs. Cage and Cope (Adam Copeland and Christian Cage)

Cope and Cash start us off, Cash offers a handshake but Cope smacks it aside and we get to fighting. Everyone’s in now and they all brawl. Cage knocks Dax out of the ring then Cope isolates Cash. Cope chokes Cash in the ropes and then hits a crossbody to him in the ropes. Cage tags in and Cash takes a double team move as the crowd sings the Canadian National Anthem. Now the crowd chant for Canada. Cope wipes out Cash on the floor then clocks Dax for good measure. Cope rams Cash into the barricade a couple more times before sending him into the ring. Dax slows Cage down and Cash is able to land a knee through the ropes then the Randy Orton draping DDT to cut Cope off. Cash starts attacking the neck then tags in Dax and they do a double catapult guillotine. Dax now unloads with chops in the corner. Snapmare from Dax then he grabs a chin lock. Cope is able to fight back with a back suplex and both men are down.

Cash tags in but misses a corner attack then both men tag out. Cage gets to run wild on Dax and Cash for a bit then does a double up rope choke. Next a double 10 punch from Cage, he gets way up there in the count then hits his falling reverse DDT on Cash. Cage with a low blow behind the refs back to deal with Dax then a back body drop to send Cash to the floor and he follows with a top rope dive onto both men. Back in the ring Cash ties up Cage but Dax accidentally runs into him and Cage rolls him up for 2. Dax avoids a Killswitch and attacks the bad arm of Cage. Punches and chops from Dax to keep control. Dax wants a Killswitch, Cage counters into one of his own and Cash has to save the match. Cash yanks the bad arm of Cage over the ropes then shoves him into the barricade on the floor. Dax tags Cash and Cash slams the arm of Cage onto the barricade. Next Cash slams the bad arm around the ring post a few times. Back in the ring Dax tags in, Cage is still on the floor so he bounces Cage’s arm off the announce desk while trash talking. Finally they all head back into the ring and Dax stomps away on the bad arm. Cash tags back in and Cage gets beaten down in the corner then starts working a top wrist lock.

Cage is able to fight free then counters a piledriver with a back body drop. Dax tags in and cheap shots Cope to block the tag. Dax with some more corner work then he puts Cage up top, he signals Cash and they try the Power and Glory spot but Cage fights that off. Cash runs into a kick on the apron then Cage bites Dax and shoves him off then follows with a diving headbutt and both men are down. Dax tries to block a tag, Cage rakes the eyes to get free and tags Cage. Cage with a diving clothesline to Dax then Thesz Press to Cash. Manhattan Drop to Dax then a Spear to Cash and Stun Gun to Dax but Dax avoids a Spear only to take an Impaler DDT for a 2 count. Cope puts Dax up top, he points at Cage and now they try Power and Glory spot but Dax gets knees up to block the splash, Cash tries to jump onto Cope but Cope gets the knees up too. Dax clotheslines Cage out of the ring then accidentally clotheslines Cash out of the ring. Cage with the Edge-ucation, his Sharpshooter version, Dax is close to tapping then Cope switches into a Crippler Crossface. Cash tries to get involved but Cage with a Crippler Crossface as well to him. Cash bites his way free then slams Cage onto Cope to break up the hold.

Cage and Cash fight to the floor, Cash gets a title belt but Cage fights him for it, that tug of war goes wrong and Cash winds up hitting Cope with the belt but only a near fall. The poor ref had to pretend to be stupid not to see that belt shot. Cope, bloodied now, blocks a Shatter Machine then he and Cage hit a 3D for a near fall. That blood might be hard way. Stokely blocks Cage from going up top for a spike piledriver, Cope chases him but runs into a Shatter Machine. Cage shoves Stokely into the pin that saves the match, nice little spot. Dax is pissed at Stokely for that, Stokely then shoves the ref but the ref shoves him out of the ring. Cope with a Spear to Dax but Cash breaks it up at the last second. Cash with a Piledriver to Cope but Dax is legal. Now Cash gets a chair and whacks Cage on the floor with it to send him over the table. Back in the ring Cope is all alone with Dax and Cash, the bloodied grizzled veteran fires up and will fight to the bitter end if nothing else. All three men trade blows but the numbers are too much. Superkick party from Dax and Cash to floor Cope then they want a FTR Trigger but Cope fights away from it and hits a double Spear to put everyone down.

Cope tries to line up a Spear on Cash, but Cash flips over him and Cope takes another Shatter Machine and that’ll do it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: FTR retained the titles in 21:06 ish (stopwatch issues)

Rating: 4.5 stars
Thoughts: Darn good tag team wrestling, both teams are great and they gelled together quite well here. Some great near falls and inventive saves, the crowd was into this one pretty much the whole time too. Not much more you could ask for, they made that 20 minutes fly by.

Post match the doctors check on Cope as Cage menaces FTR back with a chair.

In the back Willow Nightingale addresses being attacked by Kamille earlier. She might not be 100% but she’ll be cleared soon, and if miss American Gladiator wants to get her comeback killed too she’ll be waiting at Spring Break Out for her.

Match #5 – TNT Title Match: Casino Gauntlet Match

We know that Tommaso Ciampa and Rush are the first two participants, the gimmick is that the match can end at anytime before everyone comes out so you actually want to be early. Bryan Danielson has joined commentary in place of Nigel McGuinness. Both men stare down, then they tie up but neither man gains an edge. Another tie up, they jockey around into a corner then both men shove on the break. Rush starts the strikes going but Ciampa is happy to trade with him. Kick from Ciamap then he hits the ropes for a running elbow. Rush returns that blow and they just get back to beating the crap out of each other. Chops from Rush but Ciampa returns them, running chops from Rush then a hits a lovely elbow to floor Ciampa. Rush fakes the Bull Horns and insults Ciampa then poses. Ciampa is amused and boots Rush into a corner then stomps a mud hole in him before following with a running knee strike.

Our next entrant is ROH World Champion Bandido. Bandido unloads early on both Ciampa and Rush, he thrust kicks Rush then dives onto Ciampa on the floor. Low superkick to a seated Rush, the crowd are with Bandido and he hits a cannonball senton then sends love to his tag team partner with that one. Bandido up top, nice looking Frog Splash but Ciampa breaks up the pin. Ciampa launches Bandido into the corner but Bandido with a drop toe hold to block a knee, he tries a 21 Plex but Rush cuts him off with an elbow. Rush then launches Bandido into the barricade a few times before just unloading on him. Bandido heads into the ring but he’s kind of down and Rush hits another slam. Rush rips at the mask of Bandido for heat.

That’s interrupted by our next entrant, Speedball Mike Bailey. Bailey low bridges Rush then kicks Ciampa in the face and hits a springboard moonsautl to Rush on the floor. More offense from Bailey including a dropkick to Ciampa. Kicks from Bailey then a running Shooting Star Press. Rush shows back up and chops at Bailey but Bailey is willing to trade blows with him. They trade chops for a while.

Next out is El Clon. Clon and Rush go at it on the ramp but Clon takes him out, then a slow motion Pele Kick to Ciampa on the floor. Clon with a cartwheel attempt on Bandido then a sweep and kick. Sort of powerbomb to knee strike from Clon, then a tilt a while backbreaker for a 2 count.

Next is that bastard Pac. Pac and Clon go at it, then he pump kicks Ciampa then hits the rebound German suplex. Bailey gets thrown overhead into the corner. Pac goes up top and hits a Sky Twister Press to the floor onto a pile of bodies. Back in the ring Pac and Bailey are left alone, Bandido shows up though and all three men start trading strikes. Pac with a thrust kick to Bandido but Bailey hits him with a hurricanrana, then Bandido with one to Bailey. Pac runs into a double superkick as our next entrant is here.

Another Death Rider, here’s Daniel Garcia. Garcia avoids a Bailey plancha then tries a few pin positions on Bandido. Roll up for Ciampa too, Garcia knows the deal but can’t find a 3 count. Clon lines up with Garcia as Garcia refuses to dance. Superkick from Clon, then Garcia counters a suplex into a Small Package and they roll around for a bit trying to get a pin but nothing comes of it. Garcia chops Clon then boots him and Pac follows up with corner work. Pac and Garcia work together for a train of strikes on Clon then a back suplex from Garcia.

That brings out our next man, here comes Anthony Bowens to not much reaction. Bowens gets to run wild on Pac and Garcia, then he avoids Bandido a bit before hitting the ropes and landing kicks then a leaping Fame-Asser. The crowd still only care about him as a function of the “scissor me daddy” bit. Bowens avoids some kicks from Bailey then attacks his leg including a Dragon Screw. Pac shows back up and stares down Bowens then they start trading elbows. Bowens with an enziguri then his overly complicated twisting DDT out of the ropes.

Kevin Knight is out next to help his Jet Speed partner and they clean house but wind up facing off alone in the ring. They tease conflict but Garcia yanks Knight down and then goes after Bailey. Rush shows up and wipes out Bowens. Rush calls for the Bull Horns and hits it to Bowens but now we get the parade of finishers with several near falls.

Wheeler Yuta comes out next. Yuta gets to run wild for a bit and the whole pile gets wiped out on the floor. Knight now goes up top, Ciampa attacks him up there and then hits a superplex to the floor onto the pile of bodies. Pac gets Bailey back in the ring and goes up top, Black Arrow connects but Ciampa with a knee to Pac to break it up then he covers Pac but Yuta breaks that up. Garcia shows up and gets the Dragon Tamer on Bailey, Bailey gets to the ropes but Garcia drags him back and yanks the hold but Knight with a UFC Splash to Garcia and he gets the surprise pin.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Kevin Knight won the title in 22:37 or so

Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: Some fun spots but this became just a bit too spotty down the stretch. It’s part of the DNA of this kind of match but it’s still a thing that became a bit of a detriment. This was still good overall, and Knight was a surprise winner here but that’s not a bad thing. 22 minutes felt a bit long but they kept things action packed.

In the back we see Alex Windsor wish Jamie Hayter well then Hayter heads to the ring for our next match.

Match #6 – AEW Women’s World Title Match: (c) Thekla vs. Jamie Hayter

Julia Hart and Skey Blue were on the stage with Thekla but didn’t come down ringside. Quick boot from Hayter and she just starts unloading with punches. Thekla into the ropes and hits a Spear, these two unload the heavy artillery early. Armbar from Thekla and Hayter gets into the ropes to break the hold. They head to the floor and Thekla with a backslap then rams Hayter into the announce table and barricade. Thekla with a 10 punch in a chair against a corner of the barricade but Hayter turns that around lands her own 10 punch. Double chop from Hayter then they head back into the ring. Hayter with a suplex for a 2 count. Some control from Hayter then a running back elbow against the ropes and Thekla falls to the floor. Hayter follows for some ringside brawling and the two women swing strikes with Hayter being the heavier handed of the two. Hayter with a stalling suplex, they head up the ramp fighting for position, ultimately Thekla avoids the suplex off the ramp and hits a DDT. Thekla kicks Hayter who rolls down the ramp and back towards the ringside area.

Back in the ring Thekla climbs up top as Hayter staggers around, then she hits a crossbody to the floor and both women are down. Thekla heads back into the ring, Hayter follows but Thekla boots her off the apron. Hayter does get back into the ring, and Thekla throws her out again. Again Hayter gets into the ring, Thekla with some kicks to the head and trash talk. Hayter fights back with elbows but Thekla sits her down with a hard elbow. Snapmare then superkick from Thekla and that gets a 2 count. Thekla with a Rings of Saturn version, she keeps fish hooking her though so the ref is breaking holds. Hayter fights back up with chops but again Thekla drops her with a slap. Thekla into the ropes and grabs a Black Widow submission hold. Hayter tries to power out and is able to stagger to the ropes to force a break. Sick looking boot from Thekla sends Hayter to the apron.

Thekla follows her to the apron, Hayter lands a headbutt to stun Thekla then hits an apron suplex and both women fall to the floor. Both women struggle but beat the 10 count back into the ring. They crawl towards each other, then Hayter with elbows from her knees. Thekla with a hard slap but Hayter with another headbutt then a clothesline. Hayter looks to fire up and lands a big boot. Corner clothesline from Hayter, then another one. Hayter up top and hits a second rope dropkick. Sit out powerbomb from Hayter gets a 2 count as Hayter is ready to start dropping bombs. Thekla avoid a suplex and rolls up Hayter for 2 with a handful of tights. Hayter misses a clothesline but grabs a bridged Thekla and spikes her with a Tombstone piledriver for a near fall. Hayter goes up top slowly, Thekla smacks the crap out of her then climbs up with her. They start trading blows on the top rope, Thekla catches Hayter’s arms and bites her then cracks her with an elbow. Spider style superplex from Thekla, my knees hurt just watching that. Thekla sits up then climbs up top for a double stomp to the upper back of Hayter.

Hayter avoids a stomp, Thekla then with kicks to the body and head but she only finds a 2 count. Thekla with a back bridge and spider walk, Hayter is staggering around but counters a Spear with a knee then a Uranage backbreaker. Thekla ducks a Hayterade then rakes the eyes and does a bridging O’Connor Roll with some rope grab for leverage and the 3 count.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Thekla retained the title in 16:31

Rating: 3.5 stars
Thoughts: Pretty solid match, good hard hitting stuff with the drawback mostly being a lack of narrative cohesion with the physicality. A lot of the big moves didn’t quite seem to carry weight down the stretch the way you’d like. Still this was a nice taste of what Hayter and Thekla can do together and I’m quite happy to see this kind of raw physicality on display. Thekla having to resort to cheap tactics protects Hayter a bit and sets up more, these two clearly aren’t done with each other.

Post match Alex Windsor runs down to protest but the ref isn’t restarting this one.

Match #7 – AEW Continental Title Match: (c) Jon Moxley vs. Will Ospreay

Immediate Hidden Blade from Ospreay, no cover though as he just feels good. Moxley is down and stunned and Ospreay mockingly asks if he’s still got time in the 20 minute time limit match. Ospreay with another Hidden Blade that sends Moxley out of the ring. On the floor now Ospreay with a neckbreaker with Moxley hanging from the apron. Moxley is bleeding from the mouth already. Back in the ring Ospreay goes up top and hits a double axe handle to the back of the neck. Mounted elbows from Ospreay, Moxley rolls to guard and tries an armbar then a triangle choke but Ospreay with a release powerbomb to get free. Some more strikes from Ospreay then he tosses Moxley out of the ring again before ramming him into the ring steps. Ospreay moves the steps around then puts Moxley’s head on them and yells at him promising to break his neck then he misses a stomp and Moxley with a Paradigm Shift on the floor.

Moxley tosses Ospreay back into the ring then hits a lovely Sleeper suplex. Clotheslines from Moxley now then he kicks Ospreay to the apron. Moxley drives a knee into Ospreay’s back then rakes at the neck and face of Ospreay. Back in the ring Moxley with chops and kicks. Jabs from Moxley then an elbow. Moxley goads Ospreay into an exchange of elbows, toe to toe favors Moxley though and he rakes the eyes then chops Ospreay but Ospreay with the handspring corkscrew kick off the ropes and both men are down. Now Ospreay goes up top for a Phenomenal Forearm that sends Moxley out of the ring. Ospreay up top, but Moxley climbs up and yanks him to the apron then tries a Piledriver but Ospreay fights out of that and clotheslines Moxley back into the ring. Again Ospreay with a springboard but this time he flies into an elbow from Moxley. Some kicks from Moxley but Ospreay fires up despite the strikes. They trade chops but Moxley got the better of that then lands elbows but Ospreay stalls out a lariat. Ospreay with elbows of his own then a Spanish Fly but Moxley counters the pin into a Bulldog Choke.

10 minutes gone, my stopwatch agrees with that, and Moxley grabs a Sleeper Hold. Ospreay is able to fight upright but Moxley spikes him with a Gotch Piledriver for a near fall. Moxley puts Ospreay up top and climbs up with him, he’s after an avalanche Sleeper suplex, Ospreay flips through and lands on his feet then misses a Hidden Blade, Sleeper suplex from Moxley but Ospreay counters a lariat with a sit out Liger bomb for a near fall. The neck damage is adding up on Ospreay, he lands kicks but then jumps into a Paradigm Shift, he bounces up with a Hidden Blade though and both men are down. Both men pull themselves up, jabs from Ospreay, he and Moxley then trade elbows again but Ospreay lands a superkick. Corner elbows from Ospreay to a downed Moxley then he shoves the ref as the ref wanted a break. Ospreay apologizes but then turns into a King Kong Lariat from Moxley. Moxley wants a Paradigm Shift but Ospreay counters into a Styles Clash for another near fall. Now Ospreay grabs a Bulldog Choke, Moxley is fading a bit but fights upright with Ospreay on his back. They stagger into a corner and Moxley is still groggy so Ospreay nails another Hidden Blade for a 2 count as he can’t cover safely with the neck damage.

5 minutes left, my watch again agrees. Ospreay teases a Tiger Driver 91, but his left arm gives out and Moxley powders. They fight on the ring steps now, Ospreay again tries the Tiger Driver 91, Moxley fights free and rakes the eyes then hits a sick sounding Piledriver on the steps. Moxley goes back in the ring as the medical team comes to check on Ospreay. The ref starts counting, Moxley yells at Ospreay to stay down but Ospreay beats the count at the last second only for Moxley to immediately Stomp him and hit a Paradigm Shift. Another Paradigm Shift from Moxley but he only gets a 2 count! That was, well a bit much. Death Rider from Moxley and that finally gets the 3 count.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Jon Moxley retained the title in 18:13

Rating: 4 stars
Thoughts: That was pretty well constructed for the most part, Ospreay coming out hot but getting more focused on hurting Moxley than winning ultimately coming back to bite him in the end. I could have done without that last kickout given what preceded it but you might feel differently. But these two mesh well, a good mixture of physicality, technical know-how and a dash of heated violence.

We hear from Darby in the back with Rene, he says Dynamite will be in Everett, Washington which is where he started. He’ll be watching tonight but Wednesday it’s showtime for him.

As The Conglomeration make their entrance Roderick Strong has to wake up Orange Cassidy. Someone knocks on the door of their set, it’s Kyle O’Reilly as their third man.

Match #8 – AEW Trios Title Match: (c) The Dogs (Dave Finlay, Clark Connors, and Gabe Kidd) vs. The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly)

Kyle starts with Finlay, they tie up and Finlay goes for the arm early. Counter from Kyle into a side headlock then he hits a shoulder block. Finlay avoids a Sunset Flip then Kyle tries an Achilles Lock but Finlay kicks free then lands a shoulder block but Kyle hits a Kitchen Sink knee lift. Strong tags in and Finlay takes corner offense, Kidd and Clark both take blows then Orange tags in and comes walking over for an elbow drop to complete the Demolition Decapitation that Strong set up. All the Dogs break up a high five but get tossed out and we get the high five. Kyle with a plancha onto Kidd then he goes or an armbar, Orange dives at Finlay but Finlay sends him into the barricade. Clark does the same for Strong and the Dogs get to take over. Finlay gets Kyle up, Clark then with a Spear from the apron to finish the Full Clip on the floor. Strong shows up to attack Clark and Finlay. Strong then checks on Kyle, Kidd attacks Strong and clotheslines him down on the floor. Kidd is favoring his right arm visibly. Orange comes over and attacks Finlay in the ring but Clark with a Spear through the ropes to handle Cassidy. Release suplex from Finlay to Orange in the ring then he grabs a chin lock.

Cross chop from Finlay then he tags in Clark. Snap suplex from Clark gets a 2 count. Running back elbow from Clark as he just bulls Orange over. Still no sign of Kidd or Kyle as Clark runs over Orange again. Orange does avoid a third one then tags Strong. Strong with a Uranage backbreaker for each man then a knee to Clark, and one for Finlay. Next Strong throws Orange around into Finlay and Clark then a double knee gutbuster to Clark. Finlay shows up with a clothesline to break up End of Heartache then he tags in. Finlay and Clark double team Strong for a bit in the corner including another release suplex from Finlay then a sliding shoulder block from Clark for a 2 count. Finlay boots Orange off the apron. Strong fights back with kicks then throws Finlay out of the ring and crushes Clark with a back suplex backbreaker. Kyle has pulled himself up, that Kidd thing might have been legit injury. Kyle with kicks and knees to Clark then a Dragon Screw through the ropes to Finlay. Arm breaker to Clark then a Dragon Screw into the Ankle Lock. Finlay shows up but Strong handles him with a knee, Finlay takes an Orange Punch on the floor as Clark taps out to the Ankle Lock.


OFFICIAL RESULT: The Conglomeration won the titles in 10:00

Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: You could see the bones of something really good here but I feel like whatever happened to Kidd’s arm really threw a monkey wrench into the works. Kudos to everyone for working around it, and I appreciate the shorter run time, but it’s very obviously not what anyone intended even out of a 10 minute sprint. Hopefully Kidd is OK.

Match #9 – AEW World Title Match: (c) Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Kenny Omega

The ref takes the diamond ring from MJF before the match starts. They stare down early and trade some barbs before circling then they tie up, but just a clean break in open space. Another tie up, Omega with a roll up then he threatens a One Winged Angel but MJF counters into a Victory Roll for 2. Omega slips a bit but hits a springboard crossbody. MJF tries a Heatseeker but Omega avoids it then MJF powders to avoid a V Trigger. MJF walks into the crowd to regain himself. It takes a bit but MJF does get back in the ring. Omega offers a handshake, MJF just pie faces him. The shoving starts the MJF rakes the eyes, but runs into a hurricanrana from Omega that sends MJF out of the ring. Omega thinks about a dive but MJF walks away, then Omega tracks him and hits a diving dropkick then a plancha onto MJF.

MJF sits against the barricade, Omega runs at him but takes a drop toe hold into a chair. That gives MJF a target on the head of Omega and he lands a right hand. Omega fights back then hits a moonsault from the barricade. Omega gets a table from the time keepers area, that gets a big pop, and he drags it over MJF’s body then hits a double stomp, the table wasn’t set up, and stomps the table onto MJF. Next Omega sets up the table on the floor by the apron and puts MJF on it. That leads to Omega going up top, but MJF rolls off the table and into the ring, then as Omega lines up a jump MJF hits the ropes and off balances Omega. Some corner work from MJF now then a scoop slam. Chin lock from MJF, Omega fights free but MJF slams him down by the hair. Body blows from Omega then rights to the head but MJF stalls out a piledriver so Omega lands elbows and chops. MJF counters a powerbomb with a nice Alabama Slam for a 2 count.

10 punch now from MJF, but he uses hip thrusts so Omega slips free and trips him down then goes for his own 10 punch, he visibly punches the pad beside MJF though. Manhattan Drop counter from MJF, then he fakes a knee injury, Omega goes for it so MJF can then catch him with a Piledriver for a 2 count. Nice little spot there. MJF lines up a V Trigger but Omega counters into a snap Dragon suplex and both men are down. Now Omega fires up with double chops, then a low dropkick and a leaping Bulldog then a Finlay Roll into the second rope moonsault for a 2 count. MJF rolls out of the ring after that, but that allows Omega to line up the Terminator dive which connects. Back in the ring MJF avoids a One Winged Angel with an eye rake then he misses a Panama Sunrise and Omega catapults MJF into the corner, MJF lands on his feet but Omega gets him in an Electric Chair and climbs the ropes. That leads to MJF slipping free and raking the back then biting Omega’s head.


MJF puts Omega up top and climbs up with him, he’s after an avalanche Tombstone but Omega fights free then clocks him a few times. Omega bounces MJF into the turnbuckle then climbs back up with him and tries a Sunset Flip bomb but MJF rolls through and hits a superkick. Snap Dragon suplex from Omega then a Poisoned Rana. MJF counters a One Winged Angel with a Poisoned Rana of his own then a Panama Sunrise, but Omega despite being rocked drills him with a V Trigger knee for a near fall. It takes a bit but Omega pulls himself upright, MJF sends him to the apron then lands a knee and tries a Heatseeker but Omega shoves him off only for MJF to slingshot him into a Cutter in the ring for a 2 count.

MJF pulls himself upright and then hits his own Finlay Roll into a second rope moonsault but Omega avoids the moonsault and hits a falling Powerbomb then V Trigger knee but again only a 2 count as his cover was quite poor. The crowd rallies Omega, he pulls MJF up for another Finlay Roll but MJF gets the knees up on the second rope moonsault then runs into a hurricanrana which sends MJF out of the ring. Omega’s getting repetitive with his offense, he hits a Kota Ibushi leaping up moonsault onto MJF on the floor. On the floor Omega sells the ribs/stomach, he’s been using a lot of moonsaults so that tracks. They head back into the ring, Omega tries a V Trigger but he takes too long to do it and MJF intercepts him with a Kitchen Sink knee lift. Another Kitchen Sink from MJF and Omega is down in pain. Some trash talk from MJF as he lays in body blows in the corner. Omega avoids another Kitchen Sink with a School Boy for 2 then both men hit the ropes and we get a double crossbody spot and both men are down.

Slowly both men stagger up, Omega bounces MJF’s head in the corner a few times then he follows up with punches. Omega tries a 10 punch and just unloads with both hands then follows up with a Buckle Bomb. It takes a second but Omega climbs up top for a dropkick to the back of the neck and that gets Omega a 2 count. Again Omega goes up top, MJF stands then hits him in the body to drop him on the ropes. MJF climbs up with Omega for another attempt at the avalanche Tombstone, this time Omega kind of just flops himself down to avoid it but he runs into a knee. MJF then jumps into a knee strike, Omega again with the Electric Chair avalanche position, both men are a little dodgy but Omega hits the avalanche One Winged Angel but he can’t make the cover. It takes Omega way too long to cover, when he reaches for it MJF just slowly rolls out of the ring to save himself.

Omega follows MJF to the floor then sends him back into the ring but he doesn’t go for a cover. That’s a mistake as MJF then lands a knee to the body and they trade counters then Omega lands a wheel kick to the back of the head. Corner V Trigger from Omega, then another snap Dragon suplex and another V Trigger for an incredibly close near fall. Commentary has mentioned it before but Omega still can’t make a decent cover and that’s helping MJF stick around. Omega tries another One Winged Angel but he can’t lift MJF this time and has to change plans. Another One Winged Angle but MJF counters into a a Cross Rhodes then follows with a Package Piledriver for an incredibly close near fall. I love the way Omega took that Cross Rhodes. We can still see Chekov’s table on the floor, I wonder if it’ll play into anything. MJF gets up first and slaps Omega a few times. Omega looks out of it, he’s trying to dig deep one more time but MJF is attacking him in the ropes. Body blow from MJF then more slaps and a chop. Headbutt from MJF, but Omega just smiles at him this time and calls him on. Punches from Omega, not quite Murder-bushi style but pretty close as he unloads with kicks and kicks to a downed MJF in the corner. Omega with a kick to the back of the head then a vicious V Trigger.


The crowd want another one but Omega instead crushes MJF with a right hand that looked about as legit as a worked punch can get, then another V Trigger. MJF avoids a One Winged Angel then pulls the ref into a knee from Omega because of course we needed a ref bump in this overlong match. MJF with a low blow then he gets his ring from the pockets of the downed ref. Omega avoids the ring shot and hits a One Winged Angel for the visual pin but the ref is still very much down. But the time a replacement ref runs down MJF can kick out before the 3 count. MJF rolls to the apron in front of the table, the crowd want the table to be used and Omega looks to oblige them. Omega pulls MJF up but he can’t hold him up on the shoulders. MJF with a ring shot to the ribs, then a Tombstone from the apron through the table on the floor. Immediately MJF sends things back into the ring, hits a Heatseeker and retains.

OFFICIAL RESULT: MJF retained the title in 38:56

Rating: 4 stars
Thoughts: This didn’t need almost 40 minutes, which is my biggest gripe here. That said they told a pretty good story, Omega not being able to make good covers letting MJF hang around for too long and eventually that and the failing body caught up to Omega. The ref bump ending is a thing I’m just super tired of in general and it happens all the time especially in MJF matches. Still they turned in a quite good match overall, just one that would have benefitted from editing and not being quite as samey as all MJF’s other bouts.

MJF crawls up the ramp and sits on his Triple H throne as the episode ends.