SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
AEW ALL IN REPORT
AUGUST 30, 2026
LONDON, ENGLAND AT WEMBLEY STADIUM
STREAMED LIVE ON PPV (including PPV.com)
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Bryan Danielson, Taz
Ring Announcer: Arkady Aura
Panel: Renee Paquette, Mick Foley, Paul Wight, Jeff Jarrett
Attendance: WrestleTix reports 47,054 tickets were distributed as of showtime out of 47,961 available. The stadium can hold over 93,000. All In two years ago on Aug. 25, 2024, the ticket distribution count was 53,922.
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[PRE-SHOW]
(A) LIO RUSH & THE RASCALZ (Dezmond Xavier & Myron Reed & Zachary Wentz) vs. THE OPPS (Hook & Anthony Bowens & Action Andretti & Katsuyori Shibata)
WINNERS: Rush & Razcalz in 9:00.
(B) KRIS STATLANDER & HARLEY CAMERON vs. SISTERS OF SIN (Julia Hart & Skye Blue)
WINNERS: Statlander & Cameron in 10:00.
(C) BOBBY LASHLEY & SHELTON BENJAMIN & BIG BOOM AJ (w/Big Justice) & QT MARSHALL vs. SHANE TAYLOR & LEE MORIARTY & SHAWN DEAN & CARLIE BRAVO
Big Justice gave a check to Benjamin and Lashley before the match. Aferward, Big Justice gave them a giant $50,000 check with The Rizzler’s face on it.
WINNERS: Shelton & Lashley & Big Boom & Marshall in 11:00
-Bryan Danielson made his entrance here and joined the commentary team.
(D) MAYA WORLD vs. PERSEPHONE – AEW TBS Title match
Taz talked about Persephone’s heavy wrestling schedule and how she’ll notice the size of the crowd, but quickly shift into focusing on a win. Bryan touted the importance of reps. They fought back and forth early, including briefly at ringside. Persephone landed an overhead fallaway slam, then decided to play to the crowd. Maya then caught her with a modified stunner. Excalibur said Persephone celebrated too early. Danielson agreed. Both were down and slow to get up.
Maya scored a near fall a minute later. Persephone rolled to the floor. Maya caught Persephone with a wrecking ball-style kick. She then climbed to the top rope. A hooded person in all-black shoved Maya off the top rope as Persephone distracted the ref. Persephone then landed an Razor’s Edge into a leverage three count to win.
WINNER: Persephone in 12:00.
-Danielson said he had an idea who that was, someone who has been working with Persephone and hates Maya world. The person entered the ring and applied a brief (awkward-looking) Lock Jaw on Persephone. Danielson said that’s not who he was thinking. Then she unmasked as Brit Baker. Fans cheered the surprise. Schiavone said she is one of the greatest women’s champions in AEW history and called it unbelievable. Her music played.
(Keller’s Analysis: I know it’s what promoters do, but it will never not seem strange to play the music for a wrestler who just interrupted a title match and illegally influenced the outcome.)
-They went to the panel with Renee Paquette, Paul White, Mick Foley, and Jeff Jarrett. Everyone but Foley acted like this was a cool surprise. Foley said it was a shame that her return came at the expense of Maya. “I’m so happy for her,” said Renee. She said Persephone has been crushing and she can’t wait to see what she does as champion. As Renee had some mic problems, Jarrett took over and then Thekla came out, stood on the panelist roundable, and announced she is bac and ready to get toxic. She dropped into the crab position.
(Keller’s Analysis: Geesh. So pro wrestling has turned into being all about “surprises” without any care in the world about whether the actual match has an actual meaningful outcome? I get interference happens as a tool to tell stories, but the panel shouldn’t be giddy about “the moment” or “the surprise” and instead be critical of anyone ever interrupting and illegally influencing a title match or any match. They should be pointing out that she could have returned in any other way other than interrupting a match and attacking wrestlers afterward.)
-A video package aired on Willow Nightingale. The panel then discussed her carpal hand injury.
-Lexi Nair excitedly congratulated Persephone on her win. Persephone said she is just that good and “the It Girl just isn’t it anymore.” Lexi said, “Well, you did have some help out there.” Persephone said a wise doctor taught her to work smarter, not harder. Baker stepped into the picture and said she has been away, but she’s been watching and she has gotten perspective on who deserves a title. She told Persephone to tell them the nice thing about having mutual enemies. Persephone then told her Thunder Rosa she has someone new in her corner
-Renee said she’s not sure how to feel about this pairing. Jarrett said: “I have no idea, but it’s surprise after surprise.” Then they pivoted to the 7-team Trios Title match.
(E) THE BANG BANG GANG (Austin & Colten Gunn & Jay White) vs. THE DOGS (David Finlay & Clark Connors & Gabe Kidd) vs. THE DEMAND (Ricochet & Toa Liona & Bishop Kahn) vs. THE CONGLOMERATION (Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong) vs. THE DEATH RIDERS (Claudio Castagnoli & Pac & Wheeler Yuta w/Marina Shafir) vs. “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE & BRODY KING & BANDIDO vs. SWERVE STRICKLAND & THE NEW LEVEL (Austin Creed & Kofi)
Excalibur explained that the rules are like a progressive-entrance battle royal. He noted that if one wrestler on a team gets eliminated, the other members of a team are not eliminated. First out were Bang Bang Gang and The Dogs. Then Orange Cassidy, Strong, and O’Reilly. Then Claudio, Yuta, and Pac with Shafir. Shafir participated. Excalibur said there are no DQs in this. Strong confronted her. Shafir spit her gum at him. Strong then gave Shafir a backbreaker. Excalibur and Taz laughed.
Excalibur noted that in a battle royal, being down in the corner can be the safest spot. Taz said no one can get you from behind if you’re in the corner, so it’s smart. Everyone was down on their backs at the same time as the announcers wondered who would be the wildcard entrant. “Look at the bodies in the ring!” Excalibur closed out the free part of the show.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was not well-timed as they were clearly stalling an extended period of time between entrances and then orchestrating a spot where everyone was knocked down in the ring and not moving as the clock ran out.)
[MAIN PPV]
The pre-show match continued with the wrestlers rising and fighting again. Swerve Strickland came out with Prince Nana. “Who will Swerve’s partner’s be in this Wildcard Entry?” asked Excalibur. The former NEw Day came out under their new name, The New Level (that works). They are going by Austin Creed (Xavier Woods) and Kofi (dropping Kingston). They made their way to the ring together. “What a game-changer for this match; what a game-changer for AEW!” said Excalibur. Taz said, “It’s crazy!” Fans were super into New Level. Bandido made his return to the ring after receiving medical attention on his shoulders at ringside. He tore off the tape on his shoulder. Swerve hit him with a House Call.
Swerve and Hangman went face to face and fans stood and applauded. They argued. Ricochet intervened. Hangman flipped off of Swerve’s back and landed a Buckshot Lariat. The Dogs speared them. Then they tossed Bandido out of the ring. Kidd did a jerkoff motion with his hand near his crotch that they cut away from quickly.
Hangman gave Claudio a Dead Eye. They did rapid-fire eliminations. It came down to Pac and Claudio and Kidd squaring off with Swerve and The New Level. Pac knocked Kofi out of the ring, but he landed on his back and his feet never touched. Nana helped Kofi back to the stairs while he walked his hands up. New Level and Swerve then eliminated everyone else and they celebrated together. “How about that?” asked Excalibur.
WINNERS: The New Level & Swerve in 40:00 to win the AEW Trios Titles.
(Keller’s Analysis: The match was really long and most of the way, it was action without much consequences as it was just a set-up for the reveal of The New Level. I like the name and the crowd really embraced them. The New Level brought the energy. You could construct a really good full PPV card out of the wrestlers just in this match.)
(1) THE DEVINE DOMINION (Lena Kross & Megan Bayne) vs. THE BRAWLING BIRDS (Jamie Hayter & Alex Windsor) – AEW Women’s Tag Team Title match
The bell rang 22 minutes into the hour. Fans were filing in during the pre-show matches, but there’s still a ton of visible empty red seats in the upper deck. A few minutes in, Devine did a lazy Irish whip of Hayter into the ropes. Hayter battled back and then tagged in Windsor who rallied.
Windsor set up Bayne for a superplex. When Windsor resisted, Hayter tagged herself in and they double-superplexed Bayne. Hayter then landed a running knee strike for a two count at 9:00. When Kross and Bayne double-teamed Hayter, Hayter tried to fight back. They gave her Heaven to Hell for a near fall, with Windsor yanking Kross off the cover by her leg. Hayter and Windsor then double-teamed Kross and scored the three count.
WINNERS: The Brawling Birds in 12:00 to capture the AEW Tag Team Titles.
(Keller’s Analysis: A lot of action, some of it better than others, but overall it worked as the crowd was into it.)
(2) JON MOXLEY vs. NIGEL MCGUINNESS – AEW Continental Title match
Nigel came out first and eyed the Continental Title on the stage. The bell rang 40 minutes into the hour. They opened, as expected, with mat work and counters to each other’s early holds. Nigel grabbed his injured ankle early in the match. Danielson was touting Nigel’s offensive repertoire. Mox punched Nigel in the corner ten times as fans counted along. Schiavone brought up to Danielson what he tried to do to him. Danielson said the Continental Cup matches without interference wins him goodwill with fans because that’s where he thrives.
Nigel hit a Towers of London at 9:00 for a near fall. Nigel followed with the LeBell Lock mid-ring. They went forehead-to-forehead a minute later and exchanged strikes. Nigel landed a rebound lariat. Both were down. Mox went for a sleeper, but Nigel hit a Rip Cord Lariat. Nigel applied an armlock that got O’Reilly to submit. Moxley teased tapping and got a rise out of the crowed. He managed to escape and counter into an ankelock. Nigel countered into a roll-up for a near fall. Mox went back on the attack. Nigel fought back. Mox went back to an ankle lock. When Nigel reached the bottom rope, Mox landed a stomp and then applied an anklelock. Fans roared “No!” as Nigel struggled to reach the bottom rope, but eventually succumbed and tapped out.
Daniel Garcia, Yuta, Claudio, Pac, and Shafir joined Mox at ringside in celebrating. Nigel sat in the ring afterward as fans applauded his effort. Nigel stood, but didn’t put weight on his ankle.
WINNER: Moxley in 19:00 to win the Continental Challenge Cup and retain his Continental Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: I like this match style-wise as a bit out of a counter to the spotfest mish-mash of the previous two matches.)
(3) KYLE FLETCHER vs. KAZUCHIKA OKADA vs. KONOSUKE TAKESHITA – AEW International Title match
The bell rang 8 minutes into the second hour. Fans chanted “Holy shit!” Don Callis joined in on commentary. Fletcher kicked Okada out of the ring at the start. Takeshita looked wide-eyed. Fletcher and Takeshita then battled as Okada collected himself at ringside. Okada flipped onto both opponents at ringside and then played to the crowd.
Back in the ring, after a series of spots with all three, Schiavone said, “This is wonderful.” Takeshita landed a Raging Fire at 6:00. All three were down and slow to get up. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Okada handed fletcher a scredriver, but then tried to attack him from behind. Takesthita took Okada down and then suplexed Fletcher into a bridge and nearly scored a three count. Fans applauded the sequence.
Fletcher then got the better of Okada. Takeshita then went after Fletcher and landed a superplex DDT. He followed with a power drive knee. Okada hit a Rainmaker on Takeshita. Fletcher broke up the cover. As Okada gloated, Takeshita and Fletcher cornered him.
With Okada out of the way, Fletcher and Takeshita squared off. They hit each other with wild, rapid-fire elbows and punches. Takeshita caught a charging Fletcher with a Blue Thunder Bomb. Okada then re-entered the ring. Takeshita threw him to the floor and hten hit Fletcher with Blue Thunder Bomb. Fletcher came back with a turnbuckle brainbuster on Takeshita. Okada entered and chose to hit Fletcher with a Rainmaker for the win.
Callis congratulated Okada afterward. Fletchered entered the ring and yanked the belt away from Okada. Callis had a talk with Fletcher to calm him down. Schiavone noted the belt stays in the family. Fletcher took some deep breaths and then let Okada take the belt from him. Okada put the belt ober his shoulder and then offered a fist bump to Fletcher. Fletcher then raised Okada’s arm, but didn’t look happy about it. Excalibur noted that Okada had a chance to pin Takeshita, but he turned to pin Fletcher instead. Taz said if you win a title in a three-way match, your preference is to pin the incumbent champion.
WINNER: Okada in 14:00 to win the International Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: They played well off of the dynamic with Fletcher and Okada as members of the Callis family without going all the way with any kind of break-up. The action was tremendous, and the finish came sooner than I expected even with a tighter window for the PPV locked in at 4 hours.)
(4) CASINO GAUNTLET MATCH – Winner Receives a Future AEW World Title match
Andrade made his entrance first, flanked by two women on either side. MJF then made his entrance. Danielson said Andrade has been on such a tear, he cannot even fathom MJF beating him. (That’s a bit much. Cannot “fathom” MJF beating him?) The announcers commented on MJF’s tightly wrapped left leg. Taz said he wasn’t sure how deep the quad or hamstring injury was. Excalibur said wrestling on it can cause a setback in recovery. When Schiavone asked if Andrade is the coolest, his colleagues didn’t respond, so Schiavone said, “I’ll say it, yes he is!” Andrade toook MJF down and then went to ringside to flirt with a woman with a camera. Excalibur said he is wasting time. Nick Wayne entered third and attacked Andrade. MJF offered to work with him and promised on his life he would make it worth his time. Wayne agreed.
“Speedball” Mike Bailey entered fourth in what seemed like a short interval. Fans chanted “Speedball!” after his initial flurry. With everyone down at ringside, Tommaso Ciampa made his entrance and was the fifth official entrant. He took his time getting to the ring. Danielson with all his opponents down, he should be getting to the ring more quickly. Excalibur said he might not even be aware because of the size of the stadium. Danielson said he has to realize there’s no one in the ring. Chris Jericho’s song then played. Excalibur said the intervals are irregular. (Why? Who decides?) Jericho punched Ciampa and made his way past Ciampa. They found some fans singing along.
Jericho entered and beat up Ciampa. The others charged at him, but he knocked them down one after another and then played to the crowd. A “Y2J!” chant broke out. MJF eyed Jericho. MJF played to the crowd. Jericho dropped him and applied a Walls of Jericho mid-ring. Mark Davis entered next, sans entrance music. He attacked Jericho with a piledriver and then deliered the same to Andrade. Speedball went for a kick, but Davis fended him off and landed a piledriver. Ciampa entered, but Davis piledrive him onto Speedball. Wayne went after Davis, but Davis gave him a piledriver. MJF then backed into Davis. Davis looked over his shoulder crazy-eyed. MJF called for a timeout, shook his hand, and thanked him. Davis gave hi a piledriver and scored a two count.
The eighth entrant was Komander. Justin Roberts said it was Mystico. Kommander walked the top rope and dove onto a crowd below. Justinn correctly announced it was Kommander. He tried to pin Ciampa mid-ring, but the others broke up the cover. They paired off in all four corners and did a top rope spot one after another. Jericho favored his left knee after his move. Andrade was doing the same. Mistico came out ninth. They showed a fan laughing at ringside. Justin said, “Entering at number nine, you guessed it, Mystico!”
Daniel Garcia entered next and went after Mysterio right away. Mystico and Komander battled mid-ring. MJF ended up giving Mystrico a twisting piledriver mid-ring for a near fall, with Speedball breaking up the cover with a kick to the jaw. Garcia did his pelvic dance in the face of MJF. Speedball then went after Garcia. Ciampa then went after Speedball. Ciampa avoided a side kick from Speedball, who locked his leg extended, and then Ciampa grabbed his foot and bit it.
“Jungle” Jack Perry came out next. Fans sang his song. Excalibur noted there are “even more” wrestler gathered in the back, waiting for a chance to enter even as the ring fills up. Perry landed dives at ringside and then a running knee to Garcia in the ring. Perry applied a Snare Trap on Ciampa. Wayne splashed Perry on his back to break the hold. Perry battled Davis next.
Jericho returned to the ring and landed a Judas Effect on MJF for a two count. Wayne landed a running set bomb onto Perry at ringside. Wayne launched off the top rope with a Phoenix Splash that largely missed Davis, but it led to a near fall. Excalibur said Wayne landed on the head of Davis. MJF then lifted Wayn’es leg. Wayne noted he told him they were working together. MJF let go and said, “That’s on me” Then he kicked Wayne low and delivered a Heat Seeker. Andrade intervened and stole the pin. Excalibur said whoever else was waiting in the back can hit the showers. (Do they need to shower if they didn’t wrestle?)
WINNER: Andrade in 21:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Odd arbitrary entrance intervals aside, that was a successful execution of that match with a lot of exciting spots and crowd investment in the entrances and the different dynamics.)
(5) CHRISTIAN CAGE & ADAM COPELAND vs. THE YOUNG BUCKS (Matt & Nick Jackson) – AEW Tag Team Title match
A video package aired before the match with vintage photos of Christian and Copeland as a team, and then vintage footage of The Young Bucks including the launch announcement for AEW. It included Jim Ross saying he admires The Young Bucks not only for what they do in the ring, but their embracing of their fans.
The Bucks made their entrance first. The stadium sung Copeland’s theme. He let out a deep breath as he soaked up the cool moment. Christian came out last.
The bell rang 2 minutes into the third hour, half way into the actual PPV window. Copeland landed a piledriver on the ring apron Matt. Copeland and Christian isolated Matt at 5:00. Excalibur said they were being “ruthless,” but they recognize who they are dealing with. Matt avoided a spear by Copeland in the corner and then tagged in Nick.
Nick rallied against both Copeland and Christian. He landed a back stabber against Copeland. Nick flipped off the ring apron onto Christian at ringside, then favored his knee. The Bucks gave Risky Business to Copeland next for a near fall at 10:00. Christian from ringside tripped Nick as he ran the ropes. When Nick tried to kick him, Christian moved and so his boot hit the ringpost. Copeland then put Nick in a single-leg crab.
Matt broke it up and then rallied against both Copeland and Christian. Matt landed a Northern Lights suplex on Christian. Christian rolled through, but then Matt managed to suplex both Christian and Copeland at the same time seconds later. He held his neck. Schaivone said it was “sheer determination.” Matt’s leg gave out and he slipped on a top rope move. As Mick checked on him, Christian kicked him low. Christian then DDT’d Matt. Copeland and Christian landed a double-team move and then Christian scored a near fall on Matt at 14:00. Danielson said he’s never once seen Matt slip on a springboard move and he’s seen thousands of Young Bucks matches.
Copland and Christian delivered a double superplex. Nick landed a 450 on both Christian and Copeland. All four were down and slow to get up. They went to a wide shot of the stadium, which was now in darkness after sunset. Fans chanted, “This is aweesome!”
Christian and Matt stood first and battled mid-ring. Matt leapfrogged a Copeland spear and then Nick superkicked him. The Bucks set up a BTE Trigger, but then sent Christian into an oncoming Copeland spear. The Buckks then hit Christian with a BTE Trigger for a near fall. Copeland blocked the ref’s third count. “Desperate, but smart,” said Taz. The Bucks hit a BTE Trigger again on Christian, but Christian lifted his shoulder. Fans popped and some cheered.
Copeland and Christian rallied with spears and then Christian scored a dramatic near fall on Matt. Fans chanted “AEW!” Christian grabbed a tag title belt at ringside. The ref took it from Christian. Matt schoolboyed Christian for a near fall. Taz said Christian still has a tool in his hands. He hit Matt with it and then threw Matt into a Copeland spear for a three count.
WINNERS: Copeland & Christian in 20:00 to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles.
(Keller’s Analysis: A really good match, although the finish felt convoluted and kind of beneath the context of this match. It’d be fine if Christian tried to cheat, but I’d rather have seen Copeland stop him and have them end up winning anyway. The Bucks would be fine. Then it’d one less match with the ref looking like an idiot and a tainted finish.)
-Afterward, Matt Sabin & Alex Shelley came out to face Copeland & Christian. FTR then made their return, walking out with Stokley Hathaway. Then New Level walked out. Schiavone touted the depth of talent in the tag division. He said he felt bad for the Bucks, who stood with the gathering of teams in the ring, but were clearly battered. Eventually, they played the music of Copeland & Christian with left with their belts. The New Level had their newly-won Trios Tag Title belts over their shoulders.
(6) KEVIN KNIGHT vs. DARBY ALLIN – Falls Count Anywhere match for the TNT Title
Knight swung the belt at Darby before the bell, but Darby ducked. The ref called for the bell. Darby charged at Knight, then turned his back. Knight hit him with the belt from behind and Darby was bleeding from the back of his head. The announcers said the intensity of the feud had led to Darby not staying focused. Knight pulled a table out from under the ring. Darby dove into the table and knocked Knight over. Knight reverse-whipped Darby toward the ringside steps. Darby dove and somersaulted over the stairs. Knight still stayed on the attack, though. He put Darby on the desk and scored a one count. Knight seemed a bit lost. Knight re-entered the ring and then springboarded himself with a clothesline onto Darby on the announce desk. Knight scored a two count on the floor.
Knight threw around six chairs into the ring as Darby crawled back into the ring. When Knight set up a move out of the corner, Darby ranked his back and then sent him crashing onto the chairs. He landed a Code Red next. Knight barely landed on the chairs either time despite so many being scattered around the vicinity. Fans chanted, “F— him up, Darby!” F— him up!” Brian Cage came out and attacked Darby and then set up six chairs back to back. He then backdropped Darby onto the chairs. “We’re not going to show that again, are we?” asked Schiavone. Danielson said he’s never seen anything like that in his life. Cage and Jake Doyle then used medical tape to tie Darby’s wrists together behind him. Steven Borden, Sting’s son, made the save. Schiavone noted last night on Collision he was offered a spot in the Don Callis Family. Borden attacked Cage and then dropkicked Jake Doyle to the floor.
Cage delivered a running powerbomb of Borden onto a table leaning in the corner. Darby leaped off the top rope and took out Cage with a huracanrana despite his arms tied behind his back. He dove onto Knight at ringside. Back in the ring, Cage took over against Darby. He superplexed him over the top rope into the ring. Schiavone said Knight has to be the one to score the pin. Cage hung Knight upside down in the corner. Knight was about to hit a Coast to Coast when Sting’s music played and he made his way out. “Oh my God! It’s Stiiiiing!” exclaimed Schiavone. Sting used his bat to fend off Cage and Doyle as they came at him at ringside. He gave Doyle a low strike. Then the thrust the bat into Cage’s neck. He entered the ring where Knight was standing, staring at him. Sting tossed Darby the bat. Darby used it against Knight. Sting then gave Knight a Scorpion Death Drop.
Borden set up a ladder in the ring. Sting climbed it. Steven joined him at the top. Steven had a word with his dad. Sting stepped down. Borden chopped his chest and leaped down onto Cage and Doyle who were ultra-conveniently standing below in perfect position to be landed on. Sting then rammed Doyle into the ringside barricade. Darby pursued Knight up the ramp, bat in hand.
Darby swung the bat at Knight on the stage. Knight gouged Darby’s eyes. Darby choked Knight. Darby then looked up. Schiavone said he knows what Darby was thinking. He climbed the truss. Danielson said Darby is the craziest wrestler he’s ever met and that says a lot. Darby leaped at least 20 feet down and crashed onto Knight. They oddly cut to a woman laughing, then to other fans showing concern, and then others chanting “Holy shit!” The stage seemed equipped to cave in. Darby crawled out of the hole he created. He dragged himself over to Knight who was on a stretcher.Darby leaped off the ramp with a Coffin Drop on Knight, knocking him off the stretcher. He then scored a three count.
WINNER: Darby to capture the TNT Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Wild match, as you knew it would be as soon as they announced Darby in a Falls Count Anywhere match. I’m glad that after Sting and Steven Borden were involved and fended off the Don Callis Family, Darby got to do his spots on his own to win the match. Of all the big stunts Darby has done, this seemed among the safest as there wasn’t anything unstable or unpredictable. He had a stable truss to leap off of and a prepared flat landing place.)
Commentary: Nigel McGuinness replaced Taz on commentary
(7) WILLOW NIGHTINGALE vs. MERCEDES MONE – AEW Women’s Title match
The announcers commented on Mercedes saying she’s deciding how many teeth to take out of Willow’s mouth to ruin her smile. The bell rang 57 minutes into the third hour. After some back and forth action, Mercedes shoved Willow’s mouth around the middle rope. Then she landed a running double-knees to the chest for a two count at 4:00.
Mercedes bled from nose early. Excalibur listed countries around the world where Mercedes has held titles. Willow ducked Mercedes and took Mercedes down with a clothesline from behind. Mercedes then went inot her Three Amigos series, but when she set up a third on the ring apron, Willow countered her hard to the floor. Nigel said it appeared to him that Mercedes had a broken nose.
They returned to the ring and exchanged strikes. Willow got the better of it and landed a running elbow in the corner. Mercedes met Willow on the top rope, but Willow slammed Mercedes to the mat and then dropkicked her for a two count. Schiavone said this might be the most hard-hitting women’s match they’ve ever seen. Willow landed a top rope Spanish fly for a near fall. Excalibur said he’s never seen Willow do a Spanish Fly. A dueling chant of “Let’s Go Willow! / CEO!” broke out. Mercedes applied a Crossface mid-ring. Willow powered Mercedes up and delivered a Death Valley Driver into the corner. Willow pplayed to the crowd as the ref checked on Mercedes. Mercedes avoided a cannonball and then landed a sunset bomb into the corner.
Mercedes, blood flowing from her nose, charged. Willow lifted her boot. Willow climbed to the top rope, but her injured hand gave out and she slipped. Mercedes went after her. Willow knocked Mercedes down and then landed a moonsault out of the corner. It appeared Mercedes tried to roll away, but rolled into harm’s way. Nigel said it was awkward.
Mercedes and Willow struggled in backslide position. Mercedes hit the Moné Maker for a dramatic near fall at 16:00. Mercedes and ref argued. Willow shoved Mercedes who collided with the ref Aubrey Edwards. Edwards’s head hit the turnbuckle and her leg seemed to buckle a bit. Mercedes took it to Willow at ringside. She stomped on her hand on the ringside steps and then yanked off her protective glove. She wrenched at her fingers. Fans groaned at the site of it. Mercedes swung the title belt at Willow, but Willow moved. Willow then bashed Mercedes cross her back with the belt.
Willow landed a sitout powerbomb in the ring. The ref crawled over slowly and eventually counted, with Mercedes kicking out at two. Willow buckle-bombed Mercedes. Mercedes countered a Doctor Bomb and send Willow crashing to the mat with a huracanrana. Willow countered Mercedes with a backslide for a near fall. Mercedes outmaneuvered Willow into a Statement Maker. She captured her arm to prevent reaching the bottom rope. Willow flailed and struggled, but eventually the ref called for the bell.
WINNER: Mercedes in 22:00 to capture the AEW Women’s Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Excellent battle between these two. They were given time to tell a longer story with a lot of ebb and flow in terms of momentum. The actual call for the bell was odd since Willow neither tapped nor fully passed out. I wish promoters built some clarity and consistency into that so fans weren’t left wondering what happened.)
-A graphic was ready, announcing that Mercedes would have a championship celebration on Dynamite on Wednesday. He also announced The Rascalz would challenge Swerve & The New Level for the AEW Trios Titles.
-A video package aired on Will Ospreay to the song “Baby O’Riley (Teenage Wasteland)” by The Who narrated by his mom with sweet words of confidence and love in her son.
(8) KENNY OMEGA (w/Callum Newman, Henare, Francesco Akira) vs. WILL OSPREAY (w/Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, Brandon Cutler, Michael Nakazawa) – AEW World Title match
They showed Omega backstage getting kissed by his wife and wished luck by others including Kris Statlander. He crossed paths with Jon Moxley. After a tense staredown, Mox smiled and nodded at Ospreay, as if he showing confidence he taught him well and sensed he was in the right state of mind. Ospreay then came out to his standard entrance theme as fans sang along with emotional gusto. Ospreay was clearly on verge of crying and being overwhelmed with the entirety of the situation as he made his way out.
Omega’s entrance video was narrated in Japanese with captions that said every match and injury has led to this moment, and with every loss you learn and when you get up after falling down, you realize why you started on this path. “Let that memory carry you beyond that limit,” the narrator said. He added that just because there’s more of your journey behind you than ahead, that doesn’t mean you can’t still achieve more greatness. He then yelled it was “Ultra Time!” Omega then made his entrance.
The bell rang 38 minutes into the hour. Excalibur noted, as is tradition in Japan, some wrestlers affiliated with each competitor were at ringside to lend support. The Bucks and Michael Nakazawa were at ringside for Omega. The crowd got quiet as Ospreay and Omega looked at each other from opposite sides of the ring. They sang briefly. Omega and Ospreay locked up. Omega landed a chop to the chest. Ospreay fired back with several chops.
Ospreay took control, played to the crowd, and then pursued Omega at ringside. Omega took over and crashed Ospreay onto his neck. Ospreay held the back of his neck. Omega removed some padding on the turnbuckle connection. Danielson said this is a dark side of Omega showing itself. Ospreay countered with a hard chop and then a springboard forearm.
They picked up the pace at 9:o0 with Omega scoring a near fall after a mid-ring move. Ospreay kicked Omega in the jaw from underneath as Omega climbed in the corner. Ospreay then landed a tornado kick to the back of Omega for a two count. Omega wandered around ringside. Ospreay leaped off the top rope with a corkscrew dive. Ospreay chopped Omega in the chest. Ospreay shoved the ref down when the ref was scolding him and pulling hm away. Omega hit Ospreay with a monitor. Ospreay’s ringside crew yelled at Omega. The Ospreay crew stepped up to them. Several referees came to ringside.
Omega leaped off the announce desk and powerbombed Ospreay onto a folding table next to it. The table didn’t break, but it did collapse. Ospreay’s forehead was covered in blood by this point. The replay showed the back of Ospreay’s head hitting the table. They were both slow to get up. Ospreay barely beat the count at nine. Omega then hit a V-Trigger. Omega had crazed eyes as he leaned into being a villain. Omega gave Ospreay a Dragon suplex onto the ring apron. Omega spoke into the camera as if he were talking to Ospreay, which was weird, that his friends were nowhere because he’s a loser and other insults. Omega landed a running flip dive onto Ospreay at ringside. The ringside doc checked on Ospreay. The ref ordered Omega to return to the ring. Omega dragged Ospreay into the ring.
Omega leaped off the top rope with a missile dropkick to the back of Ospreay. Omega then hit a V-Trigger. He placed Ospreay on the top turnbuckle. He seemed to be setting up a One-Winged Angel, but came down with a traditional back suplex. Omega scored a two count. Danielson said that landing made him not want to step in the ring with either of those two again. Fans loudly chanted, “Let’s Go, Ospreay!”
Omega connected with a knee strike to the back of Ospreay’s neck. Excalibur said that is like being rear-ended at a red light. Ospreay surged with a Hidden Blade to take Omega down. Both were down and slow to get up as they moved into hour five. (So much for the so-called “hard out” at 5 ET, 10 p.m. in London. Danielson noted Omega was bleeding from his eye. He said it must’ve been the Hidden Blade. Ospreay and Omega exchanged strikes mid-ring. Ospreay head-butted Omega. Fans cheered. Ospreay hit a series of front kicks as he had Omega bent over. Ospreay followed with a running punt kick.
Ospreay took Omega down and the ref backed Ospreay away. Excalibur said he believed Omega was knocked out and his job is to protect the wrestlers. He counted to nine before Omega sat up. Ospreay landed another Hidden Blade for a dramatic near fall. Ospreay pounded the mat in frustration. Ospreay followed with more strikes and then a doubleunderhook. Omega flipped out of it and landed two V-Triggers. Ospreay countered a third and delivered a Styles Clash for a dramatic near fall at 27:00.
Ospreay went for a springboard OsCutter. Omega kicked him out of mid-air on the back of his neck. Danielson pointed out he didn’t realize until the replay how much impact Ospreay’s neck took. Omega took Ospreay down with a reverse huracanrana. Ospreay stood and ducked a lariat but ate a V-Trigger. He followed with a Tiger Driver ’91. Ospreay landed on the back of his head. The crowd fell to a hush. Omega kneed Ospreay from behind and then landed his One-Winged Angel for a near fall that caused the biggest crowd pop of the night, as that move had been protected from kickouts until now.
Omega crawled over to Ospreay and put his arm around him and had some crazed words for him. He then landed a running V-Trigger to Ospreay who was leanign on the bottom rope. Ospreay then gave Omega a double underhook suplex where Omega landed on his head and it looked like his neck took a lot of impact. Fans were quiet. The ref checked on him. Omega clutched his wrist as if it went limp. Daneilson said that was what caused the end of his career. Omega didn’t have use of his left arm. He looked shaken up and sad as he kept trying to get his arm to work. He front kicked Ospreay.
Omega kneed a kneeling Ospreay. Omega shoo his left arm, then went for another V-Trigger. Ospreay blocked his leg. Omega lifted Osprey onto his shoulders. Ospreay countered with his own One-Winged Angel. Omega kicked out at one. Ospreay hit a Hidden Blade and a Storm Breaker for another one count. Nigel said it was the adrenaline. Omega stood, then collapsed. Ospreay eyed Omega and pointed at him and then charged with a clean strike Hidden Blade for the win.
Ospreay soaked up the emotions of the moment on his knees. The ref presented him with the belt over his shoulders. Ospreay looked at it like a dream come true. Pyro blasted. Ospreay kneed over the belt. Schiavone called it a magnificent moment.
WINNER: Ospreay in 35:00 to capture the AEW World Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Tremendous match with the crowd invested in the outcome more than being preoccupied with match quality or highspots. They were willing Will to kick out and finish Omega multiple times throughout the match. The late-match one-count kickouts could become an overused cliche quickly if they do it in every big match like this, but it worked her. That late landing by Omega on his head was scary. That is the kind of scene you want to signify the start of a huge title reign for a new centerpiece top star. Now AEW needs to work that footage into their show-opening and any other place they can to denote to fans that this is the top star in pro wrestling who is worth paying to see during what should be a historically spectacular title reign.)
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