Overall, dang this surprised us. Did not see this being the show it turned out to be at the outset, but quite a few matches delivered. That is not to say there weren’t some slow spots but all around this was a very entertaining pay per view. The Acclaimed retained their titles in a fun rubber match against Swerve In Our Glory, who seem to be no more as a team. Saraya made her return against Dr. Britt Baker, and she’s still got it. Samoa Joe is not only the ROH Television Champion, but he’s now the TNT Champion and that match was an absolute barnburner. While there was some left to be desired as far as Wardlow’s TNT Title reign, his future is still very bright. Jamie Hayter achieved her biggest of goals and is the AEW World Women’s Champion. While the interim title still remains, this is one that should be settled in the ring shortly, as Thunder Rosa is waiting in the wings and nearly ready to go. Chris Jericho’s reign of terror over Ring of Honor continues as he retained that title in an exciting fatal 4 way. Oh yeah, Maxell Jacob Friedman is the AEW World Champion, and all is right in the wrestling world.
Acclaimed. Jericho defends in a fatal four way for the ROH championship. Death Triangle defends against the returning Elite. Jack Perry gets his revenge in the steel cage. Jarrett and Sting with Darby and Lethal on their sides face off once again. All this and much more.
Zero Hour
Best Friends, Rocky Romero, Orange Cassidy and ??? Vs The Factory:
Match started without the mystery partner being present. The factory complete a five person hug to spite the best friends team. Further on in the match, Very Evil Danhausen gets a new entrance and dominates to win the match.
Results: Danhausen by pinfall via Big Boot with Teeth In Nick’s mouth.
Brian Cage Vs Ricky Starks – Semi Finals for the Eliminator:
After countering the F5 into a destroyer, Ricky gets the Roshambo for the win.
Results: Ricky Starks by Pinfall via Roshambo
Eddie Kingston Vs Jun Akiyama:
Results: Eddie Kingston by pinfall via Spinning Backfist
Main Show:
GREAT Jungle Boy Jack Perry Vs Luchasaurus with Christian Cage – Steel Cage Match:
Christian leads Luchasaurus to the ring first before Baltimore plays along the audio system. Jungle Boy slams the door closed before the match starts. Using his speed and athleticism to have the advantage. Jungle Boy catches himself in the cage. Luchasaurus got control by hitting both a big boot and a snake’s eyes into the steel cage. Jack is getting his forehead pushed into the cage as he starts to bleed from his forehead. Cage’s mercenary gets a side slam before getting a nearfall.
Perry rebounds off the ropes before hitting a clothesline, to barely any effect before being tossed into the cage again. Using the ropes, Jack gets an armbar before releasing it. Luchasaurus uses his strength to take control as he hits the cutthroat burning hammer like move. Cage was able to sneak the keys from the referee as Cage tried to open it. Luchasaurus comes out of the steel cage attacking the security that was taking Cage to the back. Jack continues the attack before being launched into the cage on the outside.
Luchasaurus brings in the ring both a table and some chairs. Perry starts to fight back with a dropkick as he boots luchasaurus into the cage repeatedly. Jungle Boy gets a step up destroyer off a chair, but Luchasaurus kicks out at one. Jack gets a killswitch on a chair for a nearfall. Attempting another step up, Jack gets caught and hits a chokeslam on the chair. Perry kicks out before getting a sliced beard off the top rope. Both men sit up in a taker-like pose. Jack gets a piledriver, before getting a nearfall. Jungle Boy sets up the table before hitting an elbow off the top of the cage before using the snare trap to get the victory. Summary By Coby.
Quotes
“Personally, this match was the better steel cage match AEW did this year. I think this was a very solid opener with a few interesting spots in the sit ups and the kick out of one from the step up destroyer. There were enough unique spots in the match to make it cool but a steel cage match is meant to keep the wrestlers in. I am all for weapons being brought out for a steel cage match just not during the match” – Coby Galenzoski
“I had a lot of fun watching this cage match, and me and Coby were right there on the rating. To me my gut said 3.75 but I can understand why the quarter star was dropped for storytelling and that is what convinced me that 3.50 was the correct score. Despite that both Luchasaurus and Jungle boy put on one hell of a Cage Match ” – Clark Taylor
Results: Jungle Boy Jack Perry by Submission via Snare Trap
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
GREAT The Elite Vs Death Triangle – AEW World Trios Championships:
The Death Triangle entrance is electric as always, but then the Elite return. Carry On My Wayward Son plays the Elite to the ring and the crowd is beside themselves. Omega and Pac have an extremely athletic exchange at the start of the match. Matt Jackson and Rey Fenix are tagged back in and the work they put in is otherworldly from an athletic standpoint.
Given this is a trio’s encounter this is hectic, but the high flying display is nothing short of entertaining. The Elite are back in AEW and while this may be criticized for being a bit of a “spot fest” it is hard to deny the level of entertainment in this match. Halfway through this affair Kenny Omega gets a hot tag from Matt Jackson and he starts delivering stiff strikes. As the match moves along, it appears that the Elite are in control, but Rey Fenix counters the One Winged Angel with a Roll-Up and Death Triangle retains the titles in a very entertaining match.
Quotes:
“As expected this was the match that had a hot as hell crowd chanting “f*** CM Punk.” I had no doubt the athleticism would be on the level it is, but to me this match lacked the story. Yes, the finish involved Rey Fenix actually listening to PAC. But outside of this spot it was a “spotfest.” The Elite entrance was fun and they were selling throughout the match. Where I think the death triangle was lacking. ” – Coby Galenzoski
“This one was absolutely sublime in my eyes, the crowd was absolutely electric. This i definitely worth a re watch” – Clark Taylor
Results: Death Triangle by Pinfall via One Winged Angel Roll Up Counter
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars Posted On IG, Further evaluated 3.75 Stars
AVERAGE Jade Cargill with Kiera Hogan and Leila Gray Vs Nyla Rose with Vickie Gurrero and Marina Shafir- TBS Championship:
Paying tribute to Eddie Guerero with the low rider, Nyla enters first still with Jade’s captive championship. Jade enters in her thundercats gear with Jade dominating the early portion of the match. Cargill pump kicks Nyla over the barricade as Nyla attempts to take control with a body shot. Nyla gets tossed overhead back to the ringside area before Nyla uses the steps to take control. Nyla gets a splash in the corner and hits a multitude of bodyslam. Jade kicks out of a splash, before being hit with a cannonball. Nyla gets a boot up and hits a neckbreaker for a nearfall.
Cargill attempts to take control with a pump kick as they both counter each other’s suplexes. Nyla sets up Jade for the diving knee and connects but Jade kicks out at two. Jade counters the beast bomb with a forearm but Jade covers Nyla way too late for the pin to be successful. Cargill was able to get Nyla up for her own version of the beast bomb before Jade fails to connect with the Jaded. Nyla nearly gets the victory with her own Jaded before Nyla fails the swanton. Jade Cargill gets the victory after a pump kick and the Jaded. Summary By Coby
Quotes:
“A second watch made me enjoy the match itself a little more. The crowd seemed to care the least about this match though” – Coby Galenzoski
“The Guerrerro tribute in the entrance was definitely the highlight of this contest. Cargill remains undefeated whether we like it or not ” – Clark Taylor
Results: Jade Cargill by Pinfall via Jaded
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 2.25 Stars
AMAZING Sammy Guevara Vs Claudio Castagnoli Vs Bryan Danielson Vs Chris Jericho – ROH World Championship:
Talk about an exciting 4 way in the middle of a card. The start of the match is hectic, and Jericho takes control of Danielson while Castagnoli and Guevara fight each other on the outside. Action starts with a flurry from all four men, and then Sammy and Jericho seem to team up.
With them working together Claudio Castagnoli is hit with a double team, and then the match turns to bedlam. We’ve got a fatal fourway, on our hands and it is so good. Danielson somehow gets Guevara in a Lebell Lock, and he somehow escapes. Chris Jericho retains his title with the Judas Effect. This was such an entertaining fatal four way, definitely worth a rewatch. The four involved here put on one heck of a show.
Quotes:
“Going in, I believed this match could steal the show and to an extent it did. The finish didn’t come out as good. But I will give them credit for having Jericho hit another Judas Effect instead of winning off of the messy one” – Coby Galenzoski
“We got ourselves one heck of a fatal four way in this one. All four looked at the top of their game. This was one of my favorites tonight for sure.” – Clark Taylor
Results: Chris Jericho by Pinfall via Double Judas Effect to Claudio Castagnoli
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
GREAT Britt Baker Vs Saraya:
Saraya’s emotions are clearly running as she makes the first entrance as a match for the first time in how long as a match. Britt enters after Saraya. Both women go face to face as the match starts. They lock up with Saraya getting the brief advantage. Saraya throws Britt over before taking a shoulder block. Britt leaves the ring but Saraya has her sliding dropkick countered. Targeting the neck before hitting the draping neckbreaker. Baker brings Saraya to Zak Zodiac in the crowd taunting him.
Baker goes to put the green glove on that she uses for the lock jaw. Saraya is hit with a running neckbreaker as Britt continues the attack. Saraya gets an electric chair facebuster on the apron before hitting a crossbody off the apron to Britt. Countering an air raid crash from the middle rope, Saraya gets a sunset flip bomb. Britt continued to attack and keep her in control. Saraya got the swinging russian leg sweep and the package DDT for the victory. An emotional moment before her and her brother happens as she then goes to the ramp. Summary By Coby
Quotes:
“Match told a story with Saraya being worked on by Britt. The rust was visible on Saraya but overall I thought she looked good. Zak Zodiac being there is awesome” – Coby Galenzoski
“Saraya is back. Like so back, as in very, very back. Dr. Britt looked excellent as always and I thoroughly enjoyed this one” – Clark Taylor
Results: Saraya by Pinfall via Package DDT
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
GREAT Samoa Joe Vs Powerhouse Hobbs Vs Wardlow –
Triple threat time in the AEW ring for the TNT Championship. There is a house of mass inside the ring, and the physicality is off the charts. While Wardlow looks like he can win this match early, Hobbs gets in a mountain of offense, and so does Wardlow. In the end, the wily veteran Samoa Joe worked his way into victory via Coquina Clutch. Thus far this has arguably been the match of the night. The crowd was so into it throughout and the finish was solid as well.
“Honestly this was a hoss fight, but I don’t see this as the right call. I assume Final Battle will have Wardlow Vs Joe.” – Coby Galenzoski
“Hobbs+Joe+Wardlow=Violence” – Clark Taylor
Results: Samoa Joe by Submission via Coquina Clutch
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
GREAT Sting and Darby Allin Vs Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal – No DQ, No Count Out:
Lethal gets the first entrance with Sonjay Dutt in his corner before the infamous My World plays. Jarrett brings out a four man army of people in Sting masks. Lethal and the army try to check out the body bag on the stage. Darby runs through the smoke and attacks them. A bad camera cut misses Darby throwing his skateboard at Jay. Sting appears in the ring with Jarrett.
Sting throws Lethal off the top rope onto the apron in a sickening bump. Darby grabs a ladder and attempts to hit the coffin drop off the stage but Satnam catches him. Satnam hit a high cross like toss onto the ramp as Sting and Lethal brawl in the crowd. Jarrett is in control of Darby as he uses a chair and steel steps to beat down Darby. The match settles down with the teams in the corner. Satnam hits Sting with a chokeslam on Sting with Jarrett getting a nearfall.
Darby counters the attempted assisted guitar shot before going for the coffin drop. Jarrett hits the guitar shot to counter the coffin drop. Satnam comes back in the ring but gets hit with a coffin drop and scorpion death drop combo. Darby dives out to Jarrett as Sting catches a lethal injection with a scorpion death drop as Darby hits a coffin drop for the win. Honestly this was a solid and fun match, one of the top matches of the show so far. Summary By Coby
Quotes:
“Personally this was the most entertaining match of the night. I enjoyed this the most with just the insanity and uniqueness of what happened in the match. I don’t like that Jay Lethal went from a top wrestler to being essentially a midcard heel. ” – Coby Galenzoski
“Sting is and always will be a legend, and tonight it was no different. Darby Allin showed out as always as well and man did I enjoy this match. I’ve never been a huge Jeff Jarrett fan personally but tonight he did look excellent.” – Clark Taylor
Results: Darby Allin by Pinfall via Coffin Drop on Jay Lethal.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GREAT Toni Storm Vs Jamie Hayter – AEW World Women’s Interim Championship:
Toni and Jamie both receive similarly babyface-esque pops. The crowd is as behind Hayter as they are Storm and the match is back and forth the majority of the way. Storm is in control for the majority of the early action. There is an awesome spot where Toni Storm scores on a headbut and Jamie kicks out at 2. The headbut draws blood, but only from Storm’s own nose. Toni manages to hit Storm Zero while bleeding from the nose, and Hayter manages to kick out.
When she kicks out Toni Storm has a flurry of her own and lands a piledriver for another near fall. The back to back falls are close and they continue to battle momentarily. With distraction from Britt Baker as well as more help from Rebel Hayter is able to hit a Ripcord Lariat for the victory. This match did not go the way we anticipated in the sense that it never seemed that Hayter had a chance to win, until she did. That alone for me made this one of the more fun matches of the night.
Quotes:
“Did not see this result coming, I thought they would keep Toni with the title. I am all for this result because Jamie had the crowd behind her as the heel. To me, Toni felt like the least important women’s wrestler on this show despite being the top champion. Something is missing with Toni but I do not know what. Probably a couple extra nearfalls in the match but overall this was solid and the strongest women’s match of the night” – Coby Galenzoski
“This was the championship change we needed. Jamie Hayter deserved this title long ago” – Clark Taylor
Results: Jamie Hayter by Pinfall via Ripcord Lariat
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GREAT Swerve In Our Glory Vs The Acclaimed – AEW World Tag Team Championships:
Swerve and Keith enter first before The Acclaimed. They get the final entrance with the special rap being more special than usual because Max got more lines in! Both teams start the brawl in the ring as Acclaimed get in control. Swerve takes control as they are targeting the taped shoulder of Bowens.
Strickland gets in the crowd as he grabs a steel barricade from the crowd that has Full Gear tarping all over it. Lee is confused as he keeps in control of Bowens. Swerve uses his speed to target the shoulder in the ring as Keith picks him up. Caster clotheslines Swerve as Bowens counters the electric chair with a poisonrana for the pin.
Max gets the take as he is taking on both Keith and Swerve. Keith counters a fireman’s carry before Max hits a diving rana. Caster was able to get a super famouser to Keith before hitting a slam to Swerve. The Acclaimed get tandem offense in a wheelbarrow cutter combo. Keith saves Swerve from falling back on the guardrail before Max crossbodies Keith through it. Strickland gets a rolling flatliner as the crowd are getting further behind the Acclaimed. Swerve gets a single leg boot to Anthony for a nearfall.
Continued
Setting up for the swerve stomp as Bowens is crawling to his feet. Max gets the mic drop but the pin is broken up by Keith. Lee gets the pounce before hitting the spirit bomb and swerve stomp combo. Max gets the triumphant kick out with the crowd staying behind them. Swerve grabs some pliers and starts to go for them as Daddy Ass runs down. Keith refuses to use the pliers before being slapped by Swerve. Lee walks out before Bowens nearly rolls up Swerve. The Acclaimed get the victory with an assisted x plex like move. Summary By Coby
“This did not match the hype they had at All Out, but it wasn’t as much of a let down as the Grand Slam. There was some solid stuff in this match, with Swerve continuing to be built as the heel in his team. ” – Coby Galenzoski
“Max Caster ripped a freestyle and then these two teams put out another banger before Swerve and Keith Lee couldn’t coexist. This one was delightful.” – Clark Taylor
Results: The Acclaimed by Pinfall via Assisted X Plex Like Slam.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
MUST WATCH MJF Vs Jon Moxley – AEW World Championship:
Here we are, what we’ve all been waiting for. The crowd is clearly split early in the match as Max hits the ropes multiple times when Moxley exits the ring. This is a main event’s main event. It’s Mox and MJF and it’s absolutely delightful. The psychology is off the charts, and there is an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction for MJF. Moxley almost wins the match with multiple moves including the Paradigm Shift and Deathrider.
William Regal delivers Maxwell Jacob Friedman a set of brass knuckles and he wins the match by leveling Jon Moxley with the right hand heard round the world. Brass Knucks and Maxwell Jacob Friedman is the AEW World Champion, and he did it just the way he should have. This was as fun of a main event as you can have, and the finish was all-time excellent.
“The result that needed to happen, actually happened. My doubts were there but I’m glad my doubts weren’t proven right. This match was honestly very solid proving that blood is not needed to have a great match. Winking at you Mr. JM. Max’s selling was off the charts and it even carried through into the media scrum. ” – Coby Galenzoski
“Maxwell Jacob Friedman is the world champion. Say that again a few times and enjoy it, what a time to be a wrestling fan.” – Clark Taylor
Results: MJF by Pinfall via Brass Knuckles Punch.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.50 Stars
Overall:
Overall, dang this surprised us. Did not see this being the show it turned out to be at the outset, but quite a few matches delivered. That is not to say there weren’t some slow spots but all around this was a very entertaining pay per view. The Acclaimed retained their titles in a fun rubber match against Swerve In Our Glory, who seem to be no more as a team. Saraya made her return against Dr. Britt Baker, and she’s still got it.
Samoa Joe is not only the ROH Television Champion, but he’s now the TNT Champion and that match was an absolute barnburner. While there was some left to be desired as far as Wardlow’s TNT Title reign, his future is still very bright. Jamie Hayter achieved her biggest of goals and is the AEW World Women’s Champion. While the interim title still remains, this is one that should be settled in the ring shortly, as Thunder Rosa is waiting in the wings and nearly ready to go.
Chris Jericho’s reign of terror over Ring of Honor continues as he retained that title in an exciting fatal 4 way. Oh yeah, Maxell Jacob Friedman is the AEW World Champion, and all is right in the wrestling world.
Matches: 0.75/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 1/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 4.00/5 Stars
Photo Credit: (AEW) For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
