Browsing: Hangman

AEW/Lee South

What was a hastily-booked WrestleDream match between Samoa Joe and AEW Men’s World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page has turned into a bloody war for AEW’s top prize. St. Louis watched as the veteran Joe attempted to dominate the young Page, but while Page scored his win on paper, he left the Chaifetz Arena only with the help of security guards as his body, broken by The Opps, struggled to carry him home.

The champion found himself overwhelmed in the early goings of the match, as Joe’s brute force tossed him like a ragdoll. Page was only saved by his sheer agility, but all formalities were dashed the moment the fight spilled to the outside. Joe shoved Adam against the barriers, and while Page managed to land some aerial offense onto the Huntington Beach native, a Barrel Kick gone awry caused the champion to start bleeding from his mouth as he began to falter.

Joe continued to wear down on Page, but Page miraculously pushed through to break out of Joe’s typically-lethal submission to land two Buckshot Lariats for the win. Joe, understandably emotional after his loss, was comforted by Katsuyori Shibata and Powerhouse Hobbs. Page attempted to extend his respect to Joe with a handshake and an embrace, only to be swarmed by The Opps not two breaths after. Shibata and Hobbs beat the champion as Joe collected Page’s title, taunting him with it before leading the charge to hoist Page up on the top turnbuckle. Joe laid the AEW Men’s World Championship on the ground before Page, and Shibata and Hobbs unceremoniously tossed the broken champion onto his title to end the night.

Despite the beatdown, Page is set to continue his world title reign at 99 days and counting. So far, Page has defended against contenders like MJF, Jon Moxley, Lee Moriarty, and Kyle Fletcher.

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“Hangman” Adam Page defeated Samoa Joe at WrestleDream on Saturday to retain the AEW World Championship.

Page won after hitting Samoa Joe with three Buckshot Lariats.

After the match, Samoa Joe raised Page’s arm in victory as a sign of respect, but it was a ruse. Samoa Joe and The Opps then ferociously attacked Page post-match.

In recent months, Page and Joe had common enemies in Jon Moxley and The Death Riders, which resulted in them lending each other a helping hand and even teaming up on occasion.

One such instance occurred on the Oct. 1 episode of Dynamite when Page, Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs joined forces to beat the Death Riders trio of Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli and Daniel Garcia.

While it was a great victory for the babyface team, Page and Joe ended up having an altercation after Joe seemingly felt Hangman wasn’t being respectful.

Security had to separate Page and Joe, and with emotions still running high, Hangman called out Joe and challenged him to a match during a backstage interview.

Page said he took issue with Joe telling him that he had never beaten the Samoan Submission Machine before during their argument, although what Joe said wasn’t incorrect.

Joe, Swerve Strickland and Brian Cage beat Page, Hook and Rob Van Dam in a six-man tag team match in early 2024, and Joe later went on to win a three-way match against Page and Strickland at Revolution in March 2024.

In the latter victory, Joe retained the AEW World Championship by making Page tap out to the Coquina Clutch.

That perhaps gave Joe the mental edge entering WrestleDream, although it marked the first-ever meeting between him and Page in a one-on-one match.

Page conquered his demons on Saturday, getting past one of his biggest threats yet in Joe to continue his reign as AEW world champ.

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The AEW World title will be on the line as part of tonight’s AEW WrestleDream from St. Louis, Missouri.

Hangman Page will put the championship up against former titleholder Samoa Joe in a first time one-on-one match.

AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander will defend against former champion Toni Storm in their first-ever singles match.

In an I Quit match, Darby Allin and Jon Moxley will attempt to settle their differences.

In the two other title matches, Brodido will defend the AEW World Tag Team Championship against Konosuke Takeshita & Kazuchika Okada while Kyle Fletcher defends the TNT title against Mark Briscoe.

The Young Bucks battle Jurassic Express for $500,000 while The Hurt Syndicate takes on The Demand in a tornado trios match.

The main card is rounded out by an appearance from TBS Champion Mercedes Mone and Jamie Hayter vs. Thekla.

The Tailgate Brawl pre-show begins at 7 PM Eastern with four tag team bouts.

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Tailgate Brawl

A video package for Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxleyâ€s I Quit Match is shown to kick off the Tailgate Brawl, with this feud truly kicking off at last years WrestleDream when Moxley & the Blackpool Combat Club retired Bryan Danielson. This leads to the opening contest, as Marina Shafir gave fist bumps to her crew before letting them go to the ring on their own. The Conglomerationâ€s tron video is right out of Saved By The Bell, as Roderick Strong reluctantly joined his teamâ€s entrance after being urged by Kyle Oâ€Reilly.

The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong, Kyle Oâ€Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii) vs. Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia)

(This was a Collision level main event party match, as everyone got their offense in and despite being the first match on the pre-show, had the crowd loudly going out the gate. With this win by the Death Riders, the ball is in their leader Jon Moxley’s court if they want to walk away undefeated on the night.)

Tony Schiavone, Daddy Magic & Nigel McGuinness are on the call, as Strong & Oâ€Reilly lit up Garcia with strikes to start, until Yuta made the tag, only to walk into an arm drag. The fans are already loudly booing Yuta, who blocked a Stundog from Cassidy, tagged PAC, who connected on a guillotine legdrop off the second. PAC allowed Cassidy to recover, as things went to break.

We return to Ishii & Castagnoli slugging it out, until Ishii ramps it up with shoulder tackles, until Castagnoli delivered one of his own. After trading suplex attempts, Ishii was successful, until Yuta tried a cheap shot, but ate a forearm. The distraction allowed Garcia & PAC to floor the opposition and keep Ishii isolated, as Yuta delivered Anvil elbows. Ishii managed to mow down Garcia & Yuta with a double clothesline and make the Cassidy lukewarm tag. Stundog to Yuta, but Garcia was there for a rear naked choke. Cassidy escaped and delivered a flying clothesline off the top, before PAC came in and was spiked by a spinning DDT. Castagnoli ate a PK, but blocked an Orange Punch in the Giant Swing. Cassidy tried sitting his way up mid revolution and got a rear naked choke of his own, while Strong & Oâ€Reilly locked in abdominal stretches on Yuta & Garcia. PAC broke things up, as Castagnoli swung Cassidy around, blocked the Stundog into a no handed airplane spin into an F5. Pin attempt was broke up by Paragon, as thereâ€s a second commercial break.

Cassidy flew out of a choke hold by Castagnoli into a hurricanrana, as Strong made the tag and ran wild with backbreakers aplenty. Blind tag by Oâ€Reilly, who punted Garcia in the chest with a kick before double hip tossing Yuta with Strong. Castagnoli cleaned house, side-stepping the Strong/Oâ€Reilly high low with a double clothesline. Ishii tagged in and started throwing German Suplexes on everyone in his path, until PAC answered with a bounce back German of his own. The match broke down ringside, as Yuta laid out Oâ€Reilly with a Busiaku Knee, Cassidy fired off an Orange Punch on Cassidy, while Ishii turned PAC inside out with a lariat. Garcia grabbed the refs foot, giving distraction long enough for Ishii to get blindsided by a PAC running knee to steal the pin.

Match Result: Death Riders defeated The Conglomeration when PAC pinned Ishii

-Video package on Hangman Adam Page vs. Samoa Joe for the AEW Menâ€s World Title later tonight.

Eddie Kingston & HOOK vs. The Frat House (Cole Karter & Griff Garrison w/Jacked Jameson)

Excalibur tagged in for Daddy Magic, as there was an inset promo from LFI, which we didnâ€t hear much of due to audio issues. All we really got was Rush saying his Mess with the Bull, You Get the Horns line, as it was essentially to tell us LFI isnâ€t done with Eddie Kingston. HOOK & Kingston immediately destroyed Garrison & Karter ringside to start, but The Frat House turned the tables back inside, with Karter hitting a picture-perfect dropkick and Garrison with a huge splash, as Kingston was isolated. Garrison missed a second splash, as Kingston hit a shoulder tackle off the second, before HOOK made the hot tag with suplexes in bunches. Kingston joined and we got stereo overhead throws. HOOK brought Jameson in the hard way before Kingston lit him up with Kobashi machine gun chops. Garrison tried a discus forearm, but HOOK side-stepped and Karter ate the shot. Backfist by Kingston led to REDRUM from HOOK, as Karter tapped out.

Post-match, we saw LFI watching on by the stage, as I need to point out that Beast Mortos was wearing a suit jacket.

Match Result: Eddie Kingston & HOOK defeated The Frat House when HOOK submitted Karter

-Big Boom AJ & Big Justice are having a Tailgate Party for the PPV in Boca Raton, FL. They just plugged the show, while also saying come Full Gear next month, theyâ€ll bring the boom to Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta, as they’ll face AJ & a partner of his choosing. Romero & Beretta walked in, trash talked the internet guys, as AJ got his ass kicked, while Justice was crying over his dad after Romero & Beretta walked off. This was, whatever, at least itâ€s on the pre-show, this actually made me view Romero & Beretta as babyfaces if you ask me.

Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron vs. Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford

(Aside from one messed up spot down the stretch, I thought this was an action-packed tag and the crowd was very much into it, even giving it a This Is Awesome chant. Commentary made sure to point out the upcoming Womenâ€s Tag Team Titles being created soon, but didnâ€t give us anymore details except that theyâ€re coming.)

Ford mocked Cameron after some early takedowns, but Cameron shot a double leg before tagging in Nightingale. 10 short arm lariats delivered to Ford, before locomotion corner splashes led to Cameron tagging back in for a short dropkick. Ford scurried free, tagged Bayne, who immediately asked for Nightingale. Cheap shot by Ford, but it led to nothing, as Nightingale got a near fall on Bayne. Ford tried to jump in for a double team, but Nightingale mowed both down with a double clothesline. Double enzugiri with Cameron & Nightingale, before a cazadora assisted splash on Ford led to a double suplex attempt on Bayne, who countered by suplexing both Cameron & Nightingale. Ford followed up by moonsaulting off the top to the floor onto both ladies as things went to break.

Things return right as Cameron managed a tilt-a-whirl DDT on Bayne, leading to a Nightingale hot tag, as she ran wild with clotheslines. Pounce launched Bayne, as Ford was flattened with a Spinebuster for two. Doctor Bomb was countered into a hurricanrana by Ford, as Bayne tagged in for an assisted Stunner for a near fall. Cameron ran in with a backstabber on Ford, but Bayne laid her out with a flying clothesline. Nightingale spiked Bayne with a DVD, but Ford was there with a Matrix Cutter into the reset.

Nightingale & Bayne traded shots, until a huge lariat connected by Nightingale before tagging in Cameron. Bayne fought off both women with a flying lariat out of the corner. Tag made by Ford, who went up top for a Doomsday Device, but Cameron rolled through and Ford crashed hard. Bayne was sent outside, as Nightingale met her with a cannonball off the apron. Ford tried I think a firemanâ€s carry double knee, but got none of it, so thankfully Cameron kicked out. Cameron blocked a boot, then drove Ford down with a pump-handle suplex before tagging Nightingale, who hit a Doctor Bomb for the win.

Match Result: Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron defeated Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford when Nightingale pinned Ford

FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler w/Stokely) vs. JetSpeed (Speedball Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight)

With only 5 minutes left of the Tailgate Brawl, Tony Schiavone really put over how this match could bleed over into the PPV, something he said was unheard of. FTR attacked before the bell, but JetSpeed quickly turned the tables with a series of dropkicks and dueling slingshot dives. Harwood reversed an irish whip and slammed Bailey into the ring steps, as Knight leapt off the barricade for a dive. Back inside, Harwood decked Knight before Wheeler joined for a double suplex, but Bailey saved his partner. Each team try to suplex the other until everyone spill over the top, crashing outside. The end credit was shown for Tailgate Brawl, despite a minute being left, as Excalibur tells us to tune in to the PPV to see the finish.

AEW WrestleDream 2025

Pyro was set off as the crowd were going nuts, as FTR & JetSpeed turned things up to 100, as they slugged it out, until Harwood wanted a piledriver on Bailey on the apron, but Bailey countered into a backflip double knee. Wheeler sprinted in, Bailey dodged and took out both FTR with a springboard moonsault. Back inside, Shooting Star Press was rolled through by Bailey, who hit a hurricanrana thrust kick on Harwood, as Knight hit a rolling splash for two. Wheeler tripped Bailey to the floor, but Knight hit a leaping DDT on Harwood for another near fall. Knight sent Wheeler outside, wanted a dive, but Stokely grabbed the foot. Knight sent all three colliding before spiking Harwood with a Sky High for a close two.

Harwood was able to battle back with a Sharpshooter, but Knight just managed the rope break. FTR wanted a Power-Plex, but Bailey put a stop to it. An amazing spot where Harwood had Wheeler backflip out of a back suplex into a position to hit Knight with Shatter Machine, but Bailey flew in with a Shooting Star double knees to break the count. Machine gun kicks by Bailey, who, after all this action, made the legal tag before having a chop battle with Harwood. This turned to slaps, as the fans are losing their minds for this until Bailey threw a thrust kick and spin kick in the corner, but was cut off in the corner. Harwood hit a superplex, but Bailey got the knees up from a Wheeler splash. Harwood got his knees up from Knight UFO Splash, as Bailey got a backslide on Harwood, it was a three, but the ref slightly pulled the count. Time Adventure clobbered Harwood, as Wheeler came in, but Knight sent him packing. As Bailey went for a suplex on Harwood from the outside in, Stokely swept out the legs, held the feet and FTR stole the pin.

Post-match, Stokely trash talked children ringside so much I think one of them shoved Stokely, who ordered security to throw them out.

Match Result: FTR defeated JetSpeed when Harwood pinned Bailey

-Tony Schiavone is ringside with Charlie Thesz, the wife of the late great Lou Thesz, who thanks Schiavone so much for having her, she couldnâ€t be happier to be here.

Thekla vs. Jamie Hayter – Everyone Banned from Ringside

(This was incredibly hard hitting, as both ladies didnâ€t hold back. This couldâ€ve gone either way and at one point towards the finish, I thought Thekla was going to walk away with the victory. This is a good preview of what weâ€ll hopefully get come Blood & Guts in a few weeks, despite not knowing the teams officially as of yet, which is something weâ€ll learn soon hopefully.)

Both connected on early big boots before each trade full mount punches in bunches. Hayter ramped up machine gun chops, causing Thekla to take a powder. Tilt a whirl head scissors back inside by Thekla, but Hayter answered by running through her with a shoulder tackle. Hayter went to the floor, slamming Thekla into the barricade and steps. Placing Thekla right in front of Charlie Thesz, Hayter chopped Thekla before shaking Theszâ€s hand. The brief delay allowed Thekla to crack Hayter with a running boot and wild top rope cross body. Thekla violently slammed Hayter into the barricade in front of Thesz and faked a handshake, which got loud jeers.

Back inside, Thekla remained in control with a low thrust kick and multiple near falls. Tarantula head scissors in the corner, as Hayter tried powering out, but collapsed with Thekla still having the head locked. After being picked apart for minutes, Hayter finally battled back with an exploder and missile dropkick from the corner for two. Thekla fought back from the apron, went up top, but Hayter side stepped, Thekla rolled through, both missed corner charges until Thekla just popped Hayter with wild slap. Thekla was trapped in the Tree of Woe, but quickly powered up, only for Hayter to headbutt her in the face. Hayter missed a second missile dropkick, both traded high kicks, until Hayter nailed a firemanâ€s carry neckbreaker for the double down.

Both took turns throwing home run strikes that got more and more stiff, as Hayter wanted a Hayter-ade, but Thekla countered into the Black Widow. Hayter managed to escape, but Thekla locked in the Death Trap, with Hayter just managing the rope break. Thekla argued with referee Bryce, leading to Hayter to hit a Hayt-breaker for two. Thekla floated out of a back suplex, did her Spider bridge and laid out Hayter with a Spear, but Hayterâ€s foot was under the rope. Spider pose again, as Thekla wanted another Spear, but Hayter took her head off with a lariat, then hit a proper Hayter-ade for the win.

Post-match, Queen Aminatahit the ring to celebrate with Hayter, as Julia Hart & Skye Blue were standing on the ramp as Thekla was crawling to them.

Match Result: Jamie Hayter defeated Thekla

Jurassic Express (Jungle Jack Perry & Luchasaurus) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) for $500,000

(A classic PWG style tag match, with this crowd being so loud throughout it. Everyone was on their A game for this one, as Jurassic Express are right back in the Tag Title picture, as itâ€s nice to see them back as a duo and the fans being behind them. They continue to tease The Bucks & Omega mending fences, as I assume thatâ€s whatâ€s next, since Omega & Perry are back on the same page. Only time will tell.)

A hilarious graphic reading Young Bucks Bucks was shown on the big screen, showing all the expenses Matt & Nick have spent over the last few weeks after winning their last $500,000, with only $32.17 left in their accounts. The theme music was a computer saying “Insufficient Funds, Transaction Denied†as The Bucks tried taking money from fans ringside, who said theyâ€d pay to take a selfie with them before they looked at the bag full of $500,000 awarded to the winner.

Loud Luchasaurus & Jungle Jack chants from the St. Louis crowd, as it was Perry & Matt who kicked things off. Perry mocked The Elite hand gesture before flipping Matt off, who got a chop to the windpipe before tagging Nick, whose left side is taped up. Perry avoided a double hip toss, took down Nick with a hurricanrana and kipped up into a pose. Luchasaurus in now, as Nick tried to use his speed, hit a chop to the back, but only annoyed the dinosaur as a result. Blind tag to Matt, as The Bucks tried an assisted pop-up hurricanrana, but Luchasaurus caught Nick and chucked him into Matt. Perry repositioned the tag rope on a different corner, as it was distraction for Luchasaurus to bite at Matt. Hip toss, low dropkick, big boot combo, as The Bucks try running away, but Luchasaurus took them out with a moonsault off the apron. Perry followed by clearing the top with a dive onto Matt & Nick, smirking at the camera afterwards.

Perry used a fans sign to whack Matt in the head with, until back inside, Matt superkicked the leg out in the ropes, allowing Nick to hit a slingshot swanton. Luchasaurus ate a PK on the apron, as Matt followed with a moonsault off the barricade before smelling the bag of cash. The Bucks continued to pick apart Perry until the bounce back double stomp powerbomb was countered into a hurricanrana by Perry who leapt for the Luchasaurus hot tag. Big time beals, corner chops and lariats led to Luchasaurus standing tall. Double choke slam was countered into a double leg sweep and PK, as The Bucks did their pose, but Luchasaurus rose from the ashes, kipped up, ducked a superkick, laid out Matt with a thrust kick and chokeslammed Nick on his brother. Wild hurricanran to the floor by Perry, who sprung back inside with an assisted Tombstone Cutter to give Luchasaurus a near fall.

Doomsday Device is fought out of by Nick, as Perry rolled through, blind tag by Matt, as The Bucks hit a sunset German suplex combo. Superkick in the corner, as the bounce back double stomp powerbomb hit, but Perry kicked out. Both teams found themselves in a Chicken Fight on the floor, until Matt hit a flipping Cutter off the apron on Luchasaurus, while Nick hit a running Destroyer on Perry. Back inside, The Bucks wanted an TK Driver, but both collided, until Perry tried a head scissors on the apron, but ate a powerbomb for his troubles. Assisted Package Piledriver off the top, Excalibur said The Bucks dusted off an oldie (shoutout to Big Kev), but Perry kicked out. The Bucks wanted a BTE Trigger, Perry rolled through, tried a double DDT, but The Bucks countered, got the BTE Trigger, but Luchasaurus broke it up. More Bang for Your Bucks, countered, as Perry hit a top rope hurricanrana into a German suplex, as Luchasaurus hit a backflip splash, Perry sprinted in with a Destroyer, then hit a proper Doomsday Device, but Matt kicked out.

Perry punched Matt right in the ribs before hitting a TK Driver until Nick broke it up. Countdown to Extinction was avoided, as The Bucks hit a Superkick Party, including two on Luchasaurus and one in mid-air on Perry. BTE Trigger hits, but Perry kicked out. The Bucks called for a TK Driver, but Luchasaurus chokeslammed Nick in mid-air, as Perry hit a Poison-Rana on Matt. Countdown to Extinction connects, as Perry put away Matt.

Post-match, Perry & Luchasaurus offered their hands to The Bucks, who got up on their own. Perry offered some money to them, but they were attacked by Mark Davis, Josh Alexander & Lance Archer. Alexander got in The Bucks face, as Matt & Nick opted to walk away, until Kenny Omegaâ€s music hit. Omega walked out, tried to get The Bucks to join him, but sprinted to the ring in a 3-on-1. Jurassic Express helped even the odds and sent The Don Callis Family packing. Omega returned the favor from the help Jurassic Express gave him in recent weeks. Omega got a scarf from someone in the crowd and held up a sign that read Inoki Forever.

Match Result: Jurassic Express defeated The Young Bucks to win $500,000 when Perry pinned Matt

The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & MVP) vs. The Demand (Ricochet, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) in a Tornado Trios Tag

(I was skeptical when this match was announced and the stip was just like the Street Fight a few weeks ago. However, I give all 6 of these men credit, this felt completely different than their previous clashes, and aside from a table spot, didnâ€t rely on weapons at all, which is smart. The Hurt Syndicate vs. The Opps seem to be next on the schedule, which should be quite something to say the least, opening up a whole new series of matches.)

Weâ€re told this is also for the #1 Contender for the Trios Titles, as The Demand attacked during The Hurt Syndicateâ€s entrance. Benjamin fought back, turning Ricochet inside out with a lariat and applying an ankle lock on Kaun. Knee lift from Ricochet broke it up, as a running Shooting Star got two after MVP broke it up. Lashley saved MVP from getting picked apart, as Kaun was launched on the floor with an overhead suplex. Ricochet flew in with a dive, Lashley didnâ€t go down, so Liona mowed him down with a Pounce up the ramp. Lashley was placed on a table ringside, as G.O.A. Opened the Gates on Benjamin off the steps through Lashley and the table. MVP was left surrounded in the ring and was beaten down as a result. Step-up Shooting Star Press off the back of Liona by Ricochet, but Benjamin broke the count, only to be sent packing again.

MVP was able to side-step all three Demand members, as Lashley turned into a train and steamrolled everyone ringside. Ricochet was turned inside out with a lariat, while G.O.A. were dropped with a DDT/Flatliner combo. Dominator by Lashley to Ricochet, who kicked out at two. Lashley wanted a stalling superplex, but G.O.A. made the save with a super Tower of Doom almost for two. Kaun laid out Benjamin with a Big Ending, then took out MVP & Lashley with a slingshot dive. Ricochet wanted a dive, but Benjamin got a quick go-behind and launched Ricochet over the top onto the pile with a German Suplex before clearing the top with a dive. Thrust Kick popped Kaun, as Benjamin was low bridged by Ricochet, who tried a springboard on MVP, who side-stepped and hit the Ballin elbow. Fishermanâ€s Suplex hit, but Liona broke it up. Lashley & Liona traded submission attempts, until Benjamin flew in with a pump knee, giving Lashley a chance to hit the Spear on Liona. Ricochet was surrounded now, but Kaun pulled him to safety, opting to take the bullet for him. Knee strike by Benjamin led to another Spear by Lashley for the win.

Match Result: The Hurt Syndicate defeated The Demand to become #1 Contenders for the AEW Trios Titles when Lashley pinned Kaun

Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis) vs. Mark Briscoe for the TNT Title

(A slower start than you might expect, but these two ramped it up in a major way the second half. The crowd will forever cheer for Mark Briscoe and Iâ€m in the camp of thinking he shouldâ€ve won the title tonight, as Fletcher has proved he belongs in the main event level of talent in AEW. However, I understand with The Don Callis Family having a ton of titles, you donâ€t want Fletcher losing his so soon. An absolute excellent match.)

Callis joined commentary and said Fletcher is an Adonis, which you canâ€t spell without Don. Callis also said Briscoe has a genius IQ for a Golden Retriever, as after an early feeling out process, Briscoe hit a slingshot dive and bit at Fletcher before hitting a snap suplex on the floor, followed by a Cactus Elbow. Briscoe chucked a chair in the ring, tried to do his launch off it, but Fletcher grabbed it and took it to the floor. The brief delay allowed Briscoe to hit a baseball slide, had Fletcher take a seat, as it was followed by a somersault dive through the ropes, as Callis headed for higher ground. Briscoe wanted a Blockbuster off the apron, but Fletcher dodged and Briscoe went splat. Fletcher quickly set the ring steps up on its side and powerbombed Briscoe onto them.

Fletcher remained in firm control back inside, planting Briscoe with a Michinoku Driver for two. Both traded big boots, hit simultaneously, then collided with a double clothesline, turning one another inside out, which looked great on the slo-mo replay. Each exchange chops until Briscoe fired off a flying forearm, flipped out of a backdrop attempt into a Fisherman Buster for two. DVD countered, as Fletcher tried a lawn dart, Briscoe slipped free, Fletcher avoided Jay Driller into a Half and Half followed by a leg lariat and huge sit-out Last Ride powerbomb for two. Running corner boot connects, Briscoe floated over the brainbuster attempt, but Fletcher hit another running boot before heading up top. Fletcher wanted the brainbuster, Briscoe slid out, turned Fletcher around, wanted an Avalanche Splash Mountain Bomb, but Fletcher fought out and hit a big time superplex into the double down.

Fletcher tried a PK from the apron, Briscoe blocked, but ate a thrust kick flush. Fletcher tried a brainbuster, but Briscoe countered into a Jay Driller on the edge of the ring. Fletcher tried to get feeling going in his hands, as Briscoe threw him back inside, only to miss the Froggy Bow. A third running corner boot connects for Fletcher, but once more, Briscoe avoided the brainbuster, hung up Fletcher on the top rope, as Briscoe hit the Froggy Bow and another follow-up one on the outside. Briscoe completed the trifecta, hitting a third back inside, but Fletcher kicked out. Fletcher escaped a Jay Driller, traded pin attempts, until Briscoe hit an exploder, Fletcher still fought off a Jay Driller, this time into another Half and Half, but Briscoe fired up into a home run lariat. Jay Driller landed, but Fletcher got a literal finger on the ropes.

Briscoe wanted a Cutthroat Driver, but Fletcher grabbed the ref for leverage, shoved Briscoe into the ref, punted Briscoe low and hit a brainbuster, but Briscoe got a shoulder up. Fletcher had a gif worthy reaction, as a running knee caught Briscoe flush, but again, kicked out. Lawn dart and flying corner kick hits, as Fletcher quickly set Briscoe up for an Avalanche Brainbuster, connects and got the victory.

Post-match, El Clon came to the stage to celebrate with Fletcher & Callis, while The Conglomeration all were out to check on Briscoe.

Match Result: Kyle Fletcher defeated Mark Briscoe to retain the TNT Title

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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

AEW WRESTLEDREAM PPV RESULTS
OCTOBER 18, 2025
ST. LOUIS, MI AT CHAIFETZ ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON PPV (including PPV.com)

Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE AEW WRESTLEDREAM POST-SHOW…

On the PWTorch YouTube Channel tonight, PWTorchâ€s Brandon LeClair & Greg Parks will go live right after AEW WrestleDream. Weâ€ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!

If you canâ€t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller†and “pwtorch†in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps. This Rumble Post-show will be on the PWTorch Dailycast feed.

VIP MEMBER EXCLUSIVE VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE

Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller†(or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine). This is a private link, so donâ€t share. Itâ€s just for VIP members at this time.

LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER WRESTLEDREAM TONIGHT: CLICK HERE

(Pre-Show Match In Progress) FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. JET SPEED (Kevin Knight & “Speedball” Mike Bailey)

They joined the match in progress, noting that it didn’t end within the pre-show window. No one has been more excited about anything ever than Tony Schiavone was about this match carrying over into the PPV portion. For the finish, Cash covered Speedball and got the three count when Stokely Hathaway held his feet from ringside out of the referee’s view.

WINNERS: FTR.

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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

HOUSEKEEPING

• Konosuke Takeshita defeated Zack Sabre Jr. at King of Pro Wrestling to become the new IWGP World Champion.

• Speaking of new champions, Mercedes Moné traveled to Denmark last Friday where she won the Bodyslam Pro Wrestling Womenâ€s Title. This win gives her a tenth championship, tying her with Ultimo Dragon. It also means that the Womenâ€s World Tag Team Titles could suddenly be interesting as it could be the one that breaks the record.

• Kota Ibushi suffered a broken femur after falling from Josh Alexanderâ€s shoulders on the turnbuckle to the floor during their match on Collision. This is just the latest in a series of injuries the Golden Star has endured the last few years. What makes this one particularly sad is that Ibushi had practically turned back the hands of time since returning in July and looked the most like his old self that he has in years. Now this setback. Hereâ€s wishing him all the best.

INTRO

Itâ€s another PPV week which means tonight is another go-home show. AEW always delivers when it comes to these and I have no doubt they will again tonight.

How Far Will They Go?

Latest Developments

Darby Allin closed out last weekâ€s Dynamite by threatening the Death Riders with a Molotov Cocktail before security intervened.

Analysis

Just when it seemed like things couldnâ€t possibly escalate much further in the war between Darby Allin and the Death Riders, Darby showed up at the end of last weekâ€s Dynamite loaded for battle. After helping cost Pac his match against Orange Cassidy, he was prepared for the inevitable Death Riders attack. He sprayed Jon Moxley with pepper spray, tasered Wheeler Yuta, and then pulled out a actual Molotov Cocktail and dared the Death Riders to come after him. Before he could light it, however, he was tackled by security and in the process dropped the bottle which shattered. The show went off the air with both sides being restrained by security.

Later in the week, in a video widely shared on social media, Darby attacked Mox while he was appearing at a NYC Comic-Con panel.
Suffice to say, this feud is out of control. The I Quit match this Saturday will most certainly not be for the weak at heart. These two are capable of damn near anything and who knows what they might do to each other to force someone to say “I quit.” I mean weâ€ve seen flamethrowers, tasers, pepper spray, and Molotov Cocktails in the lead up. I shudder to imagine what will unfold once the bell rings.

I do believe that Darby has to win the match, though. He has to get his definitive win over Mox and end the issue once and for all. The problem is that the Death Riders arenâ€t going anywhere even though they probably should. If they are going to stay around, then there has to be a significant change within the group. Mox literally saying “I quit” should be catalyst to him getting supplanted as leader of the Death Riders by Pac. Mox can go away for awhile and The Death Riders can get a new look and new mission statement with Pac at the helm.

Grade: B

To Legitimize a Champion

Latest Developments

Kris Statlander and Toni Storm will have a final war of words as they prepare to do battle one-on-one for the very first time at WrestleDream.

Analysis

Storm and Statlander teamed with Harley Cameron to face the Triangle of Madness in a six-woman tag team match on Collision. The match was good. Aside from continuing to build the Triangle of Madness, the purpose of this match was to see if Stat and Storm could effectively work together ahead of their match. For the most part, they did. Things almost broke down when Julia Hart ducked a kick and Stat almost clocked Storm. The resulting stare down led to both women getting taken out of the match and Harley being pinned.

On tonightâ€s Dynamite, Stat and Storm are scheduled to have a promo segment dubbed “Famous Last Words.” Obviously, talking is not Statlanderâ€s strong suit but she managed to hold her own thus far largely because Toni has gone out of her way not to overshadow her verbally. I hope thatâ€s the case tonight.

As far as the match goes, I expect both women to be motivated to put on a strong showing. The whole point of the match is to legitimize Statlanderâ€s unexpected title win last month, so I expect her to go over Toni in clean and convincing fashion.

Grade: B+

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A Fight for Respect

Latest Developments

Samoa Joe and “Hangman” Page defined their match as one to prove Hangman is a worthy champion.

Analysis

Hangman addressed the confusing way the match came about during the face-to-face promo with Joe last week. Both men are such masters on the mic that they were able to overcome the way the match was initially set and up and really sell this match as another step in Hangman proving his worthiness as champion.

This match will be good, no doubt. I just hope that Hangman gets a real feud to sink his teeth into next. Opponents of the Month are fine for heel champions like Jon Moxley. Hangman is better when he’s focused in on an opponent.

Grade: B-

The Family That Preys

Latest Developments

The Don Callis Family continued its eternal war with Kenny Omega and battle against the Conglomeration as the internal tension between Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita continued to mount.

Analysis

After the gruesome injury to Ibushi, Omega ran down to aid his best friend. Mark Davis made his return to the DCF and got a trash can to the head from Omega as a welcome back present. Later in the show, Jack Perry approached Omega in his locker room and attempted to make peace. Omega was understandably reluctant given Perryâ€s role in the Elite’s assault on him, but agreed to team up with Jurassic Express to test the waters. Given that Andrade has a prior engagement, he canâ€t be Omegaâ€s opponent on Saturday. That leaves an opening on Omegaâ€s dance card. My vote is for Hechicero. That match could be incredible.

Elsewhere, the Don Callis Family is also feuding with The Conglomeration – specifically Fletcher feuding with Mark Briscoe. The two will have the fifth match of their series at WrestleDream where Fletcher will almost certainly retain his TNT Title.

Perhaps the most interesting thing going on with The Family is the tension between Okada and Takeshita. They won the right to fight Brodido for the tag titles last week and things were extremely awkward then. Since then, Takeshita went and won the IWGP Title.

In a video released to social media, the Don Callis Family gathered to celebrate Don’s birthday. Takeshita, fresh off his title win, sent in a video with his birthday wishes, but Okada “accidentally” cut it off midway through, barely disguising his disdain. How will these two be able to work together and when will the jealousy and animosity boil over? Those are the pressing questions for this weekend.

Grade: B+

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AEW/Lee South

“Hangman” Adam Page is scheduled to make the fifth defense of his second reign as AEW World Champion at WrestleDream, defending it against a former champion in his own right, reigning Trios Champion Samoa Joe. Page won the title at All In Texas in July, dethroning Jon Moxley and ending what had been built as a reign of terror under the Death Riders, having since seen off Moxley again, as well as another former champion in MJF at Forbidden Door, TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher at All Out, and then ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty on “AEW Dynamite.” And his feud with Joe came a result of their working together against the Death Riders, with Joe perceiving a lack of respect from the younger champion and deciding to call his shot, and Page, being the younger champion, accepting the challenge with a point to prove.

While there is every chance that Joe could turn up and do to Page what he did to MJF at Worlds End 2023, locking in the Coquina Clutch and taking the title, it does feel like the stage has been set for the champion to further cement his reign than for a new one to be crowned. That in itself begs the question — if not Joe, then who will be the next World Champion? And with that, who shouldÂbe the next World Champion? Well, short of a crystal ball, one could not honestly pretend to know exactly how things will pan out. But it doesn’t take the fun out of running through the options on the table and making a pretentiously educated guess, a breaking down of the belt held by Page and the immense field of options to inherit the mantle when and where the time comes for it.Â

MJF

AEW/Lee South

There aren’t very many that walk into a world title challenge knowing that they will have at least one more guaranteed shot, but that’s what MJF did when he made his challenge for the title against Page at Forbidden Door.Â

Having won the Casino Gauntlet match at All In: Texas, he goaded Page into accepting their title match without the need to exercise his contract under the threat of — wait for it — setting Mark Briscoe on fire, after Page had already goaded MJF into saying he would use the contract… It was messy, but the takeaway was MJF keeping his contract, though without the purported cash-in rule and it being declared he will have to give a week’s notice before the consequent title match. And that, at least from the outside looking in, looks like a remarkable amount of creative effort to keep a world title match saved for another day. Since losing to Briscoe in their Tacks n’ Tables match at All Out, MJF cut a promo that very much spelled some time away to reset, and it feels as though he will be returning for the World title when he does so.Â

It’s not as though MJF would be an out-there choice to dethrone Page; at his best he has been the best heel in the company, if not the entirety of wrestling, and his maiden run with the title saw him become the longest-reigning champion. Naturally, there is the fact that Page has already beaten MJF and had done so in such a convincing fashion, and that does make it hard to envision things going the other way. But so often does wrestling do the job of taking that route, for better or worse, and in the field of challengers it just seems as though MJF has enough going for him to be their logical next step.Â

However, just because one thinks he will, doesn’t mean one thinks he should. And that brings us to…

Eddie Kingston

AEW/Lee South

It has to be said before rationalizing this point that there were numerous options for this role, whether that be a former challenger in Kyle Fletcher, Page’s arch-nemesis and former champion Swerve Strickland, former WWE World Champion Bobby Lashley, or somehow yet to be World Champion Will Ospreay. But along with those options came their own unique and individual arguments against each case: Ospreay, for example, is sidelined indefinitely with severe neck issues, so while he may yet hold the title it would take a miracle – or a health & safety nightmare – to see him as the next champion.

Enter: Eddie Kingston, fresh off of his return to the ring at All Out and gearing for a fight seemingly every Saturday. To put it bluntly, time is running out for AEW to crown the “Mad King,” with his last injury wiping over a year off his career and coming at a time where it just started to feel like he was making headway as a potential champion. His journey has been earnestly inspiring; he’s by no means perfect in his approach or the objective best at what he does, but he’s someone who puts his all into being the best they can be — a very good and, crucially, very compelling wrestler. He could have been the one to end the reign of Moxley had it not been for said injury, but there is an inarguable value in putting him opposite Page for the title, whether as the working hero or the resentfully bitter heel, and his next shot should really be the one after so many opportunities.

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Samoa Joe blew up at “Hangman” Adam Page after they won a six-man tag match on tonight’s AEW Dynamite, noting that Hangman has never defeated him. Hangman, moments later, offered Joe a shot at his AEW World Title later this month on the AEW WrestleDream PPV.

Later on Dynamite, during a backstage interview, Joe said he wasn’t surprised by Hangman’s response. He said there is no misunderstanding between them. He said he’s been so preoccupied by the Death Riders, he lost track of who he is. He said he needs to remind Hangman of who he is. He said he has never defeated him. “On any day that you have ever existed, you have never been greater than me,” he said. He said he is standing in “deep sh–.”

Samoa Joe is a former AEW World Champion. Joe held the title for nearly four months starting on Dec. 30, 2023 through April 21, 2024. Joe was out of action earlier this year after suffering an ankle injury on the set of “Twisted Metal.”

The third-annual AEW WrestleDream takes place on Oct. 18 in St. Louis, Mo. at Chaifetz Arena. Kenny Omega vs. Bryan Danielson for the AEW World Title headlined the first WrestleDream in 2023 and Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita headlined the 2024 event.

The only other matches announced so far for WrestleDream are Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin in an I Quit match and Kris Statlander vs. Toni Storm for the AEW Women’s Title. The Statlander-Storm match was also set up on Dynamite tonight.

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TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher reflected on his AEW World Championship match against Hangman Page at All Out during a recent interview.

Fletcher told WMUL Radio recently that he feels the match has solidified him as a main eventer and called going 40 minutes with Page a “huge challenge.”

Fletcher said:

“My whole career Iâ€ve been the young guy. Iâ€ve always heard that I have all this potential, that in the future Iâ€ll be a world champion. And Iâ€m at a point now where I really do think Iâ€m hitting my stride. And I think itâ€s important for me to shake that ‘one day Iâ€ll be great, one day Iâ€ll be whatever’ because I think Iâ€m great now.“

“It was to test myself as well. I wanted to see if I was ready for that. I mean, I can believe it as much as I want in my own head, but I have to prove it to myself as well. So, it was a huge test.”

“I think I proved that I belong in the main event. I didn’t win the world championship but I think I proved to a lot of people that it could be coming sooner rather than later.”

Fletcher was asked about Page praising him after their All Out match, and Fletcher responded that he’s been following The Elite since before AEW started and has a lot of respect for Page.

Fletcher continued:

“Iâ€ve been watching AEW since its inception. Iâ€ve been watching all of the Elite guys for even longer than that. So, Hangman is someone I have a lot of respect for. Heâ€s someone that I think has probably one of the most in-depth characters in all of pro wrestling. I look up to him a lot and to hear those words come from him, it kind of reinforces to me that Iâ€m on the right path and Iâ€m heading in the right direction.”

Fletcher has two AEW matches upcoming. He’s scheduled to put his TNT Championship on the line against Komander on tonight’s episode of Collision at the Marshall Health Network Arena in Huntington, West Virginia. Assuming he retains on Saturday, Fletcher will then defend his belt against the undefeated Hologram on Wednesday’s 6-year Anniversary of AEW Dynamite special.

Fletcher’s full interview with WMUL Radio is available below:

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Kyle Fletcher

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HOUSEKEEPING

• Tony Khan officially announced the addition of AEW Womenâ€s Tag Team Titles. He didnâ€t specify when inaugural champions will be crowned, but he did have Renee Paquette show off the new belts.

INTRO

All Out is in the rear view mirror and WrestleDream is on the horizon. First, though, Dynamite will celebrate its sixth anniversary next week. Letâ€s break down where things stand ahead of that milestone.

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A Rough Night for the Family

Latest Developments

Kyle Fletcher came up short in a fantastic match with “Hangman” Page, Josh Alexander & Hechicero failed to win the AEW Tag Team Titles, and tension continued to brew Konosuke Takeshita and Kazuchika Okada as the latter retained his Unified Title in a not-so-great night for the Don Callis Family.

Analysis

The DCF’s night began midway through the PPV with Kazuchika Okada defending his Unified Title against Konosuke Takeshita and Mascara Dorada in a sensational three-way match. Dorada, wrestling his third match in three days, was the stand out in this one, hitting a plethora of incredible lucha spots throughout. He simply refused to get lost amidst the larger story of Okada and Takeshita each trying to prove their superiority. I didnâ€t love that Okada and Takeshita shared a ring before they had a one-on-one match, but this match did a good job threading the needle and building up interest in the eventual encounter.

Hechicero and Josh Alexander were among four teams in the four way ladder match in the semi-main event. Iâ€ve always believed ladder matches should only be used in specific situations, none of which this match met, but thereâ€s no doubt this match was great.

One of the scarier spots of the match came when “Speedball” Mike Bailey executed his moonsault double knee drop onto Hechicero who was stretched across a ladder. Iâ€m not sure what got the worst of it, Speedballâ€s shins or Hechiceroâ€s neck. In the end, Bandido took out the DCF members with a top rope moonsault with a ladder in his hands before ascending another ladder to retrieve the belts for his team.

The show closed with Kyle Fletcher challenging “Hangman” Page for the AEW Menâ€s World Title. If there were any doubters who believed Fletcher didnâ€t belong in the main event, he absolutely proved them wrong. The match was 38 minutes but never dragged. Champion and challenger beat the hell out of each other. Fletcher targeted Hangmanâ€s taped up neck which Fletcher injured in a show closing attack last Wednesday. He hit a brainbuster through the timekeeper’s table and then another in the ring, but Hangman kicked out.

Thatâ€s when he started to get frustrated and make mistakes. It eventually caught up with him as Hangman reversed an attempt at the top rope brainbuster into a top rope Dead Eye which he followed up with a Buckshot lariat for the win.

The main event was easily the match of the night. Fletcher established himself as a player who is ready for the main event physically but perhaps has emotional growing to do. This loss should be motivation for Fletcher to really focus on his TNT Title and eventually work his way back to a title match. As for Hangman, itâ€s hard to know if thereâ€s more battles with the Don Callis Family ahead or if a new challenger will emerge.

Grade: B+

Tic Tack Done

Latest Developments

Mark Briscoe finally got even with MJF, defeating him in the first even Tacks ‘n’ Tacks match.

Analysis

Mark Briscoe started of the match by emptying the contents of four buckets full of tacks into the center of the ring. MJF dodged being dropped into them a couple times before scoop slamming Briscoe into them. He then hit an Alabama Slam on Briscoe into the tacks. MJF also brilliantly got heat by putting the tables back under the ring. It was a simple thing but so effective. Briscoe took over and repeatedly dropped into the tacks. He put him through a table on the floor. The finish came after Briscoe hit two Froggy Bows, one through a table, and then the Jay Driller.

Briscoe had to win this match after all the heinous things MJF said about his family, specifically his late brother. It does seem like Briscoe is sliding back into his feud with the DCF and effort to get a TNT title match against Kyle Fletcher.

This loss capped off a bad weekend for MJF who lost a great match to Mistico the night prior at the CMLL Anniversario show. Iâ€m not sure whatâ€s next for him but he does still hold that Casino Gauntlet contract.

Grade: B+

Well That Was Unexpected

Latest Developments

Kris Statlander shocked the world, pinning Toni Storm with a seatbelt to capture the AEW Womenâ€s World title.

Analysis

When Toni Storm set up the four-way match for AEW Womenâ€s World Title it seemed like a foregone conclusion that she would retain her championship. That made Kris Statlanderâ€s upset all the more surprising. The match itself was fine, although it quite clicked into a higher gear. At the end, Toni was left alone in the ring with Stat. The two squared off with Stat getting the advantage and hooking on the seatbelt pinning combination for the unexpected victory.

I hope thereâ€s a good plan in place for Statlander given the equity that Toni has built up in the title since winning it back in Australia in February. Obviously sheâ€s been doing this weird dance with the Death Riders for weeks now and she won with Wheeler Yutaâ€s signature move. The thing is it feels like the best opportunity for her to turn heel was during the match, as a way to win. It would feel anticlimactic to do it once sheâ€s already beaten the champion clean.

Tony Khanâ€s announcement regarding the Women’s Tag Team Titles being introduced complicates matters further because itâ€s always felt like Stat and Willow were destined to make a deep run in the inaugural tournament or even win it. That would mean she’d have to remain a face. Itâ€s hard to say where this goes but we probably wonâ€t be able to fully judge it until after the fact. (Statlander seemed to definitely side against the Death Riders by clotheslining Yuta and flipping off Mox.)

Grade: B-

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The Mox, The Mox, The Mox is on Fire!

Latest Developments

Jon Moxley defeated Darby Allin in a coffin match with the help of the returning Pac only to be set on fire in a body bag backstage.

Analysis

The match was as violent and bloody as expected. At one point Darby hit a suicide dive onto Mox into a standing coffin. In a callback to last month at Forbidden Door, Darby retrieved a fork and stabbed Mox in the ear and the head.

Speaking of callbacks Bryan Danielson produced a duffel bag in which he had hidden a plastic bag identical to the one the Death Riders used on him. He passed the bag to Darby who then attempted to suffocate Mox. Just when it looked like Darby had the match won, Pac made his return after a several month injury layoff. Sporting street clothes and a new short haircut, Pac kicked Darby in the face and then Razorâ€s Edged him over the top rope onto the lid of a coffin. He picked up Darbyâ€s lifeless body, placed in a body bag, and dumped it in the coffin which Mox kicked shut.

This win was something of a surprise given that it seemed like Darby winning and symbolically closing the lid on the Death Riders made the most sense. Moxâ€s victory extends the story. What also extended the story was what transpired later backstage. Mox and the Death Riders had carried the coffin with Darby in it away from the ring after the match.

Marina Shafir found a cameraman in the back and directed him to film. Mox stood over the coffin and said he loved Darby. He dismissed the other Death Riders and then knelt next to the coffin. Thatâ€s when Darby, having Houdini-d himself out of the body bag popped out of the coffin and blasted Mox with a pipe. He then put Mox in the body bag, sprayed a flammable liquid on him, and lit him on fire. Officials quickly rushed to put the flames out as Mox screamed in pain. Darby told them to let him burn as he was forcibly dragged away from the scene.

Ordinarily, this would be a too over-the-top scene but given the escalatory nature of the violence within this feud, something the commentators pointed out, it somehow made sense. That said, I shudder to imagine whatâ€s next. Maybe Tony Khan is going to bring back the human torch match after all.

[Note: Darby showed at Dynamite with his flamethrower and challenged Mox to an Quit match at WrestleDream.]

Grade: B

The Ecstasy and the Agony

Latest Developments

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage defeated FTR only for FTR to attack them and the debuting Beth Copeland after the match.

Analysis

This match featured the most Canadian video package accompanying Copeland and Christianâ€s entrance with the two running into hockey legends and TV stars backstage. As for the match it was wrestled like an old school tag match with the heels isolating one of the faces. Things broke down after Christian hit Dax with a spear and Copeland used the Killswitch on Cash. Copeland made the cover but Stokely.

That brought out the former Beth Phoenix now Beth Copeland. She speared Stokely and then carried him to the back on her shoulders. FTR got a series of near falls on Copeland first with shot with the ring bell and then consecutive Shatter Machines. The finish itself was a little wonky with Christian yanking Dax out the ring and Cash walking into a spear.

After the match Beth returned to congratulate her husband when Mother Wayne suddenly rolled Nick Wayne onto the stage in a wheelchair. That allowed FTR and Kip Sabian to attack Copeland and Christian from behind. Sabian handcuffed Copeland to the bottom rope while FTR hit a spiked piledriver on Christian. They turned their sights on Beth. When she realized the situation she simply kissed her husband and then started punching FTR. They quickly overwhelmed her and Copeland was forced to watch Beth take a spiked piledriver.

This all worked well in front of the Toronto crowd. The hometown legends got their win but the heels got a ton of heat back to extend the feud. The go-home promo saved a lackluster build and this match set up the next steps nicely so I expect better from the buildup this time around.

Grade: B

Random Questions

– Can we get Mercedes Moné a real opponent now? Yes, she had a good match with Riho but the entire set up felt totally out of nowhere. There was an interesting feud going between Mercedes and Alex Windsor and Riho got dropped into the middle of it. Letâ€s get back to that.

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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

SHOW SUMMARY:PWTorch’s Brian Zilem and Sean Radican discuss the AEW All Out PPV. “Hangman” Adam Page retains against Kyle Fletcher for the AEW World Title, Kris Statlander becomes new Womenâ€s Champion in the four-way clash with Toni Storm, Hayter, and Thekla, Okada retains Unified Title over Takeshita & Máscara Dorada, Brodido holds on to Tag Team gold in a wild ladder match vs. Young Bucks, JetSpeed, and others, Jon Moxley beats Darby Allin in a Coffin match, Mark Briscoe defeats MJF in a brutal Tables ‘n’ Thumbtacks match, Adam Copeland & Christian Cage take down FTR, plus surprise returns from Pac, Jack Perry, and Eddie Kingston, and the debut of Beth Copeland.

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