In a physical match that had to follow the spectacle of Stadium Stampede, MJF got the win after a second rope tombstone piledriver, followed by a side headlock takeover — a staple of their feud dating back to the indies — for the pin and the beginning of his third World title run.

Allin put up the title against MJF’s hair as the big stipulation.

Afterward, Allin was being stretchered out when MJF stopped it to put his foot on top of him to add insult to injury. Kevin Knight then ran out to run off MJF and decided to then deliver a UFO splash from the top turnbuckle to the stretchered Allin on the outside of the ring, turning heel. There was no explanation for it with Excalibur mentioning both men were trained by the late Buddy Wayne.

As expected, Allin took some considerable punishment during the match even when he was delivering on offense. Late in the match, he hit a coffin drop through a table on the stage that was set up for a possible head shaving. The drop was from above the scaffolding setup and lights on the stage and when Allin landed, he appeared to hit his head on a platform the table was set up on as he came up bleeding from the back of his head.

Our Bryan Alvarez noted it had to be a hardway cut as the New York State Athletic Commission doesn’t allow blood.

Allin nearly got injured early as he went for a tope, but hooked his heels on the ropes and landed right on top of his head for a nasty spill. He later got hit with a package piledriver onto the ringside steps and also hit a cameraman on a dive as MJF pulled him in front of Allin.

The win ends the short title run that began the Wednesday after April’s Dynasty when Allin won the championship for the first time in front of his hometown of Everett, Washington. The 40-day run saw seven successful title defenses.

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Put in the co-main event spot, the end of the match came when Team Ricochet’s Bishop Kaun shoved Ricochet out of the way before Chris Jericho could finish him off to end a sequence of Team Jericho finishers. Kaun then got hit with a seven-way superkick and a lionsault for the pin and win.

The rest of Team Ricochet were taken out prior to that: Bobby Lashley took out Mark Davis through a table with a spear preceded by him back suplexing Toa Liona through a table, The Dogs taken out by the Young Bucks with stereo top turnbuckle elbow drops through tables and Kenny Omega hitting the One Winged Angel to Andrade through a table on the outside of the ring.

After the win, Jericho jumped through a table in a tribute to Sabu.

Of note from our Bryan Alvarez, the New York State Athletic Commission wouldn’t allow blood or brawling through the crowd.

The match featured Jericho, Omega, Matt and Nick Jackson, Jack Perry, Lashley and Shelton Benjamin against Ricochet, Liona, Kaun, Clark Connors, David Finlay, Davis and Andrade.

Both teams had cinematic intros with Team Jericho all dressed up wearing suits with Metallica’s Devil’s Dance as an overlay while Team Ricochet entered in various vehicles with The Demand sporting baseball uniforms in a nod to the Baseball Furies in the cult classic movie The Warriors.

Among the notable spots:

• A seven-man linked abdominal stretch from Liona on Omega until MVP broke it up with his cane.
• The Bucks and Omega hitting stereo topes followed by Benjamin doing a flip dive over the top rope followed by a Jericho dive off the top turnbuckle to the outside
• Omega, the Bucks, Perry and Jericho hitting consecutive corner hurricanranas
• Liona hitting a Samoan drop with the Bucks and Perry on top of him
• Perry hitting Davis with a full vacuum cleaner tank
• During a brawl backstage with Liona and Lashley, Lio Rush appeared and helped aid Lashley in a callback to their WWE days
• Connors was superkicked up an escalator by the Bucks
• Andrade was taking a ringside selfie when a blonde wig wearing Luchasaurus appeared, eventually spitting mist into his eyes.
• Ricochet getting suplexed onto tennis balls in the ring by a full-suited Jericho.
• A brawl in catering which saw an enhancement wrestler get hit by Davis who then caught a chair in the eye. Andrade then got shoved into Satnum Singh from behind, getting cake in his face. Singh got up and called for a food fight.
• Matt Jackson wheeling Connors down to the ring in a grocery cart while wearing a trash can into a Nick Jackson superkick
• Luther appeared backstage to give Jericho a giant tennis racket to use against Ricochet followed by Jericho using a ball machine to fire tennis balls at Jericho.
• Davis found a golf cart with a sign that said “Wait here, assh*le” leading to Perry driving his bus into the golf cart.

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Toward the final stages of the May 24 edition of AEW Double or Nothing, fans saw Thekla defend her Women’s World title against Jamie Hayter, Hikaru Shida, and Kris Statlander.

Midway through the bout, fans saw Shida unknowingly hit Statlander, but she brushed it aside and continued through the match. Things turned more tense as Statlander later confronted Shida, and the two began an exchange before the other two women interfered.

Later, toward the closing moments of the match, fans saw Statlander hit the Saturday Night Fever on Thekla and cover her for the pinfall. However, it was her partner, Shida, who broke the pinfall attempt with a kendo stick. Shida hit Statlander with the kendo stick before she was sent outside to the ringside. Shida was then attacked and taken out by Hayter, while Thekla performed the stomp on Statlander and covered her for the win.

Shida’s decision to turn on Statlander and deny her the title win will intensify the already difficult dynamic of their partnership.

Meanwhile, Thekla has been the champion since February 2026 and is 103 days into her Women’s World title reign.

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Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland both made it to the next round during Sunday’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view, getting themselves one step closer to a World title match at Wembley Stadium. Ospreay will next face the winner of the opening round match between Mark Davis and Jack Perry while Strickland will face whoever wins between Claudio Castagnoli and Brody King.

Ospreay was the first to advance at Double or Nothing, defeating Samoa Joe. The finish had Ospreay connecting with the hidden blade, only for Joe to kick out at one. Ospreay responded with a second hidden blade, this time scoring the pinfall win. For Swerve, the critical moment came when he reversed Bandido’s twenty-one plex and planted the ROH Champion with a vertebreaker. Swerve then pinned Bandido following the house call to pick up his victory.

Lots at stake in the Owen Hart Foundation tournament

The winners of both Owen Hart tournaments will move on to challenge the AEW World Champion and the AEW Women’s Champion respectively at All In, which takes place August 30 at Wembley Stadium.

Athena was the first to advance in the women’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament, defeating Mina Shirakawa on Sunday.

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In the fourth match of the night, Moxley faced Kyle O’Reilly in a no-time-limit match with the Continental title on the line. After their previous time-limit draw on Dynamite, AEW announced them both for a no-limit title match at Double or Nothing.

In their five previous singles matches, Moxley won one in 2022, while all their recent ones were either won by O’Reilly or ended in a draw. Tonight at Double or Nothing, Moxley trapped O’Reilly in an ankle lock and made the AEW Trios Champion tap out.

After the match concluded, the Death Riders (Marina Shafir, Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia & Wheeler Yuta) came out to celebrate with Moxley. At the same time, The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe & Roderick Strong) helped out the defeated O’Reilly.

Moving past their rivalry, Moxley and O’Reilly displayed a mutual show of respect as they shook hands with each other, while both of their factions looked on.

Moxley has been the Continental Champion since December 2027, winning the title from Kazuchika Okada.

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AEW Double or Nothing 2026 officially kicked off the Women’s Owen Hart tournament. The women’s opening round began with ROH Women’s World Champion Athena taking on Mina Shirakawa.

In the third match of the night, Athena defeated Shirakawa in a closely fought match and crowned herself the winner.

Throughout the match, Shirakawa tried to inflict damage on Athena’s legs, but unfortunately for Shirakawa, the champion stood through it all. Toward the closing moments of the match, Athena executed the O-Face on Shirakawa and secured the pinfall.

With her win tonight, Athena has booked her spot in the semi-final of the tournament. The date for Athena’s semi-final match has yet to be announced.

The other matches for the tournament will see Alex Windsor against a wild-card opponent, Sareee against Skye Blue, and Hazuki against Persephone. Although the dates for these matches have not been confirmed yet.

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Takeshita picked up the win after hitting a Rainmaker on Okada, followed by an Okada dropkick and then a Takeshita running knee strike that got just a one count. Okada then fell victim to a raging fire to give the new champion the win.

Afterward, Don Callis was joined by Okada, Rocky Romero and Mark Davis in the ring. The three were bickering with Takeshita about giving Okada a brainbuster on the outside of the ring earlier in the way when Fletcher’s music hit — his first appearance since late-March when he suffered a meniscus injury.

Fletcher embraced Takeshita and then raised his arm until his expression changed and he clotheslined his old friend. He then gave him a brainbuster of his own and eventually, the rest of the group got back in the ring. He and Okada picked up the International title at the same time which got a big crowd reaction, but Okada let Fletcher take it who then blasted Takeshita in the head and made it clear he is coming for the title.

The win ends the 317-day reign for Okada who won the title in a unification bout against Kenny Omega last July’s All In and successfully defended it nine times. It’s Takeshita’s second run with the title and his first since March 2025.

The match was a rematch from last December’s Continental Classic semifinals at Worlds End where Okada used a screwdriver to defeat Takeshita.

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Adam Copeland and Christian Cage emerged victorious in the opening match of Sunday’s show, defeating FTR in an I Quit New York Street Fight. Towards the end of the match, Beth Copeland came out to even the odds, focusing on Stokely Hathaway. However she was shoved into the steel steps and was about to be put through a flaming table when, at the last minute, she grabbed Stokely and put him in harm’s way, sending both him and Cash Wheeler through the table.

With two of the three out of commission, Cope and Cage focused on Dax Harwood, with Cage putting him in a sharpshooter. Cope followed with a crossface, but Harwood refused to quit. Once Beth introduced a spiked board, Copeland used it and finally got Harwood to say I Quit, ending the match.

Cope & Cage won their initial match against FTR back at All Out, but took time off after FTR injured Beth during their match. They returned and faced FTR once again at AEW Dynasty in April, but failed to win the titles. It was then that Copeland challenged the champions to one final match saying if they didn’t win, they would never team again.

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As the multiple time world champion joined Renee Paquette in the ring as part of the AEW Double or Nothing pre-show, Tony Khan announced that Foley had officially joined the promotion.

“He’s co-hosting The Buy In at AEW Double or Nothing tonight, and now it’s official: the legendary Mick Foley is ALL ELITE!!,” he wrote.

After making his entrance, Foley said that being at Double or Nothing was one of the biggest nights of his life, as AEW is the reason he fell in love with pro wrestling again. He said he considered Tony Khan a friend and is glad to be part of the family.

Towards the end of the Zero Hour pre-show, MJF interrupted Foley has he was sharing his predicton for the main event. The two exchanged words until MJF gave Foley a low blow. Darby Allin came out for the save but MJF fled before anything more could take place. Foley recovered enough to give Allin a pep speech, asking him to win tonight for the weird kids.

Foley publicly left WWE for political reasons

Foley’s AEW debut was announced earlier this week after reports surfaced that the company was interested in bringing him in. 

Last year, Foley made headlines when he chose to cut ties with WWE, declaring he would not be renewing his Legends contract due to the company’s ties with President Donald Trump. He called Trump’s comments regarding director Rob Reiner’s death “incredibly cruel.”

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Announced by the NWA on Sunday, Corino will be part of Hard Times 6 on Saturday, June 6 at Center Stage in Atlanta. He will take on Axton Ray in his first match since July 27 of last year when he and Shane Williams lost to AJ Francis and Bojack in an indie tag team match.

Corino was a free agent during his time away, choosing to re-sign a multi-year deal with the NWA in January despite rumored interest from both WWE and AEW as he felt he had more things to do and learn, both in the promotion and the indies.

The 29-year-old is the son of former ECW star Steve Corino who currently works behind the scenes in WWE NXT. He has wrestled once for WWE, losing to Mansoor on an episode of 205 Live in September 2020.

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Latest News

• AEW Double or Nothing 2026 live results: MJF vs. Darby Allin
• AEW posts cold open for Double or Nothing pay-per-view
• Tony Khan non-committal on AEW All In returning to London in 2027
• Post-AEW Double or Nothing schedule update for WOR, Bryan & Vinny
• NJPW Best of the Super Juniors night seven results, updated standings
• Opening segment, new match announced for WWE Raw
• AEW Double or Nothing odds leave room for MJF to go bald | Opinion
• For subscribers: Bryan Alvarez’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event report

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• DragonKingKarl: 1899 and the end of the pioneer era
• WOR: SNME, Double or Nothing, Foley, Ludwig Kaiser, more!
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• May 18, 2026 Observer Newsletter: WWE Backlash review & ratings, Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano preview, Tenzan to retire

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• May 14, 2007 Observer Newsletter: The curse of the WWE SmackDown World title, TNA vs. ROH conflict

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Sunday Update

— Bryan and I will be back tonight talking about Double or Nothing as well as the latest news. We did a show last night talking about Saturday Night’s Main Event, AAA, Ratings, Usyk vs. Verhoeven, ESPN wrestling coverage and a lot more.

— Double or Nothing from Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York starts at 7 p.m. with the expected five plus hour show. Since it’s an AEW PPV show, we can predict with good certainty that there will be fantastic matches, complaints that it lasted too long and surprises. The show was sold out with 14,028, but really it’s been sold out for a week. The gate is already the second biggest non-WWE gate in American pro wrestling history ($1.5 million or so), but if you account for inflation it’s only among the biggest but not No. 2. I expect a good PPV number. As of earlier today, the “get-in” price was $160 on the secondary market. While WWE big shows have been higher, this is the highest day of the show for any AEW event I can recall and it’s tripled since the announcement of the hair vs. title stipulation. Unfortunately all the tickets were sold first so it’ll be the secondary market making a ton of gate money, but presumably AEW will make more based on a higher PPV number.

First hour pre-show:

• Megan Bayne & Lena Kross vs. Zayda Steel & Viva Van 5:00 time limit. If Steel & Van last the time limit they get a future women’s tag title match
• AJ & QT Marshall & Mark Briscoe & Orange Cassidy & Roderick Strong vs Shane Taylor & Anthony Ogogo & Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo & Lee Moriarty with all kinds of folks at ringside including Big Justice and maybe the Rizzler
• Claudio Castagnoli & Daniel Garcia & Wheeler Yuta vs. Anthony Bowens & Hook & Katsuyori Shibata
• Mick Foley debuts in a host role during the first hour

PPV:

• Athena vs. Mina Shirakawa non-title in the Owen Hart Cup tournament
• Thekla vs. Jamie Hayter vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Kris Statlander for the AEW women’s title
• Bandido vs. Swerve Strickland non-title in the Owen Hart Cup tournament
• Will Ospreay vs. Samoa Joe in the Owen Hart Cup tournament
• Jon Moxley vs. Kyle O’Reilly for the Continental title no time limit
• Kazuchika Okada vs Konosuke Takeshita for the International title
• FTR vs. Adam Copeland & Christian for the AEW tag titles in an I quit street fight. If Copeland & Christian don’t win, they can never team up again. That would seem to make this a favorite for a title switch
• Anarchy in the Arena: Chris Jericho & Young Bucks & Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin & Kenny Omega & Jack Perry vs. Ricochet & Gates of Agony & Mark Davis & Andrade & Clark Connors & David Finlay. This may be too many but I think this match will be filled with insanity.
• Darby Allin vs. MJF AEW title vs MJF’s hair

— We’re looking for your thoughts on Double or Nothing so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

— Regarding last night Oleksandr Usyk boxing title defense against Rico Verhoeven in Giza, Cairo, Egypt. Some notes:

While there was some social media chatter, the heavyweight world champion vs. kickboxing heavyweight world champion thing didn’t create nearly the interest it would have in a different era. It also never would have happened in a different era as boxing wouldn’t allow it. But if they would have, it would have been so much bigger since the heavyweight title has fallen greatly in public interest.

For what it’s worth, I had Verhoeven up 97-93 going into the 11th. The only rounds I could see for Usyk up to that point were 3, 7 and 10. After round eight, when they announced it was 76-76 (I had it 78-74 clearly) you could see they were not going to let Verhoeven win as they saw Vehoeven as an outsider to boxing. The stoppage was bad for a title fight. It was one second left, and the ref doesn’t make decisions based on if there is a second left or not, but it was early and there was one second left. Verhoeven was hurt, but I’ve seen him in fights come back from far worse. Still he’s a kickboxer and that’s five round fights. He really got tired in round ten. He may have been knocked out in 12, but he may not have. He was not getting the decision either way even though had he survived 12 he should be champion. The idea of a real world champion with a 2-0 boxing record is unfathomable and that’s why it wasn’t going to happen.

After ten rounds, Judge Manuel Oliver Paloma and Judge Fabian Guggenheim had it 95-95 while Judge Pasquala Procopio had Verhoeven up 96-94. Since round 11 was 10-8 for Usyk they’d go into the final round 105-103 for Usyk on two cards and 104-104 on one. Essentially Verhoeven needed a knockdown in the 12th to win the title if the ref had allowed it to get to the 12th. You just felt dirty watching it knowing the scores and even boxing experts were attributing it to institutional issues regarding an outsider coming in.

The fight did 120,000 Google searches (compared to 2.75 million last week for Ronda Rousey’s fight). That’s less than most UFC shows and any UFC PPV show, or just about any WWE PPV show.

— After 99 years, CBS Radio’s final top of the hour and 30 minute 24 hour a day newscast ended at 11:30 p.m. last night Eastern time. Former wrestling announcer Chris Cruise anchored the very last episode. I listened to Cruise on my Sunday night drives home almost every week for years. And probably started listening to CBS News on the hour with my father easily 60 years ago. Best of luck to Cruise for his future.

— Saturday Night’s Main Event did 50,000 searches. Lance Stephenson, who was in a celebrity fight show at the Apex in Las Vegas did 20,000. Dana White was out there announcing. Imagine Mark Shapiro talking about how the MVP show was bad while White was out there announcing on a celebrity fight show of 100 times lower of a level. Alexa Bliss had 10,000 searches regarding changing agents. Double or Nothing had 5,000 earlier today and AEW shows never have that in advance but it’s still not a large enough number that I’d take it as a sign the show will do well. Nikki Bella had 5,000 for issuing a challenge for her and her sister to face Caitlin Clark & Sophie Cunningham in a tag team match.

— GCW had a show today in France with Banger Zone Wrestling and runs Milan, Italy tomorrow.

— Bandido beat Volador Jr. to keep the ROH title at a sold out Arena Mexico Friday night.

— As noted elsewhere, AAA announced Rey Mysterio as General Manager. He did two babyface moves, setting up Laredo Kid (now a rudo) defending the cruiserweight title in a rematch with Rey Fenix on Saturday at Arena Monterrey, and then when the two Grande Americanos violated their stipulation and started fighting, which was said that would mean if either touched the other they would have to unmask and the 5/30 match doesn’t happen, Rey overruled that, so neither guy had to unmask and the match is still on.

— WWE does not have a biography on A&E today. They have a three hour block of new shows:

• 8 p.m. WWE Rivals: Ric Flair vs. Randy Savage
• 9 p.m. WWE Rivals: Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch
• 10 p.m. LFG
• 11 p.m. Special on Chyna
• 11:30 p.m. Special on Famous managers

— Raw tomorrow has Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez, plus there will be an Oba Femi interview regarding Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns angle with Jacob Fatu.

— WWE starts a European tour with a house show on Thursday in Liverpool and a Smackdown taping on Friday night in Barcelona, plus Clash in Italy on Sunday early afternoon and Raw both in Turin, Italy. The Clash in Italy with Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu tribal warfare, Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther, Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill, Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi and Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca is very loaded for a B show.

— Adam Pearce is doing a meet and greet on 8/20 for the South Bend Cubs minor league team for Pro Wrestling Night featuring matches before and after the show from local Revolution Championship Wrestling.

— Mistico is expected back shortly, maybe as early as Friday night. Tonight’s Arena Mexico show has Atlantis Jr & Blue Panther & Neon vs. Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero & Stuka Jr., plus Mascara Dorada vs El Clon, meaning those two won’t be on tonight’s AEW show.

— Jun Kasai beat Nick Wayne in the main event of today’s Best of the Super Juniors show at KBS Hall in Kyoto. Robbie X beat Titan, Kosei Fujita beat Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato beat Valiente Jr. and Francesco Akira beat Daiki Nagai. Titan remains in first in the A block with 10, Kasai and Wato have 8, Wayne, Fujita, X, Akira and Taguchi have 6, Valiente Jr. has 4 and Nagai has 0.

— Salina Majors (Bambi) turned 59 today. Elijah Burke turned 45. The original Strangler Lewis, Evan Lewis, was born on this day in 1860. Ricky Romero was born on this day in 1931. Former Hawaii promoter Al Karasick was 74 when he died on this day 61 years ago. Vincent James McMahon was 69 when he died on this day 42 years ago. Rusher Kimura was 68 when he died on this day 16 years ago. Paul Christy was 82 when he died on this day five years ago.
(thanks to Tony Richards)

— House of Glory results from Friday night at a sold out NYC Arena in New York:

• Kevin Knight b Amazing Red
• Lena Kross b Shotzi in a non-title unsanctioned match
• Angel Jacquez won over JJP, JJ Doze, Mikee G, Jodi Aura and KC Navarro
• Phumi Nkuta (who fought in a prelim fight last Saturday on the Rousey vs. Carano show) b Raheem Royal
• Phumi Nkuta b Angel Jacquez
• Infamous b Lio Rush to keep the HOG cruiserweight title
• Zilla Fatu b Cashflow to retain the Crown Jewel title
• Charles Mason b Sweet Cheeks to keep the HOG title
• Matt & Jeff Hardy b Evil Uno & Stu Grayson to keep the HOG tag team titles
  (thanks to Sam Rosenthal)

— Tommy Dreamer returns to AIW on 6/19 in Lakewood, OH at The Roxy

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The eighth annual event is sold out, with over 14,000 tickets having been distributed to the event.

The lineup for the show is below.

• AEW World Champion Darby Allin defends against MJF in a title vs. hair match
• AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla defends against Hikaru Shida, Kris Statlander and Jamie Hayter in a four-way
• AEW International Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Konosuke Takeshita
• AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defend against Adam Copeland & Christian Cage in an I Quit street fight where Copeland and Cage must win in order to stay a team
• AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley defends against Kyle O’Reilly
• Chris Jericho, Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, Kenny Omega, Jack Perry, and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) vs. The Demand (Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona), Mark Davis, Andrade El Idolo, Clark Connors & David Finlay in a Stadium Stampede match
• Will Ospreay vs. Samoa Joe in an Owen Hart men’s tournament quarterfinal
• Swerve Strickland vs. Bandido in an Owen Hart men’s tournament quarterfinal
• Athena vs. Mina Shirakawa in an Owen Hart women’s tournament quarterfinal
• Buy In: Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe, Roderick Strong, Big Boom AJ & QT Marshall vs. Anthony Agogo, Lee Moriarty, Carlie Bravo, Shawn Dean & Shane Taylor
• Buy In: AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne & Lena Kross) vs. Viva Van & Zayda Steel in a five-minute title eliminator match
• Buy In: Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia & Wheeler Yuta) vs. The Opps (Hook, Katsuyori Shibata & Anthony Bowens)

Our live coverage kicks off with the Buy-In event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern.

The Buy In kicks off with Renee Paquette in the ring and introduces for the first time to an AEW ring, Mick Foley, who got a huge pop, as we saw his daughter, Noelle, ringside. Foley said this is one of the biggest nights of his life and has gotten goosebumps being in the back seeing the talent ready to go compete tonight. AEW is the reason he fell in love with pro wrestling again, as 15 years ago, he had lunch with Tony Khan, who he considers a friend and he’s glad he can be part of the family. We’ll hear more from them as the Buy-In continues as they throw it to Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness.

Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne & Lena Kross) vs. Zayda Steel & Viva Van (w/Christopher Daniels) in a 5-Minute AEW Women’s Title Eliminator Challenge

Bell sounds and immediately Steel bails outside to run clock, as back inside Steel tried a school girl on Bayne, who didn’t budge. Steel again went to the floor, Bayne chased after, missed the tag to Van, who connected on a springboard spin kick back inside. Van used her speed to low bridge Bayne outside, as she missed a baseball slide and was waffled by a Kross thrust kick. Van was worked over back inside, as the champs made frequent tags keeping her isolated at the 3-minute mark. Van fought back with an enzugiri on Kross and made the tag to Steel, who ran wild with elbows and head scissors on Kross to the corner. Steel dodged a pump kick and spiked Kross with a tilt-a-whirl DDT for two. Kross used her size to hit a wild hook kick, quickly tagged Bayne, as they hit locomotion corner strikes, release German Suplex and double chokeslam for the win with 15-seconds left.

Post-match, Bayne wiped out Christopher Daniels with a running boot and drove Van to the mat with another double chokeslam for good measure. TayJay’s music hit and out come Anna Jay & Tay Melo with a pipe and board in hand, causing Bayne & Kross to bail.

Match Result: Divine Dominion defeated Zayda Steel & Viva Van when Bayne pinned Steel

The Opps (HOOK, Katsuyori Shibata & Anthony Bowens) vs. Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia w/Marina Shafir)

(If this Queens crowd are going to be this loud the entire night, this is going to be a super fun show. It felt like everyone but HOOK was cheered at some point. What I took from this was I really need to see a singles between Castagnoli & Shibata and also, I’d say this was the best Bowens has looked since joining The Opps.)

During the Death Riders entrance, Garcia asked Shafir to slap him to hype him up, she obliged and he sold it hilariously. Yuta & Bowens kick things off trading quick takedowns and pin attempts, until Bowens ramped up corner chops and forearms. HOOK & Garcia tag in with Garcia relentless on his attack to the delight of the crowd. HOOK pivots into a heel trip and overhead throw before tagging Shibata, who got a big pop. Shibata demanded Castagnoli and both batter each other with forearms and uppercuts. The crowd is super loud for the Shibata corner dropkick and over/under suplex for two. HOOK back in, but he immediately was launched to the wrong corner, as Garcia dished out 10 corner punches, teased his dance, but delayed too long and HOOK hit a flying forearm. Tag back to Shibata, who ran into a corner boot from Garcia, as Yuta is back in and quickly ate an atomic drop and more forearms. Shibata wanted another stalling dropkick, but Castagnoli flew in with a huge uppercut.

Triple big boot from the Death Riders led to their group huddle celebration, as Garcia fired off chops, which Shibata no sold. Chops get louder, as Garcia changed levels with elbow, Shibata no sold lariats this time, spiking Garcia with a back heel trip. Yuta & Castagnoli beat down HOOK right as he tagged in and follow with their locomotion corner strikes. HOOK battled back with overhead throws on Yuta & Garcia before Bowens tagged in a house of fire with neckbreakers and Fame-Assers. Draping corner spinning DDT spiked Yuta for two, as Castagnoli made the save with a double stomp. Bowens spun out of a Neutralizer, hooked a Kimura as the match broke down as Shibata & HOOK got double submissions on Yuta & Garcia, until Castagnoli mowed them both down. Triple team from Death Riders, as Yuta & Garcia held him in position, as Castagnoli took Bowens head off with a charging uppercut for the victory.

Match Result: Death Riders defeated The Opps when Castagnoli pinned Bowens

-We return to Paquette & Foley on stage and they talk about the significance of the Owen Hart Tournaments kicking off tonight. They switch to the Tag Team Title match, as Foley goes way back with Cope & Cage, but remembered predicting big things from FTR when he first saw them. Foley can’t pick a winner, but one team will say I Quit.

Boom & Doom (QT Marshall & Big Boom AJ w/Harley Cameron, Big Justice & The Rizzler) & The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Mark Briscoe) vs. Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Lee Moriarty, Carlie Bravo, Shawn Dean & Anthony Ogogo w/Christyan XO)

This match is sponsored by Vita Coco, so there’s someone dressed in a mascot outfit on the babyface side. Bell sounded and immediately Marshall hit a handspring enzugiri on Bravo before every babyface hit 10 corner punches, until Cassidy wound up for…1 to stand tall. Match broke down already, as Cassidy was backed into the STP corner and beaten down. BBC in the corner by Dean, as the entire STP posed for the camera while Bravo did the trash talking. Cassidy was popped in the ribs by Ogogo and ate a stiff right from Taylor for two, as Moriarty tagged in and quickly ate a Stundog. Bravo tried a sunset flip, but Cassidy just easily slapped the hands away and walked to AJ for a hot tag. Taylor missed a corner charge and was sent outside, as AJ planted Bravo with a sit-out slam for two. Marshall went up top, as Moriarty took the ref, allowing XO to crotch Marshall. XO got in the face of The Rizzler, causing Cameron to charge in and shoot the double leg and dish out punches before high fiving The Rizzler.

Briscoe fought off Moriarty & Taylor back inside, as Redneck Kung-Fu initially got the best of TAIGASTYLE. Strong used Cassidy as a projectile before spiking Moriarty with a backbreaker, Briscoe with an Exploder (I should point out, all this is going on, Marshall is still selling being crotched in the corner), as Briscoe launched off a chair over the top onto a pile. Back inside, Tower of Doom Spot, with Justice & Rizzler spraying Vita Coco into the face of Bravo, allowing a triple powerbomb (as this happened, Marshall slipped off the top to the floor) with The Conglomeration & AJ to get the win.

Post-match, babyfaces celebrate, AJ is bleeding on the neck, as STP surrounds the apron until Eddie Kingston’s music hits and he sprints out with Ortiz & Mance Warner, as STP bails. The pop Kingston and crew got was incredibly loud, as we’re told how STP had been feuding with Kingston, Ortiz & Warner in ROH.

Match Result: Boom & Doom & The Conglomeration defeated Shane Taylor Promotions when AJ pinned Bravo

-Paquette & Foley back in the ring to put over Eddie Kingston again before talking about the main event for tonight’s show. Foley predicts big things, but talks about MJF playing not to lose. Foley talks about all his injuries and metal hips, while MJF has hair from Turkey. Foley predicts Darby Allin goes home with the World Title.

MJF storms to the ring (no music) screaming “No, No, No” as Paquette leaves and we have MJF & Foley in the ring together. MJF runs down the crowd, saying he’d care about the fan’s opinion more, if they weren’t stupid enough to believe the Knicks are going to win a Championship. Speaking of people who will let you down tonight, Darby Allin, who says is the same as Foley, underdogs, who, when their backs are against the wall, they lose. Foley said for a moment, let him take this in, he never thought he’d have a feeling like this again in his life, so thanks MJF for giving that gift to him. Foley said yes, he lost a lot of matches, mentioning The Rock (who got booed) and said none of those matches did those happen in 2 minutes or less, that’s not a loss, it’s a disgrace. Foley told MJF to put his big boy pants on if he wants to deal with Allin. Foley was content to steal the show, Allin is not, he’s willing to retain the AEW Title and take MJF’s hair. Foley said MJF’s got wavy hair and tonight, he’ll wave it goodbye.

MJF kicked Foley low, as Darby Allin sprinted out and MJF hightailed it out of there. Foley screamed into the mic for MJF not to run away. He didn’t know until a month ago that he inspired Allin’s career and brought up Allin facing Jon Moxley at Six Flags in New Jersey years ago saying that this kid can do anything and Foley stuck around and watched just that. Foley said like himself, Allin was the weird kid never picked for stardom, but showed you can and told Allin to win one tonight for the weird ones and show that you can be a legend. If Foley can quote an old friend of his, Bang Bang Darby Allin Bang Bang!

Excalibur runs down tonight’s full card and we’re told FTR vs. Cope & Cage for the AEW Tag Titles will be kicking off the show.

AEW Double or Nothing

FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler w/Stokely) vs. Cage & Cope (Christian Cage & Adam Copeland) in an I Quit New York Street Fight for the AEW Tag Team Titles (if Cage & Cope lose, they must retire as a tag team)

(What a brutal, violent, war to kick off the show, as this more than lived up to the stipulation and only furthered by the loud crowd reaction to all the holy sh*t moments. I assume this is the conclusion to this feud and it’s been quite the build and end result. One of the best openers for an AEW PPV.)

Damn, the Queens crowd absolutely crushed singing Copeland’s theme. Wheeler & Copeland spilled outside, as Cage dished out 10 corner punches and biting to Harwood. Dodging a Killswitch, Harwood took down Cage with a combo until Stokely handed him barbed wire to wrap around his fist. Cage kicked away and hit a reverse DDT, grabbing some barbed wire of his own, wrapping it around the middle rope. Drop toe hold on Harwood into the barbed wire, as Cage stood on top to choke away, but Harwood said he didn’t quit. Copeland flew in a cross body, as Cage took referee Paul Turner’s belt and whipped the hell out of both FTR. Harwood was hung over the top with the belt, but Wheeler quickly made the save, smashing Cage’s injured forearm onto a chair. Copeland brought out a ladder to a huge pop and suplexed Harwood onto it against the barricade before pulling out a table ringside. Stokely held onto Copeland’s foot on the apron before he could piledrive Wheeler off it. Harwood slugged it out with Copeland back inside before both spilled over the top to the floor. Chair shot to the back by Wheeler, who placed the chair over Copeland’s neck and posted him.

Harwood took out a toolbox, went to use it on Cage, who kicked him low and pulled out some pliers, wrenching at his nose, but Harwood yelled no. Wheeler came in and Cage used the pliers low, as Wheeler hopped around before Harwood saved his partner with a chair, laying out Cage. Copeland is bleeding from the eye and fought FTR off with the top of the announce table, as they cleared the Spanish table, wanted a piledriver on Harwood, who countered and with Wheeler leaping from one table to another, drove Copeland through the Spanish table with a Spike Piledriver. Wheeler brought out a cinderblock, I think he was supposed to shatter it on Cage’s forearm, but Cage moved the last second and they just trapped his arm in a broken piece, smashing it with a chair. Cage didn’t say he quit, instead, said “I Banged Your Mother!” Wheeler starts using pliers to take down the top rope, as they were about to hit a Spike Piledriver on Cage, who told Harwood to “Go F*ck Yourself” shot a double leg, posted Harwood and spiked Wheeler with a Killswitch. Stokely untied the top rope completely, Harwood charged at Cage, who hit a Spear, choking Harwood out with the rope. Wheeler made the save and choked Cage with barbed wire this time before hitting a Shatter Machine.

Wheeler took a crescent wrench and was about to deck Cage, when Copeland flew in with Spears on both FTR. Copeland went nuts with chair shots aplenty to the back, was about to put Harwood out of his misery with a shot when they begged off. Wheeler screamed that he would say it, but it was a distraction for Stokely to hit Copeland with the stolen watch and FTR to connect with another Shatter Machine. Beth Copeland’s music hit and she beat the living hell out of Stokely, shoving him into the steps, but Harwood blindsided Beth and sent her crashing into the steps. Harwood brought out lighter fluid, spraying the table ringside, as Stokely brought Beth up to the apron as Wheeler got into position. Harwood set the table ablaze, Wheeler charged, Beth moved and Wheeler Speared Stokely through the flaming table to huge “Holy Sh*t” chants. “It’s only the first match and they’re already burning people.” in what could already be line of the night by Tony Schiavone.

Harwood was going to give a Con-Chair-To to Copeland, telling him to say I Quit if he wants to see his daughter’s tomorrow. Beth hit a low blow on Harwood, Cage with a punt kick low for good measure, as Copeland hit a piledriver before Cage sank in a Scorpion Death Lock. Harwood screamed no, so Copeland locked in a Crossface at the same time. Harwood again yelled no, so Copeland signaled to Beth to get Spike, his barbed wired board from under the steps. She handed it to her husband, as Copeland drove Spike onto the forehead and Harwood screamed that he quit. Copeland & Cage hugged it out, Cage got his watch back, as Beth hugged her husband as the new champions stood tall with FTR & Stokely staring them down from the ramp.

Match Result: Cope & Cage defeated FTR to win the AEW Tag Team Titles when Harwood said I Quit

Kazuchika Okada vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the AEW International Title

(What a match this was, phenomenal, as the crowd wanted a new champ and they certainly got it. Even in defeat, I’d say this was one of Okada’s best showings in AEW and the Takeshita Era has begun. The post-match, that era is going to be as a babyface, as not only is Takeshita booted from the Family, it was at the hands of the returning Kyle Fletcher, as ProtoShita is no more and ProtOkada are stronger than ever.)

Don Callis is on commentary, as the bell sounds and we already have “Holy Sh*t” chants. Neither budge from initial strikes, this pace is wild to start, as Okada misses a Rainmaker, Takeshita misses Raging Fire and we get a stalemate. Takeshita ramped up the speed into a Takeshita-line, but Okada held off an Exploder and dropkicked Takeshita out of the corner outside. Okada slowed the pace considerably, keeping Takeshita grounded back inside with cocky covers, just pissing Takeshita off in the process. Okada snapped an uppercut so loud it sounded like a whip, as he smiled big, but walked into multiple Exploders. Okada got the knees up off a second rope senton from Takeshita, who was ready for the charge and hit a jumping knee that sent Okada outside to regroup, only he didn’t let him and hit a huge Tope. Back inside, Okada fought back with his Air Raid Crash neckbreaker to regain control. Bodyslam, top rope falling elbow and a Rainmaker pose middle finger to the fans and Takeshita, who fought off a Rainmaker.

Both counter Blue Thunder Bomb, Tombstones and Takeshita hits is Bastard Driver into a release German, which Okada no sold into a shotgun dropkick, no sold from Takeshita, as Okada turned him inside out with a discus lariat for the reset to a huge ovation. Each man slugs it out on the apron, as Takeshita signals for Raging Fire, but Okada slid back into the ring and hit a Rainmaker that folded Takeshita up off the apron to the floor. Okada spiked Takeshita with a DDT and was going to deliver a Tombstone out there, but Callis left commentary and begged Okada to take it to the ring. Okada obliged, went back out to get Takeshita, who spiked Okada with a brainbuster. Callis screamed at Takeshita, who gave it back to him and headed back inside for a Helluva Kick and huge Superplex, he held on, Okada floated over, they trade strikes until Takeshita hit a high bridging German Suplex for two. Takeshita calls for Power Drive Knee, but ran right into a Tombstone.

They each rise at the same time into a slugfest, as Okada flips off the crowd as Takeshita hypes up, no sells with a huge right hand. Takeshita ducks a Rainmaker into a perfect Blue Thunder Bomb, charges for the knee but ran right into an Emerald Flowsion. Takeshita rolls through Rainmaker into a wildly close cradle for two. Backslide from Okada into a Rainmaker, maintaining wrist control, missed another, but Takeshita ran right into a dropkick. Rainmaker countered into one of Takeshita’s own, as the crowd lost their minds, right as Takeshita ran into a dropkick, no sold, hit the Power Drive Knee, but Okada kicked out at one. Home run forearm collapses Okada, as Takeshita put him away with a Raging Fire to win the title clean.

Post-match, Mark Davis, Rocky Romero & Callis joined Okada in the ring and they stood across from Takeshita. They teased like they were going to have a falling out when Kyle Fletcher’s music hit and out walked The Protostar in a snazzy suit, as he ditched the jacket and stormed to the ring. Fletcher seemed to stand side by side with Takeshita before staring down Okada, as The Callis Family retreated leaving Protoshita hugging it out with Fletcher presenting Takeshita with the International Title…before taking his head off with a lariat. Callis has a huge smile on his face, as Fletcher picks up Takeshita and spiked him with a Brainbuster. Okada & Fletcher both went to pick up the International Title, as Okada let it go and backed off, as Davis & Romero picked up Takeshita so Fletcher could deck him with a belt shot.

Match Result: Konosuke Takeshita defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the AEW International Title

ROH Women’s Champion Athena vs. Mina Shirakawa in a Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal

(Very competitive match to kick off the women’s Owen Hart Tournament, but there were some awkward spots and Athena took some tough bumps in this one. Crowd were loudly supporting Shirakawa, who had plenty of moments to try to put this away, but in the end, the ROH Women’s Forever Champion was too much and now awaits the winner of Skye Blue vs. Sareee.)

Athena tried control the action early, but Shirakawa used her speed to be ready with a quick arm drag and snap dropkick to the knee. Shirakawa took too long to get to up the corner, as Athena hit a shotgun dropkick out of the corner to the apron, hit a slam and drove Shirakawa into the steps and announce table. Shirakawa stood in position for quite a while, to the point McGuinness thought she was playing possum, but no, Athena launched her with a John Woo dropkick into the LED board that caused it to go completely out. Back inside, Shirakawa dodged multiple charges and targeted the left leg. Athena still was able to use her power to catch Shirakawa trying a cross body into a brutal forward fireman’s carry slam for two. Shirakawa answered with a springboard enzugiri and Sling Blade, as Shirakawa slipped trying a Tornado DDT, so she readjusted, hit the move and Athena spiked so hard she spilled outside.

Shirakawa hit a Tornillo from the ring to the floor, as back inside, she went up top for a missile dropkick. A very awkward landing for Athena off an Electric Chair spinning slam, but she fought out of a Figure Four into a leg sweep and violent Curb Stomp ala Super Dragon for two. Athena missed an O-Face, Shirakawa countered into a roll-up, got a head of steam into a tilt-a-whirl face plant into a Seatbelt Pin for two. Both trade strikes ending with a backfist from Shirakawa, who sank in her Figure Four, but Athena got the ropes. Athena ate another backfist, as Shirakawa wanted her Glamourous Driver, Athena slid through into a Pumphandle Tombstone, went up top and hit the O-Face for the win.

Match Result: Athena defeated Mina Shirakawa to advance in the Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament

–Jim Ross tags in for Schiavone on commentary ahead of the upcoming match, as it’s great to see and hear Good Ol’ JR back on the call.

Jon Moxley vs. Kyle O’Reilly in a No Time Limit Match for the AEW Continental Title

(Simply put, this was a damn good pro wrestling match. It felt like Dynamite this past week was a prelude of what these two were going to put on tonight and it was just that. Moxley can finally say he slayed the (re)Dragon that had been haunting him for months. I can’t wait to see where Moxley goes from here and who steps up next.)

Renee Paquette is ringside and brings up O’Reilly taking Moxley to the time limit last Wednesday and continues to be the mountain Moxley can’t climb. She questions if that will continue tonight with no time limit? Dueling chants from the crowd, as both trade snap mares and punt kicks to the back before an intense stare down led to a slugfest, quick scramble into a stalemate. Combo strikes and leg sweep from O’Reilly, who sinks in a guillotine, Moxley slides out into a powerslam before pouring down forearms. Both scramble for submission attempts until Moxley rolls outside where O’Reilly met him with a diving knee from the apron. O’Reilly slammed Moxley into the steps, which only pissed Moxley off, so he flipped O’Reilly off and dodged a kick, as O’Reilly punted the ring post and collapsed. Moxley pounces back inside, after O’Reilly threw leg shots with the good leg, but continued to buckle. Smelling blood in the water, Moxley zoned in on the bad wheel, keeping O’Reilly grounded with submissions before biting at the eyebrow and lighting O’Reilly up with shots to the midsection.

O’Reilly threw everything he had behind a jump knee to the ribs with his good leg and sank in a standing guillotine before just waffling Moxley in the sternum with a knee. O’Reilly tried running, pulled up short, giving Moxley a chance to boot out the bad leg and get a guillotine in the ropes, breaking at 4, until O’Reilly wrenched at the arm and Moxley face planted into the mat out of the corner. O’Reilly fought for and got his cross arm-breaker, but Moxley escaped into a Half Crab. O’Reilly got the rope break, put on the brakes to counter a Dragon Screw into an Ankle Lock of his own before stomping the Achillies followed by a PK to the floor, where Moxley tries to hype himself up. Rolling back inside, O’Reilly met Moxley with a Curb Stomp, but Moxley exploded out into a Cutter for a double down. Both trade shots, O’Reilly stumbles back for a Nigel lariat, only both collide for a double clothesline reset.

Striking battle while on their knees only gets more intense as they got to their feet and kept it going. Moxley was able to hit a home run shot and plant O’Reilly with a Death Rider, briefly got a Rear Naked Choke, which O’Reilly slid out into an Ankle Lock. Moxley was able to pick the bad ankle and both had the submission locked in, until O’Reilly got a roll-up for two, but Moxley never let go and O’Reilly scrambled, but ultimately had to tap out. Post-match, The Conglomeration & Death Riders both came out to tend to their stablemates, as Moxley got to his feet and offered a handshake, as O’Reilly accepted. Moxley tossed Marina Shafir his Continental Title and stood tall.

Match Result: Jon Moxley defeated Kyle O’Reilly to retain the AEW Continental Title

Will Ospreay vs. Samoa Joe in a Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal

(The level of these matches tonight, my goodness. This was Ospreay’s dream match and I’m sure it lived up to the hype, as these two had a fantastic battle. The Men’s Owen Hart Tournament really is Ospreay’s to lose, but damn is it going to be a fight to get to that finish. Ospreay now awaits the winner of Jack Perry vs. Mark Davis in the next round.)

Ospreay exploded with an Oscutter right at the bell, tried to mock Joe with boot scrapes in the corner, causing Joe to pop up and mow down Ospreay with an uppercut. Loud chops ring out, as Ospreay is so fast to recover and sent Joe outside with a slingshot cross body. Quickly back inside for a springboard 450 Splash for two before trying Death Ground, only Joe got the ropes. Joe tried to take a powder, Ospreay attempted a Sasuke Special, but landed right in the grips of a Coquina Clutch before violently smashing Ospreay head first into the LED board. Joe gets boot scrapes of his own back inside and followed with Mongolian Chops ala Hiroyoshi Tenzan, targeting the neck. Kawada Kicks led to a chop that folded Ospreay up, as the chop/boot combo led to an attempted senton, but Ospreay got the knees up, but Joe was there with a corner enzugiri. Joe wanted a Muscle Buster, but Ospreay escaped into a double stomp to the left arm. Leaping enzugiri staggered Joe and both men collapsed into the reset.

Ospreay kipped up into a handspring corkscrew kick for a near fall, as he wanted a Tiger Driver, opted for Kawada Kicks of his own, followed by a Buzzsaw Kick. Ospreay tried another Oscutter, but Joe did his walk off before hitting a running senton, then stacking Ospreay with a powerbomb, spinning into a Boston Crab, STF, Crossface signature submission combo. Ospreay got the ropes and started no selling kicks, firing off forearms, so Joe responded with a combo of his own and discus forearm. Joe wound up for a lariat, but Ospreay spun out into an incredible Styles Clash for two. Ospreay hit the Hidden Blade, but Joe kicked out, as Ospreay threw away the elbow pad, went for it again, but sprinted right into a Joe snap powerslam. Ospreay connected almost on a La Mistica variation before trying Death Ground again. Joe stacked him for two and sank in a Coquina Clutch. The Bret/Piper spot as Ospreay kicked out of the corner for a near fall. Hook Kick from Ospreay, who charged in the corner right into a STJoe, who locked in the Clutch again. Ospreay started to fade, but as the arm dropped for three, grabbed the ropes. Joe wanted a Muscle Buster, walked out, Ospreay landed on his feet, exploded with Hidden Blade, only Joe kicked out at one. Another delivered to the back of Joe’s head and this time, Ospreay got the win to survive and advance. Joe bowed to Ospreay as he was ringside before heading to the back, giving Ospreay his moment.

Match Result: Will Ospreay defeated Samoa Joe to advance in the Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament

Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) vs. ROH Champion Bandido in a Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal

(Innovative counters aplenty in this one, as there’s going to be some wild gifs to come out of this match. A completely different feel to Ospreay & Joe, as these two set a much different pace initially, but once they started the holy sh*t moments, they delivered them in droves. Even in defeat, Bandido looked fantastic here and Strickland proved he’s on another level right now and I think it’s safe to assume all roads lead to Ospreay vs. Strickland in the Owen Finals.)

Strickland wasted no time going after the neck and back, talking a lot of trash in the process. Bandido answered with a dropkick to the knee and double stomp before punting Strickland between the shoulder blades. Snap hurricanrana delivered, but Strickland popped up and turned Bandido inside out with a lariat. Bandido taunted Strickland, causing him to charge in and take a one-arm Gorilla Press to the outside. Leaping dropkick connects, as Bandido sends Strickland into multiple barricades before a thrust kick sat down Strickland on a chair. Bandido went to the apron and channeled Brody King with a somersault senton, flattening Strickland and the chair. Back inside, Bandido took too long signaling for a home run shot, as he charged at no one in the corner, as rolled through into a nasty release German into the corner, as Bandido clutches the neck and Strickland zones in.

Bandido battled back with a Tornillo out of the corner and series of Superman Punches before hitting a corner superkick into release German of his own. Springing up top, Bandido hit the Frog Splash for two, as he signaled for a 21-Plex, but Strickland met him with a rolling Flatliner. Bandido floated over a suplex, Strickland charged, stood on the shoulders of Bandido and somehow hit a House Call while up there, shocking everyone, in a moment that will undoubtedly be a gif. Swerve Stomp lands flush, but Bandido kicked out at two. Strickland took Bandido to the apron, trash-talked him, as Bandido fought free with a Poison Rana from the apron to the floor in a moment that rightfully got a “Holy Sh*t” chant. Back inside, Bandido delivered the deadlift 21-Plex to Strickland, who was on his stomach, but the neck gave out and he couldn’t make the cover, causing Strickland to smile as a result. Both trade rolling through sunset flips, until Bandido somehow does a Code Red into a snap hurricanrana putting Strickland in position for a 21-Plex, but Strickland countered into a Vertebreaker. House Call cracked Bandido flush and Strickland got the win in a thriller.

Match Result: Swerve Strickland defeated Bandido to advance in the Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament

Thekla vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Jamie Hayter vs. Kris Statlander for the AEW Women’s Title

(For the most part, this came off pretty well, but there’s a lot of moving parts in 4-ways and there were times where it felt like people were waiting for others to get to their spot. I was surprised how long this went, it looked like an all-out sprint to start, as everyone had their chance to look strong here. The wheels have finally come off the Shida & Statlander “friendship” and I’m genuinely wondering who is next for Thekla, who is continuing to have a very solid reign.)

All the challengers took turns getting their shots in on Thekla to start, as Shida hit her running knee lift on the floor, before going back inside to double team Hayter with Statlander. Hayter escaped a double suplex and mowed down Statlander & Shida with lariats before Thekla returned and went to the eyes. Tilt-a-whirl head scissors on Statlander, as Thekla followed with a running boot before Shida made the save, popping her & Hayter with stiff right hands. Hayter sent Shida & Statlander into one another before two trucks in Hayter & Statlander collided repeatedly, neither giving ground. Thekla tried flying off the top with a cross body, but got caught, so Shida flew in with a dropkick onto the pile. Shida covered everyone, even going for Statlander, which pissed her off. We get a merry-go-round of school girl attempts until Hayter was clotheslined to the floor. Statlander was going to do a dive, but Thekla cut her off with a boot (had she just let Statlander leap, Hayter wasn’t there and would’ve crashed bad). With all ladies brawling outside, Thekla went up top and took out all challengers with a cross body.

Thekla sent Hayter & Shida into barricades before taking Statlander back inside, trying almost for Lockjaw, only Statlander bit at the hands to get free. Thekla locked in her spider headlock in the corner, but Statlander powered up and whipped Thekla face first onto the top buckle. Both ladies went up the ropes, as Thekla hit her Spider Suplex, but celebrated too much, as Shida sent Thekla crashing to the apron. Hayter returns as well, joins Shida up top, where Shida hit a superplex, held on, but Hayter spun out into a Saito Suplex. Statlander sprinted in and folded Hayter up with a lariat, as Thekla was back in with a Spear. Both Shida & Statlander recovered and hit dueling backdrop suplexes to cause a complete reset.

Statlander & Hayter hit dueling Buzzsaw Kicks before slugging it out themselves. They both collided with cross bodies leaving Shida to try hitting a Falcon Arrow on Thekla, who rolled through into a cradle for two. Thekla did her Spider Pose, putting her in position for Statlander to try Sunday Night Fever, but Hayter broke it up with an Exploder. Hayter whipped Statlander in and Shida decked her buddy with a jump knee, which Shida kind of shrugged off.  Hayter tossed Shida outside, as she spiked Thekla with a Hayt-breaker. Thekla ducked Hayter-ade and sank in the Black Widow submission. Hayter powered out into a backbreaker and waffled Thekla with Hayter-ade for two, as Shida flew in with a flying knee. Shida did the deal with a Falcon Arrow on Hayter, but awkwardly applied an ankle lock waiting for Statlander to get back in and get in her face. Shida slapped Statlander, who fired up and beat the hell out of Shida to the floor, smashing her into the steps and popping Hayter with a pump kick. Statlander leap frogged a Thekla Spear back inside, Sunday Night Fever connects, but Shida took her head off with a kendo stick, no DQ’s in 4-ways. Hayter pulled the kendo stick and Shida to the floor and they collided with a double clothesline to take each other out. This left Thekla able to drop Statlander with a Curb Stomp for the win.

Match Result: Thekla defeated Hikaru Shida, Jamie Hayter & Kris Statlander to retain the AEW Women’s Title

Jericho, The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) & The Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) & Jungle Jack Perry) vs. The Demand (Ricochet, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun), AEW National Champion Mark Davis, Andrade El Idolo & The Dogs (David Finlay & Clark Connors) in a Stadium Stampede Match

(Whenever these Stadium Stampedes or Anarchy in the Arenas happen, I try my best to cover everything that went on and as a result, write a novel. Hopefully I caught just about everything, as this had some wild moments, cameos aplenty, some great entrances and memorable moments for sure. This was a go out of your way spectacle to check out and lived up to the billing.)

Video package of The Demand, The Dogs & Callis Family rolling up to the arena, with The Demand rocking baseball gear. Jericho’s crew were in suits, had a video package to the tune of Devils Dance by Metallica and Smokin Aces style intro (Kenny Omega choking from inhaling a cigar was hysterical). Bell sounds and the babyfaces clear the ring before Ricochet takes locomotion corner strikes from all before being literally chucked from the ring by Lashley onto the heel pile. The Elite tease Terminator Dives, but are cut-off by Finlay, Connors & Davis, as Andrade hits Three Amigos on Perry in the ring. Andrade takes too long wanting a Frog Splash, as Benjamin scaled the ropes with a knee lift, but he walked back into a high/low from The Dogs. Piledriver by Davis on Lashley onto a set-up chair, as Liona threw everyone in his path from the ring before delivering a Samoan Drop to The Bucks & Perry at the same time, which is insane. Ricochet scaled the ropes with a wild springboard Shooting Star Press onto a pile, leaving The Demand to pose.

Omega low bridged Kaun, as Liona applied an abdominal stretch to Omega, as all the heels grabbed hands for the most amount of pressure you could apply. Until, MVP walked up and smacked Ricochet’s hand away to break the hold. Omega backdropped Finaly onto a pile, as The Elite hit stereo Tope Suicidas, leaving Benjamin alone in the ring, head of steam, cleared the top onto everyone. Jericho appeared on the top rope, gave a shrug and joined the pile party, as Lashley & Kaun brawled to the back. The Elite & Jericho dish out 4-corners of stereo 10 punches before a succession of hurricanranas that was kicked off by Perry delivering one to Davis off the apron. Jericho & The Elite do a Founding Fathers pose, but Ricochet & The Dogs blindsided and cleaned house. The Elite shot double legs with Jericho and we get 4-way Walls of Jericho as Perry waffled Davis on the apron with a bag from a vacuum cleaner before hitting a moonsault off the top to the floor. The Bucks & Perry set-up tables ringside and position The Dogs onto them. Matt & Nick go up top, but The Dogs bail through the crowd.

We see Lashley & Liona brawling backstage and all of a sudden, a wild Blackheart Lio Rush appears, biting Liona on the hand. Alright then, back to the ring we go and Andrade is picked apart by the former Golden Jets. The Bucks & The Dogs brawl into the concourse, were Connors takes a superkick, falling up an escalator. When he gets to the top, The Bucks are already there to hit another superkick and he goes down the escalator. Andrade took out Jericho & Omega with a double spinning elbow, went to get digits from a female fan ringside, when we see Luchasaurus in a blonde wig planting a kiss on the cheek before misting Andrade. Jericho brought out a bag of tennis balls and suplexed Ricochet onto them to the chant of “Balls, Balls”. Ricochet responded with a DVD onto the tennis balls for I think our first cover of the match, which they cut away from. Tommy Invincible is backstage and tried saving Perry from getting beat up by Davis in catering, but got destroyed quickly. Andrade brawled in with Omega, who sent Andrade into someone, smashing their face in their food. That man, was a pissed off Satnam Singh, who stared down Andrade before yelling “Food Fight!” and everyone backstage started throwing food everywhere.

The Dogs & The Bucks fight back up the aisle, where Matt smashed The Dogs with hard trash can shots. Connors was placed in a shopping cart with a can over his head, as Matt threw him down the aisle into an awaiting Nick superkick. Liona reappeared, mowing over The Bucks & ever Rick Knox (which sent Taz into giggle fits) as he loaded Matt into the shopping cart and Kaun flew in with a shotgun dropkick to it. Liona lifted the cart over his head and threw it at Nick like it was nothing. Benjamin ran back out and was instantly cracked by Finlay’s shillelagh, as Lashley suffered the same fate, followed by Connors laying Lashley out with a Spear. We go backstage to Jericho & Ricochet brawling with Ricochet using a tennis racket until Jericho opens a door to reveal Luther, who handed Jericho an oversized racket before leaving. Jericho laid waste to Ricochet before starting a tennis ball machine firing at him. Jericho made the cover and nearly got smacked with a couple tennis balls in the process. Stereo Northern Lights/Germans from Matt Jackson & Benjamin to The Dogs in the ring, as Finlay took a trash can shot, another Northern Lights and double German from Benjamin for good measure. Superkick Party ramped up, as Benjamin joined to take out Liona, while Lashley flew in with a Spear.

We go to Davis wandering around out back, his eye bandaged up and he sees a knife stabbed through a note on the seat of a golf cart that read “Wait Here, A**hole” as the Jurassic Express bus comes barreling in and nearly ran down Davis, as Perry got out from the bus and looked bummed that he didn’t just commit murder. Back in the ring, The Dogs avoid being put through tables by The Bucks, but Omega was there for Snap Dragons to both & Andrade. Lashley fought with Liona on the apron and finally hit a German off it through a table. Davis (thankfully not ran over by a bus) is back ringside, where Lashley hit multiple throws and a final one through a table. Perry flew off the top through a table on someone I didn’t see, as The Bucks took out The Dogs with stereo dives through tables, while Omega hit a One-Winged Angel on Andrade through one final table as the crowd are going nuts. Ricochet found himself surrounded by enemies, as Benjamin hit a pump knee, Lashley a Spear, assisted Sacrifice Knee from Perry, BTE Trigger and nearly a Judas Effect, which Kaun shoved Ricochet away to take the bullet. V-Trigger from Omega, as all of Jericho’s team hit a 7-way Superkick Party on Kaun, as Jericho put him away with a Lionsault for the win.

Post-match, Jericho set up a final table ringside, did the Sabu pose and put himself through the table as a tribute and you could hear the tribute made Taz emotional, as he didn’t know Jericho was going to do that.

Match Result: Jericho, The Hurt Syndicate & The Elite defeated The Demand, Mark Davis, Andrade El Idolo & The Dogs when Jericho pinned Kaun

Darby Allin vs. MJF in a Hair vs. Title Match for the AEW World Title

(The wheels have officially fallen off for one of the best title reigns in AEW history. Darby Allin deserves an extended vacation after what he put his body through the last month as champion (I’m not sure if he’ll get it quite yet). This was an excellent main event and one I’m genuinely shocked had no interference and shenanigans, as we got a winner by hard fought win, something I’m sure MJF will boast about big time going forward. The post-match, I’m glad they saved until after everything was done, as we could see the Kevin Knight turn coming and I’m happy we have a new heel in the ranks. I’m looking forward to seeing what is next now not just for the World Champion, but TNT Champion as well.)

During Allin’s entrance, we see a video of a fan hailing a cab wanting to get to the stadium to not miss the main event. Camera goes underground to see Allin laying with his skateboard before climbing up into the arena where a table and barber chair are set up. MJF had Justin Roberts say he doesn’t hail from any of the 5 bullsh*t boroughs and instead lives in a mansion none of you can afford. Roberts introduced Allin as simply batsh*t crazy and that’s an incredibly accurate introduction if there ever was one.

Bell sounds and Allin quickly fires off three side headlock takeovers for near falls before a dropkick sent MJF to the floor where he tried a Tope, his heels clipped the top rope and Allin took an incredibly scary neck bump in the process. Thankfully he’s moving, as MJF trash talked and planted Allin with a powerbomb onto the apron. MJF missed a Heatseeker, but connected on the slingshot Cutter for two before biting at Allin. MJF swatted Allin in mid-air from a Coffin Splash attempt and hit a powerbomb back breaker for two, as MJF already looks frustrated. Allin fought free from an Avalanche Tombstone in the corner and countered into an over-the-top Avalanche Stunner. Combo of strikes from Allin, who fired off a headbutt and he briefly buckled himself in the process. Allin wanted a Coffin Drop, but MJF bailed outside, where Allin met him with a low Tope luckily having a much better landing this time than the last, as MJF flew over the announce table. Placing MJF on the edge of the apron, Allin stood up on the post and leapt for a Coffin Drop, but crashed and burned to a loud thud.

MJF positions the steps in an upward position, pulls Allin to the apron and delivers a Package Piledriver off it onto the steel. Back inside, MJF tries a side headlock, but Allin sent him into referee Bryce. Allin hit a low blow, side headlock takeover for a close two count. MJF cut off a corner charge, double stomped the left arm from the second rope, tried for Salt of the Earth, but Allin shot a double leg and sank in a Scorpion Death Lock. MJF got the ropes, Allin quickly went for a Coffin Drop, but MJF got the knees up and near fall. MJF went for another slingshot Cutter, only this time, Allin countered into a Scorpion Death Drop. Allin went up top for a Coffin Drop, thought wisely otherwise, as both trade lighting quick headlock takeovers, they exchange fast pin attempts from 2 counts to 1 count back to 2 counts, Allin flipped out of a Code Red attempt, MJF hit a throat chop, wanted a powerbomb, but Allin countered into a Code Red for two in an exhausting, yet incredible sequence.

Both roll to opposite sides of the ring for a stare down, gets up, MJF screams F You, as he’s sent outside, Allin looks for another dive, but MJF pulls the cameraman into his way to take the bullet. Doctors and attendants rush to the cameraman (I don’t think anyone checked Allin) and after all that’s happened in this match, referee Bryce started a 10-count. MJF brought Allin up the ramp and sat him down on the barber chair. MJF grabbed the clippers, but Allin kicked away into a guillotine as MJF faded (Bryce has stopped his count now). Allin placed MJF onto the table and looked up at the scaffolding. Allin climbed to the top, let out a Cactus Jack “Bang! Bang!” leaping off with a Coffin Drop, crashing through MJF & the table. Allin is bleeding badly from the back of the head, as he took MJF back to the ring, hit a Coffin Drop proper, but MJF kicked out at two. Allin applied a Scorpion Death Lock, but similar to his match with Sammy Guevara last week, Allin collapsed and had to be checked on, leaving a giant smile on the face of MJF. He shoved Bryce away, wanted a Tombstone, but Allin spun out into a Scorpion Death Drop. Allin went up for a Coffin Drop, but MJF leapt to crotch him on the top. MJF joined, spun Allin around for an Avalanche Tombstone before hitting one last side headlock takeover to get the victory and win the title a third time.

Post-match, Allin had to be loaded on a stretcher, as MJF kicked the doctors away and stood over Allin, raising the AEW Title high. Kevin Knight sprinted to the ring and chased MJF away, as you could see this coming from a mile away, as the doctors wheeled Allin right in position for Knight to go up top, stare down MJF briefly before looking down and hit a UFO Splash, dumping Allin in the stretcher over. MJF was initially shocked, but applauded, as commentary pleads asking what has Knight done? The show ends with Knight standing back looking down at Allin.

Match Result: MJF defeated Darby Allin to win the AEW World Title

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Their exits, particularly Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, left noticeable gaps in star power in the tag team division. 

WWE already has several potential tag teams in place that could help re-shape both the men’s and women’s tag divisions. Let’s take a look.

Lainey Reid & Fallon Henley

Fatal Influence made a statement debut on the April 24 edition of WWE SmackDown. Led by Jacy Jayne, the stable attacked during Brie Bella and Paige’s Women’s Tag Team Title defense against Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. 

Jayne confronted Rhea Ripley later that same night and they squared off in an impromptu singles match. Her extensive time on the NXT roster has familiarized her with fans. Meanwhile, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley’s pairing has the potential to take over the division as their presentation and chemistry as a team could evolve to strengthen themselves as challengers for tag team gold. 

Additionally, it would prove beneficial especially at a time when the division is in need of newer, long-term teams beyond temporary and outdated pairings.

Rey Mysterio & Rey Fenix 

While not an official tag team, Mysterio and Fenix’s union has proven to be entertaining and charismatic in previous matches. The two share and complement each other’s wrestling styles.

Following Mysterio’s injury earlier this year, he participated in the ladder match at WrestleMania for the Intercontinental Title. Despite still showcasing in-ring agility that defined his early years, the new AAA general manager could benefit from a tag team alliance with Fenix.

Fenix recently teased the pursuit of the Intercontinental Championship, currently held by his brother Penta. He remains a fan favorite, but has yet to win a title in the company. WWE could utilize the tag team momentum to give him his first championship win. Simultaneously teaming up with someone of Mysterio’s stature would permit the veteran to take fewer bumps and still continue a prominent on-screen presence.

The Creed Brothers

Brutus and Julian Creed were dominant and athletically impressive on NXT. They joined the Raw roster in 2023 and shortly after, won a tag team turmoil match to contend for the undisputed Tag Team Titles. 

Barely a year later, they joined forces with Chad Gable but ultimately lost their identity as a tag team. Earlier this month, they were introduced as Bruto Credo and Julio Credo (Los Americanos Hermanos), joining the Original El Grande Americano in his battle against Los Americanos. 

If the main roster audience is introduced to their former versions portrayed on NXT, they have potential to establish themselves as one of WWE’s finest tag teams. Their combination of amateur wrestling with intense in-ring athleticism already has sturdy credibility already built in. 

Bayley & Lyra Valkyria

Bayley’s hard fought battle to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles has not been fruitful for more than a year now. Becky Lynch replaced her to team up with Lyra Valkyria at WrestleMania 41 to win the championship. 

This year, Bayley and Valkyria competed in a fatal four-way match for the titles again, but came up short. Despite the losses, the pairing has showcased a balanced chemistry with Bayley’s veteran leadership and Valkyria’s rising star momentum.

Bayley’s influence on women’s wrestling has extended beyond WWE, particularly through the Lodestone Wrestling Seminars. 

WWE has lacked consistent tag teams in the women’s division. Most have stemmed from mutual convenience or short-term storylines, case in point, Paige’s return to replace Nikki Bella.

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Tonight’s show is set for a sold-out Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. WrestleTix reports that 14,028 tickets have been distributed to the show. With no other sections being opened up, the show is considered a sellout.

Dave Meltzer also noted recently that the gate for the show was just under $1.5 million as of Friday. That would make it the second-best gate ever for a non-WWE show in the United States. When adjusted for inflation, the show would still be in the top handful of non-WWE shows in the United States of all time.

Meltzer also noted that the cost of tickets on the secondary market tripled following the announcement of the title vs. hair stipulation in the Darby Allin vs. MJF match.

On Sunday afternoon, the official AEW Twitter account posted the cold open for tonight’s show. It is available in the social media post below.

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During a media call this past Thursday, AEW head Tony Khan was asked if All In will return to Wembley for a fourth iteration in 2027 given that WWE WrestleMania 43 is heading to Saudi Arabia for the first time.

“I haven’t decided what to do in 2027 yet. I am very excited for the event in 2026. I think it’s going to be a very great showing. We’ll plan from there with a year to look ahead. I do know 2027 will be another very big year for AEW and I plan to take big swings,” he said. “I don’t have the whole 2027 calendar planned, but we will definitely have some huge events. I’m very focused on All in 2026 and the whole summer should be tremendous.”

After two straight years at Wembley Stadium, last year’s All In was the first to be held stateside, emanating from Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

The first All In at Wembley had an actual attendance of 72,265 in 2023 while the sequel in 2024 had 46,476 (turnstile counts, not distributed). Last year’s Texas show had 21,973 in the stadium.

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