Wrestling

AEW All Out 2024 (September 7) Outcomes & Assessment

September 10, 2024
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MEET YOUR REVIEWERS:

Swimsuit Williams: You possibly can learn Swimsuit’s long-form previews and opinions of wrestling from around the globe right here at Voices of Wrestling. You can too discover his weekly opinions of AEW Collision over at F4WOnline. Try his brand-new wrestling weblog Williams Watches Wrestling, the place he’ll interact in watch initiatives and overview requests. Observe Swimsuit on all social media platforms @SuitWilliams.

Sean Sedor: After attending the Southern 500 at Darlington throughout Labor Day Weekend, Sean is again to assist out Swimsuit overview All Out 2024, which appears to be an unbelievable principal card, not less than on paper. Will it ship? Sean can’t wait to search out out! As all the time, you’ll find Sean on Twitter @SASedor2994 (he refuses to name it X) AND on Bluesky (@sasedor2994.bsky.social). If you happen to’re inquisitive about a few of his different escapades, you may watch him play the Method 1 video games on YouTube (simply search his identify), and you too can go to the Be The Booker boards if you happen to’d like to take a look at his EWR Diary, the place he performs as WCW (began in 1998, at present in February of 2003).

THE ACCLAIMED (ANTHONY BOWENS & MAX CASTER w/ Billy Gunn) DEF. IRON SAVAGES (BOULDER & BRONSON w/ Jacked Jameson)

Swimsuit: I missed this match, however I wished to make it abundantly clear how a lot I hate the Iron Savages. I’m sadly topic to them each every now and then on Collision the place I do my greatest to bury them in a buttoned-up method, however I need these dorks to get picked up by Paul and win the NXT Tag Workforce Titles so badly. They will feud with “Hank & Tank” and Chase U and get the hell off my present.

Sean: Initially, I believed this was going to be a trios match, however as an alternative, it ended up being a straight two vs. two tag. Whereas The Acclaimed acquired the win (as just about everybody anticipated), Iron Savages acquired in far more offense than I might’ve figured. They’re a good massive man tag workforce (going all the way in which again to after they had been Bear Nation), however this present gimmick has by no means achieved something for me, so their matches will all the time have a ceiling in that respect. They confirmed MxM Assortment watching on, and so they did tease a match with The Acclaimed final night time on both Collision or Rampage, so I presume we’ll be getting that in some unspecified time in the future earlier than Bowens and Caster problem The Younger Bucks once more. **1/4

DUSTIN RHODES, SAMMY GUEVARA, & HOLOGRAM DEF. PREMIER ATHLETES (ARIYA DAIVARI, JOSH WOODS, & TONY NESE W/ MARK STERLING)

Sean: Dustin Rhodes, Sammy Guevara, and Hologram teamed as much as defeat The Darkish Order final night time on Rampage, and so they managed to select up one other trios victory right here over The Premier Athletes. A strong trios match on the entire, with some tough spots right here and there. Now that we’ve gotten to see what Hologram can do over these final a number of weeks, I’m curious to see what his subsequent step is. Who’s his very first feud going to be with? Will this undefeated run that he’s been on result in him getting a title shot? Undoubtedly intrigued to see what occurs with him within the coming weeks and months. ***

THE BANG BANG GANG (JUICE ROBINSON, AUSTIN GUNN, & COLTEN GUNN) DEF. THE DARK ORDER (ALEX REYNOLDS, EVIL UNO, & JOHN SILVER

Sean: Trios motion on the Zero Hour continued as Juice Robinson and The Gunns scored a win over Darkish Order. This was similar to the earlier match. Completely superb for what it was because the babyface aspect picks up a victory. At this level, I really feel like Juice and The Gunns are simply biding time till Jay White comes again (and primarily based on what got here out a couple of weeks in the past, he needs to be again quickly). So far as Darkish Order goes, I do discover it humorous that issues have actually gone full circle for Alex Reynolds and John Silver. They began out as jobbers, then acquired into Darkish Order and went by means of all of the highs and lows, as heels then babyfaces then again to heels, and now they’re mainly proper again the place they began. Not on the degree the place they’re getting completely squashed, however in a task the place they’re mainly simply placing over different individuals. Once more, a strong match, although you aren’t lacking rather a lot if you happen to didn’t see it. ***

THREE WAY TRIOS MATCH
THE UNDISPUTED KINGDOM (MATT TAVEN, MIKE BENNETT, & RODERICK STRONG) DEF. TOP FLIGHT (ACTION ANDRETTI, DANTE & DARIUS MARTIN W/ LEILA GREY), & SHANE TAYLOR PROMOTIONS (LEE MORIARTY & SHANE TAYLOR) & THE BEAST MORTOS

Swimsuit: High Flight are out of the Social gathering Metropolis pilot uniforms and are in some jumpsuits as an alternative, which is an improve. I’d have simply given them some bomber jackets and been achieved with it. This was a superb trios match right here, with the Kingdom getting a win. The Kingdom are a very good trio, however the Kingdom branding simply places me in a nasty mindset. I believe a brand new coat of paint would assist them out, if solely to depart this dropped angle previously. ***

Sean: This Zero Hour seems like King Of Trios with the quantity of trios matches we’ve gotten to date. Undisputed Kingdom ended up scoring the win when Roderick Sturdy took out Beast Mortos with a knee strike as he was hitting a transfer on Motion Andretti. This three-way trios match was simply one of the best factor on Zero Hour, although it’s not prefer it was tremendous spectacular or something like that. I’m in all probability preaching to the choir on this, however I’m not a fan of this gimmick change for High Flight. I’ve no points with including Leila Gray as their new valet if that’s one thing you wished to do. Nonetheless, making them gown up like pilots is one thing that Vince McMahon 1000% would’ve achieved 5 years in the past. It simply reeks of 2019 WWE. I’m guessing a few of these completely ineffective writers backstage (who’ve their minds caught within the WWE means of doing issues) took the High Flight identify means too actually and determined to decorate them up so as to add some “taste”. Yuck. ***1/4 

MJF DEF. DANIEL GARCIA

Swimsuit: I’ve spoken about MJF’s work previously yr feeling unfocused at occasions. He would have his overarching story, however he would all the time add on some cheaper, lazier story on prime of it. The Ospreay story was a easy one, however MJF added the pointless American Title stuff for the lazy warmth. The MJF we’ve had the previous few weeks on this Garcia feud, and the MJF that we acquired on this night time, are one of the best variations of MJF. This was the centered, glorious MJF that made lots of people on this web site see the world on this man. He didn’t come out in Packers colours to make for particular certain that he acquired warmth. He trusted his instincts, and it resulted in a unbelievable match right here.

Garcia jumped MJF on the bell and fought this match with the anger and hate you need in a feud like this. MJF re-opened Garcia’s wound from Wednesday night time and bloodied him up. The work was intense and bodily, with Garcia having a disgusting mixture of blood, snot, and MJF’s spit in his face. This was grown man professional wrestling proper right here. Garcia caught MJF in a guillotine and caught his falling arm, wanting a prime rope piledriver as an alternative. MJF fought him off and shoved referee Remsburg in Garcia’s means, catching Garcia with a low blow and a flash pin to steal the win.

MJF went for the handshake and the low blow afterward, however Garcia caught his boot and kicked him within the nuts. Garcia acquired MJF to the highest rope and dropped him with the piledriver earlier than leaving by means of the group, as MJF acquired checked on by the medical doctors. This jogged my memory of MJF vs. Jungle Boy from the 2020 Double or Nothing present, with two younger stars on this firm going out within the opener with no shortcuts and simply working their asses off. Garcia was nice right here, and this efficiency from MJF was a reminder of how nice he could be when he trusts himself to be nice. ****1/2

Sean: So as an alternative of the MJF model of the American Flag that we acquired throughout his feud with Will Ospreay, we’re now getting an enormous “I’m higher than you” flag throughout this entrance. As quickly as that flag dropped, nevertheless, Daniel Garcia (with a black bandage wrapped round his head after MJF’s assault on Dynamite) ran in from out of nowhere and jumped MJF to get this one going. I actually favored seeing the match begin that means, given the route they’ve gone with this feud. After the preliminary quick begin by Garcia, MJF took management as he focused Garcia’s head and neck.

After the traditional Davey Richards/Eddie Edwards suplex spot to the ground, Garcia barely beat the ten depend and began taking the struggle to MJF as soon as once more, however MJF responded with a powerbomb onto the knee (which regarded brutal). He then took off Garcia’s bandage and broke open the wound from Wednesday. Garcia averted the highest rope piledriver and linked with a DDT off the highest rope. It wouldn’t take lengthy for MJF to fireside again with some massive offense of his personal, however a bloodied Garcia stored on combating. The 2 traded German Suplexes and crossfaces earlier than Garica locked within the Dragon Tamer, which was then countered by MJF, who locked in a submission that regarded like one thing Zack Sabre Jr. would do. Garcia someway managed to get to the ropes, and hit a nasty piledriver that solely acquired a two depend. After Garcia did not hit a piledriver from the second rope, MJF acquired the referee out of the way in which and hit a low blow to safe the win.

MJF went for a handshake after the very fact, however this simply led to a Garcia low blow, after which a piledriver off the second rope. So whereas MJF technically acquired the victory, Daniel Garcia acquired the final snicker ultimately. What an superior match to kick off the PPV. Some unbelievable stuff between these two in a match that was stuffed with HEAT and HATRED. Garcia placed on an unbelievable efficiency right here, and MJF performed his position completely. That is one thing that I’ve stated earlier than, however MJF’s ring work (notably in his massive matches) has by no means been higher. He’s a legitimately nice wrestler. As for the end, I felt that placing MJF over would take advantage of sense if Garcia’s leaving, however the way in which the post-match performed out simply makes this really feel like a feud that isn’t over. I suppose we’ll see what occurs. I’m positively not a playing man. ****1/2 

AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
THE YOUNG BUCKS (MATTHEW JACKSON & NICHOLAS JACKSON) (C) DEF. BLACKPOOL COMBAT CLUB (CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI & WHEELER YUTA)

Swimsuit: This was a rock-solid tag match, one which the Bucks haven’t had for the reason that EVP energy battle started this previous summer season. The Bucks have had a really unhealthy summer season, however I’ve fought the concept they’re washed as a tag workforce. They simply have the stink of a nasty angle on them for proper now, and the additional they transfer away from that and again into having matches like this, it’ll pump the brakes on the discuss of them being over-the-hill.

The AEW tag division has misplaced some world class groups, however there are nonetheless some common pairings that may make for a very good division. Get the Bucks extra within the combine with the High Flights and the Home of Blacks and even the Outrunners on TV, and it’ll elevate the division as a complete. Castagnoli and Yuta had been good challengers right here, and an instance of the groups AEW could make on this division. That they had a few good nearfalls, together with a shoutout to one among my favourite Bucks finishes of all time from Wrestle Kingdom 11 in opposition to Roppongi Vice. However Matthew acquired his knees up on the Rocket Launcher and caught Yuta with an inside cradle to retain. **** 

Sean: It’s fairly wild that The Younger Bucks (so far as I can recall anyway) have but to have an awesome two-on-two tag workforce match (that wasn’t both a Ladder Match or a Hardcore Match) since they began this heel EVP run earlier this yr. With opponents like Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta, this bout actually had a ton of potential going into it.

After the preliminary offense flurry from the BCC, The Younger Bucks gained management after isolating Wheeler Yuta. He finally made the tag to Claudio, who ran wild with uppercuts. The BCC went on a little bit of a roll, even after Yuta was all on his personal after Claudio acquired despatched over the barricade on the surface. After some extra back-and-forth between the 2 sides, Yuta almost caught one of many Bucks with a crucifix after Claudo stopped Extra Bang For Your Buck. Claudio acquired hit with one EVP Set off, however blocked a second one, and adopted up with a suplex on each Bucks without delay and a Big Swing. Claudio then linked with an enormous superplex on Matt, and Yuta tried for a splash off the highest rope, however Matt acquired the knees up. Nick then grabbed Claudio’s leg and held him down as Matt pinned Yuta to select up the win.

This was a extremely good tag workforce match that was simply shy of being nice. The Younger Bucks had their greatest straight two-on-two tag this yr, and Claudio and Yuta did a really strong job because the challengers on this spot. I believed the end was fairly intelligent, because the BCC had been on the verge of victory till The Younger Bucks managed to tug one out. I don’t have a lot else to say about this one. A really strong match that was good for its spot on the cardboard. ***3/4 

AEW INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
WILL OSPREAY (C) DEF. PAC

Swimsuit:  I used to be imagined to be at this present. My plan was to fly to Chicago on Friday and purchase a ticket on the door. Sadly, my plans fell by means of and I needed to watch this present at dwelling. I watched this match and cursed my unhealthy luck. Everybody is aware of how nice Ospreay is, god is aware of I’ve written sufficient about how unbelievable that man has been over the previous 5 years. However we have to discuss extra about how unbelievable PAC is as each a employee and as a personality. Whether or not it’s as a singles or in tags and trios, PAC has a resume that rivals that of the highest guys on this promotion whereas by no means getting the prospect to be one himself. A part of that works for his character because the perpetually salty Bastard, always ignored or taken out of the sport attributable to circumstances each out and in of his management. This night time was a reminder of simply how nice PAC is, and simply how malleable he could be on this roster.

The construct for this match began two weeks in the past when PAC hit Ospreay with the shock poisonrana, a transfer I nonetheless can’t consider occurred. Then final week on Dynamite, PAC dropped Ospreay on a loading crate with a brainbuster. So, PAC properly centered his work right here on Ospreay’s neck. There was a very nasty sequence on the apron the place PAC hit each a German suplex and a poisonrana to take Ospreay down. Ospreay survived a pair of Brutalizer submissions, however PAC countered the Stormbreaker with a sick rana for a nearfall. Ospreay kicked out of it and hit a Types Conflict earlier than drilling PAC with a Hidden Blade, his second of the match, to win and retain the title.

This match was fucking unreal. The story was easy and efficient, led to superior nearfalls, and had the group dwelling and dying by the hands of those males. That is what AEW can really feel like at its peak. They didn’t want an extended, winding, emotionally charged story to be nice. They simply wanted a purpose to struggle, and the time to have that struggle. That is the sensation everybody goes on about. Among the best matches of 2024. FULL FIVE

Sean: The gang went loopy because the bell rang to get this one began. After the preliminary alternate, the 2 took turns hitting big twisting dives off the highest to the ground. They then acquired again within the ring and proceeded to have a tough strike alternate (removed from a sluggish begin to this one). PAC gained the higher hand after tossing Ospreay into the barricade, and linked along with his Avalanche Brainbuster off the highest that all the time appears completely insane. It wouldn’t take lengthy for Ospreay to reply, as he went on an offensive flurry after taking PAC out with a flying forearm on the ground.

Extra unbelievable exchanges adopted. After an unbelievable DDT from PAC and an OsCutter within the ring from Ospreay, the Worldwide Champion tried for an OsCutter on the apron, however PAC countered with a German Suplex on the apron, after which hit a freaking poison rana on the apron earlier than following up with a Brutalizer. Ospreay survived all of that, and managed to efficiently block the Black Arrow. One other wild alternate (which acquired a standing ovation) led to a different poison rana by PAC as he went for the Brutalizer once more. He escaped, hit a poison rana of his personal, and hit the Hidden Blade for a CLOSE nearfall. Ospreay avoids an excellent poison rana and hits one other Hidden Blade, however that’s nonetheless not it! An incredible counter of the Storm Breaker results in a Types Conflict, and one other Hidden Blade lastly places PAC away.

This was a completely phenomenal match between two of one of the best wrestlers on the planet as we speak. Stellar motion from begin to end in entrance of an unbelievable crowd. Phrases can’t do that match justice. If you happen to didn’t see this present, it is advisable exit of your option to watch this one. Superior stuff from each guys, and I LOVED how they labored the poison rana from a couple of weeks in the past into the bout, as PAC used that to work over Ospreay’s neck. This can completely be on my prime ten checklist for Match Of The 12 months. Stuff like that is why I really like skilled wrestling. *****

CHICAGO STREET FIGHT
KRIS STATLANDER (W/ STOKELY HATHAWAY) DEF. WILLOW NIGHTINGALE

Swimsuit: One other glorious match on this PPV, as these two beat the piss out of one another. Statlander put Nightingale by means of a desk earlier than Willow kinda dodged a swanton by means of a desk. We had gentle tubes, dives off the stage by means of tables, chains and tacks on this one. I instinctively began shouting the CZW tune when Willow hit Statlander with the sunshine tubes. Hathaway didn’t get himself concerned bodily, permitting for Statlander to get a clear win by choking Willow out with a series. This present has been unbelievable to date, and we nonetheless have the enterprise finish of the cardboard on the way in which. ****1/4

Sean: Following that Ospreay/PAC match is a particularly tall order, however of the matches left on this card, the Chicago Avenue Struggle between Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale was in all probability your best option (you additionally in all probability need to put far between this and the Metal Cage Match. The ladies’s division of AEW has a robust historical past of getting some nice hardcore matches, so these two had rather a lot to dwell as much as in that regard as properly. Willow went on the offensive early, however Statlander responded with a chair shot and a powerbomb by means of (I consider) the Spanish Announce Desk.

Statlander tried for a Swanton off the highest in an try and put Willow by means of a desk, however regardless that Willow moved, she nonetheless acquired nailed by Statlander on the way in which down. The 2 brawled up onto the stage, and Stokely introduced out weapons as Statlander gained management. She tried to hit Willow with a barbed wire bat, however Willow averted it and smashed gentle tubes over Statlander’s head! This was adopted up with Statlander spearing Willow off the stage by means of a set of tables, and at this level, the madness meter is getting fairly near a full ten. Again within the ring, and Willow used a series earlier than the thumbtacks got here out. Statlander tried for a Scissor Kick, however ended up doing a break up onto the tacks! 

Statlander would struggle again with a Spanish Fly off the highest, and ended up getting out a series that she connected to herself and Willow. Yet one more alternate adopted, and Statlander finally put Willow away with a tombstone adopted by a choke with the chain. This was a automobile crash in one of the simplest ways potential. A completely superior Avenue Struggle that was filled with motion from begin to end. These two beat the crap out of one another, and so they by no means actually took their ft off the gasoline at any level. Screw AEW’s unhappy makes an attempt at making four-way matches the “custom” of the AEW girls’s division. Brutal and violent hardcore matches are the REAL custom of the AEW girls’s division, and these two added one other sturdy chapter into that storied historical past. With Statlander getting the win right here, I presume that this feud isn’t fairly over simply but, although I actually don’t know the way they’ll prime this. ****1/2 

AEW CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
KAZUCHIKA OKADA (C) DEF. MARK BRISCOE, ORANGE CASSIDY, & KONOSUKE TAKESHITA

Swimsuit: This was a strong match, however this was the good the group had been all night time. They had been sizzling for the Takeshita/Okada faceoffs, however nobody actually purchased the concept Okada was dropping right here. Okada is in an odd spot, as the large drawing level of his title – the Continental Basic – isn’t till the top of the yr. Nobody goes to purchase that Okada will lose till that match, and being concerned within the Elite feud hasn’t helped him in any respect. It’s Okada, so I’m all the time going to consider he could be nice, however he simply has not hit the extent you’d need OKADA to hit regularly. He needs to be one other Will Ospreay, racking up the MOTY contenders on these exhibits, however he’s not. Okada pinned Cassidy with a Rainmaker, chopping off a Takeshita flurry to take action. ***1/2

Sean: Whereas a singles match with Okada vs. any of those three would’ve been preferable over a 4-Means, the expertise on this one is means too good, so I’m hoping it delivers. The primary notable spot noticed Orange Cassidy hit Okada and Takeshita with a double rana, and that was adopted by a chop alternate between Takeshita and Mark Briscoe. All 4 males then took turns hitting one another with suplexes (had not less than a half-dozen or so).

Following a sequence of dives, Briscoe and Orange had a enjoyable alternate, which then led to a a lot anticipated alternate between Okada and Takeshita (we want that singles match ASAP). At this level, everybody began hitting their massive strikes. Takeshita hit Orange Cassidy with the Bastard Driver, however then Briscoe hit Takeshita with the Jay Driller. Extra nearfalls had been exchanged, and simply when it regarded like Okada was out of it, he got here in, cleared home, and put Cassidy away with The Rainmaker to select up the win. This wound up being a reasonably entertaining four-way. All 4 guys acquired loads of moments to shine all through, and we acquired some cool interactions earlier than the eventual end. The truth that Takeshita didn’t get pinned right here has me hoping that Okada vs. Takeshita is occurring in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later. Once more, as I discussed earlier, a singles match is all the time preferable, however this turned out to be a robust match by the point it ended. ****

AEW TBS CHAMPIONSHIP
MERCEDES MONE (C) DEF. HIKARU SHIDA

Swimsuit: These two labored this match like they stole one another’s wallets. This was scrappy from the leap, with quite a lot of stiff pictures and grit between them. The match was going very properly, however issues acquired a bit of sloppy towards the top. There was an odd sequence when Shida hit three Katanas to arrange a nearfall, however Mone simply rolled out of the ring to get to the following spot. There was some stuff with Shida’s kendo stick, the place she teased utilizing it and getting DQ’ed. She determined in opposition to it, however Mone acquired the benefit afterwards. Mone had labored over Shida’s knee throughout the match and used a chop block to arrange the Mone Maker for the win. It was trending to be a pocket book match however fell only a bit quick. ***3/4

Sean: Mercedes Moné retained the TBS Title in opposition to Hikaru Shida on Dynamite a number of weeks again, however that was primarily right down to interference from Kamille. This time round, Kamille is barred from ringside. Shida had the early benefit after connecting with a sequence of dropkicks. She then began to work over the leg of Mercedes. After Shida hit a knee strike on the surface, Mercedes lastly nailed her first main blow of the match with a sundown flip powerbomb out of the nook. She was in management for the following jiffy till Shida fought again with a rana. Some extra back-and-forth ended with an enormous lariat from Shida. After some extra exchanges, Mercedes hit the three amigos, and tried for Frog Splash, however Shida acquired the knees up, and hit a sequence of Falcon Arrows for a nearfall.

After an enormous knee strike from Shida, a sequence of Katana’s adopted, however Mercedes someway survived. They ended up on the ground and fought over Shida’s kendo stick. Shida thought of utilizing it, however threw it down. An try and comply with up after that was stopped, and we acquired a little bit of a sloppy end as Mercedes hit a weak Moné Maker for the win. This was a step above the primary match between these two, and it was defending higher than the Mercedes Moné/Britt Baker match at All In, however the closing sequence positively knocked it down a notch or two. I’m kind of over the entire “wrestler tries to make use of a weapon that can absolutely get them disqualified, however they’ll’t deliver themselves to do it” spot. It’s simply overly contrived. These two labored fairly arduous, and whereas there have been some sloppy moments, most of these didn’t harm the match that a lot (let’s not overlook that Mercedes has by no means been the smoothest wrestler on the earth). The finisher positively may’ve been executed higher, however other than that, I loved this. It was the weakest match on the present to date, although that’s saying one thing in regards to the unbelievable high quality of this card to date. ***1/2 

AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
BRYAN DANIELSON (C) DEF. JACK PERRY

Swimsuit: Danielson got here out to Closing Countdown once more, as Tony is placing a few of his TV cash to make use of early. The pyro has been again tonight too, if you happen to hadn’t seen. Perry got here out to massive warmth, though any CM Punk chants had been shortly booed away. Credit score to the total school course value of individuals within the AEW reserving crew to construct Perry up for this title shot in Chicago after the red-hot response he had within the metropolis again at Windy Metropolis Riot for New Japan.

At 5 years outdated, AEW is on the level of their life cycle the place they should cycle in new names on the prime of the playing cards. They’ve achieved a very good job with guys like MJF and Swerve Strickland, making them reliable principal occasion stars on this promotion. Darby Allin will get his probability developing at Grand Slam, with rumors of the promotion contemplating giving him a run on prime with the large belt. This was Perry’s shot, properly placed on a present the place he was in a principal occasion place however not the true principal occasion.

He was serviceable, however not nice within the spot. Perry is a significantly better wrestler as a babyface than as a heel, as his vitality screams combating babyface. He labored properly right here although, specializing in Danielson’s neck and getting shut nearfalls with the Snare Entice STF and the Glass Jaw knee. The Younger Bucks interfered after a ref bump, with Castagnoli and Yuta operating them off after the TK Driver. Perry survived two Busaiku Knees, however Danielson stomped his head in and hit a 3rd to retain the title. This was good, however wanting nice. ****

After the match, Killswitch jumped Danielson and stared down his former buddy Perry. Christian Cage got here out to money in his On line casino Gauntlet Title shot, however Jon Moxley got here out and stood in his means. After the remainder of the BCC and PAC stood at Moxley’s aspect, Christian bailed. The BCC raised Danielson’s hand, just for Castagnoli to drill him with an uppercut. Moxley pulled out a plastic bag and choked him out as PAC held Yuta again. The announcers handled this as a heinous act as Yuta and the medical doctors acquired Danielson oxygen. This units up Mox’s new model of the BCC as a heartless group of assassins, units up Mox as a significant challenger, and units up Yuta to interrupt out in Danielson’s stead. This was a superb, thrilling angle that offers the highest of the cardboard an actual jolt of vitality and provides AEW a real prime heel unit. 

Sean: Jack Perry had a particular entrance, driving up in his Scapegoat van, with The Younger Bucks and different guys in riot gear flanking him. In the meantime, Bryan Danielson got here out to Closing Countdown once more, which is simply so cool. Seeing him come out to that tune won’t ever, ever get outdated. One factor that does have me a bit involved although is Christian Cage. I don’t assume we’ve seen him in any respect since All In, and he has that title shot in his pocket. I’m petrified of the apparent, however I’m hoping it doesn’t occur (fingers crossed).

After the opening alternate, Danielson locked Perry within the Romero Particular, after which adopted up with a springboard dive to the ground. Perry would reply a short while later with a superkick and a draping DDT, each on the ground. That gave Perry the opening to begin engaged on the neck of Danielson (which remains to be lined in kinesio tape). Danielson responded with chops, after which linked with a HUGE again suplex off the highest rope. After Perry fought again along with his try at a Cattle Mutilation, the 2 battled on the apron, and Danielson hit a nasty butterfly suplex to the ground. A couple of minutes later, the referee acquired taken out, which opened the door for The Younger Bucks to run down.

This then briefly became a Home Of Torture match (which is becoming as Perry was a part of Home Of Torture earlier this yr in New Japan) as The Younger Bucks hit Danielson with a Spike Tombstone. Happily, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta ran down and chased off The Younger Bucks. A operating knee strike from Perry solely acquired two, and Danielson responded with an enormous Busaiku Knee. A second one adopted quickly thereafter (Perry actually went flying when he acquired hit with these Busaiku Knees), and after kicking Perry’s head in, a 3rd Busaiku Knee is hit, and that’s it. This was a reasonably good match, however I don’t assume I can name it nice. The wrestling all through was good, but it surely was simply missing….one thing. Jack Perry has had higher matches than this for certain. We did get the interference, but it surely thankfully didn’t result in the end, which was good to see. Undoubtedly one of many weakest Bryan Danielson matches in a while, although that simply speaks to the extremely excessive normal that Danielson has set on this AEW run. ***1/2 

In the end, the post-match angle goes to completely overshadow this match. Killswitch ran in and attacked Danielson, and following a staredown between him and his former Jurassic Categorical teammate Jack Perry, Christian Cage got here out with the remainder of The Patriarchy, and it regarded like he was going to make use of his title shot….however he was stopped by the remainder of the BCC, which included Jon Moxley. Christian backed off, and the BCC celebrated with Danielson….till Claudio nailed Danielson with an uppercut! Moxley then attacked Danielson, choking him out with a plaster bag (full with “That is homicide” chants from the group) as PAC held Wheeler Yuta (who clearly wasn’t a part of this) again. Marina Shafir additionally was there to carry safety again. So the shoe has lastly dropped with this Jon Moxley angle. The Blackpool Fight Membership as we all know it has break up aside, with Claudio and PAC becoming a member of up with Moxley, whereas Yuta remains to be aligned with Danielson. It needs to be actually fascinating to see how they comply with up on this. Will there be extra members on this new Moxley led group? The place does Darby Allin slot in? I’m curious to search out out. The BCC was quite a lot of enjoyable whereas it was round, but it surely was in all probability time for a shakeup.

LIGHTS OUT STEEL CAGE MATCH
HANGMAN PAGE VS. SWERVE STRICKLAND (W/ PRINCE NANA)

Swimsuit: This match was far totally different from the cage matches of AEW’s previous. This wasn’t the emotional spectacle that Cody vs. Wardlow was, nor was it the dazzling bodily spectacle that Younger Bucks vs. Lucha Brothers was. This was a spectacle of violence, as these two made this cage in Chicago a Cage of Loss of life. They didn’t lock as much as begin this one, as Swerve tried to carry Web page in place for the cage to crush his head. Web page pulled out a staple gun, just for Swerve to make use of it to staple photos of his circle of relatives to his face in a name again to the Texas Loss of life Match. There was the cinder block, a staple of Swerve’s weapons arsenal, which Swerve used to hit a Vertebreaker on Hangman that left a disgusting roadrash scar on his again.

Hangman paid tribute to Magnum and Tully, utilizing a burnt wood spike to try to stab Swerve solely to get spiked himself shortly after. Neither man may pin the opposite, not with a Swerve Stomp by means of a desk nor an Superior Bomb off the highest rope. Swerve was achieved after the Superior Bomb, solely managing to defiantly get to his ft when Hangman wished him to beg. However he collapsed proper afterwards, resulting in the end. Hangman pulled Swerve’s grille out of his mouth, grabbed a hypodermic needle, and jabbed it by means of his cheek in a spot that Tony Schiavone audibly couldn’t watch. Web page then took a metal chair and cracked Swerve level clean within the head, getting the win by knockout.

Hangman proved that with none interference, he may beat Swerve one-on-one. Hangman went to do extra harm to Swerve, however selected to lift his arms in victory, lastly proving himself proper and proving himself to be the higher man. It took him changing into the monster that he believed Swerve to be, and the match was unsanctioned and thus gained’t depend for something, however he acquired his revenge.

This wasn’t as balls-to-the-wall because the Texas Loss of life Match, as this was labored at a way more deliberate tempo to let the violent spots set in. However the chemistry these two have is plain, and the vitality that their feud brings to those principal occasions is particular. It is a hallmark feud in AEW historical past, and one that can outline each males’s careers. ****1/4

Sean: Each males had been escorted to the ring by safety, and Swerve was sporting white gear, which is just about the common signal that blood goes to be break up (as if we didn’t know that was coming anyway). Swerve truly jumped Hangman earlier than the cage was lowered, which allowed Nana to toss extra weapons into the ring earlier than the cage got here down totally. Hangman managed to get a staple gun, however Swerve utterly no-sold the staples. He then took out photos of his household, and stapled them to Hangman’s chest and face (in a role-reversal of the Texas Loss of life Match the place Hangman stapled his little one’s finger work to Swerve). Hangman lastly nailed his first massive shot of the match within the type of a barbed wire assisted lariat, adopted by repeatedly sending Swerve into the wall of the Metal Cage.

There was a contrived spot involving referee Paul Turner that led to Swerve regaining management, and he linked with some actually arduous chair pictures to the again of Hangman. He then introduced out a cinder block, and after the 2 jockeyed for place, Swerve gave Hangman a nasty Vertebreaker onto the cinder block! That gave Web page an enormous purple bruise on his again. Swerve then adopted up with a Swerve Stomp by means of a desk that acquired a two depend. This finally led to Hangman getting out a jagged piece of Swerve’s burned down home. They battled over it, and Swerve finally stabbed Hangman with it. A second of melodrama on Swerve’s half led to Hangman discovering a gap, and he powerbombed Swerve onto the cinder block, which acquired the most important response of the match to date. By some means, Swerve fought again from that, and managed to powerbomb Hangman into the cage earlier than a Home Name solely acquired two. A freaking powerbomb by Hangman from the highest rope solely acquired two. All of this culminated with Hangman taking out Swerve’s grill, sticking a needle THROUGH SWERVE’S CHEEK, after which simply braining Swerve with a sickening chair shot to the top. That was sufficient for the referee to name it, and Hangman wins by knockout.

So the apparent query popping out of that is how did it examine to the Texas Loss of life Match from Full Gear final yr. Did it match or exceed it? I might say no. The confines of the Metal Cage positively restricted what they might do, so in that respect, they had been extra restricted. There have been factors the place this match felt….sluggish. You would say it dragged at some factors as properly. That being stated, the extent of violence we did get right here was one thing to behold, and numerous the spots they did completely made up for a few of these slower components of the match. They had been completely profitable in conveying the truth that they wished to destroy one another, and a few of the punishment they took on this match was pure madness. From the spots with the cinder block, to the tremendous powerbomb, to MULTIPLE stabbings, and the chairshot to the top that lastly put an finish to the bout (I favored the truth that they went to a large shot on the level of contact, because it does assist put over the brutality and severity of that spot). What was fascinating in regards to the end and the result’s that not solely was Swerve not pinned (Hangman gained by knockout), however as a result of it’s a Lights Out Match, the match doesn’t technically depend. I do know the data seem to have passed by the wayside (sadly), however that’s how AEW has all the time dealt with the Lights Out bouts previously. So if you wish to get technical, Hangman nonetheless hasn’t overwhelmed Swerve, which leaves the door open for an additional match down the road. Whilst you had the slowness that I discussed, in addition to a couple of different moments that didn’t fairly work out, this was an excellent brutal match with a violent ending. I actually wasn’t certain the right way to even charge this match at first. The Texas Loss of life Match was higher, as I discussed, however there’s no query that this bout was simply as memorable with a few of the issues they did to one another inside that Metal Cage. ****1/4



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