AEW WrestleDream recap & reactions: Jon Moxley wins world title

AEW WrestleDream (Oct. 12, 2024) emanated from Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, WA. The PPV occasion featured Jon Moxley profitable the world championship, Bryan Danielson ending his full-time wrestling profession on a stretcher, betrayal with the Callis Household resulting in Konosuke Takeshita as the brand new worldwide champion, the shock return of Adam Cole, and rather more.

Get caught up on all of the WrestleDream particulars with the superb play-by-play from Claire Elizabeth.

Let’s run down the cardboard from prime to backside.

AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley defeated Bryan Danielson to win the title. Conflict! Moxley attacked throughout Danielson’s entrance, and, “The Ultimate Countdown,” performed aloud on the audio system through the brawl. As soon as the match formally began, Danielson blasted Moxley with the Busaiku knee. Too early for that to complete. Moxley kicked out. The motion continued with a piledriver from Moxley onto the Spanish announce desk.

Mox targeted on damaging Danielson’s neck. When the American Dragon rallied with Sure kicks, Marina Shafir hooked his foot to forestall one other Busaiku knee. The referee noticed the interference and ejected Shafir. A short time later, Danielson hit the Busaiku knee for the second time. That also wasn’t sufficient to maintain Moxley down at this juncture within the match.

The tide turned for Moxley when he caught a suicide dive to counter for a Paradigm Shift on the uncovered concrete flooring.

Moxley labored a collection of chokes to grind his opponent. Danielson finally escaped and blasted the third Busaiku knee. Moxley kicked out and seized management from there with hammering lariats. Danielson kicked out of a Loss of life Rider, so Moxley adopted for a Gotch piledriver. As an alternative of the pin, Mox choked Danielson out for victory. New world champion.

The drama didn’t finish there. The Blackpool Fight Membership handed a plastic bag to Moxley to complete the job. Darby Allin and Wheeler Yuta ran out to guard the hero. Swerve! Yuta blindsided Allin. Sides have been chosen. Moxley handed the bag for Yuta to show his loyalty. Yuta appeared conflicted, however he went by means of with the soiled deed of suffocating his mentor. Claudio Castagnoli stomped a chair on Danielson’s neck. The locker room emptied, and the BCC retreated to security. Danielson was loaded onto a stretcher to shut his full-time profession in skilled wrestling.

Conflict was promised, and conflict was delivered. This was a protracted present (5 hours of wrestling together with the pre-show), and it felt like power was fading within the area. AEW neatly punched up the juice with that spirited brawl to begin the match. The group was all in after that with fervent help for Danielson. The principle occasion was aggressive and violent. They performed the emotion nicely with valiant babyface rallies from Danielson. The end was just a little stunning in that it simply ended. I believed Danielson would have extra life, however, apparently, Moxley choked it out of him. It was an emphatic win for Moxley to take a seat atop AEW.

There’s an argument to be made that Danielson’s loss ought to have put over a brand new star. I’d argue that Danielson ended up placing over AEW as a complete. His loss to Moxley and the next homicide scene offers them a yr’s value of storyline materials.

As for the post-match fallout, mileage will fluctuate on blurring these traces of believability and ridiculousness. What number of tried murders can there be with out an arrest? The character work is what issues although. The flip from Yuta was attention-grabbing. It appeared like he noticed Danielson would not be round, so he selected to again the BCC reasonably than battle in opposition to them. With Allin taped to the ropes, I hoped Brody King would present up. No cube. Possibly Allin can recruit the Home of Black down the road. On that line of thought, will probably be attention-grabbing to see how massive this conflict will get and the place the tweeners lie. That’s meals for thought for an additional day. The vital takeaway is that the BCC have management, and it’s time for somebody to cease them. It actually looks like an imposing drive of evil, in contrast to the Elite of their takeover angle.

ROH World Championship: Mark Briscoe defeated Chris Jericho to retain. Large Invoice interfered, so Orange Cassidy ran out to land a barrage of superman punches driving the 7-footer to the again. Later, Bryan Keith landed an affordable shot, so Rocky Romero got here out to beat him off. The end was clear. Briscoe landed a step-up cannonball off a chair by means of a desk.

When Dat Boy leaped for a froggy bow, Jericho caught him within the Codebreaker. Kick out by Briscoe. A tussle ensued with Jericho connecting on the Judas Impact elbow strike. As an alternative of going for the pin, Jericho added insult to damage to execute the Jay Driller. Briscoe appeared like lifeless meat. 1, 2, kick out!

Briscoe fired up over the disrespect. He opened a can of whoop-ass with redneck kung fu. Briscoe nailed a Loss of life Valley Driver, froggy bow, and Jay Driller to win.

The end to this match was so rattling good. Jericho’s Jay Driller suckered me hook, line, and sinker. I believed for positive it was time for El Nueve. That kick-out by Briscoe was such an emotional jolt. I didn’t see it coming in any respect. General, the match was advantageous, nonetheless, it was one of many circumstances the place the end makes it rather more memorable.

AEW World Tag Staff Championship: Younger Bucks defeated Non-public Occasion to retain the titles. Non-public Occasion put up a heck of an effort, however the Younger Bucks have been simply higher. The Jacksons hit the next gear ultimately to win on a TK Driver.

AEW went onerous making an attempt to make viewers imagine that Non-public Occasion may win. They aired a pep-talk vignette from Superb Pink.

Non-public Occasion hit just a few signature finishes to no avail. Isiah Kassidy even had a dramatic kick-out of the BTE Set off.

The group was rocking with hope of a title change. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. This may very well be an attention-grabbing second to revisit. It felt like a variety of groundwork was being laid as a stepping stone for when Non-public Occasion finally win the titles.

Darby Allin defeated Brody King. The bruiser mauled Allin. At one level, he positioned the ring steps on Allin’s torso and stepped atop the metal to roar.

The steps performed a job within the end. When battling for place on the turnbuckles, Allin shoved King down crashing onto the steps. Allin adopted for a Coffin Drop exterior.

King barely beat the ten-count. Allin was ready to pounce for an additional Coffin Drop to win. Afterward, King confirmed respect to Allin.

Good Davis versus Goliath story. Allin confirmed his coronary heart scrapping by means of ache to drag out the win. AEW touted this match as violence. I used to be curious how that may be achieved in commonplace guidelines. Allin and King did an amazing job making it appear violent with out it really being violent, comparatively talking. There was no hardcore weapons. The ring steps have been just about it. They painted an image by means of visible emotion.

Hologram defeated the Beast Mortos. Finest 2 out of three falls. Hologram took the primary pin on a leaping crucifix bomb then transitioned to a crucifix pin. Mortos took the second pin with quite a few backbreakers then a discus lariat. Within the third fall, Hologram went again to his crucifix offense, however Mortos kicked out. Hologram modified techniques to win on a spinning torture rack bomb.

Hologram and Mortos deserved this highlight on the massive stage, they usually busted onerous to placed on a present. A lot of nifty lucha libre strikes to get pleasure from. Hologram’s undefeated streak stays intact.

Swerve Strickland turned down MVP. Swerve offered an replace that he’s medically cleared to compete. MVP interrupted to debate his provide of administration. Swerve weighed the professionals and cons between Prince Nana and MVP. Nana had one edge that MVP didn’t. Swerve thought-about Nana to be household, and he doesn’t flip his again on household. Swerve informed MVP to shove the provide up his ass. Shelton Benjamin heard sufficient. The clarification was with us or in opposition to us. Pressure popped off, and officers swarmed to forestall fisticuffs.

Nice promo section with a mixture of humor and severe enterprise. It arrange sturdy warmth between Swerve and Shelton for a match. This story is recent, and I’m already hooked.

AEW Worldwide Championship: Konosuke Takeshita defeated Will Ospreay and Ricochet to win the title. Ospreay entered as champ for the three-way bout. Takeshita surged down the stretch with a leaping piledriver to Ricochet off the apron by means of a desk.

When Takeshita re-entered the ring, Ospreay blasted the Hidden Blade. 1, 2, Don Callis left commentary to drag the referee out of the ring to forestall the three-count. He tried to screw(driver) Ospreay, however the overseas object was blocked. Ospreay smiled at Callis’ futile try. A hooded determine rushed into the ring to blindside Ospreay. It was revealed to be Kyle Fletcher. Ospreay was in shock on the betrayal, then Takeshita blasted a working knee for the win. Afterward, Fletcher hit the Tiger Driver ‘91 on Ospreay, who twitched in ache upon affect.

Superb spectacle of athleticism. There have been so many sequences that had my head spinning. The group response, “Ooh, aah, OH,” was an applicable soundtrack to the speedy tempo of motion. There was additionally an amusing dynamic with respect between Ospreay and Ricochet however hatred towards Takeshita. There have been just a few moments when the babyfaces double-teamed the dangerous man. Ultimately, the dangerous man stood tall, and that was the correct name. Takeshita deserved lastly profitable a championship in AEW. The group’s response supported that notion with blissful boos over his success however rooting in opposition to the Callis Household. Takeshita was such a badass on this match. He fought by means of 2-on-1 assaults and confirmed large power after the desk spot. From a storyline perspective, the result’s rather more attention-grabbing transferring ahead. There are a number of instructions to maintain all of the members busy. Ricochet can have a singles rematch with Takeshita. Ospreay can get revenge on Fletcher then set sights on taking the gold again from Takeshita. There’s nonetheless room for yet one more spherical between Ospreay and Ricochet. Entertaining occasions lay forward.

TNT Championship: Jack Perry defeated Katsuyori Shibata to retain the title. Shibata was in management down the stretch. He secured a sleeper, however Perry leaned again to pin shoulders on the mat. The ref made the three-count in favor of the Scapegoat.

Attention-grabbing end. Shibata was a badass. One chop was exponentially extra highly effective than a number of chops from Perry. Shibata overwhelmed Perry with approach too. That’s what made the end so good. Perry escaped with the win in a means that earns heel warmth, whereas Shibata maintained his aura as an attraction. It was a pleasant curler coaster of emotion pondering the hero was going to win solely to have the rug pulled out.

Adam Cole returns. After the TNT title bout, Perry confirmed poor sportsmanship to assault Shibata. Daniel Garcia made the save. Perry skedaddled to the surface. MJF arrived for a staredown with Garcia. Perry struck Garcia from behind, and MJF took benefit of his downed rival. MJF defined that he tracked down his pawned Dynamite Diamond Ring. As Maxwell arrange for a loaded punch, right here comes the increase! Cole made a beeline to chase MJF. The scumbag retreated, and Cole shook Garcia’s hand.

Within the small image, this was enjoyable with all of the shock pops. Within the larger image, it’s foolish that Cole is the babyface once more. I get it although. He’s beloved by the followers, they usually positive weren’t going to boo him upon return from damage. Shifting ahead, AEW wants to offer a rattling good rationalization for storylines functions, so it doesn’t really feel like a random flip-flop. AEW simply did a flip-flop with Kris Statlander. The issue with Cole is that his prior plot of evil on MJF was so heinous (in principle) that the fast babyface flip feels disingenuous. On the constructive, this scene units up loads of intrigue surrounding the yearly Dynamite Diamond Ring contest. AEW has two stars in Cole and Garcia that might believably take MJF’s ring. I nonetheless hope MJF finds a technique to hold that prize for so long as attainable, and I’m trying ahead to discovering out if he can.

AEW Girls’s World Championship: Mariah Might defeated Willow Nightingale to retain the title. The circulation was managed by Mariah with outbursts of energy from Willow. The nearfalls got here on a Mayday from Mariah and a brutal Loss of life Valley Driver into the turnbuckles from Willow. The end teased drama when Willow stifled Mariah’s try at an excellent rana. Willow powered her opponent up for an avalanche powerbomb, however Mariah shifted her weight to hit the rana off the nook as initially meant. Mariah closed with a piledriver to win.

Exhausting-fought battle. Willow placed on one other nice efficiency. For Mariah, that is the win that validates her run as world champion. The inevitable rematch with Toni Storm awaits. The Glamour is on a scorching run, and I believe she deserves to win that bout as nicely to cement her standing. No placeholder champ ready for Storm. Give her the clear win to indicate that she is healthier. That’s how a lot worth I place on Mariah beating Willow right here.

Jay White defeated Hangman Web page. The cowboy’s brawn dominated the slender Switchblade. The tide turned when White baited Hangman into his plan. Hangman was going to whip White together with his belt. White inspired the violence by spitting at him. Hangman was enraged and walked into the entice of a knee breaker on the ramp. That affect did main injury to the cowboy. The match progressed with Hangman making an attempt a shortcut for the mule kick, however White blocked. Switchblade transitioned to the Blade Runner, nonetheless, Hangman countered into the Deadeye piledriver. His knee was too broken to go for a swift pin. As an alternative, Hangman eyed the buckshot lariat. When he went into movement, his knee buckled. White caught the transfer to counter for the Blade Runner for victory.

That motion informed a cool story of technique. Hangman was a wrecking machine. White was making an attempt to get in Hangman’s head all match lengthy. It labored with that knee breaker, which paid dividends on the end. The closing sequence was filled with pleasure. White confirmed his savvy to dam the mule kick and the buckshot. This was the sort of match the place each wrestlers appeared nice. As such, the victory makes White worthy of being again right into a world title image. Hangman doesn’t lose any shine, as a result of he was bodily compromised. That was an ideal technique to shield Hangman and elevate White on the identical time.

There have been 4 bouts on the Zero Hour free pre-show.

The Outrunners & the Conglomeration defeated the Premier Athletes & the Darkish Order. Rocky Romero, Mark Sterling, Josh Woods, and Evil Uno have been ringside. Sizzling tag to Turbo Floyd for a physique slam prepare. After exterior shenanigans, Cassidy took out the pile on a flying crossbody. That left Ari Daivari alone to endure defeat by the hands of the Outrunners’ powerslam neckbreaker combo.

Cool-down match earlier than the PPV whereas maintaining the gang scorching with energetic spots. This random 8-man tag was just about a showcase for the Outrunners with their muscle flexing and highly effective handshake. They picked up the win to maintain momentum sturdy.

The Acclaimed defeated MxM Assortment. Previous to the bout, MxM revealed their third member to be Rico. He was the shock that may assist MxM finish scissoring eternally. Good plan, however no such luck. Throughout the match, Rico helped with bodily interference. MxM had the Acclaimed reeling with a handful of teamwork maneuvers. The Acclaimed rallied with Anthony Bowens touchdown a dive onto MxM exterior. Contained in the ring, Billy Gunn confronted Rico. Daddy Ass caught the stylist’s spinning heel kick to return hearth with the Fameasser. As Mansoor checked on Rico, the Acclaimed seized the second for victory on the Mic Drop combo.

Enjoyable match. MxM is all the time a deal with. Mansoor and Mason Madden do nicely mixing comedic poses with severe offense. Rico was a pleasing shock with an aura becoming of MxM. The Acclaimed and Billy dealt with enterprise to a lot delight from the gang. The Timber Me Scissors spot of slamming Mansoor onto Mason was an amusing technique to kick-start the profitable rally.

Anna Jay defeated Harley Cameron. Jay nailed a Gory Facebuster for victory. Scrappy match. Harley was wily, however Anna usually had solutions to remain one step forward. Followers of both wrestler ought to get pleasure from this one.

ROH World Tv Championship: Brian Cage defeated Atlantis Jr. to win the title. The luchador entered together with his neck taped from a earlier damage, and that acted as a bullseye for the Machine to focus on. Atlantis Jr. nonetheless flew excessive for a wide range of dives. Cage kicked out of a frog splash finisher. When Atlantis Jr. loaded up for an excellent rana, Cage countered for an avalanche Liger bomb. Cage lifted Atlantis Jr. for the Drill Claw, nonetheless, the luchador countered for a roll-up in a callback to his earlier win over Cage. The Machine wasn’t having it this time. Cage kicked out then unloaded a discus lariat. The Drill Claw sealed the deal for the brand new champion.

Good match to get within the groove for the night. Cage unleashed energy strikes with ferocity, whereas Atlantis Jr. was gentle on his toes for lucha libre pops. It is sensible for the ROH TV title to be again on the common roster. Atlantis Jr.’s run went underneath the radar. He had just a few defenses on ROH TV, however nothing substantial. Cage can elevate the title to offer a rub to the subsequent champion down the road.

Notes: Mercedes Moné shouted diva calls for for her locker room. Queen Aminata informed the CEO to not be impolite. Mercedes mocked the queen. AEW later introduced Mercedes defending the TBS Championship in opposition to Aminata on Dynamite.

Kazuchika Okada didn’t have a match, however he was there to help the Elite. Kyle O’Reilly politely requested for a continental title shot. Okada declined, “Bitch.” O’Reilly took a special strategy and punched Okada within the face. Safety was fast to interrupt it up. Christopher Daniels ejected each wrestlers from the sector. He didn’t need pointless distractions through the PPV.

Jerry Lynn inspired Orange Cassidy to grow to be the face of AEW. Hook agreed.

Stokely Hathaway and the Prime Flight crew have been individually within the entrance row observing the tag title bout. Hathaway smiled like a hater at Non-public Occasion dropping.

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Stud of the Present: Mark Briscoe

Kicking out of the Jay Driller was the second of the night time in my e-book.

Match of the Evening: Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet vs. Konosuke Takeshita

Inventive, athletic, intense.

Grade: A-

Judging up by means of the Swerve section, I’d go A stage all day. The remainder of the present had its justifiable share of thrilling moments with high quality storytelling, The principle occasion was again on observe. I actually appreciated a variety of the finishes. AEW toned down the overbooking for essentially the most half and let the wrestlers wrestle.

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