LECLAIR’S AEW DOUBLE OR NOTHING 2025 REPORT: Alt perspective, detailed coverage of Ospreay vs. Page, Anarchy in the Arena, Mone vs. Hayter, more

Flames danced around the entrance stage as Excalibur’s signature line rang out. “It’s Sunday, you know what that means!” he said, noting that it’s the sixth anniversary of AEW’s inaugural event. He quickly introduced his broadcast partners, Tony Schiavone and Taz.

-Mercedes Mone’s music hit and she danced onto the stage. Excalibur mentioned that she made her AEW debut one year ago at this very event. He said she finds herself one win away from challenging for the AEW Women’s World Championship. Tony Schiavone said that Mone has the gold, the look, and is a certified star. Jamie Hayter entered to a strong ovation. Excalibur talked up her previous accomplishments, particularly in the Owen Hart tournament.

(1) MERCEDES MONE vs. JAMIE HAYTER – Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Final match

A dueling chant broke out as soon as the two women locked up in the center of the ring. It continued for a while as Mercedes Mone and Jamie Hayter traded lock-ups, jockeying for position. Mone worked Hayter into the southwest corner and began working on her lower back. Taz said it was smart. Referee Aubrey Edwards broke Mone away, allowing Hayter to recover and explode out of the corner with a clothesline. She covered Mercedes for a quick two count. Hayter and Mone traded quick Irish whips to opposing corners, then into roll ups. Each scored a two count. Mone tripped Hayter up by the left leg and tried to apply a single leg crab. Hayter blocked it and tried to apply one of her own. Neither could turn their opponent over.

Jamie Hayter eventually stomped Mercedes repeatedly in the stomach, then turned her over into the thus elusive single leg crab. Mone powered her away and into the ropes. Hayter nearly fell out of the ring, but her feet trapped her in a precarious position. Mone stepped over her, wiped her face and delivered a Meteora to the floor. “She saw it coming and there was nothing she could do about it,” Schiavone said. Mone mocked Hayter, limping around ringside and grabbing her lower back. She tossed her opponent back in the ring and drove her knee into her back, torquing both the leg and arm as the match crossed 6:00.

The TBS Champion turned the hold into a cover for a two count. Hayter stood briefly, but Mone dropped her with a snap Powerslam for a cover and another two count. She immediately grabbed a mounted rear chin lock, continuing to torque the lower back. Hayter tried to stand, but Mone turned it into a Backstabber. She applied a Straight Jacket hold. Taz said it’s especially brutal when the aggressor sits on the lower back, which is exactly what Mone did. Jamie found a way to fight to a vertical base and walk Mone into the corner, but Mercedes shoved her to the mat. She hit another Meteora, this time from the middle rope. Mone covered for another two count.

Hayter finally created some separation with a desperation kick into the corner. She mounted Mone from the apron and punched her repeatedly. Hayter tried to climb back into the ring using the turnbuckles, but as she steadied herself, Mone ripped her to the mat, slamming the back of her head onto the buckle on the way down. Mone slammed Jamie face first into the middle turnbuckle in the southwest corner. She drove both her knees into the back of Hayter’s head. She tried to do it a second time after taunting Hayter, but Jamie moved. Mercedes’ knees collided with the buckle. Hayter climbed the northwest turnbuckle and caught the CEO with a big missile dropkick. She hit another to send Mone crashing into the northeast corner.

After scooping Mone into the air, Jamie’s back gave out. Mone slid free and completed the Three Amigos as the match crossed 11:00. She stepped on Hayter on her way to the corner. Mone climbed to the top, but Hayter cut her off with a flurry of clubs to the back. She hooked Mone for a huge delayed Suplex off the middle rope. She held on for a second one, but Mone floated over and hit another Backstabber. Mone looked for a backslide, but Hayter stayed upright. She spun Mone around and delivered a Superkick. Mone stumbled, but threw herself forward and hit a hard lifting knee. Hayter shrugged it off and caught Mone with a huge lariat. Both women were down for a period of time.

Mercedes rolled to the floor to catch her breath and check her mouth and nose for blood. Hayter gave her no quarter, sliding to the floor and tossing Mone over the steel steps. Jamie went for a running lariat off the steps, but she slipped and fell on the stairs. She managed to quickly recover and still catch Mone with a clothesline. She rolled Mercedes back in the ring and covered her for a two count. Taz said “this is not supposed to be smooth and pretty, and Hayter gets that. Mone ducked a lariat and hit three consecutive Backstabbers. After the third, she locked in the Statement Maker. Hayter managed to slip free of Mercedes’ grip and roll to her face. The women traded quick roll ups again. Mone hooked Hayter for the Mone Maker, but Hayter backed her into the corner to break free.

The tournament finalists traded jabs in the northwest corner. Mone attempted to climb the ropes with Hayter’s arms hooked for the Mone Maker, but Jamie slid free. She tried to Powerbomb Mercedes off the top, but the TBS Champion used her knees to come down in a Meteora for a cover and near fall. Mone tried to roll up Jamie, but Hayter caught Mone in a full wrap choke. Mone flipped her body into a cover for a two count, forcing a break. Mone went for a crucifix pin, then transitioned right into the Statement Maker. Hayter’s eyes grew wide. Mone wrenched back. Hayter got close to the ropes. Mone used them top flip and roll her back to center. Jamie deadlifted Mone off the mat and out of the hold. She gave her a Death Valley Driver, then a massive running lariat for a cover and near fall just after 19:00.

“This match continues!” Excalibur exclaimed. Taz said the arena is on the edge of their seats. A “Jamie!” chant broke out in the Desert Diamond Arena. Mone blocked a trio of shots from Hayter. She scooped her into Tombstone position, but Jamie reversed it into one of her own. Hayter connected with the Tombstone for a very close near fall. Excalibur said they don’t discuss the “remarkable toughness” of Mercedes Mone nearly enough. Taz agreed. Hayter pulled Mone to her feet. She kissed her own elbow and wound up for another lariat. Mone ducked it and rolled Hayter into a small package for a surprise three count.

WINNER: Mercedes Mone in 21:15

Mone ran from the ring the moment the bell rang. She collapsed in front of the trophy atop the stage. Aubrey Edwards raised her hand up there, in front of the Owen Hart Foundation cup. Fireworks exploded from the stage as Mone danced. “All In Texas, I’m coming for you!” Mone told the camera.

(LeClair’s Analysis: I thought it was smart to bookend the show with the two tournament finals matches. It demonstrated a real commitment to their importance, and how meaningful it would be to get a World title shot at All In Texas. Mone continued her impressive streak of Pay-Per-View matches with Hayter here. Though I didn’t necessarily think this one quite lived up to some of Mercedes’ recent standouts, it was a very good match with a hot crowd and strong investment. Hayter continues her long road back since recovering from serious injury, and continues to make strides in a division that’s a whole lot more crowded than it was when she left. I think her ceiling may have come down a bit in her extended absence, but she still brings a lot to the table and was a worthy opponent for Mone here. Still, the result was the right one.)

-At ringside, Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Taz sent their well-wishes to Jim Ross.

After a quick ad break, Excalibur tossed to a video package for the upcoming tag match.

FTR was out first, flanked by Stokely. They jawed at fans on the way down the ramp and received some pretty strong boos. Excalibur and Schiavone talked about how much they dislike FTR. Taz said he likes them. Daniel Garcia was next, accompanied by Daddy Magic. Nigel McGuinness entered last to a good reaction.

(2) FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler w/ Stokely) vs. NIGEL McGUINNESS & DANIEL GARCIA (w/ Daddy Magic)

Daniel Garcia stood in the center of the ring, inviting his opponents to lock up. Cash Wheeler opened the match for his team. He ducked out of Garcia’s initial lock up, begging off and talking trash. The two traded a couple more lock ups before hitting the ropes and trading some quick shoulder tackles. Garcia danced in Wheeler’s face after getting the better of the exchange. Cash headed to his corner to talk it over with Dax Harwood, who tagged in.

Stokely tried to lead a “Dax!” chant from ringside. The fans wholly rejected it. Garcia walked casually to his own corner and Nigel McGuinness stuck out his hand. Garcia tagged him in. Harwood and McGuinness locked up and worked into the northeast corner. Harwood gave McGuinness a hard chop. Nigel ate it and fought out of the corner with headbutt cross-chops. Harwood shrugged them off and hit another big chop. He worked Harwood into the opposing corner. Wheeler got involved, breaking it up. Garcia came to the aid of Nigel. The two tried to apply tandem submissions, but FTR rolled to safety on the outside as the match crossed 4:30.

FTR spoke with Stokely before re-entering the ring. Excalibur said he and Schiavone feel on edge when FTR are near. Wheeler tagged in, then got dropped with a big uppercut from McGuinness for a cover and one count. Nigel whipped Wheeler into the northeast corner and got a running charge, but Dax pulled Cash to safety. Nigel recovered quickly, sliding to the outside and giving Dax a quick knee to the face. Wheeler joined the fray to overwhelm McGuinness. FTR tossed McGuinness into the announce desk. Wheeler gave Schiavone a noogie. FTR slid McGuinness back in the ring and began quick tag, isolation offense. Nigel tried to chop Dax into the corner with big chops, but Harwood continued to thwart him. He tossed him toward the ropes, allowing Wheeler to pull Nigel through the middle rope and deliver the Tower of London.

“Still a fan of FTR, Taz?” Excalibur asked. Taz said he was. In the ring, Wheeler covered Nigel for a two count just before 9:45. Cash applied a seated rear chin lock. Dax helped him use the bottom rope to gain leverage. Daddy Magic jawed with Dax from ringside. Referee Paul Turner finally caught Harwood using the bottom rope to assist Wheeler. McGuinness shrugged off an uppercut and tried to turn it into a backslide. Wheeler stayed on his feet and spun around, but Nigel caught him with a huge clothesline. Both men were down. Wheeler was first to stir, reaching Dax for a tag.

Daddy Magic pounded the mat, willing Nigel to life. McGuinness finally made a leaping tag to Daniel Garcia. He dropped both members of FTR repeatedly with a flurry of right hands. He stacked them in the northeast corner and mounted both for a series of ten punches. Danny clotheslined Cash to the floor, then caught Harwood with a flying lariat. Garcia went for a back Suplex, but Harwood held on and elbowed Garcia in the back of the neck. Garcia still managed to deliver it anyway. He covered for a two count. Garcia applied a Sharpshooter, but Cash almost instantly hit the ring to break it up. McGuinness entered and tossed Cash to the outside. Nigel and Daniel hit Tower of London on Harwood. Garcia covered for a near fall.

Garcia and McGuinness tried for a Shatter Machine, but Wheeler returned to break it up. Dax and Cash came off the ropes for clotheslines, but Nigel and Danny moved. FTR ran into each other. Garcia and McGuinness tripped up their opponents and applied double Sharpshooters. Meanwhile, Daddy Magic chased Stokely around ringside. Nigel dragged Cash to the floor and told him to apologize for Schiavone. He did, under duress. After regaining control and tossing McGuinness into the steps, Cash returned to tell Tony his fingers were crossed. In the ring, Garcia gave Harwood a Superplex off the top rope. He stayed locked, lifted Dax into the adjacent corner, and delivered a second one. Danny rolled to the southwest corner, looking for a third. Cash returned to the ring to cut this one off. Nigel leapt to the apron to meet him, but ate a clothesline.

Harwood countered the third Superplex attempt into a spinning Brainbuster off the top. Cash came off the top immediately after with a big splash. Dax covered, but Nigel broke it up at two. McGuinness went outside to take care of Wheeler. Dax followed and FTR caught Nigel with Shatter Machine on the floor. All four men were down as the match hit 19:00. Schiavone left the announce desk to check on Nigel. Dax, Cash, and Stokely got in his face. They crowded him, trying to get him to return to the desk.

Back in the ring, Dax and Cash surrounded Daniel Garcia. He fought them off initially, dropping Cash and giving Dax some hard chops. Dax blocked a Piledriver attempt and hit one of his own. He covered Garcia for a close near fall. He hoisted him again, this time with Cash on the middle rope. They hit the spike Piledriver for another cover, but Danny got his foot on the bottom rope. Harwood shook his head in frustration. He turned Garcia over into a Sharpshooter. McGuinness began to stir on the floor. Daddy Magic got on the apron, but Harwood blasted him and then dove through the middle rope to take him out.

As Garcia neared the bottom rope, Nigel tried desperately to get back in the ring. Wheeler stomped on his hand and pushed him back to the floor. Garcia passed out.

WINNERS: FTR in 22:27

Tony Schiavone left ringside with the ailing Nigel McGuinness.

(LeClair’s Analysis: I continue to be amused by FTR’s heel antics. Their babyface act had gone stale, and both Dax and Cash are so good at playing holier-than-thou, supremely confident smarmy heels. The addition of Stokely hasn’t fully clicked yet, but it’s steadily improving. I liked the general setup of the match, and I appreciate the chemistry and relationship between Schiavone and McGuinness. This just overstayed its welcome. Nigel playing face-in-peril for huge chunks of time grew tiresome, and Garcia’s one-note gimmick just isn’t consequential enough for the hot tags. The meat of this was good, I just think it would’ve benefited overall from shaving off 8-10 minutes.)

-Excalibur tossed to a video package for AEW’s first ever stretcher match.

Ricochet entered first to a chorus of boos. Taz said Ricochet takes “smart shortcuts” and that’s one of the biggest reasons why people don’t like him. Mark Briscoe entered next, sporting a little bit of hair to “spite Ricochet” according to Excalibur. Ricochet attacked Briscoe as he posed on the top rope.

(1) RICOCHET vs. MARK BRISCOE – Stretcher match

The bell rang as Mark Briscoe tumbled to the floor. Ricochet gave him a couple of chops on the floor, then talked some trash to someone in the front row. Mark Briscoe recovered quickly, peppering Ricochet with some rapid chops. Ricochet tried to retreat up the ramp, but Briscoe was glued to him. He beat him up the ramp and toward the ambulance parked stage left. Briscoe got Ricochet onto a stretcher, but Ricochet fought free and sprinted back to the ring, to “relative safety” as Excalibur put it.

Mark Briscoe marched back to the ring and continued his attack, tossing Ricochet to the floor again. Ricochet caught Mark with a running knee strike, then a hard chop. He scooped Briscoe and put him on the stretcher at ringside. Ricochet leapt to the apron and went for a Shooting Star Press onto the stretcher. Briscoe moved. Ricochet’s body bounced right off the stretcher and onto the floor awkwardly. Briscoe beat Ricochet back onto the stretcher as the match crossed 4:00. He climbed the apron himself, paying homage to Mick Foley with a little “bang bang!” and then delivered an elbow drop onto Ricochet on the stretcher. Briscoe slapped hands with fans at ringside before retrieving a steel chair.

Ricochet pulled himself to his feet and immediately had a steel chair get tossed directly at his face. Briscoe followed up by cracking the chair right over his back. He tried to pull a table out from underneath the ring, but Ricochet leapt onto his back. He cracked Briscoe in the back with the chair, and then kicked the table back under the ring, to the fans’ chagrin. Briscoe caught Ricochet with a punch to the gut, then he walked him around ringside, slamming him into the barrier as they went.

Taz said Briscoe is truly in his element. Mark retrieved a bucket full of cleaning products from underneath the ring. He grabbed Ricochet and sprayed the top of his head with a cleaner, then wiped him clean with a towel. He tossed the metal bucket at Ricochet’s head, dropping him. Briscoe tossed his opponent to the floor, then set up  a chair in the ring. As he tried to leap onto it, it tipped and tripped him up. At the same time, Ricochet tossed a chair right at his head. Briscoe collapsed violently. Ricochet sprayed Mark in the eyes with the cleaner. Excalibur said he could now be wrestling the rest of the match blind.

Briscoe’s forehead came up bloody. Ricochet slammed him against the stretcher repeatedly as blood began to pour down Mark’s face. He tossed him on the stretcher and began dragging it up the ramp. Briscoe blinked blood from his eyes as the match crossed 10:30. Ricochet continued to punch at Briscoe as he wheeled him closer to the ambulance. He hoisted him in and shut the left door. Briscoe stuck a crutch out, preventing the right door from closing. Mark blasted Ricochet with smoke from a fire extinguisher. Ricochet stumbled back down the ramp. Blood continued to poor from Briscoe’s head. Back in the ring, he dropped Ricochet with a bit running lariat. He called for, and delivered the Jay Driller. Briscoe pointed to the ambulance and tossed Ricochet to the floor.

Blood continued to run from Briscoe’s face, staining his white tank top. He retrieved the table from earlier, set it up, and laid Ricochet on it. Briscoe climbed to the top rope and delivered a Froggy Bow to the outside, through the table. Briscoe put Ricochet on his shoulders and began carrying him up the ramp. He deposited him halfway, looking for a Jay Driller on the stage. Ricochet blocked it and gave him a backdrop. Ricochet crawled back to ringside. Briscoe followed. Ricochet spun around and stabbed Mark in the face with his gold scissors. Briscoe started crawling up the ramp. Ricochet tried to stab him again, but Mark blocked it. He made a throat slit gesture with the scissors and pursued Ricochet, who was now leaning against the ambulance.

Ricochet spun around, revealing a second pair of scissors. He stabbed Briscoe again, then gave him a Spirit Gun with the scissors. He tossed Briscoe into the ambulance and slammed both doors shut.

WINNER: Ricochet in 16:06

(LeClair’s Analysis: Fun match, albeit one that felt a little out of left field. Ricochet and Mark Briscoe’s rivalry hasn’t felt all that well developed, so throwing a stretcher stipulation into the mix just felt a bit strange. I get that it was likely an indirect homage to the recently deceased Sabu, and that’s fine, I just wish they’d have done a little more on TV to get this to a point where it felt necessary or even justified. Ricochet continues to excel in this heel role. The head cleaner spot was a fun, harmless gaffe. I could’ve gone without the intense blood on Briscoe, only because we were set to get more carnage later in the night. Overuse tends to desensitize, and I would’ve preferred the real blood loss be saved for a match where the conflict actually called for it.)

-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the Tag Team title match.

Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara headed to the ring first to a muted reaction. Tony Schiavone had rejoined the announce desk. The Hurt Syndicate followed, joined by both MVP and MJF. The announcers discussed the merits of MJF joining the group as the crowd sang along to their theme music.

(4) THE HURT SYNDICATE (c, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin, w/ MVP & MJF) vs. DUSTIN RHODES & SAMMY GUEVARA – AEW World Tag Team Championship match

Bobby Lashley began the match with Dustin Rhodes. MVP joined the announce desk. Taz told him he loves the addition of MJF. Excalibur and Schiavone stayed silent. Rhodes tried to go toe-to-toe with Lashley, but the champion quickly cornered Dustin and clocked him. He worked Rhodes into the heel corner and tagged in Shelton Benjamin. Rhodes gave Benjamin a few quick right hands, but Shelton returned the favor and then gave Dustin a pair of release German Suplexes. Rhodes rolled to his feet and challenged Benjamin to bring more. MVP said he respects Rhodes, and called him “defiant.”

Rhodes tagged in Sammy Guevara. Sammy dropkicked Benjamin into the ropes, but Shelton shrugged it off and gave him a pair of release German Suplexes for his trouble. Benjamin tagged in Lashley. Benjamin gave Guevara a running knee into the corner. Lashley tried to follow up with a Spear, but Guevara caught him with a knee of his own. Lashley stumbled into the northeast corner and Sammy stayed on him, pounding at his back. Lashley was hardly moved. He lifted Guevara with one arm and slammed him to the mat. MVP compared it to swatting a fly. Bobby tagged in Sheton and tossed Sammy to the floor. Benjamin leapt to the floor and beat down Guevara some more. Shelton slid in the ring to distract Aubrey Edwards. MJF laid in some punches on Guevara.

MJF jawed with fans at ringside while Benjamin continued to beat on Guevara in the ring. He tagged in Lashley as the match approached 5:30. Guevara tried to slow Bobby with some quick forearms, but Lashley just ate them and gave Guevara a flip-over Powerslam. Lashley tagged in Benjamin, who tossed Sammy up into the air. Guevara turned his body over and delivered a surprise cutter. He managed to reach Rhodes for a tag. Dustin caught Benjamin with a snap Powerslam, then worked him into the corner. He caught Benjamin with Code Red for a two count at 7:20. Rhodes worked Benjamin into the northeast corner and spread his legs between the ropes. MJF tried to get Aubrey’s attention on the incoming low blow, but the distraction actually allowed Dustin to hit it. After recovering, Benjamin managed to slip Rhodes to the mat and apply an Ankle Lock. Guevara entered the ring to break it up. He then leapt to the top rope and hit a Shooting Star Press onto Lashley on the floor. In the ring, Rhodes hit Benjamin with Cross Rhodes for a cover and near fall.

Dustin began ascending the northwest corner while Lashley recovered and dispatched Guevara on the outside. Benjamin leapt to meet Rhodes and ripped him from the top rope. MJF leapt onto the apron and offered Benjamin the Dynamite Diamond Ring. “You’ve had your fun, but it’s taking too long!” he told Shelton. Bobby stepped in, refusing it. Meanwhile, Rhodes tagged in Guevara. He went for another flying cutter, but Lashley caught him, put him down, and hit him with a Spear. Bobby covered, but Rhodes pulled him to the outside to break the count. MVP left the desk to distract Aubrey. MJF sized Rhodes up with the diamond ring. Lashley held him off, having his own ideas. Lashley speared Rhodes right through the barrier, into the crowd. Guevara tried to dive onto Lashley and MJF, but Benjamin cut him off. He gave Sammy a thrust kick and covered him for a three count.

WINNERS: The Hurt Syndicate in 12:27 to retain the AEW World Tag Team Championships

(LeClair’s Analysis: This may be an unpopular opinion, but I’d have had The Hurt Syndicate run through Guevara and Rhodes in mere minutes. I don’t think the ROH Tag Titles are valuable enough to protect in this instance, and Rhodes and Guevara are too seldom used on AEW TV to be in a back-and-forth match on Pay-Per-View at this stage. I’ll give credit, though, for making good use of the the time given by focusing the brunt of this on the developing relationship between Lashley and MJF. I thought it was fun to have Max try to use a foreign object to help his cohorts, only to have Bobby turn him down and just…destroy a guy instead. That’s on brand! I remain intrigued by the MJF inclusion, but mildly annoyed at the continued insistence that the Hurt Syndicate need not be faces or heels, but just, garner reactions.)

-Excalibur quickly tossed to a video package for the AEW Continental title match.

Speedball Bailey was out first. The announcers made note of the fact that he has yet to be pinned since arriving in AEW. Kazuchika Okada was out next, to a big reaction. Schiavone touted his 431 day reign as Continental champion. Excalibur said he’s the greatest tournament wrestler of all time.

(5) KAZUCHIKA OKADA (c) vs. “SPEEDBALL” MIKE BAILEY – AEW Continental Championship match

“Speedball” Mike Bailey and Kazuchika Okada approached each other timidly out of the gate. They traded a brief lock up, then Okada took a few steps back to adjust his elbow pad and look around at the crowd. They started a sizable “Speedball” chant. Okada was unbothered. He worked Bailey into the ropes, forcing a break. Okada feigned another chop, but instead caught Bailey by surprise with a kick to the gut. Speedball spilled to the outside. Okada followed. Bailey threw a roundhouse kick, but Okada ducked. Bailey kicked the steel steps. Okada mocked Bailey, facing the crowd. Bailey was waiting in the crane pose. He caught Okada with a spin kick on the turn-around.

After tossing the champion back in the ring, Bailey hit Okada with rapid-fire kicks. Okada shrugged them off and gave Bailey a flapjack. The champion tossed Speedball haphazardly to the floor. Kazuchika followed him outside, lifted him up and gave him a DDT on the floor. Okada rolled in the ring to break the count, then let Bailey expend the energy returning to the ring himself. Taz said he’s always 2-3 steps ahead of his opponent. Okada tossed Bailey into the northeast corner and threw his body into him like a freight train. Kazuchika bowed to the crowd and kicked Speedball lightly in the head, daring him to stand.

Bailey did, and he connected with a couple of quick kicks. Okada was undeterred. He dropped Bailey and hit him with a running baseball slide, knocking Speedball back to the floor. Okada waited for Bailey to stand, then gave him another baseball slide through the bottom rope as the match crossed 7:00. Bailey leapt onto the apron, so Okada charged him, trying to take out of the legs. Bailey leapfrogged him onto the top rope, Okada slid out to the floor, and Speedball hit a springboard Moonsault to the outside. Back in the ring, Bailey dropped Okada with three quick kicks. He connected with a standing Shooting Star Press for a cover and two count. Mike Bailey hoisted the champion to the top rope, then climbed to meet him. Okada shoved him off. Bailey landed on his feet, but Kazuchika came out of the corner and scooped Bailey onto his shoulders, dumping him violently on his knee.

The Continental Champion followed up with a picture-perfect body slam and a falling elbow drop from the top rope. He gave his signature middle finger to the hard cam, but Bailey rolled him up for a two count. Speedball hit two kicks and rolling elbow, followed by a spinning Falcon Arrow. Bailey leapt to the top rope, looking for a Shooting Star Press. Okada got his knees up. Both men were down, writhing. Rising slowly, they traded forearms as the crowd opened up a dueling chant. Bailey fired off several in succession, but Okada cut him off with a body shot. Mike caught him with a spinning roundhouse into the corner, then one more out of it. Bailey leapt to the top rope, sizing Okada up. Kazuchika exploded into the air, hitting a dropkick that knocked Bailey to the floor.

Kazuchika retrieved Bailey from the floor and returned him to the apron. Bailey caught him with a kick before entering the ring. He landed on Okada with flipping double knees. Back in the ring, Bailey went for Ultimo Weapon off the middle rope, but Okada moved. He gave Bailey a missile dropkick. Bailey rolled to his feet. He caught him with another roundhouse kick, and then another. Bailey covered. Rick Knox counted to three, but Okada visibly grabbed the bottom rope just before three. Bailey stepped on Okada’s hand and grabbed his wrist as the match approached 15:00. Speedball hit another set of hard kicks to the chest.

Schiavone said the Continental Champion is in trouble. Bailey went for a German Suplex, but Okada rolled free and went for the Rainmaker. Bailey ducked it. They traded roll ups for two counts. Bailey hit another roundhouse kick to the back of the head. Bailey climbed the northeast turnbuckles. He went for another Shooting Star Press, but Okada popped to his feet and dropkicked Speedball out of the air. He pulled him to his feet and immediately hit the Rainmaker for a cover and three count.

WINNER: Kazuchika Okada in 16:02 to retain the AEW Continental Championship

(LeClair’s Analysis: The bloom came off the rose with Speedball Bailey in this one, for me at least. The match was fine, but Bailey’s repetitive offense against Okada grew tiresome. He became too one note too fast, and giving him so much against Okada felt short-sighted. Bailey seems closer to merging into traffic with other forgotten talent on Collision than he does seriously contending for a title, and working so evenly with Okada felt like another side-step for the once touted “hottest free agent signing.” I keep waiting for Okada to be booked or presented in a way that even lives up to 75% of the way they talk about him on commentary, and it just never comes. It’s baffling. Perhaps the eventual meeting with Kenny Omega turns things around.)

-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the AEW Women’s World title match.

Mina Shirakawa headed to the ring first to a decent reaction. Excalibur said they began the night finding out that Mercedes Mone awaits the winner of this match at All In Texas. Toni Storm was out next, to a strong star reaction. Excalibur mentioned that these two last faced off at last year’s Forbidden Door, with Toni Storm coming out victorious.

(6) TONI STORM (c, w/ Luther) vs. MINA SHIRAKAWA – AEW Women’s World Championship match

A strong dueling chant broke out as the bell rang. Toni Storm and Mina Shirakawa circled each other and locked up. Mina got the better of Toni in the initial exchange, working her to the mat and looking for a Figure Four. Storm easily fought her off. The two worked through some chain grapples. Storm wound up on her feet. She copied Mina’s dance and offered her a handshake, but Mina pulled her into another take down. Shirakawa stepped on the calves of the women’s champion, then tried to tired her into a reverse Figure Four. Storm slapped Mina. Mina slapped back. The champion used her upper body to drag herself to the ropes and force a hold break.

Mina hit the ropes, but Toni picked her out of the air with a press and mounted punches. Shirakawa rolled to her feet and took Storm down by the leg again. She dragged her to the corner and wrapped Storm’s legs around the ring post. Toni managed to kick her away, avoiding more damage to the knee. Toni slid Mina back in the ring and covered her for a two count at 4:20. She scooped up Shirakawa and delivered a back breaker onto the knee. Storm shook out her leg. She followed up with a Fisherman’s Suplex with a bridge for a two count. The announcers said Toni has to do whatever she can to slow Mina down.

The crowd sang to Toni as she worked her challenger into the northeast corner with slaps and chops. Mina caught Toni with a step-up spinning tornado DDT, then a running lariat. She caught Storm’s leg and gave her a Dragon Screw. Storm clutched at her ailing knee. She managed to shoved Mina to the apron. On the approach, Shirakawa gave Toni another Dragon Screw, this time through the ropes and to the floor. Luther came to check on Toni. Mina tried to charge her, but Luther stepped in front of Storm. Shirakawa kicked him to his knees, then used his back as a stepping stool to leap onto Storm. Mina immediately leapt onto the apron and jumped onto Luther, taking him down.

After rolling Shirakawa back in the ring, Storm gingerly climbed onto the apron. Mina charged her and gave her a Dragon Screw back into the ring. Storm used the ropes to steady herself, then traded blows with Mina. Shirakawa won the exchange with a spinning back fist. Both women were down as the match crossed 9:00. Champion and challenger rose to their knees, trading elbows. Mina kicked at Toni’s injured knee. Toni finally caught the leg, spun her around and delivered a back Suplex. She followed up with a release German Suplex, and then another. Shirakawa collapsed in the southwest corner. Storm called for the Hip Attack, but she couldn’t plant well enough to run on the injured knee. Mina exploded out of the corner, but Toni caught the kick attempt and turned into a Sky High for a cover and near fall.

Luther pounded the mat and called to the crowd to get behind the champion. Storm hoisted Shirakawa onto the northeast turnbuckles. The two traded slaps. Mina hooked her legs around Toni’s neck and gave her a ‘rana from the top. She immediately applied an inverted Figure Four. Storm crawled desperately toward the ropes, and reached them. Mina broke the hold and climbed to the top. She hit her with a Slingblade and covered for a two count. Luther continued to try to rile the crowd. Shirakawa set up for the Glamorous Driver, but Toni blocked it. Mina hit a hard rolling elbow instead. She hit the Glamorous Driver successfully this time, covering for a near fall. Shirakawa screamed in frustration. Storm booted her to the corner. This time, Toni delivered the Hip Attack. Mina shook it off, tripped Storm to the mat and applied the Figure Four. Storm nearly got counted down. She sat up, using her hands to try to push her body off the mat and alleviate pressure. Mina bridged. Toni lunged backward, just barely getting hold of the bottom rope.

“The damage might be done, that Figure Four was on for a long time,” Taz said. Shirakawa went for it again, but this time, Storm rolled her into a small package for two. Mina turned it over for a two count of her own. Both women rolled to their feet. Storm caught Mina with a stiff headbutt, then immediately pulled her in and delivered Storm Zero for a cover and three count.

WINNER: Toni Storm in 15:52 to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship

Toni came up hobbling on her injured leg. She turned to Mina, apologizing for what she had to do. She and Shirakawa shared a look, then kissed. Mina dropped to her knees and repeatedly kissed Toni’s injured knee. Storm slid from the ring into the waiting arms of Luther, who carried her away.

(LeClair’s Analysis: I’m so impressed with the way Toni Storm has crafted her character into one that can fully embrace comedy and levity but turn on a dime when the situation calls for it. Even though this felt like a placeholder title match, I thought Mina was up to the task and solidified herself as a strong option in that second tier of AEW women who could eventually take the next step. I thought the story of the match was told well, even if the knee attack on Wednesday felt a little out of place. I could do with a little less of Luther’s interference now that Storm is firmly established as a babyface, though I thought they mostly got away with it tonight by giving Mina the advantage over him. Overall, a strong defense for Storm, a well wrestled match and a good resume builder for Shirakawa.)

-Excalibur tossed to a video package for Anarchy in the Arena.

Back live, Justin Roberts introduced Anarchy in the Arena. Swerve Strickland was first to enter, in a Predator mask and themed gear, flanked by Prince Nana. He was then joined by Willow Nightingale, sporting heart-covered overalls and a chain. The Opps entered next, but Samoa Joe was missing. Swerve checked with them as they entered the ring. The announcers wondered if he could’ve been attacked by the Young Bucks. Kenny Omega entered next. He carried a trash can lid, painted to resemble a Captain America shield, with his own logo in the center. Omega received a big reaction as fireworks shot from the stage.

Omega turned over his International Championship and made his rounds, checking in with his partners. Meanwhile, a truck pulled up to the loading bay. The Death Riders emerged. Claudio Castagnoli put in his mouth guard. He and Wheeler Yuta broke left, while Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir turned right. They entered through different tunnels in the Desert Diamond Arena. The announcers continued to speculate about the absence of Samoa Joe. Excalibur said the Death Riders are inviting a fight in the concourse.

As the Death Riders continued their descent down the lower bowl toward ringside, Justin Roberts read a script over Revolutionary style Patriotic music. He introduced them as the “founding fathers.” Nicholas and Matthew Jackson entered dressed as such, waving flags. Swerve Strickland and Kenny Omega left the ring and charged at the Young Bucks.

(7) SWERVE STRICKLAND & KENNY OMEGA & WILLOW NIGHTINGALE & THE OPPS (Samoa Joe & Katsuyori Shibata & Powerhouse Hobbs) vs. DEATH RIDERS (Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta & Marina Shafir) & THE YOUNG BUCKS (Nicholas & Matthew Jackson) – Anarchy in the Arena match

Kenny Omega and Swerve Strickland attacked the Young Bucks at the top of the ramp. Powerhouse Hobbs leapt the crowd barrier and found Jon Moxley in the crowd. They battled toward the lower bowl. The broadcast split into multiple cameras. Samoa Joe appeared from behind Claudio Castagnoli and the two brawled into the concourse. Marina Shafir dropped Willow Nightingale on the edge of the crowd barrier. The music continued to play, inexplicably. Omega called for it to stop. “I’m So Excited” played instead. The crowd popped big. Omega, Strickland, and Katsuyori Shibata mounted the Bucks and Wheeler Yuta and delivered punches in the ring.

Claudio and Samoa Joe continued to battle in the concourse. Omega asked for a microphone. He told the truck to play some 2000s alternative. “Bodies” by Drowning Pool played. The crowd bounced and sang as chaos ensued. Shafir and Nightingale had worked through the crowd and toward the ambulance from earlier in the night. Omega just circled ringside letting fans sing “Bodies” into the microphone. Moxley was stabbing Powerhouse Hobbs in the head with a pen, drawing blood. Omega walked one of the Bucks into the crowd, repeatedly slamming him against the barricades. Kenny asked a fan to move from his seat so he could climb the barricade and dive. Yuta cut him off. Security screamed and waved from below, begging them off. Yuta tried to throw Omega over the barricade, but Hobbs intervened and tossed Yuta instead. Wheeler crumbled into the group of security below. The quickly reset so Omega could hit a Moonsault off the tunnel into the group.

“Bodies” restarted. Swerve Strickland emerged from the pile of bodies in the tunnel, walking the AEW World Champion. At ringside, Samoa Joe used Omega’s shield to crack Claudio in the head. He walked him back into the crowd through the timekeeper’s area. Powerhouse Hobbs tried to enter the ring, but Moxley blindsided him with a fork to the head. He cornered Hobbs and stabbed him repeatedly. Strickland gave Nick Jackson a back breaker on a chair at ringside as the match crossed 9:00. Matthew Jackson pulled Omega’s legs between the ropes and wrapped his knee around it. Moxley propped a table in the southwest corner of the ring. Hobbs speared him through it.

Nicholas Jackson sat Strickland in a chair and gave him a running knee. In the ring, Omega gave Matthew Jackson a rolling slam, then a Moonsault for a cover and near fall. Strickland gave Nicholas the Swerve Stomp. Round 3 of “Bodies” kicked off with Willow and Marina battling in the parking lot. Nightingale broke a bottle of Shafir’s head, then gave her a body slam onto a table that didn’t even budge. Just feet away, Yuta and Shibata traded shots on a concrete landing. Shibata wound up throwing Yita in a wheeled trash can, then running him into a grated steel door. Shibata wrapped his own kick pad in barbed wire, then kicked Yuta in the chest.

Back in the arena, the Bucks hit Swerve with a double DDT on the ramp. They hit the Griddy, then posed to boos. Omega crushed a trash can over both their heads. Matthew flipped through a backdrop attempt, then threw a kick. Omega caught his leg. Nicholas came in with a trash can lid, but Omega spun Matthew to kick his brother in the head. Swerve flew into view, diving off the stage at Castagnoli. Claudio picked him off with with an uppercut. He hooked Swerve into a spin, tossing him right through a speaker. That cut the music. Nicholas Jackson dove into the waiting arms of Powerhouse Hobbs.

Shafir and Nightingale emerged from the entrance, battling down the ramp. Marina was bleeding from the forehead and carrying a frying pan. She slammed Willow against the steps.In the ring, Omega led a Terminator clap. The Bucks cut him off from the apron, catching him with a knee to the cut. At ringside, Shafir had chained Willow to the ring post by her ear. The Bucks stomped on Omega’s back, caught him to bounce to the outside and into Nicholas’ arms. He Powerbombed Omega through a table. The Bucks gave Shibata the TK Driver, then tossed him in the ring. Moxley and Shafir began beating Katsuyori. Moxley choked him while Marina laid in kicks.

Yuta and the Bucks beat down Hobbs in the entrance way. Claudio dragged a table onto the stage. “Please help Willow!” the crowd begged. The Bucks laid Hobbs out on a table. Nicholas climbed the stage and hit a Senton onto Hobbs through the table. In the ring, Moxley and Castagnoli choked Samoa Joe out with the Bucks’ flagpole. “That’s it!” Matthew said, pointing at Hobbs. Moxley shouted instructions at the Bucks as the match crossed 20:00. Hobbs tried desperately to fight them off. The Bucks hit him with Superkicks. Nicholas threw a chair in his face. They called for the EVP Trigger, but saw something out of the corner of their eyes. It was Swerve, posted up on a pallet attached to a forklift. It drove to the edge of the stage, and Strickland dove onto the Bucks.

Hobbs and Strickland walked the Bucks back to ringside. Prince Nana came to Willow’s rescue, obtaining the key and freeing her. Marina cracked a chair across Hobbs’ back. Moxley did the same. Powerhouse Hobbs shrugged them off. He gave Castagnoli a Spinebuster. Nightingale did the same to Shafir. Joe applied the Coquina Clutch to Matthew Jackson. Moxley applied a Sleeper to Hobbs. Shibata choked out Yuta. Matthew Jackson hit a 450 onto Joe to break his hold up. Swerve hit a 450 onto Moxley to break his. Nicholas returned with a staple gun. He fired one off in Hobbs’ back. He put the staple gun to his own forehead and made Nick pull the trigger. Hobbs laughed it off. Swerve took the gun and stapled Jackson. Moxley approached. Swerve stapled him in the throat.

Castagnoli hit the ring and tossed Strickland into the air for an uppercut. Swerve stapled him in the forehead in mid air. Matthew came with another staple gun. He held it up high, so Swerve stapled him in the crotch. Strickland laughed, but Shafir came up from behind and gave him a low blow. Marina pulled Strickland’s tongue out of his mouth and stapled it. Willow returned and speared Marina. She speared both Bucks. Moxley gave her a cutter. Omega gave Moxley a Snap Dragon. He gave both Bucks Snap Dragons. Shafir threw a kick, but Kenny caught it. Marina spit in his face. “Do it!” she said. She slapped him repeatedly. Omega snapped and gave her a Snap Dragon. The arena went wild.

The Young Bucks cut Omega off with tandem Superkicks. They hit them on Hobbs, then Shibata, then Samoa Joe, and finally, Prince Nana. The crowd booed loudly. They kicked Rick Knox. They kicked Willow. Nightingale collapsed into Matthew’s arms. They set her up for the TK Driver. Swerve pushed Nicholas off the top and through a table. Willow turned Matthew over into Tombstone position. Strickland helped her complete the TK Driver. She covered, but several Death Riders flew in to break it up.

Samoa Joe returned in a frenzy, dropping Yuta, then Moxley. He caught the champion with a Uranagi out of the corner. Claudio approached with a steel chair. Joe invited him. Hook appeared with a golf club. He hit Claudio twice with it, then left. Meanwhile, Joe hit Moxley with the Muscle Buster. He immediately applied the Coquina Clutch. Babyfaces held back Death Riders at all corners while Moxley flailed. Suddenly, Gabe Kidd hit the ring. He broke the hold, then began clocking everyone with the Death Riders’ briefcase.

As the match crossed 30:00, the Bucks set up Omega for the EVP Trigger. Yuta stopped them, first putting a fistful of thumbtacks into Omega’s mouth. They hit the Trigger. Castagnoli swung Omega violently. Yuta kicked him in the head to end the swing. Moxley immediately applied the Bulldog choke. Just as Omega began to fade, Samoa Joe flew in to break it up. “The Death Riders’ numbers are overwhelming at this point,” Taz said. Claudio and Wheeler walked Joe up the ramp while Gabe Kidd marched toward the ambulance. Mark Briscoe appeared, flipping off the stage to take out both Yuta and Castagnoli. Kidd attacked Briscoe. Hobbs and Shibata returned, evening the odds. Shafir and Nightingale battled into frame.

Joe, Shibata, Hobbs, Nightingale, and Briscoe piled the Death Riders into the ambulance and closed the doors. The Bucks looked on from the ring, horrified. Joe gave them double middle fingers. Swerve and Omega were waiting for the Bucks, hitting a V-Trigger and House Call simultaneously. Prince Nana retrieved a pair of Swerve’s new shoes from underneath the ring. They were covered with thumbtacks on the bottom. Strickland removed his boots to slip them on. Meanwhile, Omega battled Matthew up the ramp. He pulled Jackson onto his shoulders and gave him a One Winged Angel off the stage, through a table that also exploded on impact.

In the ring, Strickland delivered the Swerve Stomp with his thumb tack sneakers to Nicholas Jackson for a cover and three count.

WINNERS: Kenny Omega, Swerve Strickland, Willow Nightingale & The Opps in 35:17

Strickland showed his tongue to the camera, staple still firmly lodged in it. Prince Nana danced in the ring. Willow, Joe, Shibata, Hobbs, Briscoe, and Omega returned to the ring to celebrate. The stumbled up the ramp together and posed for the crowd, then took a bow.

(LeClair’s Analysis: Once you’ve seen one of these things, you’ve kind of seen them all. I know this is a staple of AEW’s calendar and fans love and look forward to it. I have no problem admitting that it’s just not for me. The music blaring for the first several minutes just feels forced when its repeated year after year. To me, it makes a mockery of what’s supposed to be a violent match to blow off blood feuds. There’s some cool spots littered throughout – there always are, but the bulk of the match is just a company going to extreme lengths to remind you that no one is taking this seriously – not the wrestlers, not the promotion, and certainly not the crowd. It’s all flash, no substance.)

-Backstage, “Hangman” Adam Page was shown warming up for the main event. Will Ospreay was shown taping up his wrists. Excalibur tossed to an ad for All In Texas.

-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the upcoming trios match.

The Don Callis Family headed to the ring first, each getting their own separate entrance. Don Callis and Lance Archer came last with Kyle Fletcher. Callis joined the announce desk. Paragon entered to a muted reaction, save the normal call-and-response for Adam Cole. Callis called them a formidable team, but said “they’re not a family.”

(8) DON CALLIS FAMILY (Kinosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander & Kyle Fletcher w/ Don Callis & Lance Archer) vs. PARAGON (Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong) -Trios match

Kinosuke Takeshita began the match with Adam Cole. They traded some quick hammerlocks and chain grapples while the fans got under Don Callis’ skin. Cole caught Takeshita with a couple kicks off the ropes. Takeshita tagged in Kyle Fletcher. After more trading holds, Cole tagged in Roderick Strong. He and Kyle O’Reilly hit a number of quick double team moves on Fletcher. Strong was then dropped by Josh Alexander near the ropes. He hit a cross body on Strong through the ropes to the floor as the match approached 4:00. Fletcher took control, giving Strong a high-angle back drop and tagging in Takeshita.

Takeshita tossed Strong to the outside and distracted the referee. Alexander and Fletcher immediately went to work on Roddy. Callis even got involved, kicking Strong in the gut while Josh held him open. They tossed Strong back in the ring to a chorus of boos. Takeshita continued to kick at Roddy before tagging in Josh Alexander. Excalibur said he’d wished Callis would’ve broken his leg with the kick. Taz said he should consider getting back in the ring.

The heels continued to work over Roddy in their corner. Strong managed to block a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Takeshita still rolled toward his own corner to tag out. Alexander immediately applied a front face lock on Strong to cut him off. After trading several standing switches, Strong caught Alexander with a sliding clothesline. He made a diving tag to Adam Cole. Cole took Fletcher off the apron, then dropped Alexander with two quick clotheslines and a big boot. He gave Takeshita a Superkick off the apron, then a step-up Enziguri on Josh. He covered for a two count just before 8:00. Lance Archer replaced Callis on commentary. Cole kicked Alexander in the face. O’Reilly dropped the ropes to send a running Fletcher to the floor. Cole tagged in Kyle.

O’Reilly hit a pair of kicks, then rolled Alexander into an arm bar. Alexander rolled it into an ankle lock. O’Reilly rolled it into one of his own, then an inside cradle for a two count. Alexander and O’Reilly traded kicks, then chops, then running lariats. Both men were down. Callis pounded the mat to will his team to life. Alexander tagged in Fletcher. O’Reilly reached Cole. Cole dropped The Protostar with a violent Superkick, then set up for Panama Sunrise. Kyle picked him out of the air with a Superkick. Fletcher and Takeshita hit running Superkicks to Cole in the corner. Alexander followed up with a crushing press. Takeshita and Fletcher delivered Cole into the waiting arms of Alexander for a Shield Bomb off the top rope.

Roddy Strong knocked Fletcher out of the ring with an elbow, then hit a dropkick through the ropes. O’Reilly flew out of the ring and kicked Takeshita in the face. Roddy gave Alexander a Backbreaker on the barricade. In the ring, Paragon hit triple kicks on Fletcher. O’Reilly covered, but Takeshita gave him a deadlift German Suplex to stop the count. Alexander gave Strong an overhead belly-to-belly, then punched Cole in the face. Cole shrugged it off and dropped Alexander on his knee. Fletcher caught Cole with a running knee. He went for a Brainbuster, but O’Reilly kicked him in the back of the leg. They traded combo kicks and strikes. Fletcher went for a Powerbomb, but O’Reilly turned it into a Guillotine. Takeshita returned, sizing Kyle up and striking him with a forearm. Fletcher turned it into a Brainbuster for a cover and three count.

WINNERS: The Don Callis Family in 12:47

Paragon tried to attack the Callis Family after the match, but Lance Archer quickly hit the ring and cut them off. RPG Vice ran to the ring and joined the fray. Brody King’s music hit, stopping the beat down. He came out with Tomohiro Ishii. The split down the middle and Hiroshi Tanahashi joined them. They fought off RPG Vice on the ramp, then took out the Callis family in the ring. Cole gave Alexander a Boom Kick and his music played as the Callis Family sauntered away.

(LeClair’s Analysis: Fine match that had no business being on this card. The main show ran four and a half hours, with a crowd that was exhausted about Anarchy in the Arena. Nothing could possibly be gained from throwing this on there. The post-match angle made it all the more senseless – a cavalcade of random wrestlers appearing so that the announcers could remind you that Forbidden Door is coming! This would’ve been so much better served being saved for Dynamite or Collision.)

-Excalibur talked up a four-way for the International Championship at Fyter Fest on June 4th. He announced a series of matches to determine his three opponents, beginning this coming Wednesday. Then, he tossed to a video package for the main event.

After a narrated opening video for “Hangman” Adam Page, his music played to a darkened arena. He marched into view, jacket glowing slightly under the black lighting. He threw an arm to the sky and fireworks blasted from the stage. Page marched to the ring with purpose. He received a surprisingly muted response. Will Ospreay received a matching narrated opening salvo. The crowd sang along to his music as he sauntered onto the stage. He bowed in front of the Owen Hart Cup and entered to the ring to a strong ovation. Schiavone said that Ospreay has had a lot of big matches in his career, but “this is his biggest in AEW.”

Justin Roberts delivered main event introductions.

(9) “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE vs. WILL OSPREAY – Owen Hart Foundational Men’s Tournament Final match

Taz said that Will Ospreay is much more emotionally charged coming into the match. “He’s got to tamper that, because Adam Page is very composed and calm.” Ospreay and Hangman locked up and traded a couple of quick takeovers. Taz said that Page is solely focused on Ospreay, whereas Will is paying too much attention to the crowd in the opening moments. A loud dueling chant broke out. The two men traded quick wrist and arm control. Ospreay got the better of the exchange and bowed. He gave Page a quick, deep arm drag. Hangman popped to his feet and backed Ospreay into the southeast corner. He got a fistful of hair. Referee Bryce Remsburg called for a break. Page backed away slowly, but then slapped Will. He gave Ospreay a quick Snapmare, then a light kick to the shoulder.

He allowed Ospreay to stand, bu then immediately shot him off the ropes. Page caught Ospreay in a German Suplex, but Will flipped through it. Ospreay hit the ropes for an Oscutter, but Page rolled through it and onto the apron. Hangman went for the Buckshot Lariat. Ospreay ducked it and charged for a Hidden Blade. Page dodged. Stalemate. Page retreated to the northeast corner for a breather. Ospreay let him have it. They circled one another as the match approached 5:00. Page offered a test of strength. Ospreay grabbed hold. Page worked him into the corner. He tossed Will toward the ropes and the two traded ducks. Ospreay caught Page with a cross body and covered for a one count.

“When you kick out at 1, you’re letting your opponent know, ‘not so fast, homeboy’,” Taz explained. Ospreay and Page traded forearm blows. Page’s dropped Will flat to the mat, arms prone. Ospreay countered a running clothesline out of the corner with a boot to the face. He leapt to the apron and caught Page with a Phenomenal Forearm, sending Hangman careening to the floor. Ospreay grabbed at his lower back. He got a running start, then dove onto Page on the outside. Hangman caught him and delivered a Fallaway Slam right into the barricade. Page walked Will back to the ring. Excalibur said it’s now evident to Page that Ospreay hurt his lower back. Hangman gave Will another Fallaway Slam, this time into the turnbuckles. He covered for a two count.

Page peppered Ospreay’s chest with hard chops in the corner. He shook his hand out and looked out toward the crowd for the first time in the match. The crowd showered him with applause. Page hit a clothesline out of the corner, then looked for a Suplex. Ospreay tried to turn it into a Stundog Millionaire, but Page blocked it. He gave Ospreay a release back Suplex, then grabbed a seated chin lock. Ospreay slid around on his bottom, trying to find positioning. He worked to his feet and hit the ropes, but Page dropped him with a shoulder tackle. He kicked at Will’s back. Ospreay sat up on his knees, angry. He invited more. Ospreay stood up and marched around the ring. He and Page began trading hard strikes. Page floored him again with a chop. Hangman went for another Suplex, but Ospreay countered into the Stundog Millionaire again. This time, he hit it.

Hangman stumbled to the floor. Ospreay got a running start, hitting a handspring back Moonsault over the top, toppling Page this time. After tossing him back in the ring, Will gave Page a pump kick out of the corner, then hoisted him into a Torture Rack. Ospreay spun him into a Blue Thunder Bomb for a cover and two count at 13:00. Ospreay chopped at Page’s chest. Hangman tried to block it, but Ospreay shoved him to the floor. Page hit hard. Will tried to climb the ropes, but Page shot to his feet and shoved Ospreay off the top to the apron. Page followed up with a leaping clothesline to knock Ospreay to the floor. Page delivered a springboard Moonsault over the top to the floor, then quickly tossed Ospreay back in the ring. He locked in the Sharpshooter.

Referee Bryce Remsburg checked on Ospreay as he crawled valiantly toward the ropes. Will pushed his body weight up onto his arms, relieving some of the pressure on his back. Taz said it’s a good strategy, but it’s going to burn a ton of energy. Ospreay managed to walk himself far enough to reach the bottom rope. Page gave him space to stand and steady himself. Ospreay gave Page a couple of chops. Hangman delivered one of his own, rocking Ospreay into the corner. Page got right in his face. “That’s what you’ve got, huh?” He clocked Ospreay again. Will returned the favor. He hit the ropes and connected with his standing body-climb Moonsault kick. He followed up with a Hook kick. Page shrugged it off and gave him a massive clothesline. Ospreay stumbled against the ropes, but fired back with a Spanish Fly.

Both men were down as the match approached 18:00. Ospreay was first to stand, still staggering. He dragged Page toward the corner, then gave himself a few slaps to the face to shake off the cobwebs. Ospreay waited too long, and Page met him at the turnbuckle. They jockeyed for position on the top, Ospreay back-to. Will slid between Page’s legs, tucked his head and caught him with a Superkick. Hangman teetered on the top. Ospreay tried hooking him, but Page began throwing headbutts. Will fell to the mat. Page flipped off the top and hit a Buckshot Lariat. He immediately leapt to the opposite ring apron, looking for another. On the flip into the ring, Ospreay picked him out of the air with a Superkick. Page stayed draped across the top rope. Ospreay leapt up the northwest corner and delivered a Shooting Star Press onto the suspended body of Hangman Page. Ospreay hooked the leg for a near fall.

Will attempted the Oscutter unsuccessfully. He tried to flip off the middle rope, but Page caught him and turned it into a Tombstone for a cover and near fall. Page pounded the mat in frustration. He set up for Deadeye, but Ospreay slid down the back. Page hooked Ospreay and hit him with Angel’s Wings for a cover and two count just before 22:30. Page pointed to the turnbuckles and went for the Best Moonsault Ever, but Ospreay moved. He rolled to his feet and caught Hangman with the Hidden Blade. Page wisely rolled toward the ropes. Ospreay covered him, but Page was already safe from a count. They rolled onto the apron together, trading more blows. Page went for a big boot, but Ospreay caught the leg and turned it into a Powerbomb. He held onto Adam’s legs and hooked him for the Styles Clash. Ospreay turned him away from the ring and delivered the move all the way to the floor. They landed awkwardly – Ospreay crunching his knees, Page landing on the crown of his skull.

Remsburg reached a count of five before Ospreay began to stir. Excalibur noted that there’s no double count out, but Ospreay can win if Hangman can’t return. Page just barely beat the count, sliding in at 9. Ospreay immediately hit him with the Oscutter. He sized Page up and delivered the Hidden Blade. Ospreay hooked the leg for a very close near fall. Ospreay pulled Hangman to his feet. Page gave him a weak slap. Will pounced, knocking Page to the apron. Remsburg had to pull Ospreay away. Will got in the referee’s face. It looked like Page was setting up for the Buckshot Lariat on the apron, but Ospreay telegraphed it and booted him to the floor.

“Is this how you want to win?” Remsburg screamed at Ospreay as he attacked Page on the floor. He slammed Hangman against the announce desk repeatedly. Ospreay ignored him. The crowd began to boo. Will climbed the desk with Page in tow. He pulled Page between his legs, possibly looking for the Tiger Driver. Page lifted him into the air for a Deadeye, but the table gave out. Ospreay and Page collapsed in an ugly heap in the wreckage. Remsburg checked on both. Ospreay seemed worse for wear. Page scooped him off the floor and gave him a Deadeye on the wreckage of the table. He rolled him back in the ring and called for the Buckshot Lariat.

Ospreay stumbled to his feet, and too far away from Page for the lariat. He used the ropes to steady himself. Page stood stoically on the apron, hands still on the ropes, ready to strike. Ospreay removed his elbow pad. Page did the same. Ospreay gave Page the finger. He charged. Hangman flipped. The Buckshot connected. Page hooked the leg for a believable near fall at 32:40. Page was shocked. He kicked at Will’s face and chest. He rolled to the apron again. Ospreay met him with multiple strikes. Page pushed him away. He went for the Buckshot. Ospreay caught him with the Hidden Blade. He immediately pulled Page in and gave him a Stormbreaker for a cover and near fall.

Exhausted, Ospreay set up in the corner again. He called for another Hidden Blade. Page collapsed before it could connect. Both men were down again. Page was first to stir. He draped himself over the middle rope, out of it. Ospreay called for, and hit a V-Trigger. He set Hangman up for the One Winged Angel. Page rolled through it, hoisted Ospreay up and hit him with Big Pressure. Page hooked the legs, but one of them found its way onto the middle rope to stop the count.

Hangman dragged himself to the ropes as a “both these guys” chant rang out. He went for another Buckshot. Ospreay flipped through it. He went for the Stormbreaker. Page flipped through it and hit a clothesline. He leapt to the apron and delivered one final Buckshot Lariat for a cover and three count.

WINNER: “Hangman” Adam Page in 37:01

Bryce Remsburg presented Hangman with the Owen Hart Cup title. He celebrated as confetti filled the ringside are and fireworks shot off at the entrance. Page watched as they showed the match graphic for Moxley vs. Page at All In Texas. He walked up the ramp, staring at the cup. As Ospreay began to stir in the ring, Page turned around and returned to the ring. His music faded out. Page stood over Ospreay, who sat with his head in his hands. Will looked up to see his foe standing over him. He slowly rolled onto his knees and stood to face him.

Page offered Ospreay his hand. Will shook it. Ospreay took a knee in the ring as Page limped back up the ramp and circled his cup. He held up the title as the camera pulled back and the broadcast faded out.

(LeClair’s Analysis: Excellent main event that was harmed by an exhausted crowd just trying to muster the energy to put it behind two of their favorite wrestlers. The company let these two down with the pacing of this show. I give credit to Glendale, they did their absolute best to come alive when this match needed it most, but there was audible lulls that did not equate to lack of intensity in the ring, but merely fatigue. Ospreay and Hangman worked their asses off for nearly forty minutes and delivered a great match with compelling story and character driven action. I was surprised by the outcome, figuring Ospreay a lock to be the one to face Moxley at All In. Though I continue to argue AEW should be in the Will Ospreay business, I’m not necessarily upset that Hangman went over here. I think his redemption arc fits nicely into this result, and the notion that he be the one to stop Moxley’s reign of terror. I do think they need to pull the trigger on Ospreay sooner rather than later, and I worry that some of his momentum could begin to slow, but I believe in him, and I believe in Hangman, too.)

FINAL THOUGHTS: It’s become par for the course with AEW Pay-Per-Views – great wrestling, mixed bag on story-telling, too long. The latter, to me, was the biggest knock on tonight’s show. It held back a great main event. This was not one of AEW’s strongest cards, but, as usual, it delivered some fantastic wrestling and some memorable in-ring moments. The length and the lack of build to the undercard, coupled with my general aversion to the state of Anarchy in the Arena matches prevents this from being a thumbs up, but it’s a high-end thumbs in the middle for me.