AEW presented us with their first pay per view since the debut of their weekly show Dynamite on TNT this evening from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore. The stacked card featured eight bouts and was co-headlined by “Le Champion” Chris Jericho (the youngest champion in AEW history) defending his title against Cody and Jon Moxley squaring off with Kenny Omega in an Unsanctioned Match. AEW continues to present wrestling fans with an experience not witnessed on such a large scale in many years, one so polarizing that it has brought masses of hibernating fans back to the forefront. This evening did not disappoint as the appreciative fans in attendance relentlessly showered the performers with chants of praise, hate, and unsettled delight (read on to see what I mean) with an energy that was unrelenting until they went off the air.
The Buy-In Preshow
Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D vs.
Bea PriestleyWinner: Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. via submission
The ladies of AEW got the raucous Baltimore crowd warmed up on the free pre show on the AEW YouTube channel as the doctor defeated Priestley with the Lockjaw.
After the bout, Brandi Rhodes lead Awesome Kong to the ring. Kong proceeded to lay waste to Bea Priestley and cut a lock of her hair off as some sort of trophy which resulted in a rather entertaining “You sick fuck” chant from the crowd.
Main Card
The Young Bucks vs.
Santana & OrtizWinners: Santana & Ortiz via pinfall
The crowd was at a deafening pitch throughout this phenomenal opening bout on the main card. Superkicks weren’t enough for the Young Bucks as Santana & Ortiz of the Inner Circle solidified a hard fought victory with the Street Sweeper for the pinfall.
PAC vs. “Hangman” Adam Page
Winner: “Hangman” Adam Page
PAC and Hangman competed with reckless abandon leaving both covered in welts and bruises. In the closing moments of the match, PAC attempted to kick Page between the uprights with the referee’s view obstructed, however, The Hangman was ready and quickly countered with The Deadeye for the pinfall.
“The Chairman” Shawn Spears w/ Tully Blanchard vs. “The Bad Boy” Joey Janela
Winner: “The Chairman” Shawn Spears
Shawn Spears used the numbers game as this bout reached it’s conclusion. Spears removed the turnbuckle cover which lead referee Earl Hebner to become distracted with an attempt to replace it. Spears proceeded to pick Janela up for a pile driver as Tully Blanchard jumped off the ring steps for the spike. Spears then rolled Asbury Park’s own Janela back into the ring where he executed the Death Valley Driver for the win.
AEW Tag Team Championship
Private Party vs. The Lucha Brothers vs. SCU (Scorpio Sky & Frankie Kazarian) (c)
Winners: SCU via pinfall
This contest marked the first title defense for SCU, winners of the AEW Tag Team Title Tournament which crowned them inaugural champions of the promotion after defeating the Lucha Bros in the finals. Private Party made a name for themselves in the tournament as they shocked the world with an upset of the Young Bucks in the opening round and then defeated The Dark Order in the third place match to earn a spot in this match. This fast-paced bout reached it’s conclusion as Kazarian withstood a perfect shooting star press delivered by Marq Quen of Private Party and he and Scorpio Sky subsequently averted disaster as they reversed the Gin and Juice to land the SCU Later for the victory. After the contest, The Lucha Bros proceeded to attack SCU from behind. Before the attack could get out of hand, the lights in the arena went out and as they illuminated again, another man dressed as Pentagon Jr stood face to face with the real Pentagon Jr. After the real Pentagon Jr was dropped with an STO and Fenix was laid to waste with The Angel’s Wings, the man revealed himself as “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels!
AEW Women’s Championship
Emi Sakura vs. Riho (c)
Winner: Riho via pinfall
This match pit teacher versus student as Riho faced the woman who trained her, the Japanese legend Emi Sakura. The 98 lb Riho overcame the odds with a fundamental pinning combination to retain her title at the culmination of a bout that truly demonstrated the champ’s resolve and deceptive strength and durability.
AEW World Championship
Cody w/ Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Chris Jericho w/ Jake Hager
Winner: Chris Jericho via submission
After weeks of intense buildup that culminated with Cody cutting one of the most impressive promos of his career and Jericho treating us to a vignette that featured “The Olive Garden Meatsauce Messiah” Soultrain Jones (better known as Virgil/Vincent) on Wednesday, the time finally arrived for two of the biggest names in AEW to compete for the World Championship - all on Chris Jericho’s 49th birthday. Cody was put through a war in this bout that included having his forehead gashed early on leaving him temporarily with a crimson mask. Cody finally appeared to turn the tables as the match progressed when Jericho’s corner man Jake Hager was banned from ringside. As the match reached it’s climax, Jericho cinched in the Liontamer but Cody was able to escape. Jericho quickly locked it in again and suddenly a white towel landed in the ring, courtesy of MJF, which prompted the referee to call for the bell. After the match, MJF pretended to be apologetic initially only to end up kicking Cody in his manhood and yell “It’s my turn!” in his face.
Unsanctioned Lights Out Match
Jon Moxley vs. Kenny Omega
Winner: Jon Moxley
This match was supposed to happen at ALL OUT until Jon Moxley ended up with a staph infection that took him out of action. One word describes this match - visceral. There were barbed wire bats, barbed wire brooms, and even a barbed wire webbed platform type structure. If that’s not enough for you, throw in tables, chairs, an icepick, and broken glass. All of these instruments of pain were used with unimpeded violence. With both men already broken and bloodied, Jon Moxley proceeded to remove the ring apron, canvas, and padding leaving only the wood planks exposed. Moxley finally put “The Cleaner” out of his misery as he performed a brutal Paradigm Shift for the pinfall. The former Dean Ambrose has certainly elevated himself to heights once unimaginable as he continues his meteoric rise in AEW. Needless to say, this is not the pink-haired Jon Moxley who once jobbed out on WWE Velocity many years ago.
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