AEW Revolution

By Steve Ward

After storming onto the scene in 2019, All Elite Wrestling sought to continue their meteoric rise as they made their way to the Windtrust Arena in Chicago for their first pay per view of 2020, Revolution. With arguably their most impressive card to date, the eight match card featured all three AEW titles defended including Chris Jericho vs. Jon Moxley for the AEW Heavyweight Championship.

The Buy-In Pre-Show

The Dark Order vs. SCU (Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky)

Winners: The Dark Order via pinfall

Much speculation entered this match as to the identity of “The Exalted One” who is the shot caller behind the Dark Order. For weeks there had been growing suspicion that “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels would reveal himself as their leader and this notion was reinforced by his glaring absence at ringside for the duration of this contest. Following Stu Grayson’s pinfall victory over Kazarian, the entire Dark Order proceeded to lay waste to SCU until Colt Cabana made his way to ringside in an attempt to even the odds to no avail. Just moments later, the Dark Order’s music resonated throughout the arena as a cloaked individual made his way onto the entrance ramp. The individual proceeded to reveal himself as “The Fallen Angel,” however, Daniels proceeded to rush the ring and vault over the ropes knocking Evil Uno to the canvas solidifying his allegiance to SCU in the process. This will surely continue the speculation as to the identity of “The Exalted One” leading many to believe it may indeed be Matt Hardy who’s contract with WWE expires March 1st or perhaps even Luke Harper who’s supposedly on his way to the promotion.

Main Card

Dustin Rhodes vs. Jake Hager

Winner: Jake Hager via submission

The main card of Revolution kicked off with a bang as the ageless Dustin Rhodes (who turns 51 on April 11) squared off with Jake Hager (known for his current Bellator career where he is undefeated and as Jack Swagger in WWE). Hager definitely displayed no signs of ring rust as he made his AEW in-ring debut after serving as Chris Jericho’s enforcer for the duration of his tenure to date. In the closing moments, Hager landed a low blow as the referee’s back was turned and proceeded to cinch in a standing side headlock/sleeper hold fusion for the submission victory.

Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara

Winner: Darby Allin via pinfall

In what was projected to be a potential show-stealer, these two competitors gave us our first “holy shit” moment just minutes into the match as Guevara incapacitated Allin and laid him out across a table at ringside. Guevara then proceeded to execute a flawless 630 senton which drove Allin through the table. This high-flying encounter ended in phenomenal fashion as Darby Allin executed the Coffin Drop to earn the pinfall victory.

AEW Tag Team Championship

Kenny Omega & “Hangman” Adam Page (c) vs. The Young Bucks

Winners: Kenny Omega & “Hangman” Adam Page via pinfall

This bout constituted a battle within The Elite as The Young Bucks earned a title shot against their brethren by surviving a battle royal recently on Dynamite. This was a five star match if I’ve ever seen one and quite possibly the best match I’ve seen in years. The closing moments alone were unbelievable. After Matt Jackson kicked out of the Buckshot Lariat and V Trigger combo by Omega and Page, Omega attempted the One Winged Angel but could not finish the move with his injured shoulder. Page proceeded to tag his way back into the match and executed the One Winged Angel himself, however, it still was not enough to put Matt Jackson away. Page would not be denied as he proceeded to nail the Buckshot Lariat on Nick Jackson out on the entrance ramp and turned around to execute it again on Matt Jackson to earn the pinfall.

AEW Women’s Championship

Nyla Rose (c) vs. Kris Statlander

Winner: Nyla Rose via pinfall

After Nyla Rose decimated Riho recently on Dynamite to become the new women’s champion, she made her first title defense this evening against Kris Statlander - who’s billed from…The Andromeda Galaxy. Kris Statlander gave Nyla Rose all she could handle in this contest. It appeared for a moment that Statlander was going to abruptly end Rose’s title reign after landing a suplex/brain buster off the top turnbuckle, however, the champ kicked out of the pinfall attempt. In an effort to put her away, Statlander then attempted a top rope hurricanrana but The Native Beast simply overpowered her and proceeded to break her in half with a Beast Bomb from the top turnbuckle scoring an easy pinfall in the process.

Cody w/ Arn Anderson & Brandi Rhodes vs. MJF w/ Wardlow

Winner: MJF via pinfall

Following weeks of running through Maxwell Jacob Friedman’s gauntlet to earn a match with him this evening, this match became extremely personal for Cody. After Cody was double crossed by MJF in his shot at the heavyweight championship against Chris Jericho late last year, when Friedman threw in the towel from The American Nightmare’s corner. Cody seemingly had this bout in the books after he executed two Cross Rhodes to a bloodied Friedman, however, MJF countered the third with a knee to the head followed by a shot between the eyes with the Dynamite Diamond Ring which allowed him to steal a pinfall.

PAC vs. Orange Cassidy w/ Best Friends

Winner: PAC via submission

“Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy made his debut as a singles competitor this evening against “The Bastard” PAC (formerly known as Neville) after he assaulted Cassidy multiple times the past few weeks. Cassidy certainly impressed in this contest especially with the fact he fought a great deal of the bout with his hands in his pockets. Late in the match it appeared Cassidy was going to pull off a monumental upset after he landed a diving DDT off of the top rope, however, PAC rolled out of the ring. Trent proceeded to toss PAC back into the ring but the Lucha Bros decided to intervene in the match drawing the Best Friends away from ringside and distracting Cassidy long enough for PAC to cinch in the Brutalizer from behind for the submission victory.

AEW Heavyweight Championship

Chris Jericho (c) w/ Santana & Ortiz vs. Jon Moxley

Winner: Jon Moxley via pinfall

The main event of the evening came to fruition after Moxley denied Jericho’s offer to join the Inner Circle by responding with a champagne bottle to the face sparking a bitter rivalry for the past several weeks. Moxley solidified his position in this main event after defeating PAC in a number one contender’s match on a recent edition of Dynamite. The odds were certainly stacked against Moxley as he has made it a point to establish himself as a loner in AEW. Moxley overcame outside interference from the entire Inner Circle and a bloodied face to thwart “Le Champion” Chris Jericho in the closing moments with back to back Paradigm Shifts allowing him to cover for the 1-2-3 and become the second heavyweight champion in the company’s short history.

 

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AEW Full Gear Recap

By Steve Ward

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 Priestley
Winner: 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 & Ortiz
Winners: 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 49^th 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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