Tonight, AEW will make history for pro wrestling. For the first time since the death of WCW in 2001, a promotion that could be real competition to WWE will be holding their first show. Featuring Kenny Omega against Chris Jericho, The Young Bucks against The Lucha Brothers, and Cody Rhodes against Dustin Rhodes, it will be a show to remember.
Over 10,000 fans will pack into the MGM Grand to witness AEW’s first ever PPV. With the hype surrounding AEW, their TV deal with TNT (and ITV in the UK), many eyes will be watching. The stakes couldn’t be higher for the new company, and it seems appropriate that it will air live from Las Vegas as Cody, the Bucks, and Omega take the biggest gamble of their career. There is a lot riding on the success of this show and we will be here to cover it tonight, live on Daily DDT! Stay tuned here for all the updates as the show airs. In the meantime, however, here is a preview of tonight’s card, and where to watch if you haven’t ordered it already.
For residents of the United States, the show can be purchased on B/R Live and through traditional PPV (check your provider!). For those in the UK, it can be purchased through ITV Box Office and Fite. All international viewers can purchase the show through Fite.
A full preview of the show can be found here, by Daily DDT’s Jesse Velasquez (who is there live, the lucky fellow!)
AEW Double or Nothing is shaping up to be a fantastic night of action for wrestling fans. The debut effort of AEW will be vitally important for the future of the new company, and everyone will be looking to give their best.
Tune in to AEW Double or Nothing live, and stay right here for all the live updates on the show! We’ll be starting the recap shortly after the show begins at 7 PM Eastern.
The Casino Battle Royale – The Winner Gets an AEW World Title shot
Brandon Cutler, Michael Nakazawa, MJF, Dustin Thomas, and Sunny Daze started the match
MJF immediately attacked Dustin Thomas, a legless wrestler. Brandon Cutler made the save, but MJF moved on to get the heat on Cutler. Nakazawa covered himself with baby oil to avoid being suplexed, and was able to slip out of several moves. Sunny Daze took him out and almost eliminated Nakazawa. MJF kept going after Cutler. MJF is a heat magnet. Cutler was getting quite a few chants from the crowd, but MJF kept the heat up.
The next group of five, the Diamond group, made their way to the ring. Brian Pillman Jr and Isiah Kassidy got into a brawl at ringside, and Jimmy Havoc and Joey Janela came out and suplexed Pillman on the entrance ramp. Sean Spears made his entrance as the last member of the group, to a huge pop and 10 chants. MJF did a Greco Roman eye poke, but Spears returned the favour and hit a ushigoroshi.
Billy Gunn, Glacier, Jungle Boy, Marq Quen, and Ace Romero made their entrance next. Jungle Boy went right after Janel, and Private Party are waiting on the outside. Glacier and MJF faced off in the centre of the ring, and Glacier took him out with a bunch of kicks. Jimmy Havoc put a lit cigarette to Joey Janella’s forehead. Nakazawa was eliminated by Sunny Daze, Glacier was eliminated by MJF after Glacier eliminated Daze. The next group entered and it was the Luchasaurus, Marko Stunt, Sonny Kiss, Tommy Dreamer, and Orange Cassidy.
Tommy Dream came in and took everyone out with some garbage can shots. The Joker card was drawn by Hangman Adam Page! Page ran wild in the ring, taking everyone out. Page was limping due to the damage caused by Pac in the UK. Page and Janella faced off in the middle of the ring and started brawling, picking up where they left off at All In. Marco Stunt and Jungle Boy tried to take out Romero, but Romero was too big for them.
Ace Romero pounced Marko Stunt over the top rope and eliminated him, but Jungle Boy managed to throw Romero over the top rope. Dustin Thomas hit a 619 on Joey Janela. MJF, of course, went right back to him, getting heat. Dustin Thomas eliminated Shawn Spears! Cutler eliminated Billy Gunn, and MJF eliminated Thomas and Cutler. The Luchasaurus chokeslamed Joey Janella over the top rope through a table. Janella landed on his head.
Sonny Kiss was eliminated by Tommy Dreamer, and Dreamer soon thereafter eliminated Orange Cassidy, who seemed to not care. Jimmy Havoc staple gunned Tommy Dreamer to the head and then to the crotch before throwing Dreamer over the top rope. Jungle Boy was tossed out, and we’re down to the last for. Jimmy Havoc, Luchasaurus, and Hangman Page, and MJF.
Page sent Havoc to the apron and Luchasaurus kicked him off to eliminate him. Page managed to eliminate Luchasarus, and MJF tried to throw him out, sneaking back in. Hangman skinned the cat and then hit the Buckshot Lariat, killing MJF. Page threw MJF over the top rope to a massive pop. Hangman Page will face the winner of Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship!
Result: Hangman Adam Page
Rating: ***1/2 (3.5 stars out of 5)
This was an excellent way to open the show, with a fun battle royale. Hangman Page has been firmly established as a main event star with the win and has a built in rivalry with Joey Janella and MJF. Some future matches could be setup here too.
A promo aired with Alica Atout interviewing Kylie Rae, but the Librarian Peter Avalon cut her off and shushed her. Leva Bates, the Librarian cut off Avalon. The proceeded to shush each other for the next 30 seconds, with Kylie Ray trying to join in, but they just cut her off. Poor Kylie looked confused at the other two. This was great.
Sammy Guevara vs. Kip Sabian
Sammy Guevara has put on a lot of muscle, and we’ll see if that works to his advantage in this opening match. Sabian did an excellent head scissors take over, which seemed to make Guevara more arrogant, instead. Guevara and Sabian continued to exchange some chain wrestling, highlighting the skills of both men. Sabian hit a springboard hurricanrana, but Sammy did a backflip go over and hit a dropkick.
Sabian faked a triangle dropkick and hit a kick to Guevara. Sabian followed up with springboard flip off the middle rope to the outside. Guevara hit a dive that the camera missed, but got a good pop from the crowd. Guevara started to hit some kicks but Sabian countered and hit a dragon screw and locked in an Indian death lock. Guevara got to the ropes, hit a powerslam, then followed up with a moonsault. Sabian dodged, so Guevar did another one and hit him with his knees, then followed up with a standing shooting star press.
Sabian kicked out and then hit a springboard missile dropkick. Sabian hit a huge penalty kick and got a two count. Guevara and Sabian tried to suplex each other over the top rope. Sabian held on, pulling Guevara over, Guevara landed on his feet on the floor, and then he suplexed Sabian. Holy crap. Sammy put Sabian on he guardrail and hit a shooting star press off the apron onto Sabian.
Guevara went for a 630 splash, but Sabian got the knees up! He hit Deathly Hallows, and pinned Sammy Guevara! What a match.
Results: Kip Sabian
Rating: ***3/4 (3.75 stars out of 5)
Wow, this was an excellent singles match that only got better as it went. Sabian and Guevara both looked like huge stars tonight, and I can’t wait to see what their future holds.
A promo video aired for Sadie Gibbs, one of the newest additions to AEW’s women’s roster.
Cody arrived with Pharaoh (his dog) and Brandi. Kenny Omega was seen giving a thumbs up at a laptop and walking off. Nick Jackson superkicked a production guy. The Elite then came out, as the Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, and Brandi Rhodes greeted the live audience. It looks like it’s go time!
The show opened with Cody saying welcome, but Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and Kenny Omega kept trying to cut each other off. Omega did the official welcome, and the crowd chanted AEW. Matt Jackson and Cody poked fun at WWE making up attendance numbers as a wild Vinny V from the Wrestling Observer was in the crowd (I admit, I popped).
The show opened with the singing of the United States national anthem, and pyro. This was quite nice.
Jim Ross opened the show with Alex Marvez and Excalibur, running down the card.
SoCal Uncensored (Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, & Scorpio Sky) vs. Strong Hearts (CIMA, T-Hawk, El Lindaman)
SCU cut a promo about how Las Vegas was the worst town they have ever been to. Chris Daniels somehow became a singer, and he sung that Vegas was going to have a great time. Kazarian got the crowd to chant SCU.
The group from OWE made their entrance to a nice ovation, as the announcers explained that the rules of tag matches in AEW are a little different, as the 5 count during double teams can be a little restrictive. It is, instead, up to referee discretion on how to handle those things, but a 10 count would be employed.
Daniels and CIMA opened the show, which is a dream match in any place. After a quick exchange, T-Hawk and Kazarian made their way in. Kazarian and T-Hawk exchanged a series of moves, but Kazarian showed greater power. However, T-Hawk hit a killer chop that may have taken years of Kazarian’s life. Scorpio Sky made a blind tag and hit a big dropkick on T-Hawk.
Sky went for a hurricanrana, but T-Hawk hit a powerbomb. CIMA ran in and knocked Daniels and Kaz off the apron. Lindaman came in and while he is tiny, he is powerful. However, Daniels and Kazarian were able to use some great teamwork to ground him. Kazarian hit a shotgun dropkick to Lindaman, but Lindaman kicked out.
SCU attempted to isolate Lindaman, but he managed to tag out to CIMA, who hit a killer knee on Sky. CIMA then hit a ridiculous amount of knees on everyone, and suddenly Strong Hearts were back in control. T-Hawk tagged in CIMA, and T-Hawk and CIMA double teamed Daniels. Strong Hearts isolated Daniels for the next few minutes, and worked him over with some wonderful triple team offence. Daniels managed to hit a STO on T-Hawk and made the hot tag to Scorpio Sky.
Sky ran wild, taking everyone out, including a flying stomp across the back of CIMA. T-Hawk hit a popup knee, and CIMA followed with a enziguri, while Lindaman hit a German suplex! Sky kicked out. My goodness. Lindaman went for a sunset flip, but Sky rolled through and hit a dropkick. Kazarian came in and took everyone out and hit a combo pinfall and northern lights suplex on T-Hawk and CIMA. CIMA kicked out. Daniels hit a tope suicida on Lindaman, but CIMA hit a driver on Daniels. Sky hit a cutter, but Lindaman took him out with a cutter.
Kazarian took out Lindaman with a slingshot DDT, and T-Hawk took out Daniels and Kaz with lariats. Lindaman blind tagged in after Daniels hit Angel’s Wings on T-Hawk, and deadlifted Daniels with a German Suplex. CIMA hit a Meteora, but Kaz made the save. The action spilled outside and Sky hit a tope con hilo on CIMA and T-Hawk! Christopher Daniels and Kaz then hit the Best Meltzer Ever on Lindaman and got the pinfall!
Result: SCU
Rating ***3/4 (3.75 stars out of 5)
Wow, this match was a lot of fun. All six men did everything they could to entertain, and the OWE crew definitely got over with the audience with all their skill. If this is a sign of the things to come, we’re going to be in for a great show.
Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose vs. Britt Baker vs. Awesome Kong
Allie joined in on commentary for this match to help introduce us to the women. Great commentary here, where Marvez said, “Britt Baker can break your teeth then give you a referral.” Brandi Rhodes made her entrance, and it looks like she’s inserting herself into the match! Brandi grabbed a mic and said this match needed to be awesome, and wesome Kong just made her entrance, inserted into the match.
Awesome Kong got a massive pop, and she immediately became the number one wrestler in the women’s division. Awesome Kong took out Rose wit ha spinning backfist, and then dominated Baker and Rae with her power. Baker did a drop down, and Kong spilled to the outside. Rae and Baker proceeded exchange fast offence. Baker and Rae exchanged some fantastic chain wrestling.
Baker tried to hit a dive on Kong, but Kong caught her. Rae hit a suicide dive and knocked both women down. Rose threw Rae back into the ring and tried to pin her, but Rae kicked out. Rose hit a legdrop, but Rae kicked out again. Rose went for a chokeslam, but Rae went over and tried to hammer Rose with strikes. Rose hit a spinebuster, laying out Kylie Rae.
Baker hit a slingblade on Rose and got a 2 count. Rose managed to overpower Baker and Rae both. Rose went for a powerbomb on Rae, but Rae rolled through into a sunset flip. Baker broke it up. Rose headed to the top rope and Baker cut her off. Britt and Rae tried to suplex Rose from the top rope, but Kong came in underneath and powerbombed everyone off the top rope to a massive pop.
Kong hit a spinning backfist on Baker, and threw her back into the ring. Kong went for an Awesome Bomb off the apron on Baker, but she slipped off. Rae knocked Kong to the floor, and Rose drove Kong into the stairs. Kylie Rae and Baker exchanged holds, and Rae hit a superkick. Rae rolled through an O’Connor roll and hit a deadlift German suplex, but Britt kicked out. Britt Baker hit a huge superkick and followed up with the Last Shot on Kylie Rose! Baker used Adam Cole (BAY BAY)’s finisher and got the pinfall.
Result: Britt Baker
Rating: ***1/2 (3.5 stars out of 5)
This was an excellent match between all four as they had something to prove as the first official women’s match in AEW. Britt Baker and Kylie Rae stood out as the major stars, but they managed to protect both Kong and Rose.
The Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta) vs. Jack Evans & Angelico
Jack Evans and Trent Beretta start the match with Evans trying to overpower Trent, which is hilarious. Trent did a dropdown, and Chuck hit a huge dropkick. The Best Friends then went into some great double team offence. The friends were going to hug, but Angelico and Evans cut them off to a series of boos. I guess they aren’t huggers. Evans and Angelico got the heat on Trent for the next several minutes, using submissions and fast paced offence. As Trent rolled backwards off the turnbuckle, he turned around and killed Evans with a big lariat.
Taylor’s hot tag was cut off by Angelico, but Taylor hopped over Angelico, sending him into the corner. Taylor then hit a belly to belly suplex on Evans, crushing both Angelico and Evans. Taylor hit a Falcon Arrow on Evans, but Evans kicked out. Taylor then hit a sliced bread on the floor on Angelico and Beretta hit a DDT on Evans. Taylor hit a flying foot stomp, but Evans kicked out again.
Trent tagged in, and Evans fought out and hit a crazy kick on Trent. Taylor hit a flying knee and Trent hit a sick kick, sending Evans to the mat. Taylor hit soul food on Angelico and Trent hit a German suplex. The Best Friends then hugged before Chuck Taylor hit a crucifix and sent him flying into a cutter by Trent. Evans somehow kicked out again. Trent went for the Dude Buster, but Angelico caught him and reversed it into a Code Red on Trent. Trent got out. Evans hit a massive dive to the outside on Chuck, and Angelico hit a crucifix bomb into the corner on Trent.
Evans hit a 630 splash on Trent, but Taylor made the save. Evans rolled up Trent, but Trent barely kicked out. Angelico missed a dive, and Chuck ran in and put Evans on his shoulders. He hit a flying knee doomsday device. Taylor hit a tope con hilo on Angelico, followed by a double stomp Dude Buster on Evans by Taylor and Trent. The Best Friends win!
Result: The Best Friends
Rating: **** (4 stars out of 5)
This was an excellent tag match, and by the end of it, Angelico and Evans became stars too. All four men shook hands, but Trent and Chuck wanted a hug. As they hugged, the lights went out! The Super Smash Bros (Evil Uno and Stu Grayson) were there. The lights went off again, and a bunch of masked men beat on Chuck Taylor, Trent, Evans, and Angelico. They all posed with the Super Smash Bros.
Aja Kong, Yuka Sakazaki, & Emi Sakura vs. Hikaru Shida, Riho Abe, & Ryo Mizunami
Yuka Sakazaki and Hikaru Shida started the match. Yuka tried to distract Shida but failed. Mizunami and Kong squared off as the two power houses in the match got in the ring. Kong was too powerful, but Ryo wouldn’t give up and finally knocked her over with a shoulder tackle. Kong hit a series of strikes, and both tagged out with Sakura and Riho getting in the ring. Riho was able to maintain a bridge with after a Greco Roman wrist lock. Riho is only 21 years old, and she’s been wrestling for 13 years.
Sakura through Riho around and locked in a surfboard stretch before tagging out to Kong. Kong started to dominate the smaller woman with strikes as the crowd chanted “This is wrestling!” Nice to see the crowd appreciating the efforts of the women who are largely unknown to an American audience. Kong hit a killer piledriver on Riho, but her team made the save. Yuka tried to make the cover again, but Riho kicked out again.
Riho rolled through a pinfall attempt and hit a double stomp before making the hot tag to Ryo. Ryo managed to take everyone out, including Kong, with a spear! Mizunami hit a series of hard chops on Yuka. Ryo killed Yuka with a lariat to a roar from the crowd. Ryo hit a deadlift wheelbarrow suplex on Yuka. Riho hit a spinning head scissors on Kong, followed by a 619. Kong caught her and killed her with a backdrop driver though!
Riho kicked out, so Kong went for an elbow off the middle ropes, but Riho dodged. Shida went for a brainbuster on Kong, but Kong wouldn’t go up. Shida hit an enziguri but Sakura threw Kong’s can into the ring and Kong and Shida exchanged blows with a kendo stick and the can. Sakura tagged in, and the crowd shook the building with the “We Will Rock You” stomps and claps.
Sakura and Shida exchanged blows and Shida suplexed Sakura over the top rope before Ryo hit a leg drop off the top rope, but Yuka made the save. Riho hit a knew strike on Sakura, but Kong suplex Riho and Ryo both. Yuka did a springboard dive to the outside on Riho and Ryo. Kong hit a brainbuster on Shida, and Sakura hit a moonsault but Shida kicked out! The time keeper rang the bell in a mistake. Kong accidentally hit a spinning backfist on Shida, and Shida hit a running knee on Sakura for the pinfall victory!
Result: Hikaru Shida, Riho Abe, & Ryo Mizunami
Result: **** (4 stars out of 5)
This was an absolutely fantastic Japanese style tag match, and outside of the time keeper ringing the bell by accident, it was flawless.
Cody Rhodes (w/ Brandi Rhodes) vs. Dustin Rhodes
As Cody made his entrance, a throne with Triple H’s logo on it, representing the Attitude Era, sitting there. Brandi Rhodes gave Cody a sledge hammer and he destroyed the throne to a roar from the crowd. Dustin Rhodes made his entrance in red and black gear, with his face half painted to a great pop from the crowd. This one is going to be a complete war.
As the match started, the crowd chanted “Dusty” and Dustin got emotional. Both men locked up as the crowd chanted Dusty’s Favourite to taunt Cody. Cody did a cartwheel and did the Stardust pose as Jim Ross called Cody a worldwide star. That was great timing. Cody hit Dustin’s drop down uppercut and sent Dustin to the floor. Cody hit a suicide dive, driving Dustin to the floor.
Cody tried to get the cans in the front row to move, before throwing Dustin back in the ring, to boos from the crowd. Dustin hit a 619 off the apron, and a flipping dive off the apron onto Cody before hitting a bulldog in the ring and 10 punches in the corner. Dustin, at 50, still looks like he has a ton left in the tank.
Cody rolled to the outside and ran into the crowd. Cody grabbed a bottle of water, and as Cody distracted Earl Hebner, Brandi hit Dustin with the bottle of water. Cody started to work over Dustin’s legs with a dragon screw. Dustin went for a shoulder block in the corner, but Cody floated over and hit a powerslam. Dustin kicked out.
Cody continued to work over the leg, as Dustin has to be feeling that after his double knee surgeries earlier in the year. Dustin hit the ropes and hit a series of hard clotheslines before hitting his Goldust uppercut. Cody ran into the corner and hit the turnbuckle. Dustin setup Cody for the Shattered Dreams to a pop from the crowd. Cody took off the turnbuckle pad, but Dustin noticed it and threw it into the crowd. As Dustin ran, Cody hit a drop toe hold, driving Dustin head first into the buckle.
Cody dumped Dustin to the floor, and he got speared by Brandi! Earl Hebner got in Brandi’s face and ejected her from the match. DDP came out and picker her up and took her backstage! Dustin came up bleeding on the floor. Cody wiped his brother’s blood on his chest, and went for the pinfall, but Dustin kicked out. Dustin went for a haymaker, but Cody missed.
Cody continued to beat on Dustin, and Dustin bled everywhere. Dustin went for another uppercut, but he was blinded by the blood. Dustin is just a mess. Body hit a curb stomp, but Dustin kicked out. Cody went for a sledgehammer, but Dustin ducked and hit a powerslam. Cody kicked out. Cody dropped down and hooked the legs and locked on the Figure Four leglock!
Dustin refused to give up, but it works on his injured legs! Dustin tried to hard to turn it over and finally managed to, while blood was pouring down his face. Cody escaped by going to the ropes. Cody took of his weight belt that says “Attitude Killer” and Hebner took it away from him. Dustin grabbed the belt, pulled down Cody’s pants, and whipped him with it. Dustin then hit a Code Red, and the Cody kicked out!
Dustin put Cody on the top rope and went for a top rope superplex. It almost went wrong, but it Dustin recovered at the last second. Dustin hit the suplex neckbreaker and got a two count! Cody went for the Curtain Call, but Cody low blowed him and hit the Disaster Kick! Cody hit the Cross Rhodes, but Dustin kicked out to a roar from the crowd.
Both men stood up and exchanged strikes. Dustin hit a headbutt and a Cross Rhodes of his own, but Cody kicked out! This match is so awesome. Both started exchanging punches as Cody continues to get more and more heat from the crowd. Both men collided in the middle of the ring, but Cody still managed to kick out.
Cody went for Din’s Fire and nailed it! Cody is refusing to cover him though and broke Earl’s count. Cody hit Cross Rhodes again, and got the pinfall. Wow. Incredible match.
Result: Cody Rhodes
Rating ***** (5 Stars out of 5)
I’m speechless. This was amazing. This was an 80s style brawl with both men giving it their all. Cody left the ring in tears, and Dustin was left in a bloody heap. Is this the end for Dustin Rhodes? I certainly hope not after that performance. However, if this is the end, there is no better way to go out. Dusty would be proud of his boys.
Cody cut a promo saying “You don’t get to retire here. I need to ask you a favour. In front of God and the whole world. Before AEW was a thing… I put my name down for a match for next month. It was myself and a partner of my choosing. Me and a partner against the Young Bucks. Dustin, I don’t need a partner. I don’t need a friend. I need my older brother.” Cody said this in tears, and both men hugged. Next month, we get to see Dustin and Cody Rhodes teaming up to take on the Young Bucks. Just amazing.
Bret Hart came out to introduce the AEW World Heavyweight Championship!
Hart brought out Hangman Page, and afterwards MJF came out. MJF cut a promo saying he’s the fastest rising star in wrestling today. MJF taunted Bret by saying that a fan was coming to attack him. He called the fans jealous. MJF said he’s the future of AEW, and they don’t like it. He called MJF a horse, and said he can’t be the face of the company. It looks like this is going to be one of our main event feuds in AEW. MJF said Page was a horse with a bummed leg, so he needed to be put down.
MJF said Page should relinquish his title shot, and Page went after him. As he walked backwards to get away, Jungle Boy and Jimmy Havoc cornered MJF. All three men beat on him, and Page threw him into the crowd. Havoc and Jungle Boy took him hrough the crowd and out of the arena. Bret Hart than revealed the title, and it’s a beautiful huge gold title.
The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) (c) vs. The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Rey Fenix) – AAA World Tag Team Championship
Pentagon immediately went for the Pentadriver, but Matt rolled through and went for a sharpshooter. Pentagon said “Cero Miedo” and tagged in Fenix. Fenix and Matt tried to exchange holds, and Nick made a blind tag. The Bucks almost collided with each other, showing a little ring rust. Nick and Fenix started exchanging attack attempts, with neither being able to get the better off the other, ending with a double dropkick on the floor.
Nick hit the ropes and hit a shoulder block. Fenix hit one of his own. The crowd chanted “tag team wrestling” as Fenix hit a chop on Nick. Both men started to exchange chops before Fenix hit a dropkick. Matt made his way in, but Pentagon hit a kick, and they drove Matt to the middle of the mat. The Bros hit a double superkick, and Fenix and Pentagon hit some more double team offence on Nick Jackson for a near fall.
The Bucks are doing a really good job selling their ring rust. Nick managed to take down both men and made a tag to Matt Jackson. Matt Jackson hit a gorilla press on Pentagon and then a spear on Fenix! Matt Jackson showing some heavyweight power. Nick came in and started to work over Pentagon’s arms. Nick went for a double stomp to Pentagon’s arms, but Pentagon pulled Matt in the way, and Nick double stomped his brother’s back. Matt’s bad back is immediately being sold.
The Bucks knocked Fenix off the apron as Matt limped towards Pentagon. Pentagon dodged a dropkick attempt and Nick accidentally nailed Matt in the back again. Fenix hit a series of incredible moves and scored a near fall on Matt Jackson. Pentagon had Matt in the corner, and whipped him to the other side. Matt Jackson did a corkscrew blockbuster on Pentagon, and I’m not sure I ever saw that before. Fenix hit a blow knocking Nick off the top rope, but Matt Jackson hit a series of rolling Northern Lights Supelxes, and a sharpshooter on Fenix before hitting another Northern Lights Suplex on Pentagon while the sharpshooter was logged in.
Nick Jackson hit a moonsault off the apron on Pentagon and hit a running bulldog and lariat combo on the Lucha Bros. The Bucks did stereo sunset flips before locking the sharpshooter on both Lucha Bros. The Lucha Bros made the ropes and got out. Nick Jackson hit a 450 splash off the top rope on Fenix, who was suspended on the middle ropes. The Bucks hit their powerbomb/enziguri combo in the corner on Fenix.
Matt Jackson hit a sliced bread on Fenix while Nick hit him with a powerbomb. Incredible. Fenix kicked out. The Bucks were using a move from the Motor City Machine Guns, a nice little tribute to both guys. All four men started exchanging superkicks, and all four men were left laying on the mat as the crowd gave a standing ovation. Pentagon and Matt Jackson exchanged strikes on the apron, with both men hitting pump kicks. Fenix ended up the apron, and Pentagon jumped off his brother’s back and hit a flying Canadian Destroyer on the apron on Matt Jackson. HOLY CRAP.
Fenix then hit a slingshot Canadian Destroyer on Nick Jackson, and Nick kicked out. Fenix stood on top of Pentagon’s shoulders before diving to the outside on both men. Pentagon hit a combo Gory Driver and Pentadriver on Nick Jackson, while Fenix hit the Swanton bomb. Nick kicked out, and Pentagon went to try and break Nick Jackson’s arm, but Matt Jackson saved him with a superkick.
Matt hit a half and half suplex before the Bucks hit a double superkick on Fenix. Matt Jackson hit a Helluva Kick followed by a top rope brainbuster on Fenix! A shoutout to El Generico! The Bucks went for More Bang for Your Buck on Pentagon, but Pentagon kicked out! Good Lord, this match is incredible.
Matt Jackson hit Kevin Steen’s Package Piledriver, while Nick Jackson hit a springboard moonsault to the outside on Fenix. They’re pulling moves out from all their former enemies, from the Motor City Machine Guns, and Steen and Generico. Pentagon escaped the Meltzer Driver and broke Nick Jackson’s arm before hitting another variation of the Pentadriver, but Matt Jackson kicked out!
Fenix hit a superkick on Matt and a second one. Specifically, he hit them right in the shoulder and arm that Pentagon broke. Fenix called for a cutter, but Matt Jackson caught him with one arm, and on the outside Nick Jackson hit a superkick on Pentagon before hitting the Meltzer Driver on Fenix! Matt Jackson gets the pinfall while selling the arm. Good Lord, what a match.
Result: The Young Bucks
Rating: ***** (5 stars out of 5)
This was incredible from start to finish. Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson selling that they haven’t been in the ring as much, and needing to break out moves from their former opponents, before finally winning with the Meltzer Driver was a fantastic story. Matt Jackson’s selling of his back and arm was excellent. These two are two of the best tag teams of all time.
Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho – The Winner will Face Hangman Page to Crown the First AEW World Heavyweight Championship
Chris Jericho’s entrance featured every version of himself first before his music hit, and the darker, evil Chris Jericho made his entrance. Kenny Omega debuted a new entrance theme, and it is quite fantastic. Omega and Jericho got absolutely massive pops for their entrances. Jericho removed the Cracker Barrel from the ring, as the ring crew was struggling, to a pop from the crowd.
Omega and Jericho locked up right away, and Jericho dropped Omega with a shoulder block. Omega hit a series of chops that drove Jericho backwards. Omega sent Jericho to the turnbuckle, and Omega missed the V-Trigger and nailed the turnbuckle. Jericho hit a series of strikes before hitting the ropes. Omega went for a hurricanrana, but Jericho caught him and went for the Walls of Jericho. Omega crawled to the outside and Jericho hit a baseball slide dropkick.
Jericho then rang the bell, declaring himself the winner, but both men began to exchanging chops on the outside of the ring. Omega slammed Jericho onto the time keeper’s table, and both men continued to brawl on the floor. Omega went for a moonsault off the barricade, and Jericho shoved him into the front row. Jericho grabbed a camera, and as he was looking, Omega spit water into Jericho’s face. Omega rolled it back into the ring and hit a series of hard chops.
Omega hit the You Can’t Escape, but Jericho kicked out. Jericho drove Omega face first into the turnbuckle and started to work over Omega in the corner. Omega and Jericho exchanged a series of hard chops, and Omega went for a corner run, but Jericho kicked him in the face and hit a corner drop kick, looking like he was 20 years younger. Jericho continued to work over Omega with punches and chops, but Omega fires back with his own. Omega hit the ropes and Jericho nailed him with a clothesline that sent Omega to the mat.
Jericho flipped off a fan in the in the crowd, and have Omega a change to recover. Omega is bleeding from the nose. Jericho got hit with a hurricanrana, and Omega went for the Rise of the Terminator. Jericho pulled out a table, and Omega dropkicked the table into Jericho then hit the dive anyway, driving the table into Jericho’s left arm. That’s the arm that Jericho was going to use the Judas Effect with. Omega then hit a double stomp from the top rope onto the table that Jericho was under. Wow.
Omega setup the table on the outside than hit the Kotaro Krusher on Jericho, but Jericho kicked out. Omega hit a V-Trigger in the corner, driving Jericho in the middle turnbuckle. Omega put Jericho on the top rope and went for a snap dragon suplex off the top rope! Jericho fought out, but Omega fought back and went for a super back suplex off the top rope. Jericho was left in a crumpled heap on the mat, but still managed to kick out.
Jericho went for the lionsault, but Omega got the knees up. Omega hit a V-Trigger and went for the One Winged Angel, but Jericho got out and dropped Omega with a German Suplex followed with two lionsaults. Omega kicked out. Jericho went for the Code Breaker, but Omega hit a V-Trigger and went for the Jay Driller, but Jericho backdropped Omega over the top rope through a table!
Jericho and Omega are just killing each other in this one. Omega is selling his ribs and a potential broken nose, as Jericho and Omega started to exchange strikes again. Jericho hit his springboard dropkick after raking the eyes of Omega, and Omega landed on his head on the apron. Jericho hit it with precision and hit him exactly in the face. Jericho went for a superplex, but Omega fought it off and sent Jericho to the mat. Omega went for a flying cross body, but Jericho countered and caught him with the Code Breaker! Omega kicked out!
Omega somehow hit a snap dragon suplex, but Jericho was the first one up. Omega hit a second one, and struggled to his feat. Omega went for a third, but Jericho fought out. Omega went for it again, but Jericho rolled through and went for the Walls of Jericho. Kenny spun out, and hit the Jay Driller, but Jericho kicked out! Omega went for the V-Trigger, but Jericho caught the knee and locked on the Walls of Jericho!
Omega tried to drag himself to the ropes, but Jericho leaned back into the Liontamer! Omega rolled out and kicked Jericho in the face. Omega hit a V-Trigger, and Jericho was down! Omega went for the One Winged Angel, but Jericho turned out and hit a DDT. It was slightly botched, but Omega ended up covering Jericho. Jericho kicked out. Jericho hit an enziguri and a knee to Kenny as he was downed. Jericho went for another lionsault, but Omega caught him and went for the One Winged Angel again. Jericho spun out again, and hit another DDT! Jericho hit the Code Breaker, and Kenny Omega stumbled to his feet. Jericho spun and hit the Judas Effect, and Omega crumpled to the mat unconscious! Jericho gets the pinfall and beats Omega!
Chris Jericho will face Hangman Page to determine the very first AEW World Heavyweight Champion in the future. What a match.
Result: Chris Jericho
Rating: ***** (5 stars out of 5)
This was an incredible match that saw both these men go to war. It was different from every single match on the card, and felt like a fight between two men who hated each other. This was excellent.
https://twitter.com/tde_wrestling/status/1132493327474057217
Jericho cut a promo after the match saying he’s the reason for this company. It wasn’t for the fans. AEW is Jericho.
He then demanded that everyone thank him, as they showered him in boos. Jericho said this was his time. As Jericho was cutting his promo, Jon Moxley ran in through the crowd, like his old Shield entrance, and he hit Jericho with a double arm DDT! Moxley did the same to the referee! Moxley looked at Omega and waved to him went for a double arm DDT on him! Omega pushed him through the ropes and they both landed on the broken table. Omega and Moxley brawled into the crowd and up to the stage. They climbed onto the poker chip on the stage and Moxley hit a double arm DDT on top of the poker chip on Omega!
Moxley picked him up again, and hit a slam onto the stage, which broke! Omega is left in a heap! Jericho is down, and Jon Moxley stands tall!
Final Thoughts
Show Rating ***** (5 stars out of 5)
AEW, in its debut show, went above and beyond. New stars were made, stories are being established, and AEW has built in a lot of good will. With all the excellent matches, and all the talent being showcased to their strengths, a lot of new stars were made. From Britt Baker to Adam Page, to MJF, a lot of guys were highlighted well. We have some major stories going forward, and you can bet that AEW has big plans for Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega.
This was excellent from top to bottom, and a much watch show. Jim Ross’s commentary with Excalibur and Alex Marvez was excellent, and the production of the show, while have a few minor hiccups, was nearly flawless. The bloodly brawl between Dustin and Cody was all I ever wanted in that match, and everything else stood out as different. Every single match was different from the previous one, giving each match a chance to shine. This was a phenomenal show, and as a long time wrestling fan, I couldn’t be happier. Angles were advanced and stars were made. I can’t wait until their next show.