AEW needed to catch a lot of balls they had in the air throughout most of the build to the event and catch them they did. The problem was, they tossed some new ones in to juggle as well.
The PPV will be remembered for the wonderfully violent Texas Death Match between Swerve Strickland and Adam Page and a nonsensical silly storyline pivot that an injured Adam Cole set and ready to defend the injured MJF’s world championship for him against Jay White.
Yeah, it was that kind of night at the office for AEW.
Here are my Brass Ring Ratings for the show and here’s how they work … I call it like I see it and am always happy to discuss.
Sting, Adam Copeland, & Darby Allin vs. Christian Cage, Nick Wayne, & Luchasaurus
A good opener. The matching face paint for Sting, Copeland, and Allin was fun and the match itself delivered, while not giving away too much of Copeland vs. Cage. The standing ovation for Sting at the end was a nice touch as well.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOO
Jon Moxley vs. Orange Cassidy - AEW International Championship
The match was fine, but not necessary. The story in this wasn’t much different from the match at All Out outside of Cassidy winning. He got the W, but isn’t a new position like last time they wrestled. Not bad, but nothing you have to go out of your way to see either.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOO
Hikaru Shida vs. Toni Storm - AEW Women’s World Championship
The best part of this match was when it ended. It wasn’t good, but Toni Storm winning very much helped but a Band-Aid on the bout itself. Shida was to be protected in the end after Storm illegally used a metal plate to help her win, but the plate not only showed itself, but showed itself inches away from the referee’s eyes as the three count was made. Sometimes it just doesn’t go the way you want out there and this was one of those times.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OO
Ricky Starks & Big Bill vs. FTR vs. LFI vs. House Of Black - AEW World Tag Team Championship Ladder Match
A car crash match, but a good one. Commentary gave a reason for the violence and that was enough for me. This doesn’t fix the problems with the tag division in AEW, but on this night and on this show, it worked.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOO
Kris Statlander vs. Julia Hart vs. Skye Blue - TBS Championship
I didn’t have high expectations for this, but they cleared the bar with room to spare. All three women worked hard and Hart winning was the right move to capitalize on her newfound momentum.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OO 3/4
Swerve Strickland vs. Adam Page - Texas Death Match
A phenomenal, must-see match. Yes, it was violent. Gory. The violence fit the story, though, which made it all work. The staple spot very much set the right tone for the match in that it was a pain spot that created blood that isn’t over done in AEW. From there, the two guys just kept upping the ante and the drama increased with it. Swerve and Page are both in strong positions coming out of this and that was the idea.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOOOO
Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho vs. The Young Bucks
A good match that had an uphill climb thanks to the match before it. These four were able to keep the attention of the audience better than I expected, which speaks volumes for the match itself. Whiny Young Bucks are the best Young Bucks. They were great out there and the Omega and Jericho duo played their game well.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOO
MJF vs. Jay White - AEW World Championship
First things first, ok? Adam Cole inserted in MJF’s spot in this match was beyond silly and pointless. Nobody bought it, but worse than that, it really made no sense given that Cole was injured just like MJF was. I get that they wanted the comeback moment for MJF, but they could have had it without trying to convince everyone that he wouldn’t actually wrestle.
As for the match itself? Excellent. MJF was the focus and why wouldn’t he be? They are trying to crown a babyface face of the company with him and to do that, you need strong performances like this one from him that allows for the audience to will him to victory. Jay White will be fine. This match told the AEW fans that MJF is the most important star in the company and that’s ok.