By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Revolution
Los Angeles, California at Crypto.com Arena
Aired live March 9, 2025 on pay-per-view
AEW Revolution pre-show results: Hologram and Komander defeated Blake Christian and Lee Johnson in 9:55, Daniel Garcia, Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly defeated Shane Taylor, Carlie Bravo, Shawn Dean, and Lee Moriarty in 9:10, Chris Jericho vs. Gravity for the ROH Championship was called off due to a pre-match attack by Jericho, and Big Boom AJ, Orange Cassidy, and Mark Briscoe defeated Mason Madden, Mansoor, and Johnny TV in 12:55…
Pyro shot off on the stage and then Excalibur, Taz, and Tony Schiavone checked in on commentary. Ring announcer Justin Roberts handled the entrances for the opening match. Hangman Page’s old entrance theme played, but MJF came out instead. Actor Ken Jeong was shown giving MJF a thumbs down in the crowd. Page came out to his newer entrance theme…
1. MJF vs. Hangman Page. A “Cowboy Shit” chant broke out once Page was in the ring. Referee Bryce Remsburg called for the bell and then MJF and Page charged out of their corners and threw punches in the middle of the ring. MJF powerbombed Page onto his knee before getting an early near fall. MJF made a big production out of running the ropes and then drove his groin to the face of a seated Page.
MJF, who had a small cut on his forehead, yelled that it’s his company. MJF told Page to get him what he’s got. Page hit him. MJF called him a little bitch. Page roughed up MJF with punches until MJF hit him with a headbutt and then dropped him with an eye poke. Page came back with a fallaway slam. Page battled back and set up for a Buckshot Lariat, but MJF ran to avoid it. MJF caught Page with a kick in the corner and then put him down with a DDT for a near fall.
MJF set up for a piledriver, but Page countered into a Deadeye for a near fall of his own. A short time later, Page escaped MJF’s Heat Seeker Piledriver and then hit him with a Buckshot Lariat. Page had the pin, but MJF put his foot over the bottom rope at the last second. Page set up for another Buckshot Lariat, but MJF stumped and then tumbled through the ropes to the floor to avoid the move.
Page got MJF back inside the ring and went for a Buckshot Lariat, but MJF countered into the Salt of the Earth armbar. MJF countered into a different variation of an armbar. Page tried to reach the ropes, but MJF hooked his arm. Page reached the bottom rope with his foot to break the hold. Both men ended up at ringside. MJF took Schiavone’s headset, put it on, and barked about being the f—ing man in AEW.
Page caught MJF with an elbow and then hit him with a moonsault off the barricade. Page had MJF in position for a tombstone piledriver, but MJF reversed it and then performed a running tombstone piledriver onto a chair that was set up next to the broadcast table. MJF returned to the ring and the referee counted while a trainer tended to Page, who shot up and beat the count at the last moment.
MJF responded with a tearful look and then yelled, “Why not me?” MJF set up for the Heat Seeker piledriver, but Page held MJF on his shoulders while he climbed through the ropes and then hit the Deadeye. Page hit the Angels Wings on MJF. Page hit another Buckshot Lariat and scored the clean pin…
Hangman Page beat MJF in 19:10.
Powell’s POV: A really good opening match with a clean finish. It feels like Page has regained the type of momentum he had going into his AEW World Championship win in 2021. It will be interesting to see what’s next for both wrestlers.
A video package set up the TBS Championship match and then entrances for the match took place…
2. Mercedes Mone vs. Momo Watanabe for the TBS Title. Nigel McGuinness replaced Taz on commentary. Mone hit Watanabe with double knees. Mone and Watanabe fought for position on the apron and eventually Mone won the battle and powerbombed Watanabe to the floor. Billie Starkz was shown watching the match from a suite.
A short time later, Mone performed two of the Three Amigos to boos. Watanabe blocked the third suplex and then suplexed Mone twice. Watanabe hung Mone in a tree of woe and then threw kicks at her chest until Mone fell to the mat. Watanabe hit a leaping dropkick in the corner and then covered Mone for a two count. A CEO chant broke out and then Watanabe did her own version of Mone’s dance.
Watanabe caught Mone in a submission hold. Mone rolled on top of her and had her pinned, which forced Watanabe to give up the hold. Mone regained offensive control with a Backstabber. Mone hit a meteora from the middle rope for a two count. Mone went for another, but Watanabe avoided it and then threw a series of kicks at Mone.
Watanabe went to the middle rope and then hit a meteora onto Mone on the apron. Mone rolled back inside the ring and was covered by Watanabe for a two count. Mone went for a Moneymaker, but Watanabe avoided it. Mone rolled Watanabe into a Statement Maker, but Watanabe escaped. Mone went for the Moneymaker, but Watanabe avoided that move as well. Mone put her down with a powerbomb for a near fall.
Mone went to the apron and looked to the crowd before climbing up top. Watanabe stood up and kicked Mone before joining her on the ropes. Watanabe tossed Mone off the top rope and then covered her for a two count. Watanabe let out a primal scream and then hit a wicked suplex that led to a near fall.
Watanabe held Mone’s arms and threw kicks at her. Watanabe threw a roundhouse kick at a kneeling Mone and then covered her for a two count. Watanabe went up top and dove at Mone, who ducked whatever she was going for. Mone hit a crossbody block for a two count. Mone hit the Moneymaker and then applied the Statement Maker and got the submission win.
Mercedes Mone beat Momo Watanabe in 18:30 to retain the TBS Title.
After the match, they cut back to Starkz, who was taking notes while seated in the suite…
Powell’s POV: Good work from both wrestlers. The live crowd didn’t seem to buy into the possibility of Watanabe winning the title (and why would they?), but they did get behind her more as the match went on. As much as I enjoy the work of Starkz, I hope her scouting Mone is setting up the AEW return of Athena, who has been stuck behind the HonorClub paywall for far too long.
A video package set up the No. 1 contenders match. Ricochet made his entrance wearing the Embassy robe. He also had a logo inspired by The Embassy on the big screen and on the back of the robe. A man performed a drum solo on the stage and then Swerve Strickland made his entrance with a dancing Prince Nana to Swerve’s usual entrance theme…
3. Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) vs. Ricochet to become No. 1 contender to the AEW World Championship. Nana led “Swerve’s House” chants. The crowd chanted “you f—ed up” at Ricochet after the opening bell rang. Swerve put Ricochet in a Torture Rack and then fell to his knees for a rib breaker. Ricochet faced a turnbuckle while Swerve hit the back of his head several times. Swerve went to the middle rope and hit Ricochet with an elbow before standing up and dancing.
Ricochet, who had his right hamstring wrapped, pulled Ricochet into the corner to grab control. Ricochet jawed at Nana. Swerve came back and then Ricochet slapped him. Swerve responded by clotheslining Ricochet over the top rope and then joined him at ringside and worked him over. Nana tried to pull Swerve back, but Swerve spun around and shoved Nana to the mat. Swerve held up his arms to indicate that he didn’t realize it was Nana. Ricochet took advantage of the distraction by jumping from the barricade and catching Swerve with a kick.
Nana headed up the ramp and went backstage. Swerve looked surprised while Ricochet waved goodbye. Ricochet caught Swerve with a running cutter. Ricochet taunted someone in the front row. McGuinness wondered if it was Nana’s mother, but it was actually comedian Leslie Jones of Saturday Night Live fame, and she was seated next to Lakers legend Michael Cooper. Jones wiped sweat for her face before yelling Swerve. McGuinness claimed he saw Jones blowing a kiss to Ricochet earlier. Funny.
A short time later, Swerve powerbombed Ricochet and then powered him and powerslammed him to the mat in a cool spot that led to a near fall. Both men ended up on the apron. Ricochet hit a Poison Rana that spiked Swerve’s head on the apron before both men fell to ringside. Ricochet brought Swerve to the broadcast table where both men traded blows. Swerve hooked Ricochet’s arms and gave him a Cop Killah on the table. Swerve rolled Ricochet back inside the ring and then went up top and hit a Swerve Stomp for a near fall. Ricochet came back and hit a 630 senton for a near fall. Ricochet acted shocked.
Prince Nana returned and grabbed the Embassy robe. Swerve rolled up a distracted Ricochet for a two count. Nana put the robe on. Ricochet hit Nana with a suicide dive and then took the robe off of him and put it on himself. Swerve dove at Ricochet, who caught him and slammed to the mat. Ken Jeong barked at Ricochet, who brought Swerve back inside the ring. Ricochet, who was still wearing the robe, hit Vertigo for a near fall. Ricochet set up for a move, but Nana grabbed his robe. Swerve went after Ricochet, who moved, and Swerve stopped just short of crashing into Nana. Ricochet took out Nana moments later. Swerve hit a pair of House Calls for a pair of near falls. Swerve hit Big Pressure and got the three count.
Swerve Strickland defeated Ricochet in 18:10 to become No. 1 contender to the AEW World Championship.
Leslie Jones was shown celebrating Swerve’s win. Comedian Brad Williams was shown dancing to Swerve’s entrance theme. Ricochet left the ring. Swerve grabbed the robe and then dropped down to one knee and presented it to Nana, who then hugged him…
Powell’s POV: The best match of the night thus far. It was pretty early in the card to have that many big near falls. While it worked for this match, this could adversely affect the crowd’s reaction to near falls later in the night now that they watched these two guys kick out of everything imaginable. On the bright side, Swerve is back in title contention, and Ricochet has become such a fun heel in AEW that he shouldn’t have any trouble getting his heat back. Not that she’s old enough to fit this decription, but Leslie Jones getting so worked up reminded me of the elderly women who used to work themselves into a frenzy while at ringside during in the territory days.
A video package set up the AEW Continental Championship match and then entrances took place…
4. Kazuchika Okada vs. Brody King for the AEW Continental Championship. It was noted that King is from the Los Angeles area. King had Okada seated on a chair next to the barricade when he hit him with a running crossbody block several minutes into the match. King brought Okada back to the ring and hit him with a senton that led to a near fall that the fans didn’t react to. Okada and King traded blows in the middle of the ring. King held the ropes while Okada crashed and burned on a dropkick attempt. King blasted Okada with a lariat.
Okada came right back with a neckbreaker on his knee and then went up top and hit an elbow drop. Okada played to the crowd and then flipped off the camera. Okada had a lot of redness on his right bicep. King hoisted up Okada and drove him into a corner of the ring. King followed up with a cannonball and then covered Okada for a two count. Later, King set up for another cannonball, but Okada caught him with a dropkick. Okada followed up with a Rainmaker and scored the pin…
Kazuchika Okada defeated Brody King in 10:55 to retain the AEW Continental Championship.
Powell’s POV: The match was fine and I like that it didn’t overstay its welcome. I’m not in “I told you so” mode due to the crowd not reacting to most of King’s near falls. This might be attributable to the fans not believing King was going to win more than it being a case of them being burned out on near falls by the previous match.
A video package set up the AEW Tag Team Title match and then the entrances took place. The production team used a different filter and some static effects for the Outrunners’ entrance. MVP bought out his cane while coming to the ring with his team. The fans chanted “We Hurt People”…
5. Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin (w/MVP) vs. “The Outrunners” Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum for the AEW Tag Team Titles. Trainer turned actor CT Fletcher was shown in the crowd after he appeared in a pre-show video package with The Hurt Syndicate. Lio Rush and Action Andretti were also shown in the crowd. The Outrunners teamed up for a dropdown into a dropkick and then cleared Benjamin from the ring. Lashley grabbed Floyd from behind, but Magnum ran the ropes and knocked Lashley off the apron. MVP scolded his team at ringside.
Benjamin hit Magnum with multiple suplexes. Lashley tagged in and performed a running powerslam for a near fall. McGuinness said he asked Magnum if he’s named after a condom. McGuinness said Magnum asked him what a condom is. Funny. Later, Floyd did a Hulk Up routine and then had an awkward exchange with Benjamin. Floyd went to the ropes and did an Old School rope walk before jumping off and performing an arm drag. Benjamin stood up and dropped Floyd with a punch and then covered him. Magnum broke up the pin. Lashley took out Magnum. Benjamin hit Magnum with a high knee in the corner. Lashley speared Magnum and then Lashley pinned him…
Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin defeated “The Outrunners” Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum in 8:40 to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles.
Powell’s POV: This was fine for what it was. This match and the last match help change the pace as opposed to having every match go nearly or more than 20 minutes.
A brief video package touted AEW All In Texas for July 12 in Arlington, Texas at Globe Life Field…
A video package set up the AEW Women’s Championship match. Mariah May came out dressed in white and wore a bridal veil and had a bouquet of flowers. There was a table that had “Hollywood Ending” painted on its top. Toni Storm made her entrance with Luther. May ran to the stage, attacked Storm, and then spat on Luther.
6. Toni Storm (w/Luther) vs. Mariah May in a “Hollywood Ending” Falls Count Anywhere match for the AEW Women’s Championship. Jim Ross sat in on commentary in place of Schiavone. May gave Storm a piledriver on the stage. May pulled out a stun gun out of the flower bouquet. Luther tried to intervene, but May kicked him in the balls and then dropkicked him. May held the back of her head an her lower back. Storm regrouped and end up picking up May and then hitting a Sky High off the stage and through table on the floor. Apparently the match started even though they never made it to the ring, because the referee made a two count.
Storm brought May to ringside and set up for a move on the steps, but May escaped. May tried to go over the barricade, but Storm crotched her on it and then hit a Draping DDT. May battled back and hit Storm Zero on the ring steps. Storm came up bleeding from the forehead after they replayed the piledriver. Storm came back once they were inside the ring and performed a German suplex.
Storm went to ringside and pulled a champagne bucket out from underneath the ring. The camera showed that broken champagne bottle glass was inside the bucket. May had her own small bucket. Both women wrapped tape around their fists and then dipped their hands in the buckets and came up with glass covering the tape. Storm was the first to connect with a punch, which May sold by rolling to the floor. Storm poured the glass from the two buckets all over the ring. May came up bleeding from the forehead. Storm dragged her back inside the ring and then jabbed the broken neck of the bottle on her head. May hit Storm with a low blow.
May slammed Storm onto the glass multiple times and covered her for a two count. Ross said it was a moment in time that we’ll never forget. He said it was a Hollywood Ending to a horror movie. Storm hit Storm Zero on a chair for a near fall. May left the ring and crawled to the stage. Storm caught up to her and kicked her before picking up the AEW Women’s Championship belt and whipping May with it. Storm picked up the white heel that May attacked her with to start the feud. May hoisted up Storm and hit Mayday for a near fall on the stage. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Storm blocked May from hitting her with the high heel. Storm got the heel and battered May with it. Storm hit Storm Zero through the Hollywood Ending table and then pinned her on the stage.
Toni Storm defeated Mariah May in 12:55 in a “Hollywood Ending” Falls Count Anywhere match to retain the AEW Women’s Championship
After the match, the director of Queen of the Ring and a few of the actresses from the movie were shown applauding. Storm came to on the stage while lying on top of May. Storm looked at May, who was out, and then embraced her while remaining on top of her…
Powell’s POV: A gory conclusion to the best women’s feud in AEW history. The live crowd loved it. As much as I have enjoyed the feud, I am anxious to see what comes next for both wrestlers.
An AEW Dynasty video aired for the pay-per-view that will be held on Sunday, April 6 in Philadelphia…
A video package set up the AEW International Championship match and then entrances took place…
7. Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis) vs. Kenny Omega for the AEW International Championship. Taz replaced Jim Ross, and Callis also joined the broadcast team for the match. Callis claimed Omega took liberties with Takeshita when he was a young wrestler and Takeshita never forgot it and will return the favor during this match.
Takeshita distracted the referee while Omega was at ringside a few minutes into the match. Callis stood up and threw punches at Omega and then sold hand pain when he sat back down on commentary. Schiavone said Callis is a horrible person. Callis said he’s been called worse things by better people.
Takeshita targeted Omega’s abdomen and hit him with a knee to the gut before covering him for a two count. Takeshita set up a table at ringside in front of the broadcast table. Takeshita returned to the apron and set up for a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Omega hooked the ropes to stop him. Omega fought free, threw a big chop, and then slammed the back of Takeshita’s head on the apron. A “Kenny” chant broke out.
Omega performed a rolling senton and then played to the crowd before climbing onto a table. Takeshita got up and shoved Omega, whose chest collided with the barricade. Omega beat the ref’s count and was drilled with a Takeshita strike that led to a two count. Takeshita hit a brainbuster for a near fall.
A short time later, Omega hit a second rope moonsault for a near fall. Taz said the move hurt Omega as much it hurt Takeshita. Omega sent Takeshita to ringside with a huracanrana. Omega did the terminator mat slap and then ran the ropes, but Callis got up from the broadcast table and grabbed his leg from ringside. Referee Paul Turner was looking at Takeshita for reasons that only a pro wrestling referee could understand. Takeshita clotheslined Omega, causing both men to tumble over the top rope to the floor.
Takeshita set up for a move in front of the table on the floor. Omega blocked it and then tipped the table upside down, which drew boos from the live crowd. Taz said fans love when wrestlers go through tables, but wrestlers want to win matches. Good call. Omega set up for a move, but Takeshita stuffed it. Takeshita picked up Omega and dropped him on the upside down table. Takeshita turned the table on its side and then dropped Omega’s abdomen over the side of it.
Later, Omega hit a snap dragon suplex. Omega set up for another, but Takeshita blocked it and hit him with a shot to the gut. Omega came right back with a high knee strike. Omega powerbombed Takeshita and then drilled him with a V-Trigger before covering Takeshita for a near fall that the live crowd responded to. Takeshita rallied with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall of his own. Takeshita waited for Omega to get up and then drilled him with a running kick in the corner.
Takeshita placed Omega on the top turnbuckle and then punched him to knock him down to the floor. Takeshita went up top while Omega got back to the apron. Omega hit Takeshita and then jumped up and hit a springboard powerbomb for a near fall. Omega hit a V-Trigger knee strike. Omega picked up Takeshita for his finisher, but Omega acted like he couldn’t pull it off due to his abdominal injury. Omega tried again, but Takeshita slipped behind him. Eventually, Takeshita hit Omega with a tombstone piledriver and then picked him up and performed a leaping piledriver for another near fall.
Takeshita blasted Omega with a knee strike and covered him for two. Takeshita followed up with another knee strike and went for the pin, but Omega kicked out at one, which got the pop of the match from the live crowd. Another “Kenny” chant broke out. Takeshita threw punches at Omega’s head and then one to his gut. Takeshita set up for Raging Fire, but Omega slipped away and hit a ripcord knee strike and then followed up with a piledriver for a near fall. A “fight forever” chant broke out.
Omega threw a kick at Takeshita. The fans called for another and then Omega obliged. Omega got Takeshita on his knees and said something to him before going for a knee strike that Takeshita stuffed. Takeshita hit Omega with a pair of big elbow strikes. Omega right back with a knee strike and then hit a Poison Rana. Callis removed his headset and stood up at ringside. Omega blasted Takeshita with a V-Trigger. Callis grabbed the hand of Takeshita right in front of the referee. Omega kicked Callis’s hand. Omega went for his finisher, but Takeshita slipped away. Takeshita set up for his finisher, but Omega avoided it. Omega rolled Takeshita into a pin for a two count, then rolled him over again into another pin and got the three count.
Kenny Omega defeated Konosuke Takeshita in 28:30 to win the AEW International Championship.
A disappointed Takeshita made his exit with Callis. Once they were backstage, some pyro shot off on the stage for the title change. Omega sat on the apron and looked at the title belt and then hugged it before heading to the stage. Omega held up the title while also selling his abdomen before heading to the back…
Powell’s POV: The match of the night thus far. My concern about the live crowd becoming numb to near falls was invalid, at least when it came to this match. Omega going over seemed like the obvious play once he spoke about how he had to win the match or he would have to concede that he was no longer the Omega of old and could no longer challenge for major titles. Omega feels more over today than he did at any point in AEW prior to his injury.
Excalibur hyped AEW Double Or Nothing tickets and then the cage started to be lowered…
A video package set up the steel cage match. Kyle Fletcher made his entrance with Don Callis. Fletcher climbed the side of the cage and then stood on top of it with his arms open. Fletcher sat on top of the cage and watched the trippy video sequence the big screen that set up Will Ospreay entering to his usual theme while some pyro shot off. Ospreay also climbed up the cage and stood on top of it while looking at Fletcher, who was standing on the opposite corner…
8. Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis) in a steel cage match. Don Callis sat in on commentary again. Referee Paul Turner had both men drop down from the top of the cage and then called for the bell once they were both standing on the mat. Ospreay and Fletcher went right after one another to start the match. Fletcher knocked Ospreay down and then looked to the booing crowd. Excalibur noted that the match could only end by pinfall or submission.
Ospreay went for a handspring into the ropes and fell to the mat and held his foot. Fletcher kicked Ospreay and then looked at the crowd again for heat. Ospreay got back on his feet and seemed okay. Ospreay battled back with chops, but Fletcher caught him with a knee strike. Ospreay responded with a cutter. Ospreay went for an OsCutter, but Fletcher stuffed it and then launched Ospreay face first into the side of the cage.
Ospreay came up bleeding from the forehead. Fletcher held Ospreay’s bloody head up by the hair and then looked into one of the cameras and smiled. Fletcher walked over to the side of the cage and licked the area where Ospreay had bled. A “you suck f—” chant broke out. Fletcher mounted Ospreay in a corner of the ring and threw punches at his bloody head. Fletcher ran Ospreay into the opposite corner and went for a cover, but Ospreay rolled over at one.
Fletcher sent Ospreay into a corner of the ring. Ospreay, who had a crimson mask, ran up the ropes and then jumped off and hit Fletcher with a flying forearm. Ospreay ran Fletcher into the cage wall a few times and then backdropped him. Ospreay hit a standing sky twister press for a near fall. Ospreay fired chops at Fletcher until he knocked him down.
Ospreay stood up Fletcher behind the ropes and fired more chops at his chest until Fletcher fell down. Fletcher rolled back inside the ring. Ospreay charged Fletcher, who caught him with a boot to the face and then hit a snap half-and-half suplex. The blood literally dripped from Ospreay’s forehead. Ospreay came back and catapulted Fletcher into the side of the cage.
A short time later, Fletcher stood behind Ospreay on the ropes. Ospreay slammed Fletcher’s head into the cage a few times. Fletcher, who was bleeding from the forehead, fell to the mat. Ospreay hit a sky twister press for a near fall. Ospreay set up for a double underhook, but Fletcher powered him up and crotched on in the middle of the top rope. Fletcher hit Ospreay with a running kick and then hit a Last Ride style powerbomb for a near fall.
Fletcher grabbed Ospreay by the hair and threw kicks at him. Ospreay stood up and hit Fletcher with an elbow strike and returned the favor with kicks to the head. Ospreay wiped his bloody boot with his hand and then licked his hand. Moments later, Ospreay spiked Fletcher with a DDT for a near fall. Fletcher came right back with a brainbuster and then draped his arm over Ospreay, which led to a near fall.
Mark Davis walked out carrying a bag that he placed on the ring steps. Fletcher pulled out a pair of bolt cutters and then cut the padlock off the cage door. Fletcher brought the back inside the cage, but Ospreay knocked him down and then booted the open cage door at Fletcher. Ospreay pulled a barbwire baseball bat out of the bag that Davis brought out. Ospreay hit Fletcher with bat shots to the gut and back. Ospreay raked the barbwire on Fletcher’s head.
Ospreay stood in a corner of the ring and yelled “Bang Bang” while holding the barbwire bat. A “Foley” chant broke out. Fletcher held up the United Empire hand symbol in an attempt to win over Ospreay, who flipped him off in response. Ospreay wound up with the bat and then Fletcher hit him with a nut shot. Fletcher used an armband to wipe blood off his face and then shoved it in Fletcher’s mouth. Fletcher got the bat and swung at Ospreay, who ducked it and then hit the Hidden Blade.
Ospreay hit a Storm Breaker and had the pin, but Mark Davis ran in and broke it up. Davis put Ospreay in a sleeper hold. Fletcher and Davis picked up Ospreay and set up for their old finisher, but Ospreay slipped out and hit Fletcher with a cutter. Ospreay took out Davis and kicked him out of the cage and then the ringside referee closed the door. Ospreay hit an OsCutter for a near fall.
Fletcher climbed to the top of the cage and was caught by Ospreay. Fletcher grabbed a screwdriver from the top of the cage and stabbed Ospreay’s head with it. Fletcher licked the screwdriver and then dropped down and hit Ospreay with shots to the abdomen and the back with the screw driver. Fletcher tried to stab Ospreay, who moved, and then Fletcher stabbed the screwdriver into a turnbuckle pad in the corner. Moments later, Fletcher hit a brainbuster on top of a chair and covered Ospreay for a near fall.
Fletcher dumped a bag of thumbtacks all over the ring. Fletcher set up for a suplex, but Ospreay countered into a huracanrana. Ospreay hit a Styles Clash on top of the tacks and then rolled over Fletcher and got a near fall. Ospreay grabbed the screwdriver. Fletcher tried to escape over the top of the cage. Ospreay followed and then both men ended up seated on top of the cage. Fletcher blocked a screwdriver shot, but Ospreay stabbed his forehead with the screwdriver on the second try.
Ospreay hit a Spanish Fly from the top of the cage, which drew “holy shit” chants. Ospreay removed his elbow pad. A kneeling Fletcher yelled that he hated Ospreay and called him a son of a bitch. Ospreay drilled him with a Hidden Blade and then followed up with a Tiger Driver and scored the pin.
Will Ospreay defeated Kyle Fletcher in a cage match in 29:00.
Ospreay had a hard time putting weight on one of his feet as he exited the cage and went down the steps. Ospreay got the stage and played to the fans and then held his left hip while heading to the back. Trainers tended to Fletcher in the ring.
Powell’s POV: I hope Ospreay is just selling. He landed on his hip during that insane Spanish Fly from the top of the cage. This was an insane cage match that left me with mixed feelings. Both wrestlers worked their asses off and it was a hell of a brawl. But I hated Davis breaking into the cage and the company can’t seem to keep straight whether he is a willing participant or being forced to do things against his will. WTF is left for Jon Moxley and Adam Copeland to do in the main event? Will every top heel need to get their heat back coming out of this show?
Tony Schiavone spoke with Queen of the Ring director Ash Avildsen and actresses Demaris Lewis and Kelli Berglund, who were in the front row. Avildsen said he wanted to give the actresses a chance to talk about pro wrestling. Lewis actually said that one thing she learned about pro wrestling is that “Y’all know you’re going to win before everybody else does, so thank you for teaching me that.” Wow. Berglund encouraged viewers to go see the movie in theaters…
A video package set up the main event. Adam Copeland made his entrance and the fans sang the lyrics to his entrance theme after it stopped playing. Australia just cried gimmick infringement. Jon Moxley made his entrance through the crowd and carried the briefcase with him while Taz said we can only assume it contains the AEW World Championship. Schiavone pointed out that Moxley was walking out alone, which hasn’t been the case since he won the championship…
9. Jon Moxley vs. Adam Copeland for the AEW World Championship. Justin Roberts delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Excalibur, Taz, Tony Schiavone, and Jim Ross called the main event. The referee was Bryce Remsburg. Ross said to expect anything in this environment (except it’s all been done already). Moxley flipped off Copeland, who hit him. Both men traded elbows while the crowd was clearly coming down from the previous match.
Copeland clotheslined Moxley over the top rope and then dropkicked him through the ropes. Copeland went up top and dove onto Moxley at ringside. Back in the ring, Moxley went for a piledriver, but Copeland blocked it and then backdropped him over the top rope to the floor. Copeland jumped from the apron and clotheslined him. Moxley came back by pulling Copeland’s arm into the ring post. Moxley jawed at the broadcast table. Taz said Moxley told Ross that he saw the beginning of Copeland’s career and now he would see the end of it. Moxley slammed the back of Copeland’s head into the barricade several times.
Moxley gave Copeland a neckbreaker on the apron and then pulled him back inside the ring. The crowd was still quiet. Moxley covered Copeland for a near fall that no one reacted to. Moxley waited for Copeland to get up and then charged him. Copeland sidestepped Moxley and rolled him up for a two count. Moxley got up and put Copeland down with a cutter. Moxley went to the ropes and played to the crowd for some heat. “The Opps” Samoa Joe, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata were shown watching the match in a luxury suite.
Copeland came back with an Impaler. He superplexed Moxley a short time later and got a golf clap style polite round of applause. Copeland put Moxley in a grindhouse submission hold. Moxley reached the ropes to break the hold. Once Moxley stood up on the apron, Copeland ran the ropes and speared him through the ropes to the floor. Copeland tried to whip Moxley into the ring steps, but Moxley reversed it.
Moxely looked into a camera and said he was going to break it now and added that Copeland would go home in a wheelchair. Moxley pulled the mats back to expose the concrete floor. Moxley went for a piledriver, but Copeland countered into a backdrop. Moxley came right back with a knee strike and a Stomp on the concrete. Back inside the ring, Moxley put Copeland in a Bulldog Choke. Copeland started to fade. A few people chanted his name. Copeland punched the mat and then reached for the bottom rope and eventually got it to break the hold.
Moxley and the referee argued. The referee asked him what he was going to do. Moxley pie-faced the referee, who continued to bark at him. Moxley went to ringside and brought back a chair. The referee took it away and continued to jaw at Moxley. Copeland rolled up Moxley, who kicked him into the referee, who tumbled to ringside. REF BUMP!!! Copeland took the world’s worst bump for a Paradigm Shift. Moxley set up for a Conchairto, but Copeland kicked a chair at Moxley.
Wheeler Yuta walked to the ring from the stage entrance. Once in the ring, Yuta stood in the corner and looked at Moxley. Yuta hit Copeland with a Busaiku Knee. Yuta looked down at Copeland and shook his head. Excalibur said Yuta has Stockholm Syndrome. Yuta gave Moxley his briefcase.
Jay White ran out to help Copeland. White got the briefcase and swung it at Moxley, who ducked, causing White to take out Copeland with the briefcase. Yuta and White brawled to the back. Moxley covered Copeland as the referee returned and made a slow count that resulted in a near fall. Moxley argued with the referee again and then turned around and took a spear from Copeland, which led to a near fall.
Copeland went to the corner and then speared Moxley again. Copeland got up and went to the corner again. Copeland waited for Moxley to stand up and then speared him again. Copeland covered Moxley and had him pinned, but a hooded Christian Cage pulled the referee out of the ring. Christian hit Copeland with his contract holder. Christian signed the contract and the match was announced as a three-way. Christian speared Copeland and only got a near fall. Christian hit Copeland with the Killswitch and covered him, but Moxley returned and put Christian in a Bulldog Choke. Christian put a hand on Copeland and the referee counted, but Moxley pulled Christian away at two. Moxley continued to choke out Christian until the referee called for the bell.
Jon Moxley defeated Christian Cage and Adam Copeland in a Triple Threat in 26:35 to retain the AEW World Championship.
After the match, Moxley grabbed the briefcase and scurried out of the ring. Moxley exited through the crowd and flipped off the fans when he got to his exit area. Prince Nana showed up. Security guards arrived. Swerve Strickland jumped from the balcony onto Moxley and the security guards. The crowd came to life and chanted “Swerve’s House.” Swerve looked into a camera and said it’s his house…
Powell’s POV: I feel bad for Moxley and Copeland. It was not a main event that I looked forward to, but the only thing this crowd hadn’t seen by the time the main event arrived was a beheading. But make no mistake about it, that main event was just plain bad and didn’t come close to measuring up to the rest of the show. It didn’t help that the match was held at the end of another marathon pay-per-view for those who watched the pre-show. By the way, why did the referee show more balls than most of the AEW babyfaces when it came to standing up to Moxley?
Overall, Revolution had some tremendous matches and some excellent work from various wrestlers. I just wish the AEW pay-per-views were less of a free for all and there was more thought put into structuring the card in a way that builds to the main event. It felt like we were watching a came of “Can you top this?” and the answer was clearly no when it came to Moxley and Copeland. Jake Barnett and I will team up for a same night audio review of Revolution for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let us know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
While there is no doubt the Outrunners are over,…..how on earth did the tag team division get so bad? If this is a competitive match, The Hurt Syndicate dont look good.
What a pile of nonsense. Every 6 months I give this promotion another try. As a lifelong wrestling fan I just want to like it. So I watch for a month.
Like every other time I’m done for 6 months again. Nothing that happened on this show was anything other than overbooked nonsense.
Time to fold this promotion already. The experiment has failed.
MJF’s swearing comes off as desperate. It’s not edgy, it’s juvie.
Glad AEW continues its streak of wrestlers tasting each other’s bodily fluids during Fletcher Ospreay. This company never learns! It’s not edgy, it’s gross.
Speaking of never learning, another PPV, another injury from a top of the cage stunt. If Ospreay broke his hip, he just grinded himself into a two-year hiatus. Not worth it!
After Big E, Chris Bey and others, I had hoped promotions would have cooled it on wrestlers being stretchered out for storylines, but that didn’t happen. For Moxley to openly say he’s going to put Cope in a wheelchair just adds to the whole trying to be edgy cringe AEW revels in.
May and Storm had a story that justified a brutal finale. Did the other matches? And not every story needs to be about brutality.
Overall, AEW is just desperate, gross, edgelord nonsense. With a roster that talented, it doesn’t have to be.
Agreed! Imagine taking your wife, or any other casual fan to that show. Being there forever with the same things happening ae nauseum, let alone that level of gore, would ensure they never attend another event.
Thw tweaks arent that difficult. MJF/Page, Swerve/Ricochet, et al shouldve kept it entirely in the ring. Mariah/Storm, Ospreay/Fletcher shouldve happened on separate ppv’s.Cut out at least the tag title and Okada/King, neither were ppv quality on paper, esp when there’s 25 other endless matches scheduled. Put those type of matches on Dyn, in place of 8 man tags. I dont watch it, but have 1 short match on the pre-show. No one loses with these changes, even the sickos would be better off.
It’s one thing with the aew referees who have to pretend they are blind, but when Christian hits Cope right in front of the referee,before he signed the contract,moxley should have been disqualified right then. My 12 year old nephew said ” how can you hit someone with a clipboard right in front of the ref in a regular match? I didn’t have a good answer