AEW Grand Slam Sees Unplanned Title Change

There was a surprise for the fans and the stars of AEW themselves in New York City.

AEW Dynamite Grand Slam saw four huge title matches take place as the company invaded the Arthur Ashe Stadium once again. The night got off to a hot start for the crowd as Eddie Kingston finally overcame his arch-nemesis Claudio Castagnoli to win the ROH World Championship for the first time in his career.

It was not such a good night for Toni Storm as the golden age star from the Gold Coast failed to defeat Saraya to become the first-ever three-time AEW Women’s Champion. Saraya had more than a little help from Ruby Soho confirming that Storm’s time with The Outcasts is now over.

The night’s main event saw MJF hang on to his AEW World Title against Samoa Joe with more than a little help from Adam Cole and some wrist tape but it was the International Championship match between Jon Moxley and Rey Fenix earlier in the night that really got people talking.

AEW title changed on the fly

Towards the end of the bout, Rey Fenix hit Moxley with his seated inverted piledriver and Moxley’s head appeared to crash into the mat. Fenix made the cover and Moxley clearly didn’t kick out but the referee stopped his count at two indicating something may have gone wrong.

Fenix then hit the move again and covered Moxley with the referee this time counting three and awarding the match and the AEW International Championship to Rey Fenix. The announcers noted afterward that Moxley had left the ring under his own power following the scary spot.

PWInsider reported that the finish to the bout was changed as Moxley was due to retain the gold but he was the one who called for the new finish on the spot. Moxley’s Blackpool Combat Club partners and AEW boss Tony Khan were said to have immediately checked on him when he returned to the back.

Jon Moxley only won the title at All Out where he ended the successful reign of Orange Cassidy.