AEW Stars Mark Japanese Return With Big Title Win

It was a big night for AEW at Wrestle Dynasty.

On January 5th, The Young Bucks returned to the Tokyo Dome for the first time since 2019 in search of championship gold. At Wrestle Dynasty, a cross-promotional event featuring talent from NJPW, AEW, Stardom, ROH, and CMLL, the Jackson brothers challenged for the IWGP Tag Team Championship.

The title had been declared vacant back in December after Henare was taken off the road after suffering an injury, leaving Great-O-Khan without a partner.

At Wrestle Dynasty the vacant title was up for grabs in a three-way match between The Bucks, United Empire, and Los Ingobernables de Japon. When all was said and done, it was The Young Bucks who emerged victorious after hitting Great-O-Khan with a Meltzer Driver. Matt and Nick have now held the gold on two occasions, with their first win coming in 2018.

Wrestle Dream Was A Big Night For AEW

At the event, Kenny Omega defeated Gabe Kidd in a brutal bout as he returned to the ring for the first time in over a year. Omega had been forced into a hiatus in December 2023 after being diagnosed with diverticulitis, leaving his career hanging in the balance.

As both Kidd and Omega were helped backstage after the match, NJPW President and guest commentator Hiroshi Tanahashi was shown in tears at ringside.

Earlier in the night, Mercedes Mone beat Mina Shirakawa with the Mone Maker to claim yet another title. The star now holds the TBS Championship, NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, and RevPro’s Undisputed British Women’s Championship.