Reviews

The John Report: AEW All In Texas 2025 Review

By John Canton • Published Jul 12, 2025 17:58 EDT
AEW All In Texas Review 2025 tjrwrestling

It’s AEW All In Texas featuring Jon Moxley defending the AEW World Title again “Hangman” Adam Page, and more huge matches.

AEW In Texas is the third year that AEW has done an All In stadium show. The first two All In shows were held in England, but this time, they are in Texas for the company’s biggest show in the US. It’s a 2 p.m. CT start time locally, which means 3 p.m. ET for me. I enjoy afternoon shows, and it’s beneficial for fans overseas as well.

I am watching on Amazon Prime Video. I used to go with Triller, but that’s no longer an option for us in Canada. Prime Video is the best choice, and it’s also cheaper than YouTube.

During the pre-show, AEW President Tony Khan announced a change to the TNT Title match. Adam Cole is not medically cleared to compete due to an injury, so the TNT Title is vacated. There will now be a four-way match for the TNT Title between Kyle Fletcher, Daniel Garcia, Sammy Guevara, and Dustin Rhodes.

I’ll post the results of the three pre-show matches here. I don’t watch the pre-show because AEW shows are so long.

* Sons of Texas (Dustin Rhodes, Marshall Von Erich, Ross Von Erich, and Sammy Guevara) (with Kevin Von Erich) defeated Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Lee Moriarty, Carlie Bravo, and Capt. Shawn Dean) (with Anthony Ogogo and Trish Adora).

* “Big Boom!” A.J. and The Conglomeration (Kyle O’Reilly, Hologram, and Tomohiro Ishii) (with Big Justice and The Rizzler) defeated Don Callis Family (Hechicero, Lance Archer, Rocky Romero, and Trent Beretta).

* FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) (with Stokely) defeated The Outrunners (Truth Magnum and Turbo Floyd). I saw the finish of that one with Dax putting his feet on the ropes while Cash & Stokely held his legs there for leverage. The inept referee didn’t see it.

As a reminder, I have reviewed every AEW PPV in company history. Let’s get to it.

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AEW All In Texas
July 12, 2025
From Globe Life Field in Arlington (Dallas), Texas

There was a video package that aired to set up all of the big matches on the show. It was very good. Most of their PPVs don’t have a video package, so it’s nice to see that. I think all PPVs could use a video package like that.

They are in the home of the MLB’s Texas Rangers with a roof on it and the building looks great. They have a big stage set up as well, which also looks impressive. They have over 25,000 fans in attendance. Well done by AEW.

The commentary team was Excalibur, Nigel McGuinness and Tony Schiavone. They usually rotate announcers during PPV shows.

AEW Trios Tag Team Championships: The Opps – Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Death Riders – Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & Gabe Kidd

Joe worked over Yuta early on. Joe hit a jumping enziguri kick to the head. Hobbs tagged in and hit a suplex on Yuta. Shibata worked over Yuta with forearms to the back. The Opps took turns chopping Yuta. Shibata hit a running kick on Kidd to knock him off the apron, so Yuta hit a dropkick. Claudio worked over Shibata with uppercuts, but Shibata came back with a boot and a running dropkick. Shibata hit a suplex. Joe hit an elbow drop on Claudio for a two count. Joe argued with Kidd, so Claudio knocked Joe down and Claudio sent Joe out of the ring. The heel side isolated Joe on the heel side of the ring. Joe chopped Claudio, but Claudio managed to overpower Joe to keep him grounded. Joe broke free with a kick on Claudio, so Hobbs got the tag. Hobbs cleaned house with multiple clotheslines. Hobbs hit a spinebuster on Claudio for two because Yuta broke up the pin. Hobbs clotheslined Kidd over the top to the floor. Claudio hit an uppercut on Hobbs for a two count. Claudio had Hobbs on his shoulders, Yuta jumped off the top and Hobbs hit a powerslam for a two count. That was a great move with Claudio breaking up the pin. The Opps trio took turns hitting strikes on Yuta, which ended with Shibata kicking Yuta to knock him down. Claudio gave Hobbs a swing into the barricade. Yuta hit a German Suplex on Shibata. Kidd hit a suplex, Shibata no sold it, Kidd hit a forearm to the jaw and Kidd hit a brainbuster. Kidd headbutted Shibata, so Shibata nailed him with a hard palm strike to the head.

Joe and Kidd got into a slugfest, which led to Joe hitting a powerslam for two because Kidd’s partners made the save. Yuta tagged in, so Claudio wanted an assisted splash, but Hobbs splashed Claudio against the turnbuckle. Shibata hit a running kick on Yuta on the top rope. Joe gave Yuta a Muscle Buster in the middle of the ring for the pinfall win after about 14 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Opps – Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata

Analysis: *** It was a good match that featured a lot of action, but not as much illegal offense as some AEW tag team matches have. A lot of pin attempts and breakups in a match with six guys. I’m not a huge fan of the trios tag team matches. Claudio is great, Kidd is fun to watch as a crazy heel and Yuta is there to take the pin, which is what happened here. The fans were into most of the match, and they popped big for Joe’s Muscle Buster at the end.

After the match, Claudio and Kidd attacked the champions. Kidd hit a piledriver and Claudio hit a Neutralizer. Yuta used a steel chair to hit Hobbs repeatedly. Excalibur mentioned this could be their way of taking out The Opps to stop them from helping Adam Page against Jon Moxley. Claudio stomped on a chair that was wrapped around Joe’s head.

The medical team went into the ring to check on Joe. They put Joe on a stretcher. The announcers used SERIOUS VOICES~! to talk about Joe’s worked injury.

Analysis: Good job by Excalibur telling the audience why the Death Riders attacked The Opps to prevent them from helping Adam Page against Jon Moxley later in the show.

A video aired promoting the Men’s Casino Gauntlet Match, while also highlighting Mark Briscoe and MJF as the first two participants in the match. They won matches to earn those spots.

Men’s Casino Gauntlet Match

The winner of the Men’s Casino Gauntlet Match will earn a shot at the AEW World Title. Mark Briscoe is #1 and Maxwell Jacob Friedman is #2 in the match. We don’t know how many guys will be in the match or how long the match will last. It will go until there’s a pinfall or submission in the match.

MJF got a rollup for two, a backslide for two and an inside cradle for two. MVP joined commentary. Mark punched MJF a few times and MJF came back with an arm drag into the turnbuckle. MJF hit a body slam, followed by MJF doing a hip thrust to the face. Mark was back up quickly and hit MJF with some chops. Mark hit MJF with forearms and a clothesline. The third guy was ready about two minutes into the match.

The bald guy Ricochet was the 3rd man in the match. MJF clotheslined Mark in the back to knock him down. The fans chanted “Bald” at Ricochet. MJF shook hands with Ricochet, so MJF and Ricochet stomped on Mark. Ricochet kicked Mark in the head to knock him down. MJF and Ricochet posed for the fans, so the fans booed.

The #4 entrant was Bandido, who is the ROH World Champion. MJF shook Ricochet’s hand and did a thumb to the eye, while MJF left the ring. Bandido did a press slam to Ricochet. MJF went into the ring and got a rollup on Bandido for two. Mark was back in to clothesline MJF out of the ring. Mark sent Ricochet over the top to the floor. Mark hit a running kick to knock Ricochet down on the floor. Mark hit a Cactus Jack elbow off the apron to the floor and a Blockbuster on MJF on the floor. Ricochet tackled Bandido out of the ring and they got into a brawl.

It’s Konosuke Takeshita at #5. Takeshita hit a jumping clothesline as soon as he got into the ring. Ricochet kicked Takeshita a few times and Takeshita hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Bandido faced of against Takeshita as the announcer mentioned their ROH World Title match one night earlier. I don’t think many people watch ROH, but I’m sure it was a great match like the announcers said. Bandido hit a boot to the face and a Reverse Rana on Takeshita. MJF caught Bandido and gave him a Powerbomb onto the knee for a two count. MJF wanted to take Bandido’s mask off.

There is Mistico at #6 and MJF stood in place because that’s his rival. The reaction to Mistico wasn’t that loud, but they played a lot of his song while he was still in the ring. The other wrestlers were chilling on the floor as Mistico hit a handspring back elbow to knock MJF down. Mistico did an armdrag takedown to send Takeshita out of the ring. Mistico sent Bandido out of the ring as well. Mistico went up top, then had to reposition himself, got back up top and Mistico hit a cross body block onto four guys on the floor. Mistico applied his La Mistica armbar on MJF’s left arm and Mark saved MJF, which led to Mark applying an armbar of his own. Takeshita broke that up.

My fellow Canadian Josh Alexander was #7 in the match as an ally of Takeshita since they are in the Don Callis Family. Josh went into the ring and hit multiple German Suplexes, while high-fiving Takeshita. Bandido kicked Josh to the apron. Josh gave Bandido a front slam on the apron and a cross body block that sent Bandido to the floor. Takeshita hit a suicide dive flip through the ropes onto a bunch of dudes on the floor.

The 5-tool player Anthony Bowens is #8 in the match and it’s about 15 minutes into the match at this point. Bowens hit a jumping DDT on Josh. Bowens hit a backbreaker on Takeshita and a leg drop to the head on MJF. Bowens kicked Ricochet and hit a spinning reverse slam. Mark and Bowens exchanged punches. Bowens punched and hit a superkick to knock Mark down. Takeshita and Josh went into the ring, so they each hit German Suplexes on Bowens. Ricochet hit a spinning kick on Josh. Ricochet hit a jumping kick on Takeshita. Josh tossed Ricochet off his shoulders and Takeshita hit a jumping knee to knock Ricochet down for a two count.

It’s Roderick Strong at #9 representing the Paragon group. Strong hit a jumping knee on MJF and hit a few backbreakers. Strong hit an Angle Slam for a two count. Strong chopped Josh a few times. Josh picked up Strong, Takeshita kicked Strong and Takeshita hit a sitout Powerbomb for a two count. The fans were quiet until the clock ticked down for the next entrant.

There’s Brody King at #10 and he got a pop from the crowd. King hit a double clothesline on Josh and Takeshita. King hit chops on Josh and Takeshita. Bandido was back in the ring after being on the floor for several minutes and hit a double dropkick on the heels. King hit a running splash, Bandido hit a jumping kick and King hit another running splash. King hit a sidewalk slam on Ricochet. MJF rolled up King for two. King choked MJF, so MJF did an eye rake to stop that. King hit a running splash and King hit cannonball splashes on Ricochet, Takeshita, Josh and MJF. Bandido hit a superkick on Ricochet, so King hit a body slam on Ricochet. Bandido went up top and hit a Frog Splash on Ricochet. There were double clotheslines on opposite side of the ring. Ricochet was alone in the ring.

Welcome back “Rock Hard” Juice Robinson at #11 and the fans cheered for him. Juice has been out since late last year. Juice was clean shaven and looking ready to go. Juice punched Ricochet, followed by a slap to the head. Juice hit a running clothesline. Juice hit a spinning slam for a two count. Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona got involved to help Ricochet. Toa hit a shoulder tackle on Juice while Kaun pulled Ricochet out of the ring at the right time. Ricochet hit a Shooting Star Press on Juice for a two count. MJF said that this was brilliant. The Gunns duo of Colten and Austin Gunn showed up to fight with Toa and Kaun. The Gunns went into the ring and hit the 310 to Yuma on Ricochet to help their pal Juice. Juice got a rollup on Ricochet for two because MJF broke up the pin. The Gunns and Gates of Agony went fighting to the back.

There’s Kota Ibushi in the #12 spot and it’s over 25 minutes into the match at this point. Kota went after Ricochet and MJF with kicks, along with others going into the ring. Nearly everybody in the match went into the ring so that Kota could kick them. King blocked a kick, but Kota came back with a jumping kick. Kota worked over Bowens with kicks to knock him down. Kota hit a moonsault for two.

The #13 competitor was The Beast Mortos. Mortos suplexed Josh into Mark against the turnbuckle. Mortos gave Ricochet a backbreaker. Mortos and King exchanged strikes, which led to Mortos hitting a Spear. Mortos slammed Bowens into the double knees. Mortos clotheslined Takeshita. Strong tried to hug Mortos, but Mortos hit him with a headbutt. Mistico jumped up and kicked Mortos. Mistico hit a top rope hurricanrana for a two count. Ricochet went after Mistico and got a two count. Bandido went back in and hit Ricochet with a knee to the face. Takeshita went into the ring for a double German Suplex spot with Bandido on Ricochet. Strong hit a knee to Takeshita and a Tiger Driver for two because Josh broke it up. Josh picked Strong up and hit a Rack Bomb, but Mark broke up the pin with a Froggy Bow. Bowens hit a DDT. King hit a sitout slam. Juice hit a belly-to-back slam on King. Mortos hit a popup Samoan Drop on Juice. Kota worked over Mortos with strikes, including a lariat. Kota hit a knee to Mortos’ face. Strong hit a jumping knee on Kota and End of Heartache got a two count because MJF broke up the pin. The fans were quiet, other than when MJF taunted them. MJF hit an Alabama Slam into a pin attempt on Strong for a two count. Strong ran the ropes and hit a Sick Kick. Strong was the only guy in the ring while the other 12 guys were on the floor. That’s a lot of floor sleeping.

Here comes “Platinum” Max Caster at #14 and he reminded us that he’s the Best Wrestler Alive. Heels lie. Caster tried to get the fans to do his chant “Let’s Go Max, You’re The Best Wrestler Alive” and he saw his former partner Bowens on the floor. Strong hit a knee to knock Caster off the apron. Mark and Strong battled in the ring as Strong hit double knees and Mark hit a clothesline. Mark hit a Jay Driller on Strong, but MJF went into the ring and tossed Mark out of the ring to the floor. MJF covered Strong for the pinfall win after 36 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Analysis: ***1/2 A long match that was good most of the way, but it also felt like the crowd was tired during the match. MJF got the crafty heel win There weren’t many surprises other than Juice Robinson making his return in the match. I picked Darby Allin to win this, but there was no sign of him and no Chris Jericho either. The problem with this match is that when they had so many guys in the ring, there were more than 10 guys sitting on the floor waiting for spots. I don’t like matches like that where so many guys are waiting on the floor for so long. I don’t think a match like this needs to go for 30+ minutes, but we know AEW loves long matches and they want to get more people in the match. It just felt it dragged on a bit too much.

After the match, MJF was presented with the contract that he has earned for a future AEW World Title match. MVP celebrated with MJF. MJF spoke into the camera saying next up is the AEW World Title.

Stokely was backstage to announce that FTR are done with The Outrunners. Stokely said they would be guest commentators for the AEW Tag Team Title match. Stokely said that FTR hopes that everybody has a good time.

The TNT Championship match was next so there was a video package about it. Adam Cole was the TNT Champion, but he has some injury and he vacated the title. Kyle Fletcher is the number one contender, Daniel Garcia is a former TNT Champion, Sammy Guevera is a former three-time TNT Champion and Dustin Rhodes holds two ROH Titles right now, but he’s never held a singles title in AEW.

Let’s Hear from Adam Cole

Adam Cole made his entrance with the TNT Title. They never said why Cole isn’t medically cleared, but he was walking fine on his way to the ring. Cole has had lengthy absences in his career, including a broken ankle that cost him nearly a year and a serious concussion issue as well. The fans did the “Adam Cole, baby” chant during his song.

Adam Cole said it’s really hard to put this into words. Cole said that he let everybody down and he can’t defend the title tonight. Cole said he has some health issues that mean that he will be out for a while. Cole said that he can’t think about retiring, but he wanted to talk to the fans because you are the best fans in the world. Cole was crying in the ring. Cole said since he’s been 9 years old, he has dreamed of being a pro wrestler and you have supported him in multiple promotions all over the world. Cole said with his highest moments and his lowest moments, you have been so supportive and he will love you forever. Cole said thank you so much. Cole said this is the best PPV ever tonight and we’ll have a new TNT Champion. Cole said that nobody does PPVs like AEW does. Cole thanked the fans for making AEW what it is, for making AEW so special and thank you for changing Cole’s life because he’ll love you always. Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly went into the ring to hug Cole. Adam did his “Adam Cole, baby” shout with the fans. Cole left with his buddies Kyle and Roddy up the ramp. Cole did the “Boom” taunt at the top of the ramp.

Analysis: That was sad. I don’t know what’s wrong with Adam Cole as I write this, but I could feel the emotion in his voice. It sounds like something serious that could be the end of his career, which would be very sad if that’s what it is because Cole is such a talented guy and a guy who truly loves pro wrestling. I have enjoyed watching Adam Cole so much and covering his matches for so many years in multiple promotions. Best wishes to Adam Cole with whatever is going on with him. Pro wrestlers don’t have it easy and we need to respect them for putting their bodies on the line to entertain us. It’s not an easy career and they go through a lot just to entertain us. Best wishes to you, Adam Cole, and thank you for entertaining us.

The entrances took place for the vacant TNT Title match.

For The Vacant TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher vs. Daniel Garcia vs. Dustin Rhodes vs. Sammy Guevara

The first fall wins. Anything goes in a four-way match. Dustin and Sammy are ROH Tag Team Champions together. “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard joined commentary to support his pal Garcia.

Sammy and Garcia hit a double dropkick on Kyle early on in the match. Sammy and Garcia exchanged dance moves while Menard mentioned they were in the Jericho Appreciation Society together. Kyle ran the ropes and hit a double clothesline. Dustin worked over Kyle with punches, until Kyle came back with a boot to the face. Kyle hit elbow drops onto Dustin’s left knee. The crowd was dead quiet perhaps because of the sadness of Adam Cole’s speech before it. Kyle splashed Dustin’s left knee. Garcia worked over Sammy with forearms on the apron, but Sammy came back with a Spanish Fly off the apron to the floor. Kyle hit a Michinoku Driver on Dustin for two. Kyle applied a Figure Four Leglock on Dustin and Garcia did a Figure Four Leglock on Sammy at the same time. Tony mentioned that Dustin has been wrestling for over 36 years, which is older than each of the other three guys in the match. Kyle and Garcia slapped eachother in the face repeatedly while they were in inverted Figure Four Leglocks. Kyle hit a superkick on Sammy, but then Sammy sent Kyle over the top to the floor. Sammy hit a springboard moonsault onto Kyle on the floor. Sammy went up top, Garcia chopped him and Garcia hit a superplex off the top. Garcia hit another superplex. Sammy hit a third superplex and he included Kyle in that one for a two count. The fans barely reacted to it. Garcia worked over Kyle and Sammy with punches. As I said earlier, the fans remain dead quiet in this match.

Dustin got back into with powerslams and yelled, “Come on” to wake up the crowd. Dustin hit a (Texas) Destroyer on Kyle and a Cross Rhodes for a two count. The fans didn’t even react to the nearfall. Dustin set up Kyle for the corner Shattered Dreams kick or whatever it’s called now. Garcia stopped Kyle, so Garcia delivered the Unnatural Kick that is just kicking the turnbuckle. Sammy did the Unnatural Kick to Kyle as well. The director needs to film it from the other angle and not show the guy literally kicking the bottom of the turnbuckle. Dustin hit the Unnatural Kick on Kyle too. The fans woke up a bit for that. Sammy accidentally superkicked Dustin because Garcia got out of the way. Sammy hit the GTH knee to the face of Garcia for a two count because Dustin broke up the pin. The announcers mentioned it’s every man for himself and Dustin told Sammy this is his only shot. Garcia rolled up Sammy for two. Sammy hit the Three Amigos suplexes to no reaction. Sammy did the Frog Splash off the top, but Garcia blocked it with his knees. Sammy applied the Dragon Tamer submission, but Kyle broke up the pin. Kyle was back up with a Powerbomb for Garcia on the apron. Kyle slammed Sammy on the apron. Kyle hit a running kick on Dustin. Kyle hit another running kick on Dustin. Sammy was up top and he hit a Cutter on Kyle. Garcia hit a piledriver on Sammy. Dustin got a rollup on Garcia for a two count. Garcia applied the Dragontamer submission on Dustin, but Dustin got out of it. Dustin cradled Garcia and got the one…two…and three! It went 16 minutes. Sammy nearly broke up the pin, but he got in the ring after the three count.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW TNT Champion: Dustin Rhodes

Analysis: **3/4 It was a match where the wrestlers put in a lot of effort, but the fans just didn’t care about the match. It was just an average match. I don’t know if it’s because of the lack of a story or because of the sadness of Adam Cole’s announcement right before the match. There’s no other way for me to say it other than the crowd didn’t give a damn about this match. It’s not the fault of the wrestlers. If this were a story that was built up and Dustin won, then I think the fans would be hot for it, but they didn’t have that option for this match due to the Cole injury. Anyway, I am happy for Dustin winning his first singles title in AEW. I thought Fletcher would win the title from Cole, and I assume Fletcher will beat Dustin for it, but giving Dustin a short reign is fine.

After the match, Dustin Rhodes was emotional as he was presented with the TNT Title. Dustin celebrated with his nephews and some of the Von Erichs boys. Tony Schiavone tried to put this over as a huge moment. Sammy Guevara shook his pal Dustin’s hand and they hugged.

Analysis: The celebration was cool and the fans came alive a bit more for it. Dustin is respected by the fans, so they know what this moment means for him.

A video package aired for the Young Bucks match against Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay. The crowd should be loud for this one.

There was an Assassin’s Creed inspired entrance for Will Ospreay. I don’t play video games, so I have nothing to add about the Assassin’s Creed video game, but it was a cool entrance. The crowd was on fire for Will’s entrance and there was a lot of pyro for him too.

Taz replaced Nigel McGuinness on commentary, so it was Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Taz on commentary.

Swerve Strickland had a special entrance as Jojo Offerman (who was engaged to WWE’s Bray Wyatt) sang a song before he appeared. She sang a song about how nobody loves her better. That led right into Swerve’s entrance with Prince Nana. Jojo was gone when Swerve made his entrance.

The Young Bucks had a ridiculous entrance about being the Founding Fathers of AEW. It was like they were on a boat sailing down to the ring. It was ridiculous and over the top for heels like them. It was a very long entrance.

Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) vs. The Young Bucks – Matthew & Nicholas Jackson

If Ospreay and Strickland lose, they cannot challenge for the AEW World Championship for one year. If The Young Bucks lose, they will be stripped of their Executive Vice President titles.

I missed the first ten minutes or so of this match. My apologies, but sometimes a man needs a break. That Young Bucks entrance took so long that I figured I could use a break. When I got back, Will and Swerve each teased Powerbombs and then they each hit Styles Clashes at the same time, for a two count. Good spot. Will held Matt on his shoulders and Swerve hit a double foot stomp on Matt for a two count. Nick made the save. The fans were into this match with “Fight Forever” chants. Nick pulled Swerve out of the ring and Nick sent Swerve into the steel steps. Prince Nana got in Nick’s face, so Nick superkicked him. Nana is a former wrestler and he took a good bump. Nick kicked Will for a two count while using the ropes. Matt hit a low blow kick on Will that the inept referee Rick Knox didn’t see. The Bucks hit the TK Driver on Swerve on the floor. Nick hit his own version of a Hidden Blade on Will. The Bucks hit their More Bang For Your Buck splash combo ending with a Matt moonsault for two on Will. The announcers are not sure how Will kicked out even though it’s not the Bucks finisher. Will tried to hit a move on The Bucks, but they countered and The Bucks hit the EVP Trigger double knee for two because Swerve made the save. Great nearfall.

Will got a nearfall on Nick. Will charged with a Hidden Blade, Nick ducked it and Will hit Swerve with the elbow. Nick hit a Reverse Rana on Will. The Bucks hit the EVP Trigger double knee on Will for two because Will got his right shoulder up. The Bucks hit a TK Driver on Will for a two count. Will is kicking out of everything while Excalibur remarked that he doesn’t think anybody has kicked out of that move. The Bucks set up Will against the ropes and both Bucks delivered superkicks to Will’s face. The referee was doing nothing to stop the Bucks from both being in the ring even though it’s technically illegal. That’s AEW, though. Swerve got in front of Will, so the Bucks hit four superkicks to Swerve’s head. Swerve fired up, the Bucks hit another double superkick and the Bucks went for an EVP Trigger, but Swerve caught the knees. Will hit a Hidden Blade on Nick. Will and Swerve hit a Swerve Stomp/Tombstone combo on Matt for a two count because Matt got his left shoulder up. Will hit a Hidden Blade on Matt for two because Nick broke it up. Swerve hit a Swerve Stomp on Nick on the floor. Matt was alone in the ring, so Swerve and Will hit a Hidden Blade/House Call kick combo on Matt. Swerve covered Matt for the pinfall win after about 26 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland

Analysis: ****1/4 I thought it was an excellent match with the result that I expected with The Young Bucks losing. As I write this, I am noting that I missed the first half of the match, but I doubt I missed anything that was major. As the match progressed, they kicked out of everything, especially Will and Swerve. I liked the finishing spot with the Hidden Blade/House Call kick combo. I’m not a fan of all the double team moves that happened in the last few minutes, but it’s a Young Bucks match and that’s what they do with illegal offense throughout the match.

The win by Strickland & Ospreay means that The Young Bucks are no longer Executive Vice Presidents in AEW. That’s just a storyline obviously, but it means they can no longer abuse their power. Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay celebrated the win.

The Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match was next, so there was a video package to set that up.

Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match

The winner of the match earns a contract for a shot at the AEW Women’s World Title. It’s Kris Statlander at #1 and Megan Bayne (w/Penelope Ford) at #2 in this match. Kris was in control early on as she took it to Bayne and they battled on the floor. After Kris sent Bayne into the ring, Bayne hit a suicide dive onto Kris on the floor. Kris kicked Bayne in the head and Fate’s Descent (F5) on Bayne.

The crowd cheered as Willow Nightingale entered at #3 in the match. Willow and Kris are former friends, so they slugged it out. Willow hit a body slam. Willow hit a low cross body on Kris on the mat. Willow hit a spinebuster. Bayne was back in to clothesline Willow. Kris and Bayne gave Willow a double Chokeslam.

There’s Tay Melo at #4 with Anna Jay joining her. Tay hit a bulldog on Kris and a pump kick on Bayne. Tay hit a pump kick on Kris too. Tay countered a Fate’s Descent attempt by Bayne and Tay applied an armbar. Ford went into the ring even though she’s not in the match, so Ford kicked Tay a few times. Ford went for a double team move, but Harley Cameron showed up with a face mask and Harley stopped Ford from doing a move. The women who weren’t in the match were fighting on the floor. Harley and Jay chased Ford to the back. Thanks for showing up, ladies.

The toxic spider Thekla was #5 in the match while the director showed her full entrance and didn’t show the women in the ring. Thekla hit two running boots to Willow’s head. Thekla went up top and hit a cross body block on two women on the floor. Thekla said “F**k you” on the dive, so Taz cleaned it by saying “For you” for it. Tay hit a Tay-KO on Thekla. Willow hit a Pounce on Tay to clear the ring. Willow hit a Powerbomb on Tekla for two because Kris broke up the pin. Kris held Willow on her shoulders and Bayne hit the Doomsday Device clothesline to knock Willow down.

There’s Julia Hart as #6 with Skye Blue running down to the ring with her. Hart went up top and hit a moonsault onto Kris and Bayne, who had to wait there for ten seconds for the spot. Hart did a rope walk followed by the lightest punch to the back. Blue hit a running kick on Bayne. Tay went into the ring and hit a piledriver on Hart for two because Thekla broke up the pin. Thekla did her spider walking.

The #7 entrant was Queen Aminata as Tony tried to put over her rivalry with Thekla. Queen and Thekla exchanged headbutts. Queen hit Thekla with a forearm, followed by a snap neckbreaker. Queen hit a running kick on Thekla for two because Willow hit a senton splash to break it up. Blue was in the ring illegally again as she attacked Willow with a punch to the back and a superkick. Thekla and Hart each hit suplexes off the turnbuckle.

It’s Mina Shirakawa at #8 and the fans popped for her. Mina hit a DDT off the ropes on Hart. Kris and Bayne kicked Mina, so Mina fought back by hitting a knee drop and a DDT on both women. Blue was in illegally again as she hit Mina, but Mina came back with a spinning slam to send Blue into the mat. Mina applied a Figure Four Leglock to Ble, who tapped out, but Blue is not in the match.

There is a Texan native Athena at #9 as the ROH Women’s World Champion. That was my pick to win. Athena hit two clotheslines and Athena hit a Powerbomb on Mina. Athena hit a double slam on two opponents. Athena hit a suicide dive on Kris on the floor. Athena hit a running dropkick on Bayne on the floor. Athena got a hold of Queen in the ring and hit a piledriver for two because Willow broke up the pin.

The former Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa was #10 and she’s also from Texas. Rosa splashed Athena against the turnbuckle, followed by a pair of dropkicks. Rosa hit a suplex on Athena. Queen was back in the ring and did a headscissors. Kris hit a headscissors of her own, Willow did a headscissors and Bayne did a headscissors on Willow. I think Bayne was down for about ten minutes after Athena dropkicked her into the barricade.

The #11 entrant was Syuri from Japan. Her entrance music was annoying. Syuri hit a double knee attack on Athena’s back. Mina and Syuri faced off while Excalibur mentioned they knew eachother from Stardom. Syuri hit running kicks to Mina’s chest and back.

There’s Alex Windsor at #12 and she faced off with Syuri by hitting her with forearms. Windsor hit a draping DDT off the ropes. Windsor hit a belly-to-back suplex. Kris sent Bayne into the barricade on the floor. Syuri countered Windsor and hit a bulldog into the mat. Syuri punched Willow out of the ring. Windsor hit a Blue Thunder Bomb on Syuri. Syuri hit a German Suplex and Windsor came back with her own German Suplex. Tony claimed there were fights on the floor yet we could see the women doing nothing on the floor except for waiting to go into the ring. All the women went into the ring to break up the pin attempt, so the 12 women got into a brawl in the ring. Some of the women bailed to the floor. Hart applied the Tarantula on Mina by the ropes while Thekla did her move by the ropes. Queen used her legs to ram Kris’ face into Queen’s ass. Bayne dropkicked Queen out of the ring. Bayne suplexed Kris face-first onto the apron. Willow gave Athena a Death Valley Driver on the apron and it looked like Athena’s head hit the mat hard. The women took turns hitting strikes on the floor. Bayne went up top, so Kris grabbed her and Kris gave Bayne a Powerbomb onto the pile of women on the floor. Everybody bumped, even the ones who didn’t get touched. Rosa and Mina battled in the ring as Rosa hit a running back elbow against the turnbuckle. Mina hit a forearm to the jaw of Rosa and Rosa had to wait there for five seconds so that Mina could hit a Slingblade off the top rope. Rosa hit Mina with a forearm to the head. Mina hit a spinning elbow, then an elbow to the back and a roundhouse kick. Mina hit a spinning back fist. Athena jumped off the top with the O-Face top rope Stunner that she loves to do and she hit it on Mina. Athena covered and got the pinfall win. It went about 27 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Athena

Analysis: ***1/4 A pretty good match, but it didn’t feel great to me. I’m happy that Athena got the win because she was my pick to win and I think she’s an outstanding performer. I think it went too long like the Men’s Casino Gauntlet Match. When you do two Casino Gauntlet Matches on the same show, it gets a lot of people on the card and I get that, but it also means a lot of time where people are laying on the floor doing nothing during the match. It’s very repetitive when you see a 30+ minute match of people chilling on the floor for most of the match and then you see it with the women again. Anyway, I’m happy with Athena as the winner because she deserves a bigger spotlight in AEW even though she has been the ROH Women’s Champion.

Athena celebrated with the AEW Women’s World Title contract.

There was a video package to set up the AEW Tag Team Title match.

FTR and Stoke joined commentary for the next match. Tony Schiavone told them to go to hell due to his past issues with them.

The Hurt Syndicate made their entrance as the AEW Tag Team Champions. They were joined by rappers Westside Gunn and Smoke DZA, who perform their song. It’s a good song. Jetspeed’s “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight made their entrance. The Partriarchy’s Christian Cage and Nick Wayne were last.

AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin (w/MVP & MJF) vs. Jetspeed – Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight vs. The Patriarchy – Christian Cage & Nick Wayne (w/Mother Wayne & Kip Sabian)

There are two guys legal and the other four guys are supposed to be on the apron.

The champions Lashley and Shelton beat up their opponents early on by tossing them into the barricades repeatedly. Lashley went for a vertical suplex, but Bailey slipped out of it and kicked Lashley in the legs. Lashley tossed Cage into the ring and Nick saved his “father” by pulling him out of the ring. Bayley hit a suicide dive onto Cage and Nick on the floor. Knight and Bailey clotheslined Benjamin out of the ring. Knight and Bayley hit slingshot dives over the top onto the champions on the floor. Jetspeed kicked Lashley across the ring. Knight hit a running splash on Wayne. Dax had a good line about how Jetspeed tries to steal high flying FTR moves. Knight kicked Wayne, but there was Lashley to toss Knight over the top to the floor. Benjamin tossed Knight in the air and Knight hit the top of the steel steps with his mouth. Knight sold that well by hitting it with his hands, but the key thing is that he sold it the right way. Cage tagged in for a double team hiptoss on Knight for two. Knight hit a dropkick to break free. Bailey was back in with rapid fire kicks to the body and a kick to the chest. Bailey hit a running SSP on Wayne for two. Wayne hit a jawbreaker on Bailey, Christian tagged in and Shelton tagged himself in. Shelton knocked down Bailey with a clothesline. Shelton did an Ankle Lock on Christian and a knee strike on Sabian to knock him off the apron. Lashley was in the ring illegally and hit a massive spinebuster on Bailey. Knight went into the ring, so Lashley clotheslined Knight. Shelton gave Bailey a German Suplex over the top onto three guys on the floor. Nice spot to get a pop from the crowd.

Lashley was legal for his team against Bailey, as Lashley hit a running shoulder tackle to the ribs. Lashley hit a suplex on Bailey for two. Shelton was back in with three hard body slams in a row on Bailey. Shelton hit a back body drop on Bailey for two. Shelton tossed Bailey into the turnbuckle. The fans were quiet again. Shelton tried a knee, Bailey moved and Bayley hit a jumping kick to the head. Lashley was back in and he hit a spinning slam on Bailey for a two count because Cage broke up the pin. Cage went for a Spear, Lashley got a hold of Cage and Bailey kicked Lashley, so Cage landed on Lashley. Bailey and Cage hit a double clothesline. Wayne tagged Lashley to become legal against Knight. Cage was in the ring illegally for a few minutes at this point as Knight hit a backbreaker. Wayne got an inside cradle on Knight. Shelton tagged Wayne to become legal and Knight hit a dropkick. Bailey illegally attacked Shelton with a kick on the top turnbuckle. Knight saved Bailey by hitting a top rope hurricanrana on Shelton for two. Knight hit a top rope splash on Shelton while Bailey hit a moonsault onto Lashley on the floor. Shelton hit a release German Suplex on Knight across the ring. Shelton hit another release German Suplex on Knight. Cage tagged himself in and they sent Shelton out of the ring. Wayne hit a Cutter on Knight and a Cutter on Bailey on the apron. Cage hit a Frog Splash on Knight, MVP went on the apron to distract, the referee looked at him and when the referee counted the pin, Knight kicked out at two. Knight hit a jumping kick on Cage. Lashley pulled Bailey off the apron to the floor. Lashley tagged Knight so that Lashley became legal even though Lashley was in the wrong corner. It’s AEW. Rules don’t matter. Lashley hit multiple shoulder tackles and a neckbreaker. Lashley hit a stiff Dominator slam on Wayne. Cage hit a boot on Lashley and a reverse DDT. Shelton into the ring illegally with a spin kick. Knight with a springboard lariat on Shelton. Wayne was back up with a Dragon Suplex on Knight. The fans were quiet. Bailey had Wayne on his shoulders on the apron, so Knight dropkicked Wayne off the shoulders onto two guys on the floor, including Sabin. Knight hit a dive on Sabian and Bailey hit a springboard moonsault on the floor as well. Lashley shoved Cage onto the FTR guys at ringside. Lashley shoved Dax in the face. Lashley sent Cage into the FTR guys on the apron. Lashley hit a Spear on Christian for the pinfall win after 20 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin

Analysis: ***1/4 The match was okay with The Hurt Syndicate picking up the win to keep their titles. The crowd was quiet for a lot of this match. This is another match on this show where I felt like they went too long. It didn’t need to be 20 minutes. I think if you booked it to be about 12-15 minutes and make it more exciting then it would be a better match. There were a few moments where it looked like they might lose, but they found a way to win with Lashley finishing things off for the team. FTR got involved after Lashley sent Cage into them, so FTR can blame Cage for the loss. I thought that maybe Christian and Nick would win, but nope. The Hurt Syndicate continuing their title reign is cool with me.

After the match, FTR argued with Christian Cage, so Nick Wayne and Kip Sabian stepped up to help Christian. That’s when Nick Wayne grabbed Christian and Nick gave Christian an Unprettier! Mother Wayne was laughing about it. Sabian brought two chairs into the ring and Nick was about to do a Conchairto…but on this day! It’s Cope! Welcome back, Adam Copeland.

Cope went down to the ring and he kicked Sabian and knocked down Wayne. Cope brought Spike the bat into the ring and hit a double Spear on FTR. Cope hit a Spear on Sabian too. The heels ran away from the ring.

Cope stood tall over his best lifelong fiend Christian Cage with Spike the bat. The fans chanted, “Hug it out” for them. Cope tossed Spike the bat down. Cope told Christian: “Go find yourself.” Christian said, “Go f**k yourself” in the past, so it was Cope delivering a different message. Cope left while Cage thought about it.

Analysis: If you read my All In Texas preview then you know I mentioned this was the right time to begin the Cope-Cage reunion. Doing it all in one night would be too soon, but it’s something that can be built up in the coming months. I felt like it was the right time to plant the seeds for the Cope-Christian reunion, especially with All Out in Toronto in September. I expect to be at that show. I saw Cope and Cage 30 years ago when they started as pro wrestlers before their WWE days, so to see them at the end of their careers together again will be cool. That will be fun. Anyway, I thought this was well done.

A video aired promoting the AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door PPV on Sunday, August 24t in London, England. That’s another afternoon show for me. Love that.

The first of three “main events” was next, so a video package aired for the Toni Storm-Mercedes Mone clash for the AEW Women’s World Title.

Mercedes Mone made her entrance arriving in a convertible or a low rider or whatever it was. There were Texas Rangers cheerleaders wearing the championships that Mone has run. They played the annoying Mone “CEO” song repeatedly and for a long time because of how long the entrance is in the stadium.

Toni Storm made her entrance as the AEW Women’s World Champion. It was a black and white entrance that was like a throwback to the olden days of movies. Good stuff as usual by Toni, who has nailed this “Timeless” gimmick for a few years.

AEW Women’s World Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm (w/Luther) vs. Mercedes Mone

Storm and Mone locked up, left the ring, walked up the steel steps together and remained locked up. That was silly while showing that they are evenly matched. Storm did a her posing in the ring, which the fans like. Mone got a couple of rollups early on. Mone went for a submission, Storm got out of it and Storm spanked the ass because she likes doing comedy spots. Storm hit a dropkick that knocked Mone out of the ring. Storm did Mone’s dance to mock her, along with some booty shaking. Storm did a hip attack to knock Mone off the apron. Luther put Storm on his shoulders, so Storm tossed Mone down to the floor. Mone kicked Storm off the apron, Luther caught Storm and Mone hit the double knees on Storm to knock Luther down. Luther bumped too. Storm tackled Mone into the commentary table. Luther was taken to the back because taking a bump because a large man can’t handle move from a woman who is not even half his size. Storm was by the turnbuckle, so Mone hit a sunset flip Powerbomb. Mone hit a sunset flip into the turnbuckle. Mone gave Storm a Powerbomb from the apron to the floor. Mone mocked Storm’s posing on the mat. Mone hit the double knees to knock Storm down for a two count. Mone countered a Storm move and sent her into the ropes. Mone hit a German Suplex along with another Meteora for a two count. Storm hit a clothesline, followed by a Thesz Press and some punches. Storm hit a Sky High sitout spinebuster for a two count. Storm hit a Fisherman’s Suplex for two. Mone grounded Storm with an armbar where she held onto Storm’s left arm. Mone kept going for armbars on the mat, but Storm fought it off and turned it over. Storm managed to carry Mone over to the ropes, which led to Storm catapulting Storm into the bottom rope.

Mone remained in control with the Three Amigos suplexes and Mone was booed for it. Mone went up top to continue the Eddie Guerrero tribute with a Frog Splash attempt, but Storm got her knees up to block. Storm hit two German Suplexes in a row. That second suplex had a rough landing for Mone. Storm hit a third German Suplex. Storm hit a running hip attack and a Storm Zaro for two because Mone got her right arm up. Storm applied a Chicken Wing submission on the mat, so Mone bit Storm’s arm to break free and it worked. They each went for a Tombstone, Mone slipped out of it and applied an Ankle Lock. Storm and Mone did the ”stand and throw punches” spot. Mone hit a knee, so Storm hit a headbutt and both women were down. Mone rolled up Storm, held the arms down and got a two count. Mone got another rollup for two. Mone hit a Moneymaker slam off the back for a two count, so each woman kicked out of finishing moves. Mone had a stunned look on her face. Storm was bleeding from the nose a bit. Mone kissed Storm I think and Storm came back with a double underhook Powerbomb for two. Mone got a hold of Storm with a double wristlock on Storm’s back. Storm tackled Mone into the turnbuckle, but Mone came back with a kick into the turnbuckle. Storm flipped Mone over her back and Storm hit a Cutter out of it for a two count. Cool move. They were around the 20 minute mark at this point.

Mone applied the Statement Maker submission, but Storm got out of it for her own version of the same move. Mone got out of it, Storm caught Mone and hit the Storm Zero once, a Storm Zero again and a third Storm Zero by Storm only got a two count. Storm set up Mone against the turnbuckle and Storm charged, but Mone was back up with an inside cradle for two. Mone went for a Statement Maker submission again, but Storm got out of it. Mone applied the STF, Storm fought out of it and Mone got a rollup for two. Mone hit a Backstabber with the double knees to the back. Storm came back with a hip attack against the turnbuckle. The fans chanted “This is awesome” for the first time after about 24 minutes into the match. I don’t think they chanted it before that. Storm tripped up Mone on the top rope and Storm kissed Mone on the lips. Storm hit a Storm Zero off the middle turnbuckle for the one…two…and three! It went 25 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Toni Storm

Analysis: ****1/4 It was an outstanding match as I expected. The result wasn’t what I expected because I picked Mercedes Mone to win, but I certainly have no problem with a Toni Storm win because she’s an outstanding wrestler and she proved it again in this match. Storm hit the Storm Zero multiple times throughout the match, Mone kept kicking out of it and it took a Storm Zero off the middle turnbuckle for the win. That puts over Mone as somebody who is tough to beat since Storm had to go a little extra with the Storm Zero off the middle turnbuckle for the win. Mone hit her Moneymaker move in the match as well, so Storm kicked out of a finisher also. It wouldn’t shock me if they do a rematch soon and maybe Mone will win it when that happens.

After the match, Mercedes Mone was being checked on by Dr. Sampson in the ring. Storm left with Luther.

The video package aired for the Kenny Omega-Kazuchika Okada match. It is one of the best videos that AEW has ever done.

The legendary announcer Jim Ross joined commentary for the remainder of the night to call the final two matches. JR has battled cancer recently, and it’s good to see him doing well. JR replaced Tony Schiavone.

Kazuchika Okada made his entrance as the AEW Continental Champion, joined by Don Callis. There was an impressive pyro display for the Rainmaker.

Kenny Omega, the AEW International Champion, was given a special entrance where a singer and a choir appeared on the stage. There was an impressive pyro display for Omega while the Omega letter was lit up in flames. This entrance was a lengthy one as Omega took his time getting into the ring. Kota Ibushi was at ringside to support Omega.

Winner Takes All for the AEW Unified Championship: AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada vs. AEW International Champion Kenny Omega

This match started 4 hours, 30 minutes into the show. It’s a long show. Don Callis joined commentary to support Okada.

Okada and Omega exchanged strikes. Okada hit an eye poke. Omega hit a running boot to the head. Omega jumped over Okada and hit a bulldog. Omega missed a cross body block, so Okada hit a double axhandle to the ribs. Okada hit an elbow drop to the stomach to work over the past diverticulitis issue that Omega dealt with and cost Omega more than a year of in-ring action. Omega put Okada on his shoulders, Omega hit a rolling senton and Omega went for a moonsault, but Okada got the knees up, so Omega’s stomach was hurt again. Okada hit a flapjack, followed by a senton splash on Omega. Omega chopped Okada in the chest a few times, Okada set up Omega on the turnbuckle and Okada dropkicked Omega off the turnbuckle to the floor. Okada sent Omega back-first into the ring apron. Okada sent Omega into the barricade. Callis put the headset down and threw some weak punches to Omega’s back, which wasn’t seen by the referee since Okada distracted the referee. Okada sent Omega into the Spanish commentary table. Okada gave Omega DDT onto the commentary table. The referee Bryce Remsburg checked on Omega instead of counting them out of the ring. After a delay, the referee counted Omega down, until Kenny got back in there. Okada grounded Omega, who tried to fight out of it and Okada hit another elbow to the stomach area. Okada hit forearms to the face, Omega no sold them and Omega chopped Okada a few times. Okada hit a knee to the stomach to knock Omega down again.

Omega managed to send Okada out of the ring. Omega was selling the stomach injury again. Omega ran the ropes and hit a somersault dive over the top onto Okada on the floor. Omega pointed at Callis, who ran away. Back in the ring, Omega hit a missile dropkick for two. Callis was back on commentary. Okada shoved Omega into the turnbuckle. Okada hit a lifting slam off the shoulders almost like an Attitude Adjustment. Okada delivered a body slam. Okada went up top, but Omega was back up to stop him there. Omega hooked the leg and hit a superplex off the middle turnbuckle for a two count. Omega ran the ropes, Okada moved and Okada hit a German Suplex. Omega ducked a Rainmaker attempt and Okada sat on top for two. Omega hit a Snapdragon Suplex, but Okada was back up with a dropkick. The fans cheered the great action they were seeing. Okada dropkicked Omega into the turnbuckle. Okada gave Omega a body slam. Okada was moving slower as he went up top and hit an elbow drop. Omega hit strikes to the body to block Okada doing a move. Okada put Omega on his shoulder and Okada slammed Omega into Okada’s shoulder. Okada went up top and hit another elbow drop. Okada did his middle finger salute. Okada picked up Omega, leading to a knee to the stomach. Okada decked Omega with a lariat. Okada went for some strikes, but Omega was back up with a knee to the jaw. Omega hit a Powerbomb and a V-Trigger knee for a two count. Omega hit another V-Trigger and a lazy cover for a two count. Omega hit another V-Trigger while Okada was face first against the turnbuckle, so it was knee to the back. They stood on the top rope where Omega hit a Snapdragon Suplex off the top turnbuckle. Ouch. Okada turned on the landing and it looked like Okada landed on the side of his face. That got a two count. Omega ran the ropes and hit another V-Trigger knee smash. Omega went for One Winged Angel, but Okada slipped out of it and hit a Tombstone. Okada hit a discus lariat Rainmaker and Omega did a flip bump, which led to a two count. Omega put Okada on his shoulders, then he caught Okada and Omega hit a German Suplex for two because Okada got his right arm up.

Omega was back up, so Rocky Romero went to ringside and Kota Ibushi knocked him down on the floor. Don Callis was on the apron, Omega looked at him, knocked Callis down and Omega hit a knee to the jaw. Omega hit a One Winged Angel for 1…2…and Callis pulled referee Remsburg out of the ring. Callis stomped on Remsburg on the floor. Referee Aubrey Edwards ran down to the ring to take over. Omega hit a V-Trigger knee to Okada. Omega went for a One Winged Angel, Okada slipped out of it and Okada hit a Rainmaker lariat for a two count. Great nearfall there as both men were able to keep going after finishing moves. Omega and Okada did the “stand and throw strikes” spot that AEW wrestlers love. Okada punched Omega in the stomach. Omega hit a jumping knee and Okada hit a dropkick. Omega countered a Rainmaker and got an inside cradle for two. Okada hit a spinning powerslam. Okada hit a Rainmaker for the pinfall win after 30 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW AEW Unified Champion: Kazuchika Okada

Analysis: ****1/4 I thought it was a great match, but not at the level of their best matches. I know some people might automatically go five stars for them. I don’t think it was at that level. It’s okay if it’s not at that level because it was still a lot of fun to watch. Omega sold the stomach injury well. Okada was aggressive throughout the match. I didn’t like the spot with Don Callis attacking the referee because it’s too cheap. That spot also gives Omega an out because he had the match won if it wasn’t for Callis getting involved. I would expect a rematch between them.

Kazuchika Okada celebrated with Don Callis and the new AEW Unified Championship. While they were going up the ramp, we could see guys bringing a barbed wire table to the ringside area.

The Jon Moxley-Hangman Page match was next, so there was a video package about it. The main show was over five hours at this point. This review has passed the 10,000-word mark.

“Hangman” Adam Page got a special entrance with a singer and a guitarist on the stage. The AEW World Champion Jon Moxley made his entrance in a truck with his friends from the Death Riders group. Moxley has been the AEW World Champion for 273 days.

It was the four man commentary team of Excalibur, Taz, Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone for this match.

Texas Death Match For The AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page

The only way to win is by Knockout or Submission. There are no pinfalls in this match. There is also a referee counting them down for a 10 count, so it’s like a Last Man Standing Match.

Page and Moxley did the “stand and throw strikes” spot to start the match because it’s AEW where they love that spot. Page overpowered Moxley with punches and kicks against the turnbuckle. Moxley had a fork that he tried to attack with, but Page avoided it. Page had a fork too. Page used his legs to trap Moxley, so Page jammed the fork into Moxley’s head repeatedly, so Moxley was bleeding heavily by the head. Page got some barbed wire, Moxley managed to get it from him, and Moxley gouged the barbed wire across Page’s head, so Page was bleeding from the forehead. That means both guys were bleeding within the first five minutes. Moxley grabbed a chair and Page was bleeding more from the head, so he probably did a blade job to cause more blood to come from his head. Moxley brought a barbed wire chair into the ring. Moxley gave Page a body slam onto the barbed wire chair. Moxley worked over Page with forearms to the head repeatedly. Moxley put the barbed wire chair against the turnbuckle, Page charged, Moxley tried to send Page into the chair, but Page stopped himself. Page grabbed the chair and Moxley kicked the chair into Page’s head. The referee was counting Page down, but Page got up. Moxley and Shafir set up a table on the floor. Moxley and Page battled on the turnbuckle, so Page bit Moxley in the head. Moxley hit a Cutter to put Page down. Shafir gave Moxley a bucket of broken glass and Moxley put the broken glass in the ring. It was broken beer bottle glass. Moxley picked up the glass and gouged it into Page’s head. They stood near the glass where Moxley dragged Page across the broken glass, so the broken glass was in Page’s back. Moxley gave Page a piledriver on the broken glass. Page was back up and they exchanged strikes again. Moxley hit knees to the ribs, followed by Moxley hitting another piledriver. The referee counted Page down since this is like a Last Man Standing match, but Page was back up by the count of 8. Shafir put chairs into the ring.

Moxley opened up two chairs in the ring. Moxley teased going for a move off the middle turnbuckle, but Page got out of it. Page headbutted Moxley a few times. Page wanted a superplex, but Moxley had some barbed wire that he used to put into Page’s back. Page managed to get a hold of Moxley and Page gave Moxley a Powerbomb on the edge’s of two chairs. Ouch! Page gained possession of the barbed wire, so he hit Moxley with two elbow strikes to the face. Wheeler Yuta showed up with a chair that he used to hit Page in the back. That’s 15 minutes into the match with the start of the interference. Page picked up Moxley and hit Angel’s Wings that Christopher Daniels used to use. Page teased a Buckshot Lariat, so Shafir went on Page’s back. Page gave Shafir a Death Valley Driver through the table that was on the floor. Page hit the Deadeye onto the broken glass. Claudio Castagnoli went into the ring and he attacked Page with punches. Yuta attacked Page with punches. Will Ospreay went down to the ring with a steel chair and he hit Claudio with it. Will fought with Yuta too, but Gabe Kidd showed up and Kidd choked out Will with a Guillotine Choke. Kidd gave Will a piledriver on the floor. Claudio stomped on the steel chair that was around Ospreay’s neck. A bloody Moxley approved from inside the ring. The AEW Medical Team checked on Ospreay and got him out of there. Moxley battled Page on the ring apron near the two barbed wire tables. Moxley choked Page on the apron. Moxley gave Page a vertical suplex through the two barbed wire tables on the floor. That was a painful bump for both guys. The fans chanted “Holy shit” but I wouldn’t call it a loud chant. They put Ospreay on a stretcher with a brace around his neck. Page and Moxley were both up before the ten count.

It was over 20 minutes into the match as Page and Moxley went back to the “stand and throw strikes” spot again in the middle ring. Moxley bit Page and Moxley hit a lariat. Moxley hit a Gotch-style piledriver. Moxley applied the Bulldog Choke submission to choke out Page, who sold it like he may be out, but he never submitted. The referee issued the ten count, and Page managed to back into the ropes before the ten count. Moxley gave Page a Death Rider lifting DDT onto an open chair in the middle of the ring. Referee Paul Turner counted Page down again, but Page was back up by the ropes before the 10 count. Moxley hit Page with a clothesline. Claudio gave Yuta the plastic bag, so Yuta went into the ring to give Moxley the plastic bag. A video aired on the screen showing Darby Allin climbing Mount Everest. They showed Allin saying he was coming to take everything from Jon Moxley.

A man in a mask appeared in the ring and he was doing the “Yes” gesture. It was Bryan Danielson with the Busaiko Knee on Yuta. Bryan worked over Claudio and Kidd with kicks to the chest. Bryan hit a suicide dive onto Claudio and Kidd. Bryan worked over Claudio with kicks. Darby Allin was lowered into the ring from the top of the building. That was awesome and Darby is back for the first time since December. Moxley was looking at Allin, so Page hit a Buckshot Lariat on Moxley. Allin hit a Cofin Drop onto the Death Riders on the floor. Page hit a second Buckshot Lariat on Moxley in the ring. Darby and Bryan got rid of the Death Riders from ringside. Page jumped off the apron and gave Moxley a Deadeye slam through a table on the floor. That was rough for both guys because it’s a big bump for Page on his knees. Moxley was out on the floor while Page went back into the ring. The referee was at 9 and Marina Shafir picked up Moxley to save him before the 10 count. The Young Bucks went into the ring behind Page and the Bucks hit superkicks on Page. The Bucks hit the EVP Trigger double knees on Page.

Moxley and Shafir grabbed a bed of nails from under the ring and Moxley brought them into the ring. Moxley gave Page The Stomp onto the bed of nails. It looked like it was Page’s hand that hit the nails. Moxley gave Page the Paradigm Shift into the bed of nails and again it was Page’s hand that hit rather than any part of his head, but obviously Page was selling it like it was his head. Moxley celebrated like that was it, but Page managed to get back up before the 10 count again. The fans cheered as Page collapsed to the mat again. Shafir gave Moxley the key that was around her neck. Prince Nana was at ringside and he handcuffed Marina Shafir by the commentary table because she went for the briefcase. Swerve Strickland showed up with a massive chain and he punched both Young Bucks with the chain. Swerve tossed the chair into the ring to Page, so they have overcome their issues. Page punched Moxley with the chain. Page put the chain around Moxley’s neck and Page tried to hang Moxley with it, but Moxley fought it off. Page hit a Buckshot Lariat and Moxley landed hard onto the bed of nails! Ouch. That was rough. Page put the chain around Moxley’s neck and Page hung Moxley with the chain. Moxley was selling it like he was getting choked out and Moxley tapped his shoulder, so Moxley tapped out. Hangman Adam Page wins by submission! The match went 35 minutes. The fans popped huge when they saw Moxley tap out.

Winner by submission AND NEW AEW World Champion: “Hangman” Adam Page

Analysis: **** I thought it was a crazy that was fun and I’m going four stars out of five for it. It’s hard for me to rate it higher with all of the interference, but I did enjoy seeing Danielson, Darby and Swerve as difference makers who helped Hangman take care of Moxley’s friends. These are hard matches to rate because there was so much going on with the weapon usage, the interference and everything else. I like that it was a decisive finish with Hangman choking out Moxley so that Moxley had to tap out and it clearly makes Hangman the winner. I have a hard time rating the match higher because of all the craziness involved, but it was the result that people wanted and I expected Hangman to win too. Moxley’s reign of terror is over.

After the match, “Hangman” Adam Page used the key to open the briefcase. Hangman was emotional with tears in his eyes. Page opened the briefcase and picked up the AEW World Title. The fans popped big for it because it’s the first time we have seen it since last October when Moxley put it in a briefcase.

Hangman Page continued to celebrate with the AEW World Title. The announcers talked about how great of a moment it was. Hangman continued to celebrate while the fans cheered. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: I’m happy for Hangman. He deserves it. Displaying the AEW World Title like that was a big deal since Moxley kept it in the briefcase since last October. That was well done by Hanger to display it with pride.

AEW All In Texas had a runtime of 5 hours, 56 minutes on pay-per-view.

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Five Stars of the Show

  1. “Hangman” Adam Page
  2. Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay
  3. Toni Storm
  4. Kazuchika Okada
  5. Kenny Omega, Jon Moxley, The Young Bucks and Mercedes Mone

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Final Thoughts

It gets an 8 out of 10 from me.

This show was a good night for a lot of babyface wrestlers, as you would expect for the biggest show of the year. That’s how it should be. “Hangman” Adam Page won because he had help to neutralize Jon Moxley’s help and it was a decisive victory since Page made Moxley tap out using the chain. I like how decisive it was.

If I had to break up the show into parts, I’d say the first couple of hours were just good, then it picked up in the middle and the final three hours were excellent. The crowd was mostly good, but there were some matches where they were dead too, which is inevitable when you’re sitting there for more than six hours.

It was one of the longest pro wrestling shows I’ve ever watched and written about in my life. This review was over 12,000 words. That’s not necessarily a good thing, but I did enjoy a lot of it, which his why I rated it highly. I don’t think All In Texas needed to be a six-hour show (eight hours if you count the pre-show), but Tony Khan always feels like he needs to get a lot of people on the card, and that leads to too many matches that go on for way too long. The positive of the six hours is that All In Texas started at 3 p.m. my time, so at least I was done by 9 p.m., and it didn’t go past midnight.

There wasn’t one match that stood out to me as the best of the night. Several of them were close, yet none of them were really match of the year contenders as far as AEW matches go. I’d rate the Page/Ospreay match from Double or Nothing as the best AEW match of the year, and I think that was better than anything here.

I think both Casino Gauntlet Matches were good, but not great. The only reason they run so long is so that more talent can be in the match. When you have 10+ people in the match and the majority of the match is two people in the ring while the others wait on the floor, it’s just not that interesting to watch. I don’t care who the wrestlers. The format is flawed when there is so much sitting around doing nothing.

The people who love AEW and see no faults in anything that they do would probably rate this higher than me and that’s okay. There are also haters who don’t like AEW that would think I am way too nice with my ratings. I’m not biased for or against AEW. I’m glad they exist, I’m happy for their success and I enjoyed the show. With that said, I probably would have liked it more if it was closer to 4 or 4.5 hours instead of running for six hours.

Here are my AEW PPV reviews of 2025 so far:

Revolution – March 9 (8.75 out of 10)

Double Or Nothing – May 25 (8.5)

All In Texas – July 12 (8)

Dynasty – April 6 (7.5)

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Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

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