The John Report: AEW Grand Slam Australia 02/14/26 Review
This is AEW Grand Slam Australia, featuring MJF facing Brody King, Kyle Fletcher against Mark Briscoe, Jon Moxley taking on Konosuke Takeshita, and more.
I normally don’t review AEW Collision, but this is a special event called Grand Slam Australia that’s in the Saturday night Collision timeslot (8 p.m. ET start time) with a 2.5-hour runtime. The card is strong, and I was going to watch it anyway, so I might as well review it, too.
AEW Dynamite this past Wednesday was a great show, so I hope the momentum continues. This show was taped about 12 hours before it aired due to the time difference in Australia, and I know the results, but that won’t affect my opinions on the show. I’m going to do more of a summary style for the matches, and then the usual analysis will follow.
This was AEW Grand Slam Australia from Sydney, Australia. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
It’s Saturday, and you know what that means. Excalibur was on commentary with Tony Schiavone.
They started with a match to begin the show as Jon Moxley made his entrance as the AEW Continental Champion. Konosuke Takeshita of the Don Callis Family was the opponent. There was a long entrance setup, which looked a lot better than when they are in small buildings in the US.
Analysis: I like starting the show with a title match like this. It’s a strong way to begin the show.
AEW Continental Championship: Jon Moxley vs. Konosuke Takeshita
They spent the first two minutes doing nothing, with some basic things like a shoulder tackle exchange and a staredown. They did the “stand and throw strikes” sequence that Moxley does in all his matches. After Moxley sent Takeshita out of the ring, Moxley hit a suicide dive on Takeshita on the floor. The referee left the ring with the wrestlers instead of counting them out because…AEW? I don’t know. After two minutes of throwing eachother into the barricade and the referee not counting, they finally went back into the ring. Moxley came back with a boot to the jaw and a piledriver. Moxley dropkicked Takeshita to the floor and they went to a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Takeshita hitting a flying clothesline. I ended up missing a bit of time because this show aired on USA Network here in Canada, but it was delayed due to a NASCAR race going late. The first part of the match I watched on an illegal stream showing the TNT broadcast, but I’d rather watch on my TV here. When I flipped to the broadcast here in Canada, it was clearly later in the match, so I missed a few minutes. Anyway, they did a spot where Moxley hit The Stomp on the apron and Takeshita was out on the floor. The referee decided to count him out this time so that Takeshita could get back in at the count of 9 to pop the crowd. Moxley hit another Stomp in the ring. There were fewer than 5 minutes left in the match. Moxley hit Takeshita with repeated forearms to the head and Takeshita hit two Exploder Suplexes in a row. Takeshita hit a running knee smash to the face for a two count. Takeshita hit another overhead suplex. Takeshita went for a running knee, Moxley avoided it and Moxley was able to hit the Death Rider spiking Takeshita on his head, but it was only good for a two count. It was announced that there was one minute left, so then both guys did repeated headbutts to knock eachother down. Moxley hit a running lariat for just a one count and Takeshita hit a forearm smash for one. Takeshita hit a running knee to the back of the head for just two. I thought that was it. The bell rang as the 20 minutes expired. The fans booed the finish because they wanted the match to continue.
Match Result: Time Limit Draw @ 20 Minutes – Jon Moxley retains AEW Continental Championship
Analysis: ***3/4 It was a great match as you’d expect from wrestlers of this caliber. As I noted in the review, I missed a few minutes because Collision was delayed here in Canada, and I think they didn’t show a segment of the match, but I could be wrong on that. Anyway, I might go back after the show to add in the parts that I missed. I enjoyed what I saw, except for the referee’s inconsistent counting when wrestlers are outside the ring, which has been a problem in AEW for over six years. That running knee by Takeshita to the back of Moxley’s head was a great nearfall that worked very well.
After the match, Takeshita and Moxley were frustrated that it ended in a draw. Moxley got in Takeshita’s face, Moxley shoved him, and Takeshita hit Moxley with a forearm. Takeshita hit a Raging Fire (Falcon Arrow) on Moxley and posed over the top of him. The fans cheered for Takeshita.
Analysis: I think there will obviously be a Moxley/Takeshita rematch, and I can see there being a title change when that happens. It makes sense to do it at the Revolution PPV next month. Takeshita is pretty much a babyface in the heel Don Callis Family group, and the fans will treat it as a big deal when there’s a title change.
A video package aired about the Kyle Fletcher/Mark Briscoe TNT Title match. They are 3-3 head-to-head, so this is “Game 7” in a Ladder Match.
(Commercial)
There were comments from AEW Women’s Champion Thekla and Kris Statlander after their title match on Dynamite that saw Thekla win the title in a Strap Match. Thekla bragged about Kris walking into her trap, and now she’s the champion. Kris was bloody in the match, saying karma isn’t a bitch, it’s a cosmic killer. I assume there will be a rematch soon.
AEW Women’s Tag Team Championships: Babes of Wrath – Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron vs. Megabad – Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford
Harley is from Australia, so she’s as popular as ever with this crowd. Willow is also the TBS Champion. It was about 30 seconds into the match with the four women in the ring. It’s an AEW tag team match after all. The heels took over to isolate Harley in their corner. What’s the point of doing traditional tag team spots when all four competitors can be in the match at any time? It’s the opposite of psychology. Anyway, Willow got the tag and hit an impressive German Suplex on Bayne. Willow hit a German Suplex on Ford too. Willow hit a cannonball on both opponents on the floor. Willow hit a dropkick off the middle turnbuckle to knock both opponents down. On the broadcast here in Canada, they aren’t showing the picture-in-picture action. I don’t review it anyway, but I’m just letting you know.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Harley hitting an impressive DDT on Bayne, followed by a cross body block on both opponents. Ford rolled up Harley after a kick by Bayne, but I don’t think Bayne even touched her. Harley trapped Bayne in a single-leg crab in the ring, so Ford hit a running dropkick to break it up. Willow went in illegally also to chop Ford and Bayne hit a dropkick on Willow. Harley hit a Canadian Destroyer on Bayne and all four women laid down on the mat even though two of them were not legally supposed to be in the ring. They did the “stand and throw strikes” spot that far too many AEW matches have. Willow and Harley did a pump kick/leg sweep combo on Bayne. Willow hit a backpack senton on Harley onto Bayne. The director missed Ford going for a move on Harley because they were showing a Bayne dive on Willow on the floor. Harley did a backslide pin on Ford for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Babes of Wrath – Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron
Analysis: *** It was fine for a TV match. It didn’t really stand out that much or anything, but they worked hard and had some good nearfalls. I think they could have had more spots where it looked like Bayne & Ford might win. I’m not surprised that Harley got the win in Australia and that it was Ford getting beaten since Bayne is usually booked strong. Willow had a nice showing in the match.
After the match, Lena Kross from Australia attacked Harley with a TKO-style slam off the shoulders. Bayne hit a spinning slam on Willow. The trio of Bayne, Ford and Kross stood together over Willow and Harley on the floor. Bayne had the TBS Title in addition to the Women’s Tag Team Titles.
Analysis: Welcome Lena Kross to AEW. I don’t know much about her, but she’s an experienced wrestler from Australia and certainly looks impressive.
A promo aired from Ricochet with GOA as Ricochet warned Jack Perry that Jack needs to move on. Ricochet warned that if Jack continues coming after him, then something bad is going to happen very soon.
(Commercial)
There was a video about “Hangman” Adam Page and Andrade El Idolo facing off in a #1 contender’s match.
AEW World Championship #1 Contender’s Match: “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Andrade El Idolo (w/Don Callis)
The winner will challenge for the AEW World Title at Revolution on March 15th. Hangman is 1/3 of the AEW Trios Champions. I forgot about that until I saw him with the belt. Don Callis joined commentary for this match.
They did a spot early in the match where Andrade flirted with a female fan at ringside, but then Page hit Andrade and Page took a picture with the female fan. Page was in control after a fallaway slam, along with a running SSP for two. They went on a break a few minutes into the match. For most of these matches, it’s hard to get into the action before the break because we know they are going to be longer matches.
(Commercial)
It was an exchange of strikes as Page hit a forearm, but Andrade came back with a boot. Andrade tried a German Suplex, Page landed on his feet and Page hit a lariat on Andrade. Cool sequence of moves. Page hit a popup Liger Bomb for a two count. Page connected with a rolling elbow and a lariat while they were on the apron. Back in the ring, Page hit a top rope clothesline for two. Andrade did the Three Amigos suplexes for a two count, so fans chanted “Eddie” for Eddie Guerrero. Andrade did his double jump moonsault off the top for a two count. Page was sent out of the ring, Andrade tried a twisting attack on the floor, the director cut to a weird camera angle for some reason and then Page hit a fallaway slam into the barricade. Andrade avoided a Buckshot Lariat and hit a spinning back elbow to the jaw for two. Andrade hit the double knee attack, followed by a double arm DDT for two. Callis went to the apron to argue with the referee, Page blocked Andrade’s low blow attempt and Page kicked Andrade with a low blow kick to the groin. Page hit a Buckshot Lariat on Andrade for the pinfall win after 16 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: “Hangman” Adam Page
Analysis: ***1/2 I thought it was a pretty good match, but not at the level of an outstanding Hangman match that we see often. Andrade brought the fight and came close a few times. I liked the finish with Callis actually hurting Andrade because Page was ready for the low blow and Page hitting the low blow led to his win. While Andrade had some big wins over guys like Kenny Omega and others recently, I didn’t think he’d win here. Page winning was pretty much a lock, in my opinion.
The win by Hangman means he’ll challenge for the AEW World Title at Revolution on March 15th.
Analysis: I assume it’s MJF against Hangman, which is a rivalry that has led to many great matches. I don’t see MJF losing the title before All In this summer, but I also expected Page to have a longer title reign last year, so sometimes these title reigns are hard to predict.
(Commercial)
Mixed Tornado Tag Team Match Where The Loser Will Have Their Head Shaved: Orange Cassidy & “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Wheeler Yuta & Marina Shafir
The stipulation is that whoever takes the fall will have their head shaved after the match. A tornado tag team match means there are no tags and anything goes.
Orange and Toni attacked Yuta and Shafir in the crowd before the heels showed up at ringside. Orange was battling Yuta while Shafir was fighting Storm. Yuta choked Orange with a jacket. After Yuta sent Orange into a barricade, Yuta hit Storm in the back. Yuta gave Storm a piledriver on some equipment cases, so Storm bumped to the floor. The AEW medical team checked on Storm in the crowd. Luther carried Storm to the backstage area. They finally got to the ring as Yuta hit a German Suplex for two. They went on a break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Orange isolated against Yuta and Shafir, but then Storm showed up as if nothing had happened to her. Storm hit multiple German Suplexes on Shafir. Orange and Storm did some comedy dance spots. Orange hit a Beach Break on Shafir. Orange hit Stundog Millionaire and a DDT on Yuta, who sold it great. Orange was hesitant to do an Orange Punch to Shafir, so Shafir got a rollup. Storm and Shafir applied weak-looking submission moves on the guys, then they dropped the guys and the girls did the “stand and throw strikes” spot that most AEW matches have. Yuta hit a jumping knee on Storm for two because Orange made the save. Orange avoided a charging Yuta, who hit a knee on Shafir by mistake. Orange hit a suicide dive on Shafir. Storm hit a German Suplex and a hip attack on Yuta. Orange hit an Orange Punch on Yuta and Storm hit a Storm Zero on Yuta for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Orange Cassidy & “Timeless” Toni Storm
Analysis: *** The head-shaving gimmick worked because the fans were invested in the match and cared about who got their head shaved. It was obvious when this match was announced that Yuta was going to be the one to get his head shaved, so it was no surprise when he lost the match. They did some creative comedy spots while also having the men do moves to the women, which you don’t see that often. Shafir is okay in matches, but not as good as the better AEW women like Storm. Orange and Yuta have a lot of chemistry together.
After the match, Wheeler Yuta had to have his head shaved because of the stipulation for the match. Mina Shirakawa brought out a barstool for Yuta to sit in. The fans chanted, “BALD” at Yuta. When Yuta tried to leave, Jon Moxley showed up and told Yuta to do it because that’s the stipulation of the match. Yuta reluctantly went into the ring. Shafir held Yuta’s hand for support. Mina cut some of Yuta’s hair with scissors and Storm cut more of Yuta’s hair with scissors. Orange used a razor to shave some of Yuta’s hair. The bald man, Luther, shaved some of Yuta’s hair while Moxley sold his disappointment. Orange’s music played as Yuta sat there with his head partially shaved.
Analysis: The heel Yuta got his head shaved, much to the delight of the crowd. It’s an easy way to get a big reaction by having a heel do something where he acts like he doesn’t want to do it. In reality, I’m sure Yuta is fine with having shorter hair.
The TNT Title Ladder Match is next, and the AEW World Title match after that. Two matches left.
(Commercial)
This Wednesday on AEW Dynamite: Kenny Omega vs. Swerve Strickland. That should be awesome.
Mark Briscoe was up first as the former TNT Champion. As mentioned earlier, this is his 7th match with Kyle Fletcher and they are 3-3 in their history. Kyle was cheered a lot more than usual because he’s from Sydney, so obviously the fans love the guy.
Ladder Match for the TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis) vs. Mark Briscoe
The TNT Championship is hanging above the ring. Whoever climbs the ladder to retrieve the TNT Title will be the champion. Don Callis joined commentary.
They left the ring early as Mark sent Kyle to the floor and Mark hit a dive onto Kyle on the floor. Kyle hit a half-n-half suplex on Mark on the floor. There were ladders around the ring, so Kyle grabbed one, but Mark stopped that with a kick. Mark sent Kyle into a ladder on the floor, followed by Mark hitting a suplex on the floor. Mark climbed a ladder, so Kyle tossed Mark onto the apron to put him down. Ouch. Kyle hit a moonsault off a ladder onto Mark on the floor. Kyle got a hold of Mark in the ring and sent Mark face first into the top of a ladder. Ouch. The fans cheered Kyle in his hometown. Mark did a blade job after that, so he was bleeding from the forehead. Kyle went up a ladder, Mark went after him and hit a legsweep into the mat.
(Commercial)
There was a ladder bridge set up from the apron to another ladder. Mark avoided being slammed onto a ladder, so then Mark kicked Kyle onto a ladder. Kyle was bleeding from the head too. Mark went up top and hit a Froggy Bow elbow drop to the ribs while Kyle was on a ladder bridge. It didn’t break the ladder bridge, but Kyle bumped to the floor after it. Mark did a slow ladder climb to give Kyle time to get back up and stop Mark’s ladder climb attempt. Kyle got a hold of Mark and gave him a Powerbomb onto a ladder, which broke in half. Ouch. Kyle climbed up the ladder, but Mark stopped that and Kyle hit two superkicks in a row. Kyle hit a running kick to the head. Kyle set up a ladder bridge from the turnbuckle to a ladder in the middle of the ring. Kyle wanted a suplex, Mark bit Kyle in the head and the fans booed. Mark picked up Kyle and hit a Jay Driller through the ladder bridge. That drew justified (hey Tony Khan) “Holy Shit” chants. The ladder was bent in half. Mark slowly climbed the ladder in the middle of the ring and reached the title, but Kyle was able to stop Mark up there. Mark punched Kyle in the back to knock him down. Kyle got back up, punched Mark and Kyle suplexed Mark from the top of the ladder and down to the mat. Excalibur called it a brainbuster, but it was really more a of a suplex. It’s still an impressive move from the top of a ladder. Well done. Kyle climbed the ladder again, Mark punched Kyle in the back and Kyle had his hand on the TNT Title, but Mark was up there to stop that. Kyle shoved Mark off the ladder he was on. Kyle got back up and unhooked the TNT Title to get the win. It went about 16 minutes.
Winner: Kyle Fletcher
Analysis: **** I thought it was an excellent Ladder Match right around the 4 stars (out of 5) level. The finish was a bit anticlimactic and I thought maybe there would be a bigger final bump by Mark there, but what they did worked because Kyle knocked Mark off a second ladder while Kyle remained on the ladder he was on. Both guys took some big bumps throughout the match, with each of them breaking ladders. I think Mark was really bumping his ass off and doing all he could to put over Fletcher in a big way. Fletcher is a guy who has all the tools to be a main eventer in AEW and the way Mark sold for him is going to help Fletcher a lot. That win also likely ends the Fletcher/Briscoe rivalry.
Kyle Fletcher posed on the ladder with the TNT Title. The fans cheered their fellow Aussie.
After the show, Kyle Fletcher debuted the TNT Title with a pink strap on it since he wrestles in pink gear. We’ll see it on Dynamite.
PINK TNT TITLE #AEWGrandSlam pic.twitter.com/uyop9HzHYp
— steven (@stvnktzms) February 14, 2026
Analysis: I like the pink strap title with Fletcher. Why not? Change it up a bit. Fits his character.
The video package aired for the MJF/Brody King match for the AEW World Title.
Brody King made his entrance for the AEW World Title. I thought they’d go to a break and then get to the entrances after the break, but it didn’t happen that way. The AEW World Champion MJF made his entrance, and that led to a break.
(Commercial)
AEW World Heavyweight Championship: Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Brody King
The wrestlers stood in the ring as Arkady Aura did the in-ring championship introductions. She did a good job. It sounded like a “F**k ICE” chant to start the match. Just saying.
After the bell rang, MJF bailed to the floor and walked into the crowd to stall as the heel champion. They locked up, which led to King shoving MJF, who bailed to the floor again. MJF finally got into the ring, he ran the ropes and King hit a lefty lariat. King chopped MJF hard in the chest a few times. King lifted up MJF, who said, “Oh shit,” for some laughs, and King slammed MJF down. King went for a cannonball, MJF moved and King hit the turnbuckle hard. King was selling a left knee injury, so MJF rammed the left knee into the ring post. MJF grounded King by wrenching back on the left knee. MJF did a chop block to the back of the left knee. MJF hit a running dropkick called the kangaroo kick, and then he did a double middle finger salute to the fans. MJF hit a suicide dive onto King on the floor. King blocked a sunset flip attempt, King went for a senton, MJF moved and King hit the mat. MJF applied a kneebar submission on the mat, so King crawled to the bottom rope to break the hold. They went to their final break.
(Commercial)
King got some offense going with a suicide dive onto MJF on the floor. Back in the ring, King hit two chops and back body drop as MJF shouted, “Oh shit” again. King charged, MJF moved and King stopped himself since he was moving slow due to the left leg injury. MJF bit King’s left arm and they left the ring. King bit MJF’s head, so MJF sat on a chair against the barricade. King charged and hit MJF with a cross body block against the barricade. It was so nice of MJF to give himself a chair before that spot. Back in the ring, King hit a cannonball for a two count. MJF jumped on King’s back with a Sleeper hold while King sold it as if his knee gave out. MJF had King grounded on the mat and Bandido told King to never give up. King did a backpack slam to break free of MJF’s hold. MJF rolled out of the ring near where Bandido was. King was hobbling as he ran the ropes, so MJF caught him and gave King a DDT on the apron. Bandido encouraged King on the floor, as King got back up. MJF tried a dive onto King, but King caught him and King slammed MJF into the barricade. King and MJF were both down for nearly a ten count, so Bandido told King to get MJF up. King brought MJF back into the ring to break the count. King was favoring his left leg injury, MJF grabbed a Dynamite Diamond Ring from his trunks and the referee Bryce Remsburg stopped that from being used. King smashed MJF with a forearm. King choked MJF against the ropes and MJF sold it like was knocked out. King put MJF back into the ring. King hit a Ganzo Bomb for a two count. Excalibur put over MJF for kicking out of that. King charged at MJF, who did a drop toe hold into the ropes. MJF took off King’s left knee brace and MJF even bit the knee. King hit a back elbow while on the apron. King choked MJF again, but MJF punched the left knee that was injured. MJF hit a Tombstone variation on the apron. MJF hit a Heatseeker DDT on King for the pinfall win after 22 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: MJF
Analysis: ****1/4 That was an outstanding match as usual from MJF when he’s given that much time. King hitting the Ganzo Bomb was a huge spot and it was even bigger when MJF was able to kick out of it. I thought it was a smart move to have King sell a left knee injury because of the size difference, so it made MJF look like a smart champion to challenge King’s knee injury. MJF was able to wear King down, and I liked how Max had to hit some of his big moves in a row to get the win.
After the match, “Hangman” Adam Page walked out to the ring to confront MJF. Page had the contract for their AEW Revolution PPV AEW World Title match on March 15th. MJF held up the AEW World Title. Page teased a punch, MJF bumped into the mat, and then Page left. MJF was alone in the ring with the AEW World Title in his arms. End show.
Analysis: It was a way to show that Hangman can intimidate MJF and Hangman has beaten MJF in the past, so it makes MJF look like a vulnerable champion going into their Revolution match next month.
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Final Thoughts on AEW Grand Slam Australia
I would rate this around an 8 out of 10.
A wrestling-heavy show that felt like a PPV because it was match after match for 2.5 hours, which is a lot shorter than their 4+ hour PPVs. I think the match quality was strong, but I don’t think any one match blew me away. A lot of the outcomes were predictable, other than the Moxley-Takeshita draw, which I don’t mind since it will mean there’s a rematch coming soon.
They built to the future well with MJF winning and Hangman winning, so they’re going to face off in the Revolution main event. I like that. Generally speaking, I like a lot of things AEW is doing right now. It’s focusing on the wrestling, and they have several good storylines at once.
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Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: [email protected]
Twitter/X: @johnreport