Reviews

The John Report: AEW Worlds End 2024 Review

By John Canton • Published 30th December 2024
AEW Worlds End Review 2024

AEW Worlds End featured the Continental Classic finals, plus Jon Moxley defending the World Title against three opponents.

This show took place on Saturday night and I’m reviewing it on Monday morning. I didn’t have time on Saturday night because I had company as we watched my LA Rams pick up a huge victory and on Sunday I was barely home.

Here are the Zero Hour Pre-Show match results that aired on AEW’s Youtube channel so it was free for anybody to watch:

* Toni Storm defeated Leila Grey by pinfall.

* Jeff Jarrett defeated QT Marshall by pinfall.

* Lio Rush, Action Andretti, and Murder Machines (Lance Archer and Brian Cage) defeated The Outrunners (Truth Magnum and Turbo Floyd) and Top Flight (Darius Martin and Dante Martin) by pinfall.

The TBS Champion Mercedes Mone told Kamille to watch her match from backstage.

As a reminder, I have reviewed every AEW PPV in company history over the last five-plus years. Let’s get to it.

AEW Worlds End
Saturday, December 28, 2024
From the Addition Arena in Orlando, Florida

It’s Saturday and you know what that means. It was Excalibur on commentary with Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness. It would be nice if they did an opening video package, but to AEW’s credit they do get to the action quickly because the opening bell rang about four minutes after the PPV started.

Continental Classic Semifinals: Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher

They had an incredible match at Full Gear one month earlier with Fletcher getting the win there, so now we get a rematch.

Kyle went for a running kick, Will avoided it and hit a chop. Kyle ran the ropes, went for a kick, Will went for an Oscutter, Kyle blocked it and they each tried moves, but there were quick counters from each guy to show they knew eachother well. When Kyle got back in, he did a forearm thrust to the throat. Will clotheslined Kyle over the top to the floor. Will hit a somersault off the apron onto Kyle on the floor. Kyle got a hold of Will on the floor leading to a Powerbomb on the apron. Kyle broke the referee’s count, which is good because some wrestlers in AEW don’t do that stuff. Kyle launched Will into the ringside LED barricade. Kyle taunted the fans after that, which allowed Will to blade himself and Will was bleeding heavily from the forehead. Back in the ring, Kyle was in control with several kicks to the head. Will was wearing white kickpads so we could see the blood and Kyle even put some blood in his mouth, which is gross. It’s also stupid, but hey that’s me. Kyle punched Will a few times, but Will managed to send Kyle into the turnbuckle. Kyle launched Will face first into the middle turnbuckle for a two count. Will tried to fight back with chops, so Kyle kicked him in the head to stop that. Kyle charged at Will, who nailed a clothesline and Kyle sold it really well. Will was bleeding heavily as he came back with a back body drop. Will sent Kyle face first into the turnbuckle followed by a running boot to the head. Will did a standing sky twister press for a two count. Kyle came back with a kick to the knee followed by a kick to the jaw. Will came back with Stundog Millionaire. Kyle hit a half-n-half suplex and then Will came back with a standing Spanish Fly for two. Will was laughing while his face was full of blood.

Will worked over Kyle with some quick kicks to the head along with a chop to the chest. Will and Kyle took turns chopping eachother a few times. Will hit a hook kicks and they each went for moves but there were counters. Will hit an Oscutter off the ropes for a two count. Kyle came back with a lariat while Will did a flip bump. Will hit a Poison Rana, Kyle no sold it and Kyle hit a running elbow to knock Will do. Kyle decided to sell at that point so the fans could chair while both guys were down on the mat. They were on their knees in the ring exchanging headbutts while Kyle had blood on his head due to the blood from Will. They exchanged some more headbutts, then shoulder tackles and Kyle jumped for an attack, but Will stopped that with a superkick. Kyle did a rollup and held onto the ropes for the pin, but referee Paul Turner saw the hand on the ropes. Kyle shoved Turner, so Turner shoved him back. Will hit a Hidden Blade elbow for a two count. I’m glad that wasn’t the fin after the shove. Kyle hit a superkick, high boot in the corner and a brainbuster for two. Kyle hit a running knee and Kyle hit an elevated Ligerbomb for a two count. Will was up against the turnbuckle, so Kyle hit a running kick to the back of the head. Kyle hit another running kick. Will countered a move leading to a hurricanrana. Will hit a Styles Clash and he flipped over Kyle for the one…two…and three! What a great match. It went 16:20.

Winner by pinfall: Will Ospreay

Analysis: ****1/2 It was an outstanding match just like their Full Gear match and like most of Will’s matches. Fletcher can certainly hold his own and is an elite performer as well. Will was bleeding heavily throughout the match, which helped the story and showed that he overcame a lot to pick up the win. I don’t like the spot where they stand and trade chops. These spots happen too often in AEW. I’m sure certain wrestling observers will rate this higher than me because Ospreay is involved. I just didn’t think it was a five star match, but it’s still an excellent match. This was an example of how you don’t need to go 25 minutes to have a classic match. It was fast paced, full of action and a lot of fun to watch. These guys are incredible.

After the match, Will held up two fingers to indicate they are 1-1 in their singles match. I think Kyle was saying “it’s not over” so obviously we’ll see them in a match again soon.

Continental Classic Semifinals: Kazuchika Okada vs Ricochet

Ricochet is in heel mode now. Okada is the Continental Champion trying to win this tournament to reclaim his title. Even though Okada is technically a heel in The Elite group, the fans were behind him because they don’t like Ricochet.

Ricochet got a headscissors and dropkick to send Okada out of the ring. Okada was back in with a high boot to the face. Okada ran the ropes a few times leading to a slap to the head, which drew laughs and applause from the fans. Ricochet managed to get control by pulling Okada’s left leg so that Okada’s groin hit the middle rope. Ricochet hit a suicide dive on Okada on the floor. The fans booed while Ricochet said he was winning. Back in the ring, Ricochet hit a springboard clothesline for two. The fans were singing “na na na hey hey you’re bald” at Ricochet, who has been bald for many years. Ricochet hit a running shoulder tackle to Okada’s back. Ricochet hit a spinning kick to the ribs, but Okada came back with a flapjack. Okada followed up with a boot and a DDT for a two count. Okada went for a springboard move, Okada avoided it and Ricochet did a backflip leading to a back body drop. Ricochet hit a springboard moonsault like a Lionsault for a two count. Ricochet hit a standing SSP for two. Ricochet jumped off the top, Okada moved and Okada hit a neckbreaker onto the knee for two. Okada with a body slam followed by an elbow drop off the top rope. Okada did a middle finger salute. Ricochet went for a jumping kick, Okada blocked that and Okada hit a dropkick. Ricochet hit his sitout Vertigo slam that dropped Okada on his back/neck for two. Ricochet went up top and hit a Shooting Star Press for two because he covered with his back, so it was a lazy cover. Ricochet charged, Okada avoided it and Ricochet hit roundhouse kick. Okada fired back with a dropkick. Ricochet charged, Okada caught him with a powerslam and Okada hit the Rainmaker lariat for the pinfall win. It went 12:55.

Winner by pinfall: Kazuchika Okada

Analysis: ***1/4 It was pretty good, but not necessarily a great match. The crowd was hot for some things although they also didn’t react to some of the nearfalls in the match. I thought that Ricochet might win to give him a boost as a new heel character, but I certainly don’t mind an Okada win because he’s awesome. The finish was rather sudden with Okada avoiding a Ricochet move leading to the Rainmaker for the win.

That win by Okada meant that he will face Will Ospreay in the finals of the Continental Classic.

Swerve Strickland appeared on the stage for a promo. Swerve said that Ricochet claimed that he would win the Continental Classic. Swerve said he expected Ricochet to run his mouth and Ricochet has done that since he said if it wasn’t for him then AEW wouldn’t even exist. Swerve said that Ricochet made a mess, so Swerve was here to clean up his mess. Prince Nana wheeled out a bunch of toilet paper, so he tossed them into the crowd. Swerve said that with the instruments given to you by Prince Nana, we are going to wish Ricochet a Happy New Year. Swerve did a countdown, so the fans threw the toilet paper into the ring and Swerve said: “Happy New Year.” Excalibur pointed out that in Japan, they throw streamers into the ring before the match. Swerve: “Happy New Year, Trevor.” That is Ricochet’s real name.

Analysis: That was a fun way to get heat on Ricochet and obviously sets him up for a rivalry with Swerve Strickland, who the fans like a lot.

Will Ospreay was backstage talking to Renee Paquette. Will said it didn’t matter that he was a bloody mess. Will wanted the fans of Orlando to carry him through this. Will said he felt like he has been hit by a truck. Will said Okada is his mentor and his big brother, so after he wins this he’s going to Disneyworld. Will said in the immortal words of Tony Khan: “Let’s f**king go, lads.”

Analysis: Nice promo. Will is an easy guy to like.

There was a video package for the Mariah May-Thunder Rosa match.

AEW Women’s World Championship Tijuana Street Fight: Mariah May vs. Thunder Rosa

It’s a Street Fight so anything goes and it ends by pinfall or submission. Rosa’s father was at ringside, so she greeted him before the match. Both women were not in traditional gear since it’s a street fight.

It started with Rosa attacking May with punches along with a chop. Rosa hit a running senton splash for a two count. May got some brief offense, but Rosa avoided a dropkick attempt. Rosa hit an uppercut to the back while May was against the ropes. Rosa hit a running kick. Rosa brought some weapons into the ring, so May left the ring and Rosa went after her with a forearm to the back while they were in the aisle. May gave Rosa a DDT on the stage. May had some tequila, so she spit it Rosa’s face. Rosa tackled May through some wooden board by the entrance and that got a two count, so I guess falls count anywhere. May kicked a trash can that Rosa was holding, so they went back down to the ringside area. As May approached, Rosa hit May with a bottle to the head sand that led to a two count for Rosa on the floor. Back in the ring, May hit a headbutt followed by a knee strike for two. May hit Rosa with a chair to the back. Rosa hit May with a few forearms followed by a Death Valley Driver for two. Rosa had a pinata with her and she cracked it open to reveal thumbtacks, so that drew a pop from the crowd. Nigel was not happy about it. May countered Rosa and May hit a Mayday slam onto the thumbtacks so they were in Rosa’s back. Rosa left the ring, so May sent Rosa into the steel steps. May took the hat off Rosa’s dad and took his cane to mock the old guy. Nigel: “This is fantastic.”

May put barbed wire around her knee, charged at Rosa, who moved and May hit her right knee into the steel steps. Rosa covered May for two. Rosa sent May into the barricade. Rosa hit May in the back two times with her dad’s cane. Rosa pulled out a table from under the ring. May ran across the propped up table leading to a shotgun dropkick on the floor. Rosa covered May for two. Rosa choked May with a chain across the throat and then Rosa let go. Rosa opened up a chair. Rosa did some more chain choking around the throat. May reached into a bag and threw some dirt into Rosa’s face. May gave Rosa Storm Zero off the apron through a table on the floor and May covered Rosa on the floor for the win at 13:20.

Winner by pinfall: Mariah May

Analysis: ***1/4 The match was okay and they used a lot of weapons, which is logical in a Street Fight style of match. There was barely a reaction for most of the nearfalls in this match. All it took for May was some dirt in the eyes followed by a Storm Zero through a table for the win. It didn’t make Rosa look tough because of how easy it was for May to win. I didn’t anticipate a title change here since May is an entertaining champion who should continue her long reign as the champion. Rosa is a credible opponent since she’s a former champion, but it definitely wasn’t time for a title change.

There was a video package about the MJF-Adam Cole feud. They were former best friends last year, Cole suffered a major foot injury and then Cole turned on MJF one year ago at Worlds End. After Cole missed most of this year due to injury, they are finally having a match.

Dynamite Diamond Ring Match: Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) vs. Adam Cole

The winner gets possession of the Dynamite Diamond Ring. MJF has won the ring every year since 2019. Matt Taven and Mike Bennett were standing by the Dynamite Diamond Ring to make sure MJF didn’t use it.

MJF bailed to the floor right away, so Cole went after him and sent MJF into the barricade. MJF went to the floor again, Cole went after and he sent Cole into the steel steps. MJF yelled at the fans with a swear word. This was done to allowed Cole time to blade himself. Cole was bleeding from the forehead, so that’s the second match of the show with blood. MJF worked over Cole with punches. MJF bit into Cole’s forehead followed by a side headlock. MJF caught a leaping Cole with a backbreaker from a Powerbomb position. MJF did a long taunt, so Cole hit a superkick. Cole hit a backstabber with double knees followed by a brainbuster onto the knee for two. Cole jumped off the turnbuckle, MJF moved, Cole was favoring the left knee and Cole did a chop block to the knee. MJF stomped on the left ankle. MJF sent Cole across the ring, but Cole collapsed. MJF rammed Cole’s left knee into the ring post. MJF did a lot of fan taunting. Cole countered MJF so that MJF’s face hit the ring post. That led to MJF blading as well, so he was bleeding from the forehead. Cole worked over MJF with punches followed by some head biting of his own. Cole hit the Panama Sunrise followed by the Boom knee to the back of the head for just a two count. Cole charged, but MJF collapsed to the mat. Cole ran at MJF again and MJF dove at the knee with a shoulder tackle. Both guys were down selling on the mat.

Cole delivered a superkick and then MJF trapped the leg leading to a Figure Four Leglock. Cole reversed it so that the pressure was on MJF, who crawled over to the bottom rope to break the hold. MJF walked over to where Bennett and Taven were. MJF hit his hand against the steel steps and claimed that he was attacked by Bennett and Taven. The referee Bryce Remsburg turned around, saw MJF on the floor and Bryce ejected Taven & Bennett from ringside even though the referee never saw it. MJF put the Dynamite Diamond Ring on his finger, but Cole stopped an attack with a superkick. Cole put the ring on his finger, MJF kicked Cole in the groin while the referee was looking at Bennett & Taven. MJF hit the Heatseeker DDT against the ropes for the pinfall win at 14:35.

Winner by pinfall: Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF)

Analysis: *** It was a cheap win for MJF, which is typical for him. It wasn’t a great match like they had in the main event of All In 2023. This rivalry should have been a lot better than it was. Cole selling the left leg injury was inconsistent throughout the match because he did it at some points and then ignored it at other points in the match. It didn’t feel like the kind of match that needed both guys bleeding and having that kind of match, but I assume both guys felt it was necessary to help tell the story of the match.

That win by MJF means that he gets to keep the Dynamite Diamond Ring for another year.

MJF tried to destroy Cole’s ankle after the match with a steel chair, but Roderick Strong made the save. MJF tried to leave and that’s when Kyle O’Reilly showed up to bring MJF back to the ring. Strong and Kyle hit sweep kick/clothesline combo and Kyle picked up Cole while also giving Cole a hug. Strong and Kyle held MJF, so Cole punched MJF with the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Some fans even booed Cole putting the ring on MJF. Cole celebrated with Strong, O’Reilly, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett so it appears that they are a united group. Cole walked away with his buddies.

Analysis: It was a way to reunite Adam Cole with his buddies to show that they might be the Undisputed Kingdom group again. This was supposed to be a happy babyface moment, yet the fans barely reacted to this. I think fans prefer Cole as a heel even though is “Adam Cole bay-bay” thing something the fans like to cheer. Anyway, the lack of a reaction shows how much this angle wasn’t a success.

A video aired about how AEW Dynamite will air on TBS and the Max streaming service on New Year’s Day.

These matches were set for AEW Dynamite on New Year’s Day.

* Jamie Hayter vs. Julia Hart

* Jeff Jarrett makes an announcement about his wrestling career.

This is advertised for Collision on Saturday, January 4th.

* TNT Championship: Daniel Garcia vs. Mark Briscoe

* AEW Tag Team Championships: Private Party vs. Action Andretti & Lio Rush

* Deonna Purrazzo vs. Toni Storm.

There was a video package about the AEW International Title match between Konosuke Takeshita and Powerhouse Hobbs.

AEW International Championship: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Powerhouse Hobbs

Don Callis was on commentary to support his buddy Takeshita.

They exchanged forearms to start the match and then Hobbs hit a massive shoulder tackle to lead to Takeshita bumping to the floor. Hobbs went after Takeshita on the floor leading to slams onto the ring apron. Takeshita picked up Hobbs on the ring apron and Takeshita dropped Hobbs’ knee onto the ring apron. Hobbs suffered a serious knee injury earlier in the year, so he had a big brace on the right knee. Takeshita wrenched on the right knee into the mat. Takeshita suplexed Hobbs from the apron into the ring. Hobbs ran the ropes leading to a cross body block. Hobbs delivered multiple short clotheslines against the turnbuckle followed by a powerslam for two because Hobbs was holding his knee while doing the pin. Hobbs nailed Takeshita with an elbow strike to the jaw. Takeshita hit modified jumping Tombstone for a two count. They exchanged clotheslines while the fans chanted “Meat” for each shot to the chest. Takeshita hit a German Suplex across the ring. Takeshita hit a knee strike and a forearm, but Hobbs came back with a powerslam. Hobbs hit a running lariat that led to Takeshita doing a great flip bump for two. Takeshita floated over Hobbs leading to a chop block to the knee. Takeshita hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for just a one count, so Callis got up to his feet looking mad. Hobbs nailed a lariat for a two count. Hobbs went up top, which didn’t seem like a good idea, so Takeshita met him there. Takeshita tried a superplex, but Hobbs sold the knee injury and both guys collapsed onto the apron. They went back up to the top of the turnbuckle and Takeshita hit a superplex.

Takeshita went up top and hit a Senton Bomb. Takeshita charged, but Hobbs nailed him with a huge spinebuster for two. The fans bought that as a nearfall and they should have because it was great spot. Hobbs was selling the right knee injury more while the fans were chanting “AEW” for the great match. Takeshita rolled to the apron, Hobbs went after him and they went on the turnbuckle. Hobbs delivered a falling avalanche powerslam off the top turnbuckle. Takeshita was down while Hobbs took the knee brace off the right knee. When Takeshita got back up, he kicked the knee and hit an elbow smash. Takeshita hit a knee to the jaw. Takeshita applied a guillotine choke followed by Takeshita hitting the Raging Fire slam like a Falcon Arrow for the pinfall win at 15:35.

Winner by pinfall: Konosuke Takeshita

Analysis: ***3/4 That was a great match. Takeshita is one of my favorite in-ring performers in AEW who always puts on awesome matches. The story was that Hobbs taking off the knee brace was a mistake because Takeshita went after the knee and hit a few moves after that for the win. I was impressed by Hobbs as well. Hobbs has really improved a lot in the last few years in terms of selling moves and wrestling psychology. Hobbs sold the knee very well throughout the match, so that helped a lot. Some matches in AEW have people barely selling anything and it hurts matches, but when you sell right, that’s a big part of pro wrestling storytelling.

Kazuchika Okada was interviewed by Renee Paquette. Okada said that Will Ospreay is like a younger brother and he’s on another level, but not on Okada’s level…bitch.

There was a video package about Kris Statlander challenging Mercedes Mone for the TBS Title.

TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone vs. Kris Statlander

They had an awesome match at Full Gear last month and now they are having a rematch. There wasn’t much of a story other than AEW wanting to do the match again.

Kris used her power early by shoving Mone down. Mone did a headscissors, Kris did cartwheel and Mone hit a dropkick, so Kris did a kip up to get back up. Mone did an armdrag that sent Kris spilling outside to the floor. Mone hit a baseball slide dropkick to knock Kris down. Mone went Kris into the steel steps followed by Mone hitting double knees on Kris against the barricade. Kris caught a leaping Mone and Kris walked Mone up the steps leading to a body slam on the apron. It’s the hardest part of the ring as we know. Kris charged, Mone avoided her and Mone sent Kris face first into the turnbuckle. Kris went for a suplex, but Mone countered it with a cradle for two. Kris showed off her power with a backbreaker followed by a fallaway slam across the ring. They battled by the turnbuckle where Mone slipped under Kris on the apron and Mone gave Kris a Powerbomb on the apron. Ouch. Mone hit the running knees against the turnbuckle. Kris came back with a clothesline and a back elbow. Mone hit the backstabber double knees to the back for a two count. Mone pulled back on Kris’ arms for a submission move, but it didn’t look like it was applied very well, so Kris got out of it easily. Mone did a hair pull to send Kris into the mat. Mone took way too long on the turnbuckle, so Kris countered the knees with a Powerbomb. Both women were down on the mat while the cameras showed them talking to the referee to relay cues about what to do next.

Kris was in control with clotheslines along with a running uppercut. Kris hit a running knee to the side of the head followed by deadlift German Suplex for two. Kris hit a sitout Michinoku Driver for two. They went over to the turnbuckle where Mone sent Kris face first into the turnbuckle. Mone hit a Tornado DDT for a two count. Mone hit seven vertical suplexes so it was the Three Amigos plus four and there were “Eddie” chants for Eddie Guerrero. Mone went up top and hit a Frog Splash off the top. It wasn’t a great looking move, but it got a two count. Mone had a shocked reaction while the fans didn’t react to it much at all. Mone went for the running knees again, Kris avoided it and Kris did a backslide pin attempt. Kris picked up Mone and hit a Package Piledriver for a two count. Mone did three jawbreakers. Mone slapped Kris in the face a few times, then they tumbled out of the ring and pulled the ring skirt off the apron. Mone hit her Mone Maker slam on the floor. The referee Stephon Smith checked on the two women on the floor. Mone broke the count and attacked Kris on the floor with a stomp on the left knee that was against the side of the ring. Mone hit a double knee attack from the apron onto Kris on the floor. Kris took her left boot off since it was stuck on the side of the ring. Kris slammed Money face first onto the apron. Back in the ring, Kris hit her version of an F5 slam for a two count. Kris climbed to the top rope, Mone locked her down and Mone hit a Tombstone piledriver-style move on the ring apron. The fans were chanting “holy shit” after that one with Kris bumping to the floor. The referee was counting for the countout, but Kris dove into the ring at nine and the fans popped big for it. Mone: “Why won’t you die?” Mone slapped Kris in the face. Mone applied the Crossface submission and then Mone switched it to an STF, but Kris got her hand on the bottom rope to force the break. Mone: “Why won’t you give up?” The fans chanted “fight forever” because they loved the match. Mone told Kris she’ll never be champion followed by a slap to the face. That led right into Kris hitting a clothesline. Kris went for a move, but Mone slipped out of it and applied an Ankle Lock on the left ankle. Kris sent Mone into the ropes. They each rolled into pin attempts for two. Mone rolled over Kris’ body, hooked the arms and hooked onto a leg in a pinning position for the one…two…and three! That was a creative pinning move to get the win at 24:35.

Winner by pinfall: Mercedes Mone

Analysis: ****1/4 I thought it was an outstanding match. It was one of the best women’s matches in AEW history. The fans really got into a lot in the final few minutes after being quiet for most of the match. They work so well together with Kris using a lot of power moves throughout the match while Mone is so great at countering moves. That piledriver-like move on the apron was crazy and got a big reaction. It just looked like they had a lot of chemistry, which they obviously have. The finish worked really because it was Mone using incredible technique to hook the arms and pin Kris to the mat in a creative way. It also showed that Kris was very tough to beat since Mone barely won, so it could lead to yet another match between them.

Mercedes Mone celebrated with the TBS Championship and the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship while staring at Statlander. After Mone walked to the back with her titles, Statlander was in the ring and was cheered by the fans. Kris slowly left the ring while the fans cheered her after an incredible effort.

Analysis: I believe that was the longest women’s match in AEW history because their last match was the longest women’s match in AEW and this one went about five minutes longer.

The next AEW PPV is Revolution on Sunday, March 9th in Los Angeles at the Crypto.com Arena that is home of the LA Lakers and LA Kings. Go LA Rams.

The legendary Jim Ross joined Excalibur and Tony Schiavone for the final two matches. Nigel left a few matches earlier.

Continental Classic Finals: Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay

The winner gets the Continental Championship. Will had his head taped up to try to cover up the bloody wound from his first match. It was mentioned by Excalibur that Will has faced Okada 10 times, but Will only won two of those matches.

Okada was in control early with elbow strikes to Will’s head. Will came back with chops. Will ran the ropes leading to a hurricanrana, so Okada bailed to the floor. Will did a slingshot dive over the top onto Okada on the floor. They battled on the floor where Okada avoided a charging Will on the floor and Okada came back with a DDT on the floor. The DDT was a popular move on this show because Okada hit a DDT from the apron to the floor. Okada hit a third DDT in the ring for a two count. Will tried to fight back, but Okada hit a knee to the ribs followed by a neckbreaker. The tape on Will’s head came off, so Okada taunted Will about that. Okada hit a running back elbow and Will came back with a suplex while Okada oversold it with a shocked look on his face. Will bounced off the ropes with a handstand followed by a spinning kick to the head. Will hit a springboard forearm for a two count. Will charged, but Okada was ready with a flapjack into the mat. Will tried to fight back by the turnbuckle, but Okada dropkicked Will to knock Will down onto the floor. Will was selling a right knee injury after that bump. Okada did a kneebreaker on the right knee. Will countered a move and shoved Okada into the barricade. Will hit a spinning kick to the head followed by an Oscutter on the floor. Great move.

They were back in the ring where Okada got back in just before the ten count, so Will hit a missile dropkick. Will hit an Oscutter off the ropes for a two count. Will did some light kicks to the face followed by a chop. Okada hit a neckbreaker across the thigh. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for the great match. Okada went up top and hit an elbow drop. Okada did a middle finger pose for the fans. Will backed Okada into the turnbuckle, but Okada came back with a dropkick that sent Will across the ring. Will avoided a move and went for a standing SSP, but Okada blocked it with the knees. Okada hit a dropkick. Will hit a Powerbomb. Will hit a Styles Clash for a two count. Great nearfall since Will won his first match of the night with that move. Okada caught a charging Will leading to a spinning slam. Okada hit a Rainmaker lariat for a two count, which led to a shocked reaction by Okada. Will broke free with a back elbow, so Okada decked him with an elbow to the head. Okada hit Will with an uppercut to the jaw. Will stumbled to the mat selling as if he was exhausted and beaten up. Okada slapped Will in the face to knock him down. Okada remained in control with a German Suplex. Will countered a Rainmaker move with a Spanish Fly slam for two. Great counter! Will charged, but Okada hit a dropkick and Will hit a superkick. Will sent for a springboard attack, but Okada hit dropkick. Will hit his own version of a Rainmaker. Will hit his Stormbreaker slam for a two count. Just a two count! What a great nearfall that was. The fans were going crazy at this point. Will went for a lifting move, Okada flipped out of it and Okada hit a Rainmaker lariat. Okada with another lariat, Will kicked the arm and Will hit a rising kick to the head. Okada avoided a Hidden Blade, Will went for Stormbreaker, but Okada countered it with an arm drag. Okada got a hold of Will and hit a Rainmaker lariat for the pinfall win. It went 19:15.

Winner by pinfall AND STILL AEW Continental Championship: Kazuchika Okada

Analysis: ****3/4 This was an incredible match as you would expect from two top talents in a tournament final. They have had so many amazing matches in Japan and now they added to their legacies with this outstanding match that was the best match on this show. Will went into the match with the massive tape job on his bloody head, so that led to the story that Will was damaged going into the match and it made sense for Okada to be the aggressor for most of the match. These guys are probably my two best workers in AEW, so seeing them get 20 minutes in a match like this is really cool to see. I didn’t go five stars, but it was close. I enjoyed it a lot.

That win means that Kazuchika Okada has successfully retained the AEW Continental Championship.

Analysis: This tournament was great and it makes the Continental Championship feel special. However, the title wasn’t even defended at the AEW All In PPV this year, so what does it tell you when the title isn’t defended at the biggest show of the year? They need to put more of a spotlight on this title all year round.

Kazuchika Okada shook Will Ospreay’s hand after the match. Will left the ring at that point.

After the match, Christopher Daniels said as of today, he was no longer an EVP of AEW who could present Okada with his title, but this man is an EVP. It was Kenny Omega making his return. The fans popped loudly for Omega making his AEW return. Omega presented Okada with the Continental Title and they had a staredown. The All In Texas logo was behind them, so maybe that’s a tease, but I think that match will happen before that. Okada held up his Continental Title. Omega did some light applause for Okada.

Analysis: Welcome back, Kenny. I’m sure AEW is planning an Omega-Okada match at some point in 2025, so the first PPV of the year called Revolution makes sense for that match.

There was a video package about the AEW World Championship in the main event with Jon Moxley defending the title against three opponents: Jay White, Orange Cassidy and Adam Page.

Analysis: The booking of this match has been okay, but is also hurt by logic. Hangman Page lost to Jay White at back to back PPVs yet Page is getting a World Title match in the same match as White just because they don’t like Moxley. From a logical standpoint, it is flawed in my eyes.

Jon Moxley was the last man to enter while the AEW World Title remained in the briefcase held by Marina Shafir.

AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir) vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Jay White vs. “Hangman” Adam Page

The first fall wins this match while there are no rules in a match like this.

Moxley left the ring, so Orange dove on him with a suicide dive. White and Page went after Moxley with punches and chops. All three guys attacked Moxley on the floor against the barricade. Claudio Castagnoli and Pac of the Death Riders showed up to lift Moxley over the barricade, so they went fighting into the crowd. Shafir also got involved by kicking Orange in the ribs. After a few minutes of that, Moxley finally got into the ring with Orange where Moxley did some comedy kicks to the body. Moxley kicked Orange in the head a few times leading to Orange leaving the ring briefly. Moxley sent Orange back in the ring so Orange rolled out of the ring again. White and Page showed up to hold Moxley, which led to Orange hitting the Orange Punch on Moxley. The three men worked together leading to Page giving Moxley a Powerbomb through the Spanish commentary table similar to what Moxley was a part of in his days with The Shield with WWE. Page and White fought in the ring with Page hitting a clothesline. Page gave Orange a fallaway slam into the turnbuckle for two because White broke up the pin attempt. Page sent White face-first into the turnbuckle followed by Page hitting Orange with a boot to the head. There was a shot of Christian Cage with The Patriarchy group (Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne & Kip Sabian) sitting in a private box. Hook was shown in another private box as well. Christian had the AEW World Title contract with him. Page was in control with kicks on White and Orange while outside the ring. Page sent Orange into the barricade. Page also sent White into the barricade. Page hit a running clothesline on Orange in the ring. Orange shoved Page down off the turnbuckle followed by a top rope clothesline. Page tried a lift, but Orange hit Stundog Millionaire. White hit a Cutthroat Suplex on Orange. White hit a hurricanrana on Page followed by a clothesline that sent Page over the top to the floor. Moxley was back in the ring to knock White out of the ring. Moxley was bleeding from the back of his head. Orange kicked Moxley, who came back with a Cutter to knock Orange out of the ring.

Moxley exchanged punches with Page while the fans chanted “Cowboy Shit” for Page. Moxley hit a running clothesline. Moxley punched Orange out of the ring and Moxley got a rollup on White for two. White did a dragon screw leg whip on Page and Moxley hit a clothesline on White. Orange was back in with a Tornado DDT on Moxley, so all four guys were down in the ring. When they got up, they exchanged big moves with White suplexing Moxley, Page hit a lariat on White, Page hit Deadeye on Moxley, Orange hit an Orange Punch on Page and Orange hit an Orange Punch on White. Orange hit an Orange Punch on Moxley, but Page pulled referee Bryce Remsburg out of the ring. Page hit a Buckshot Lariat on Orange. Page hit a Buckshot Lariat on White too. Page hit a second Deadeye on Moxley. Wheeler Yuta showed up at ringside to grab Page’s foot on the apron. Moxley had chair, but Page knocked it down and Page hit a Buckshot Lariat on Moxley. There was no referee to count the cover, so Orange got a rollup for two and Paul Turner subbed in as referee to count the two count. Page hit a low blow on Orange. White hit a Bladerunner on Page and White hit a Bladerunner on Moxley for two because Yuta hit referee Turner to stop the count. Shafir went into the ring and Moxley hit a Bladerunner on Shafir. Yuta hit the Busaiko Knee (like Bryan Danielson) on White. Moxley hit a Death Rider on White and Claudio put original referee Bryce Remsburg into the ring to count the pin. Moxley got the pinfall win at 15:40.

Winner by pinfall: Jon Moxley

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a fast-paced AEW World Title match that was a lot shorter than I expected. It felt like a TV main event that was okay, but not really at the level of a PPV main event match. It also didn’t feel like a great match at any point especially since Moxley’s allies were involved. Moxley was taken out early by being put through the table, but he was able to retain cheaply thanks to his allies helping him. It makes Moxley look like a weak champion that only has the title because of his group watching his back.

After the match, the Death Riders wanted to do more damage to White with a steel chair. That led to FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) making their return joined by their friend Adam Copeland. FTR easily took care of Moxley’s allies. Copeland confronted Moxley in the ring. Moxley tried an attack, but Copeland was ready and hit a Spear. Christian Cage was walking from high above the arena and he left with his Patriarchy group. Copeland used a metal bar to try to choke out Moxley. Claudio Castagnoli pulled Moxley out of the ring.

Adam Copeland called Moxley “kid” because Copeland said Moxley was just getting pubes when Copeland started in this business. Copeland said that they are all theirs and Copeland said Rated FTR is taking it all. It was announced that Dynamite Fight For the Fallen on New Year’s Day will be Rated FTR against the Death Riders trio of Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta. Copeland and FTR celebrated to end the show.

Analysis: It obviously sets up Adam Copeland against Jon Moxley in an AEW World Title feud. Adam should win some matches to get the title match. I like that as a rivalry. I also doubt that Copeland will be the guy to take the title from Moxley. The guy who takes the title should be Darby Allin or maybe Will Ospreay, but I can see AEW waiting until the All In PPV next summer for that title change.

AEW Full Gear had a runtime of 3 hours, 37 minutes on pay-per-view. It was shorter than their usual 4 hour PPV.

Analysis: I was very surprised that they did a PPV under four hours. It’s certainly not a complaint. I’m just saying it was a bit of a surprise.

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Five Stars of the Show

  1. Kazuchika Okada
  2. Will Ospreay
  3. Mercedes Mone & Kris Statlander
  4. Kyle Fletcher
  5. Konosuke Takeshita

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Final Thoughts

It gets a 7.5 out of 10 from me.

A show full of some great matches as usual from AEW, but also some matches that didn’t live up to the hype and featured a quiet crowd at times when there used to be more news. That’s just how AEW is right now.

I liked the two Will Ospreay matches the best so he deserves a lot of credit for putting on some classic matches yet again. I wasn’t that surprised by Kazuchika Okada winning the Continental Classic tournament to keep the Continental Title. The Mercedes Mone-Kris Statlander match was one of the best women’s matches in AEW history. I also enjoyed Takeshita-Hobbs quite a bit.

The main event match was a disappointment compared to most AEW PPV main events. It felt like a TV match with all of the interference from Moxley’s friends. At least the ending of the show teases what’s to come in 2025 with Adam Copeland and FTR facing off against Moxley’s Death Riders in the weeks and months ahead.

Here are my AEW PPV reviews of 2024 so far:

Revolution: 9 out of 10 – March 3 (Sting & Darby Allin vs. The Young Bucks)

All Out – 8.25 – September 7 (“Hangman” Adam Page vs. Swerve Strickland)

All In London – 8.25 – August 25 (Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland)

Double Or Nothing 8.25 – May 27 (Anarchy In The Arena: The Elite – The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada & Jack Perry vs. Team AEW – Bryan Danielson, FTR & Darby Allin)

Dynasty: 8.25 – April 21 (Swerve Strickland vs. Samoa Joe)

WrestleDream: 7.75 – October 12 (Jon Moxley vs. Bryan Danielson)

Forbidden Door: 7.5 – June 30 (Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay)

Worlds End – 7.5 – December 28 (Jon Moxley vs. Jay White vs. Orange Cassidy vs. “Hangman” Adam Page)

Full Gear: 7.25 – November 23 (Jon Moxley vs. Orange Cassidy)

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Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

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