AEW All In Texas delivered a night of satisfying conclusions while beginning to build the next arc heading towards Forbidden Door. After epic showdowns at the pay-per-view, what is next for our heroes and ne’er-do-wells?
The Young Bucks arrive in an Uber to the arena. Poor guys.
New AEW Men’s World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page kicks off the show, greeted by a “You deserve it” chant which he reverses on the fans to boldly claim they deserve it instead. This prompts a “we deserve it” chant. He cut one of the best promos I have seen from him, passionate as always but now with more edge as assertiveness about being the flag-bearer of the company. He thanks a number of wrestlers, such as Orange Cassidy, The Opps, Ospreay, Danielson, and Darby Allin, but notably thanked Swerve Strickland.
This felt like the right way to kick off the show. No interruptions or unnecessary brawls. Straight shooting to the point. Given Hangman and Mox will collide later in the show, it was fine to keep them separated for now.
Kyle Fletcher defeated Mascara Dorada
With no Ospreay on the program, AEW delivered the next best thing. Fletcher and Dorada put on a spectacular show. Dorada may not yet be widely known to American audiences, but with more appearances in AEW and in ROH, this could quickly change. Dorada gave it his all, but ultimately Fletcher emerged victorious with a brainbuster. My one critique is Fletcher’s arrogant pin at the end. The guy took a beating, should have sold it more on the finish.
Another note, whoever coordinates the camera work needs a huge raise. Beautiful tracking shots.
After the match, Fletcher threatens TNT Champion Dustin Rhodes.
Backstage: Don Callis tries to recruit the Bucks, however while they decline, instead form some sort of partnership for mutual benefit. Business partners if you will.
Hechicero, Josh Alexander, and The Young Bucks defeated Bandido, Brody King, Kevin Knight, and Mike Bailey
The intro was hilarious. Whereas the “Founding Fathers” theme initially hit, then suddenly turned to silence as the big screens flashed “Nick and Matt” in lowercase comic sans font like a bad powerpoint from 1998. Even Justin Roberts had some fun by ridiculing the Bucks for losing their EVP status.
Hechicero forced a submission onto Bandido after a long, and hard fought match. This was the sort of match where everyone got their minutes of momentum, and then came the superkick parties and Brody Bowling Body league. Very impressive how the heels worked well together, almost as though the Bucks see the benefits to working with The Callis Family.
Will this lead to yet another betrayal by Don Callis? He does seem to have a long and proud track record of it.
Cope returned to cut an in-ring promo. He said he didn’t come back to save Christian Cage, but didn’t hurt to time it so he could deliver his message in the hope it won’t fall on deaf ears, but doesn’t think Cage will really change. It’s interesting how he initially delivers a message of goodwill towards the man who turned his back, and equally dismissed the notion in which Christian Cage could change his ways. In fact, Cope seems to be a bit more aggressive and possibly cynical in tone as well. This shook off as he revealed his true intentions, targeting FTR.
This prompts Stokley to come out and speak on their behalf. He threatens Cope with a suspension or firing should he go after FTR. Instead, Cope spears Stoke.
A bit long and drawn out. If Cope is going to feud with FTR, I imagine he will have obligatory one-on-one matches, but inevitably will need a tag team partner.
Thekla defeated Queen Aminata, Kris Statlander, and Willow Nightengale in a Fatal Four Way.
Fantastic match. Thekla and Aminata would be perfect together, as does Statlander and Willow, who are no strangers. Thekla had some help from Julia Hart and Skye Blue, curiously both wearing shirts with the word “Sin” on them. It seems the Toxic Spider has joined Hart and Blue.
Wondering where Statlander goes from here. It seems as though she is destined to feud with Willow forever, which isn’t terrible, but that novelty will wear off soon. It feels sort of a Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens relationship. Love, hate, love, hate, hate more, more hate, then somehow love again.
“Timeless” Toni Storm graces us from an upper balcony with a euphoric promo of her victory in her usual graceful innuendo-filled way. However, Athena, the ROH Women’s Champion, interrupts to warn Toni she will be challenging soon. With Mone absent tonight, there was no response or anticipation of a rematch, however it seems should a rematch occur, it may only fuel the impending feud developing with Athena.
AEW Unified Champion Kazuchka Okada defeated Rafael Quintero
Okada beat the jobber rather briskly, then cut a promo directed towards Swerve Strickland. Not one to ignore a threat, Swerve came to the ring and displayed no fear towards the champion.
The squash match seemed unnecessary, but did get Okada in the ring and gave us a segment with Swerve.
Pre-taped segment: MJF throws warnings towards Hangman.
Is the feud with Mark Briscoe already over?
“Hangman” Adam Page, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Mark Briscoe defeated The Death Riders
Put the pin in this one. After a briefly chaotic match, Page scored the pinfall on Castignoli. Mox, still reeling from Sunday, tried ambushing Page, but earned himself a Buckshot Lariat for his efforts. It seems the Death Riders are very much in retreat mode. They attempt to re-assert themselves but Darby Allin swings down from the rafters to up the numbers against Mox and company.
It certainly feels like the Death Riders are plain ol’ mortals now. Darby Allin is playing Sting and going after the Riders. Sorta like the ol’ WCW vs. nWo angle still going, doesn’t it?
