AEW Grand Slam Australia
Brisbane, Australia at Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Kenny Omega & Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis): Fletcher and Takeshita made their entrance first to loud boos. Ospreay got a tremendous babyface reaction. There were huge Ospreay chants. Omega got a huge babyface reaction and a big firework display. Don Callis joined commentary for the match. This ring was more smaller compared to the usual AEW sized rings.
Fletcher and Ospreay began exchanging strikes. Fletcher and Takeshita quickly took control rocking Ospreay with a double shoulder tackle. Ospreay responded nailing Fletcher with a handspring kick. The crowd went wild as Omega tagged in catching Fletcher with a flying crossbody. Omega caught Fletcher with a snap Hurricanrana. Takeshita stopped Omega from hitting a Terminator Dive. This led to Ospreay catching Takeshita with a backflip enzuigiri. Omega and Ospreay delivered stereo Terminator Dives to a fantastic crowd reaction.
Fletcher battled back showing Ospreay into Omega’s ribs. Takeshita took control hitting a flying back senton onto Omega for two. Takeshita applied a seated bear hug but Omega placed his foot on the ropes. Omega responded catching Takeshita with a running Slam Dunk. Ospreay tagged in nailing Takeshita with springboard forearm. Omega planted Fletcher with a Snap Dragon Suplex. Takeshita launched Omega with a T-Bone Suplex. Ospreay caught Takeshita with a Cheeky Nando Kick. Ospreay caught Fletcher coming off the ropes with a Spanish Fly to a great reaction in a fun sequence of spots.
Ospreay challenged Fletcher to face him. There were huge Ospreay chants from the crowd. Omega went to bring Fletcher back into the ring. This led to Fletcher running Omega into the barricade. Omega no-sold it rocking Fletcher with a huge strike. There was a great sequence leading to Ospreay catching Fletcher with a jumping DDT. Callis grabbed Ospreay by the legs stopping him from going for the Hidden Blade. Fletcher took advantage planting Ospreay with a Dragon Suplex for a double down.
Omega and Takeshita both tagged into the match exchanging strikes. There was a great spot as Takeshita planted both Omega and Ospreay with a double German Suplex. Takeshita went for a Super Powerbomb but Omega countered into a Super Hurricanrana. Ospreay hit an awesome Sky Twister Press to Fletcher on the floor. Omega rocked Takeshita with a V-Trigger for a two. Takeshita caught Omega charging with a Blue Thunder Bomb for another two to reset the match.
There was a slight miscommunication on a Poisonrana from Omega onto Takeshita. Omega followed blasting Takeshita with a running V-Trigger. Omega teased a Super One Winged Angel. Ospreay caught Takeshita with an awesome Super Cutter. Ospreay blasted Fletcher with a Hidden Blade. Omega and Ospreay both went for their finisher together. This led to Fletcher and Takeshita countering hitting a stereo Dude Buster and Tombstone Piledriver for a double two count.
Takeshita rocked Omega with a Power Driver Knee for a good two count. Fletcher planted Omega with a Brainbuster but Fletcher made the save. Ospreay caught Fletcher with a Stunner. Takeshita rocked Ospreay with a lariat. Omega caught Takeshita off the ropes with a V-Trigger. Omega called for One Winged Angle but Takeshita blocked. Fletcher went for his Turnbuckle Brainbuster but Omega blocked. Omega dropped Takeshita onto the turnbuckle. Ospreay hit a Tope Con Hilo onto Fletcher. Omega and Ospreay hit a One Winged Angel/Hidden Blade combo to Takeshita for the win at 21:20.
WINNERS: Kenny Omega & Will Ospreay
(Amin’s Thoughts) — This match is the perfect example where AEW shows its biggest strength. Just let four tremendous wrestlers go balls to the wall with non-stop action. A really fun action packed tag team match. Omega pinning Takeshita would be the way to set up an International Title match for the Revolution PPV. Overall, a great opening match (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/4)
Mercedes Mone (c) vs. Harley Cameron for the TBS Championship: Cameron received a great reaction in her home country of Australia. Mone got a big heel reaction. Stardom wrestler and winner of the Wrestle Dynasty International Women’s Cup Momo Watanabe was shown ringside.
Mone took control early planting Cameron with a scoop slam. Cameron responded going for a head scissors but the balance was off. They maintained control leading to Cameron hitting a leg sweep. Cameron followed hitting a sliding takedown for two. The crowd cheered as Cameron pulled out the Mercedes Mone puppet.
Mone responded rocking Cameron with a running double knees. Mone kicked the puppet out of the ring. Mone rocked Cameron with a running double knees for two. Mone connected with a sliding Meteora for two. Cameron responded catching Mone with a bulldog off the ropes for a double down. Mone stopped Cameron’s momentum hitting the 3 Amigos to boos. Mone went for a Frog Splash but Cameron got her knees up.
Cameron made a comeback planting Mone with a backdrop suplex for two. Mone responded catching Cameron with a back cracker. Mone delivered a dropkick sending Cameron outside the ring. Cameron looked up holding her Mercedes Mone puppet in hand. Cameron climbed the ropes with her puppet in hand delivering a flying crossbody onto Mone. Cameron followed hitting a Canadian Destroyer for two.
Mone called for the Mone Maker but Cameron countered into a jackknife cover for a two count. Mone stopped Cameron with a Powerbomb. Mone followed hitting a flying Meteora for two. Cameron caught Mone with a series of rollup for a near fall. Cameron connected with a Tiger Feint Kick for two. Cameron went for a Swanton Bomb but Mone moved out of the way. Mone grabbed Cameron hitting the Mone Maker which didn’t look good to retain the TBS Title at 12:50.
WINNER: Mercedes Mone retained the TBS Title
- Mone celebrated her win after the match. Mone left the ring celebrating with all four of her championship belts. Mone walked around ringside. Mone saw Momo Watanabe clapping sarcastically ringside. Mone pie-faced Momo with one of her belts. Mone left and continued celebrating.
(Amin’s Thoughts) — Cameron has definitely shown great signs of improvement as a wrestler. It would’ve been a huge stretch to put the TBS Title on Cameron in just her second match on AEW TV. I haven’t been a fan of Mercedes on-screen character work since coming to AEW. To the credit of Mone she can still deliver when it comes to championship level matches. This wasn’t close to Mercedes best match as champion but was good enough for this show. (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
—Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay were backstage. Omega noted he should be happy celebrating his win with Ospreay but is still pissed off. Omega spoke about being away for the year. Omega said he heard Takeshita and Callis bringing up how they beat Omega twice on PPV in one week. Omega said the International Title is the pinnacle of AEW because he can defend it anywhere. Omega challenged Takeshita to an AEW International Title match at Revolution.
Ospreay spoke next. Ospreay never thought he and Omega would be teaming together. Ospreay also never thought that he would step into Kyle Fletcher’s home country and get a bigger reaction. Ospreay called himself “Babyface Billyl!” Ospreay said whenever Fletcher got the advantage over him it was with the help of the Don Callis Family. Ospreay challenged Fletcher to a Steel Cage Match at Revolution. Ospreay wanted to see if Fletcher was the Protostar. Ospreay said he’s on another level.
(Amin’s Thoughts) — Good promos from both Omega and Ospreay setting up two big match for the AEW Revolution PPV.
AEW World Champion Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli (w/Marina Shafir) vs. Cope & Jay White in a Brisbane Brawl: Cope received an incredible reaction from the fan. There was a tremendous scene as the fans continued to sing along to Cope’s theme song after it stopped playing. This was tremendous and the highlight of the match. White got a great reaction from the fans. Moxley and Claudio made their entrance from the crowd to boos.
Cope and White attacked Moxley and Claudio as they were making their entrance. The brawl continued around ringside and into the crowd. Moxley whacked White with a trash can lid. Cope made his way onto the balcony stands. Cope delivered a flying axe handle smash to Claudio off the balcony. Cope returned to make the save for White.
Cope went to deliver a Superplex to Moxley through a table. Shafir whacked Cope with a kendo stick. White grabbed the kendo stick from Shafir. Claudio returned rocking White with a European Uppercut. Claudio delivered a Powerbomb sending Cope crashing through the table. Claudio placed White in a Giant Swing. Moxley whacked White in the face with a trash can.
Cope appeared catching Moxley and Claudio with a double flying clothesline. Moxley quickly stopped Copeland with a Paradigm Shift DDT. White returned whacking both Moxley with a kendo stick. Moxley stooped White from using the kendo stick. White moved as Claudio charged into a steel chair. White hit a Bladerunner onto Claudio. Wheeler Yuta appeared whipping White with a belt. The fans cheered as White no-sold Yuta belt whips. White gave Yuta a Bladerunner. Moxley gave White a Curb Stomp.
Cope delivered a spear sending Claudio crashing through the table. Cope rocked Moxley with a spear. Cope attacked Moxley with a bared wire chair. Cope teased delivering the Con-Chair-To. Yuta made the save for Moxley. Shafir attacked Cope with the briefcase. Claudio delivered the Neutralizer to Cope for two. Moxley placed Cope in a Bulldog Choke for the submission win at 14:40.
WINNERS: Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagoni
- Jon Moxley placed Cope in the Bulldog Choke after the match. There were loud chants of “Bulls*it”
(Amin’s Thoughts) — The highlight was the crowd singing along to Cope’s theme song. This was just your usual AEW weapons match. The finish of this match made absolute no sense especially with Cope challenging Moxley for the AEW World Title at the Revolution PPV. Is this actually leading to Christian Cage cashing in his contract at the Revolution PPV during the actual AEW World Title match? Everything involving Jon Moxley and his crew since WrestleDream of last year has mostly sucked. It has reached go-away level heat. (⭐️⭐️1/2)
Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Buddy Matthews for the AEW Continental Championship: Buddy received a great reaction in his home country of Australia. Okada received a great reaction. Buddy offered a handshake but Okada responded with the finger. Buddy and Okada were evenly matched to start the match. Okada grabbed his belt and went to leave. Buddy grabbed the mic and called Okada a Wanker.
Buddy and Okada exchanged strikes. Buddy connected with a jumping knee drop for two. Buddy dropped Okada onto the ring apron. Okada responded catching Buddy with a flapjack. Okada took control hitting a standing dropkick sending Buddy outside the ring. Buddy was selling his leg injury outside the ring. Okada planted Buddy with a DDT for a two count.
Buddy battled back hitting a Tope Con Hilo to Okada onto the floor. Buddy followed hitting a flying Meteora for two. Okada responded catching Buddy with an Air Raid Crash. Okada followed hitting a flying elbow drop. Okada gave the crowd the finger. Buddy responded catching Okada with a GTS. Buddy called for the Curb Stomp but Okada moved. Okada connected with a Rainmaker but Buddy kicked out for a good near fall at two.
Okada grabbed his belt and entered the ring. Buddy caught Okada with a Curb Stomp for two. Buddy connected with Murphy’s Law but Okada placed his foot on the ropes in a great spot. Okada caught Buddy with a DDT on the floor. Buddy stopped Okada from climbing the ropes. Buddy planted Okada with a Superplex. Buddy maintained control hitting a Jackhammer for two.
There was a cool spot as Buddy placed Okada in Rhea Ripley’s signature submission hold (Inverted Texas Cloverleaf). This got a great reaction from the crowd. Okada rolled through sending Buddy into the referee. Buddy moved as Okada almost collided with the referee. Okada grabbed hold onto the referee’s shirt. Okada gave Buddy a low blow. Okada delivered a Rainmaker to retain the AEW Continental Title at 13:25.
WINNER: Kazuchika Okada retained the AEW Continental Title
(Amin’s Thoughts) — Buddy was noticeably selling his ankle injury. Hopefully, the injury isn’t as serious and Buddy will be back in action soon. They gave Buddy a nice moment having him kick out of Okada’s Rainmaker finish. A good showing from Okada but this wasn’t close to his prime version. Overall, the match itself was good but something you can see on an episode of Dynamite.(⭐️⭐️⭐️1/4)
Mariah May (c) vs. “Timeless” Toni Storm for the AEW Women’s World Championship: May made her entrance to loud boos. The classic Toni Storm theme song played. The lights went out. The fans cheered as “Timeless” Toni Storm got a tremendous reaction. The match got a big reaction as the bell rang.
May and Storm began exchanging big strikes. Storm took control early stomping away at May in the corner. May responded catching Storm with a Slingblade. May took control hitting a basement dropkick. May called for May Day but Storm countered hitting series of German Suplex. Storm teased a German Suplex from the ring apron but May grabbed hold onto the ropes. May battled back hitting a Woo Dropkick sending Storm into the barricade. This is where Luther made his way ringside.
May took control sending Storm crashing into the barricade. May ripped up a sign ringside. May planted Storm with a spinning slam for two. Storm battled back rocking May with a running clothesline. Storm made a comeback hitting a Sit-Out Powerbomb for two. Storm applied an STF. May broke free bitting Storm’s hand. Storm responded slamming May’s face to the mat. Storm re-applied the STF but May grabbed the ropes.
Storm went for a running hip attack but crashed into the ring post. May took advantage planting Storm with May Day on the floor. May followed hitting a missile dropkick. May rocked Storm with a running hip attack. Storm responded catching May with May Day for a two count. Storm rocked May with a series of running hip attacks. Storm delivered Storm Zero but May kicked out for a strong two count.
May responded planting Storm with a backdrop suplex. May delivered May Day to Storm. May followed hitting a second May Day but Storm kicked out for a strong two count. May nailed Storm with a series of slaps. May kissed Storm on the lips. Storm responded catching May with a running Powerbomb. Storm followed hitting Storm Zero. May rolled outside the ring. May rocked Storm with a head butt. May delivered Storm Zero to Storm. May called for May Day. Storm countered catching May with an inside cradle to win the AEW Women’s World Title to a big reaction in 15:00.
WINNER: “Timeless” Toni Storm won the AEW Women’s World Title
- The crowd cheered as “Timeless” Toni Storm celebrated with the AEW Women’s World Title. The show ended.
(Amin’s Thoughts) — I was glad to see May and Storm get the main event on the show. The wrestling was very good as both May and Storm worked a great match. They were looking for that big reaction with both May and Storm not going down to each other finishers. I actually liked the finish with Storm winning the title with a classic wrestling hold. They also left the window open for a possible rematch at Revolution with some stipulation instead of just rushing a new challenger for Storm. May is a great wrestler but her reign has champion was underwhelming. That’s mostly due to the creative in AEW. They gave the crowd the happy moment with one home country wrestler winning the title. I liked their match at All In London much more. This was still a very good match. A nice moment for Storm winning the title in Australia. (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
AEW GRAND SLAM
FINAL SCORE: 8 OUT OF 10
Overall Thoughts: AEW PPVs are mostly great because it all about putting on great wrestling matches. AEW Grand Slam Australia was another such example. They gave the Australia fans a nice moment with “Timeless” Toni Storm title win. The only thing that wasn’t good was Jon Moxley’s match. Apart from that, everything else ranged from good to great. Overall, a very good show.
