Welcome to a delayed recap of All Elite Wrestling’s Grand Slam Mexico! The show takes place at Arena Mexico, a must for any wrestling fan with a bucket list of venues to visit.
Wednesday nights can sometimes sneak up on you, like that meme I don’t have to describe for you. You know the one.
Let’s get to it!
Excalibur hypes up the crowd with some Espanol before “Hangman” Adam Page’s music hits.
Page cuts a Spanish promo, first apologizing for his Espanol not being the best. He’s sympathetic with the circumstances (you know…) and he thanks the crowd for welcoming AEW into Mexico. He says he won’t be wrestling tonight and that he’s been banned from the arena for the duration of the main event.
The crowd erupts with a “Cowboy Shit” chant after he mentions something about Moxley. Less than kind words, which Excalibur doesn’t translate for the viewing audience.
1. Adam Cole, Atlantis, Atlantis, Jr., Bandido, Brody King, Daniel Garcia, & Templario vs. Dax Harwood, Don Callis Family (Hechicero, Josh Alexander, Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, & Lance Archer), & Volador, Jr.
FTR come out first. Stokely says Cash Wheeler will not be here tonight (replaced by Volador, Jr.). He thanks the crowd by saying “grassy ass”. I mean, close but not really.
There are some in this writer’s opinion, but not many entrance themes are better than Konosuke Takeshita’s.
Bandido comes out first for his team but wastes no time, going straight to the ring. Brody King comes out wearing a tank that says “Abolish ICE”. The crowd erupts for Daniel Garcia after King, and then even louder for Adam Cole. He gets a loud “BOOM” for his entrance. Talk about being over! The intros alone take a while.
Bandido and Takeshita start for their respective sides and the crowd makes no secret about who they support. Takeshita gets lifted onto Bandido’s shoulders but counters the knee. Hechicero comes in.
Interesting note: with there being so many wrestlers in this match, only one man is outside the ropes on the ring. The other five for each team are on the floor.
Templario hits Volador, Jr. with a Sasuke Special and then Brody King takes his turn and Lance Archer counters for the heels.Josh Alexander gets involved but Adam Cole evens the numbers. King hits Alexander with a Death Valley Driver on the outside of the ring – the most painful spot with zero give.
Back from commercial, Daniel Garcia hits a Neckbreaker on Josh Alexander. Bandido follows up with a Press Slam. Alexander joins him on the ropes and nails a Belly-to-Belly Suplex.
Fletcher and Atlantis, Jr. get involved. Atlantis, Jr. is a polarizing figure for the crowd, unlike Atlantis.
Atlantis, Jr. and Templario hit Takeshita with Tope Suicidas.
Archer and King smack each other around for a bit before Hechicero gets his turn. King nails a clean Hurricanrana. Did you know he had that in his back pocket?
Atlantis, Jr. hits Dax Harwood with a small package cover.
Winners: Adam Cole, Atlantis, Atlantis, Jr., Bandido, Brody King, Daniel Garcia, & Templario.
A hype video plays for the upcoming Okada / Omega match at All In.
2. Mark Briscoe vs. Kazuchika Okada
Much to the chagrin of the commentary team, Don Callis joins their desk for this match.
The bell rings and the two stare each other down in the center of the ring. Okada backs out of the ring. Don Callis puts over Okada and his recruiting to Callis’ interests.
Okada uses his size and leverage advantages but Briscoe’s Redneck Kung-Fu is always a great equalizer, regardless of his opponent’s skill set.
Okada overpowers Briscoe and drops him face-first to the mat, a long way down from Okada’s shoulders. The two exchange forearm shots before Okada gouges Briscoe’s eyes.
Okada takes control and flips off the crowd as they boo him. Briscoe gets up and bites the finger, regaining control. Okada kicks out at two as Briscoe covers up.
Okada nails a Tombstone Piledriver and follows with a Rainmaker.
Winner: Kazuchika Okada.
Okada and Callis stand in the middle of the ring as the crowd chants “OMEGA!” The two continue to attack Briscoe a while longer before leaving.
3. MJF vs. Mistico
The camera goes to the crowd and your eyes wouldn’t be tricking you if you think you saw a fan in a Winnipeg Jets jersey!
Mistico’s music hits and the crowd sings along as loud as they can. The Hurt Syndicate are in the ring with MJF, definitely trying to intimidate Mistico. Not sure it works.
Mistico works the ropes with MJF’s hand. He nails a Code Red and almost gets the quick victory. The crowd cheers louder, wanting their favorite to take it to MJF. That seems to be the case most of the time when he’s in a match.
MJF taunts the crowd after landing a cheap shot. Mistico evades a Knee Drop but MJF counters and lands stiff boots.
MJF hits a Powerbomb to his knee, getting two on the count. He unsurpisingly gets cocky and continues the disrespect. MVP isn’t thrilled. MJF’s style just doesn’t mesh with what MVP likes his guys to do in the ring.
Mistico bounces himself off the ropes and lands an elbow to MJF’s jaw.
MJF goes for the eyes and is rewarded with a thrust kick to his jaw. He gets dropped with a Canadian Destroyer but he lands on top of Mistico. Not long enough for the win.
The challenger, who called for this match, goes up the ramp. Mistico follows and gets hit with a Tombstone Piledriver. MJF wants a count-out win.
The luchador gets MJF to tap but the ref isn’t looking as MVP distracts him. MJF hits a low blow but it’s not enough. He goes for another and the ref sees this one.
Winner: Mistico via disqualification.
The Hurt Syndicate get some shots in and MJF goes for the mask. He takes it off very easily. Nobody’s been able to de-mask Mistico in 25 years. MJF dons the mask. Bandido and Templario distract THS as “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight surprise them from behind.
4. Hologram vs. Lio Rush vs. Mascara Dorada vs. Ricochet (4 Million Peso Match)
Lio Rush and Ricochet form a temporary alliance against the other two even though there can only be one winner.
Dorada and Lio Rush get solid shots on each other. Dorada gets the advantage before Ricochet disrupts him. Ricochet hits Hologram with Anti-Air and then Rush lands on him outside the ring.
The alliance breaks down and Dorada takes them both down. Hologram and Mascara Dorada both land on the other two outside the ring within a second.
Dorada hits Hologram with a Crucifix Bomb but then Ricochet and Lio Rush disrupt the follow-up. Rush gets Dorada down for a two-count.
Ricochet and Rush are on the top rope in the corner. Hologram grabs Rush and pushes him into Ricochet.
Hologram takes Rush for a spin and covers.
Winner: Hologram.
5. Mercedes Mone vs. Zeuxis (c) (CMLL World Women’s Championship)
Mercedes Mone is 22-0 in AEW and she’ll look to add another title to her collection with another win in this match.
Zeuxis fakes her out and takes the early advantage. These two wrestled last year so they are more than familiar with each other. Zeuxis gets an early Sunset Flip cover but Mone kicks out at two.
She picks up Mone upside down and hits a devastating Lungblower. Mone is able to kick out.
Mone takes advantage with a submission hold but Zeuxis gets herself to the rope, forcing a break. Mone hits a Meteora from the middle rope but the champion kicks out.
Mone heads out of the ring to collect herself but Zeuxis hits a Tope Suicida and lands rough on the outside. Mone takes advantage.
Zeuxis gets to the top rope and hits a Spanish Fly but Mone kicks out. Mercedes Mone hits a Backstabber but Zeuxis fights off the submission hold. Zeuxis grabs Mone on the top rope but the CEO counters and gets the pinfall.
Winner: AND NEW CMLL World Women’s Champion, Mercedes Mone!
I think that’s five belts for her right now?
The crowd cheers as streamers fall. “Timeless” Toni Storm is on the big screen in a video. Mina Shirakawa is at the top of the ramp as a distraction. Storm drops Mone and her multiple belts go all over the place. Multiple referees separate the two.
Storm grabs a mic and says “Let the games begin!” before doing snow angels on the ramp.
6. Beast Mortos & Death Riders (Jon Moxley & Wheeler YUTA) & Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) vs. Shane “Swerve” Strickland, the Opps (Katsuyori Shibata, Samoa Joe, & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs) & Will Ospreay
Ospreay comes out first and is sporting a bandage around his forehead from last week.
The Opps come out next. Imagine having a faction with HOOK – a talented wrestler in his own right – but replacing him with Will Hobbs. I mean… come on!
Swerve Strickland enters last for his side and Prince Nana gets the crowd going.
The Beast Mortos has replaced Claudio Castagnoli in the match as the Swiss Destroyer (is that a nickname? I might have just made that up) faced travel issues and isn’t in Mexico.
The Aerial Assassin and Matt Jackson start. Jackson immediately tags in Mortos and he lands a big smack. The crowd chants “Ole, ole ole ole, Ospreay! Ospreay!”
The Young Bucks hit a Gutbuster-Neckbreaker combo on Swerve. Swerve takes control over Wheeler Yuta and prevents him from making a tag. He tags in Samoa Joe and he tees off on Yuta in the corner. Is there anyone who can actually intimidate Samoa Joe?
Katsuyori Shibata tags in and he gets his turn teeing off on Yuta. The Opps isolate him and Hobbs runs into him in the corner.
After Joe tries a pin, Yuta is finally able to tag in Jon Moxley. Joe grabs him in the Coquina Clutch as then everyone gets in the ring. Ospreay gets on the top rope and hits a massive Sky Twister Press on multiple bodies outside.
Back from a break, Moxley and Ospreay as in the center of the ring. Moxley secures a Kimura lock but Ospreay fights out of it. Moxley’s dazed but both tag in. Hobbs and Yuta enter and you can guess who takes control quite easily.
Hobbs hits a Short-Arm Lariat. The Young bucks try to attack him but he grabs both their throats. Yuta jumps on his back and Moxley kicks his gut. It takes four men to take down Hobbs.
Hobbs and Shibata single out Yuta.
The Beast Mortos spears Hobbs and that’s not easy to do. He comes in like a wrecking ball. Him and Samoa Joe square off in the center of the ring. Joe spikes him. The Young Bucks surprise him but Ospreay makes the save.
Ospreay counters the EVP Trigger with a 2 FOR 1 Os-Cutter. Swerve nails both of them as well.
Yuta hits a Busaiko Knee to drop Shibata but he gets back and lands a PK. Swerve and Moxley get tagged in.
Swerve and Ospreay show some insane teamwork on Moxley. Matthew Jackson disrupts them. Marina Shafir gets involved.
Moxley covers Swerve (grabbing his pants) and gets the three-count.
Winners: The Death Riders, The Young Bucks, and Beast Mortos.
The beat-down ensues With the Young Bucks and Moxley on Swerve. “Hangman” Adam Page’s music hits and he and Moxley tee off.
Yuta tries getting involved. Matthew Jackson gets hit with the Buckshot Lariat as Moxley evades.
Moxley grabs the breifcase but there are four opponents in the ring, forcing him to slither away. Page chases them off and has a stare down with the Jacksons. The camera cuts as The Opps and Page are in the ring.
