Death Riders ride on but the plot thickens at Worlds End

Sully Khan

AEW World's End 2024 poster

The year 2024 has come and gone, and AEW would have us believe that today is the end of the world. But tonight isn’t the first iteration of this event (insert complicated math meme). The main event’s three challengers have not always been able to get on the same page in their fight against AEW World Champion Jon Moxley and the Death Riders but Wednesday and Friday showed some cohesion.

There may or may not be some surprises tonight. That’s what I’m here for! Let’s see if the end of the world is enough motivation for them to do so. Sit tight. Are you ready for the end of the world?

Zero Hour

1P. Toni Storm vs. Leila Grey

Storm starts with a handshake, excited to share the ring with another wrestler she admires.

Toni gets the better of some arm holds with a front face-lock. Grey’s forced to break the early pinfall. Toni Storm hits a double dropkick with momentum off the ropes. A splash yields a two-count on the cover.

Leila nails her with a big clothesline and gets a two-count on the cover. She returns the dropkick, getting one on the quick cover.

Toni looks quite experienced, for a rookie. Leila Grey gets a submission locked in but can’t lock it in and Storm gets her hips moving to get her foot to the ropes for the break.

Storm flies out of the corner and takes down Grey, executing the Hip Attack. Grey hits a neckbreaker off the middle rope, only getting two on the pinfall.

Toni Storm counters a cross-body hold with a pinfall and gets the victory! The rookie is making waves.

Winner: “The Rookie” Toni Storm via pinfall.

Lexi Nair is backstage with QT Marshall. He puts over his opponent but also says Jarrett is “desperate to stay relevant in professional wrestling”. Nair seems unimpressed with Marshall’s arrogance. She forces a thumbs-up when he gets a selfie with her.

2P. Jeff Jarrett vs. “Big Doom” QT Marshall

“QT Sucks” chants and he responds with an arm-drag, getting Jarrett on the mat. Marshall gets cocky a while later and lays back on the ropes in the corner. Someone tell him he’s not MJF.

Jarrett responds with a hip-toss and clotheslines him out of the ring. Marshall gets back and gains the upper hand. “You still suck” chants lets Marshall know how the fans in Orlando feel about him.

Marshall hits a back handspring and staggers Jarrett. This match crawls along.

Jarrett gets the upper hand and lands a number of punches in the corner. But Marshall chops the windpipe and regains control.

Marshall goes to the top rope of the corner. Jarrett brings him back down and puts him in a sharpshooter. Aaron Solo rushes out because of course.

Marshall hits a Stroke on Jarrett. Marshall tells Solo to “get the guitar”. Jay Lethal intervenes and Jarrett lands a Stroke of his own, winning the match.

Winner: Jeff Jarrett via pinfall.

Lexi talks with Toni – on her “first pay-per-view”. AEW is now “Toni Time”. Deonna Purrazzo comes out and challenges Toni Storm for the first ever simulcast on Collision. “Thanks for the opportunity!” Why isn’t she still Timeless?

3P. The Outrunners and Top Flight vs. Lio Rush, Action Andretti, and Murder Machines

The Outrunners’ intro is a cinematic experience. The commitment is on point. 10/10.

Don Callis comes out with the Murder Machines because of course he does.

Darius Martin starts off against Lance Archer. Speed vs. power. Take one guess which one comes out on top. Brian Cage tags in and just throws Darius over his back like a bag of rice. Andretti and Lio try to get more offense in but can’t prevent a tag to Dante. Archer distracts Dante and Andretti jumps on his back. Private Party watching from backstage. The Outrunners hit Rush and Andretti with double Atomic Drops. Is it still atomic?

Truth Magnum was the focus of some creative offense from Andretti. Cage tags himself in and Andretti is less than pleased. Some dissension?

Don Callis lands a cheap shot with the ref’s back turned. Cage and Archer take control of the match, leading to “F&$* you, Callis!” chants. Depending on who you ask, those chants may be justified.

Cage gets hit with a jawbreaker and Truth Magnum can’t get the tag. Turbo Floyd goes turbo and lays waste to Andretti and Rush. But Cage and Archer stop him. The Outrunners drop Cage on his back and then a slam from Turbo drops Cage. A quadruple elbow drop by the faces for a nice move. Cage almost takes Dante’s head off with a running clothesline.

Top Flight show off their tag-team chemistry with moves on Lio Rush. But in come Cage and Archer for a big move and pinfall on Dante. The Outrunners break it up. Lio Rush gets the pinfall for his team but the Murder Machines and Callis are less than happy.

Winners: Lio Rush, Action Andretti, and Murder Machines.

Private Party come out, daring the duo of Rush and Andretti to “pull up.”

Lexi is backstage with Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt, and Satnam Singh. Jarrett says that Fight for the Fallen will be the place for a special announcement regarding his career. The crowd holds its breath.

MAIN CARD:

1. Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher (Continental Classic Semifinal)

Starting off with what could potentially be the best match of the night. Fletcher runs right at Ospreay as the bell rings but Ospreay dodges. The chemistry between these two is almost tangible. Fletcher controls Ospreay early and throws him down on the corner of the apron, right on the small of the back.

Fletcher grabs a sign that says “Ospreay Better” and rips it in half. Another fan holds a sign that reads “Ospreay Still Better”. Ospreay’s head gets opened up against the ringside barricade. Is Fletcher a shark? A swift kick to Ospreay’s head is a strong argument for.

“You sick F*%@” chants are queued from Fletcher getting Ospreay’s blood on himself and tasting it. AEW is for the sickos, as the kids say. This is not kid-friendly viewing, people.

Flethcer lets himself get a bit cocky as Ospreay is losing a lot of blood and his chops are not effective. Out of nowhere, Ospreay nails him with a clothesline and fights to his feet, landing a back-body-drop. A nice Standing Sky Twister Press gets Ospreay a two-count.

Stundog Millionaire countered by a half-and-half suplex. Ospreay hits a Spanish Fly with the blood just covering his entire face. The former friends exchange chops in the middle of the ring. More counters and an Os-Cutter leads to a very near win but only two on the count. Hidden Blade from Fletcher after a Poisonrana from Ospreay.

I repeat, AEW is for the sickos. Headbutts exchanged and Ospreay counters. Fletcher pushes the ref and kicks out after a Hidden Blade. Fletcher hits a brainbuster, again for two.

Styles Clash from Ospreay. 1, 2, 3.

Winner: Will Ospreay via pinfall. Ospreay advances to the Continental Classic Final.

2. Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Ricochet (Continental Classic Semifinal)

Ricochet goes for the hair early and the crowd reminds him that he’s bald.

Okada responds to the hair pull with an ear pull. Ricochet hits a dropkick to send Okada to the outside. Okada returns quickly and lands a boot to Ricochet’s head.

Okada gets Ricochet staggered in the middle of the ring. He goes to each side of the ropes and lands with a slap to the bald head as Ricochet braced for something with each pass.

Ricochet lands an inadvertent low-blow and hits a tope suicida, pinning Okada against the broadcast desk. Ricochet uses his bald head as a wrecking ball. But Okada gets back to his feet after sustained offense, returning fire. A DDT from Okada only gets him a two-count. A lot of counters and agility from Ricochet, as expected. He’s got the advantage there.

Okada plays the long game, as a lot of his opponents will tell you he does. Okada goes for an elbow-drop off the ropes and prepares for the Rainmaker. Ricochet counters with a Fireman’s Carry. Okada gets off a standing dropkick but lands awkwardly and Ricochet hits a Shooting Star Press. Weak cover.

Okada dodges a Spirit Gun and Okada hits a dropkick. Both men lay on the mat, forcing the ref to get up to a count of five.

Okada hits a Rainmaker.

Winner: Kazuchika Okada via pinfall. He goes on to face Ospreay in the Final.

Toilet paper ends up in the ring and Swerve comes out with Ricochet still in the ring. Swerve takes a moment, allowing “Swerve’s House” chants to erupt. He reminds Ricochet that he said he’d win the tournament. Ricochet is going to get embarrassed and Swerve is making it big. He says that Ricochet talks a lot of “mess”. Prince Nana comes in with a wagon full of toilet paper, handing it out to the fans. This is why I watch wrestling, for the accountability. Let’s all wish Ricochet a “Happy New Year, Trevor!”

Renee meets Ospreay backstage as he’s being tended to. “Is there something on my face?” Ospreay is great. He mentions that he will fight but he needs the crowd behind him. He mentions his record (2-8) in about ten matches with Okada in Japan.

3. Mariah May (c) vs. Thunder Rosa in a Tijuana Street Fight for the AEW Women’s World Championship

Thunder Rosa comes out with her original AEW entrance music. She’s playing no games.

Rosa interrupts May before the bell rings, jumping her outside the ring. Rosa goes for an early pin after the quick start but no dice.

May gets her turn with some offense but misses a missile dropkick as Rosa evades. With May flat on her stomach, Rosa looks under the ring to pull out various contraband. May walks up the ramp but Rosa gets her from behind. DDT from May, two on the count.

May spits some tequila in Rosa’s face. The retaliation? Being tackled through the display at the entrance tunnels. Rosa hits May with a bottle right on the noggin, but only two on the count. Falls count anywhere in this one.

The two get in the middle of the ring and go at each other. Rosa hits a Death Valley Driver but slow to cover so the two continue on.

Rosa brings the pinata, opening it. Thumbtacks spill out. Rosa gets planted on them but May gets some under her as she lands as well.

May goes over to Rosa’s dad, taking off his hat and grabbing his cane. Wrapping barbed wire around her knee. Rosa dodges and May’s knee is driven in to the steel steps. Rosa uses her father’s cane to her advantage and then hits a big chop to the chest. Out comes the table!

A vicious shotgun missile dropkick off the table stuns May but not enough for the three-count. Rosa gets a chain around May’s throat. May counters with some dirt into Rosa’s face. Dirt that her dad brought from the Tijuana graveyard. Plants her onto a table outside the ring.

Street Fight over.

Winner: Mariah May retains via pinfall.

4. MJF (ring holder) vs. Adam Cole for the AEW Dynamite Diamond Ring

Cole has Matt Taven and Mike Bennett at ringside by the Dynamite Diamond Ring. MJF has nobody.

MJF pulls a classic move and ducks out of the ring at the start. Cole jumps him from behind, expecting it. He goes for a Panama Sunrise early but MJF rolls out. Cole’s head gets planted on the steel steps and he gets opened up. MJF takes advantage. AEW has a few shark-like wrestlers in the locker room.

But Cole gets back up and fights. MJF bites at the cut. MJF goes for a pinfall after a backbreaker and gets a two-count. Cole hits a super-kick as MJF jumps off the second rope. Cole hits a Backstabber and a Brainbuster, again only getting two on the count.

Cole goes for a Panama Sunrise, misses, and lands badly on his left leg. MJF takes advantage, going after the injured limb. Cole eventually gets MJF face first into the ring post after the heel gloats. He gets cut open in about the same spot on the forehead.

Cole gets nine head punches in the corner and then bites MJF’s forehead. A Panama Sunrise only gets him a two-count. MJF baits him in and dives at the left knee. MJF spits at Cole. Counter with a superkick. MJF gets him into a Figure Four leg-lock. Cole turns it over and MJF drags himself to the ropes.

MJF walks towards the duo and the ref’s back was turned. MJF sells outside interference and the two get tossed. MJF grabs the ring but Cole superkicks him. MJF hits a low-blow and a Heat Seeker.

Winner: MJF retains the ring via pinfall.

MJF grabs the security guard’s chair and re-enters the ring, aiming to break Adam Cole’s leg. Roderick Strong makes the save. MJF runs out, only to be stopped by Kyle O’Reilly. Three quarters of one of the most over factions in recent history reunite, with Matt Taven and Mike Bennett in tow.

5. Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Powerhouse Hobbs for the AEW International Championship

His entrance music slaps but can we please just call him Will again?

Don Callis joins the broadcast table. Hobbs makes sure Callis is watching as they’re right in front of the broadcast table and he picks up Takeshita like a sack of road salt. Then again, why would you need road salt in Florida.

Takeshita counters, picking up Hobbs easily. Takeshita wraps Hobbs’ knee around the ring post. A DDT, a popular move through many matches tonight. He keeps going after Hobbs’ right knee with the brace on.

Hobbs hits a cross-body after Takeshita hit an Irish Whip. Powerslam by Hobbs. But his knee takes a lot of the impact. Hobbs kicks out of a Tombstone Piledriver at two. Lariats exchanged. Takeshita nails a German suplex. Hobbs intercepts a knee before taking an elbow. Hobbs hits a powerslam but follows it up with a big lariat. Two on the count.

Takeshita hits a Blue Thunder Bomb and Hobbs kicks out at one. Hobbs on the ropes and Takeshita meets him up there. Hobbs’ knee couldn’t stand it, bringing him back down for a second time. Takeshita hits a superplex from the top rope and then a senton.

Hobbs lands a powerslam counter but only gets two again. The straps fall for Hobbs as he finds a second wind. Hobbs hits a Falling Avalanche Powerslam but his knee is in a lot of pain. He takes off the brace. Takeshita goes for a kick right to the knee.

Standing guillotine in the middle of the ring. Raging Fire in the middle of the ring. What an effort from the challenger.

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita retains via pinfall.

As the champion, Takeshita will face Shingo Takagi at Wrestle Dynasty.

Renee Paquette caught up with Okada. He reminds Will Ospreay that he’s his little brother, followed by a certain cuss word I’m sure you can guess on your own.

6. Mercedes Mone (c) vs. Kris Statlander

Statlander hits some power moves to gain an early advantage.

The CEO gets advantage via wearing Statlander down with various submissions. But multiple powerslams from Statlander and a backbreaker stifle the champion. Especially after a fallaway slam.

Mone takes herself out of pinning position by rolling under the ropes. Statlander gets to the second rope and attempts to pick up the champion. Mone counters and drops Statlander on the small of her back on the edge of the ring apron. A cover gets two on the count. The champion hits some knees into the challenger’s back in the middle of the ring. Mone hits the knees in the corner of the ring. Unsuccessful cover.

Mone hits a Backstabber but two on the count. She gets grip of Statlander’s hands behind her own head, pinning the challenger’s back against her knees. She pulls the hair and brings Statlander onto her back. Mone goes for a Meteora but Statlander drops her on her back. Her own back won’t let her capitalize.

A beautiful Release German Suplex with a high bridge lands the champ on her back. Statlander uses her power but multiple pinfall attempts only get her a 2.5 count at best. The champion connects on the Three Amigos, going for four bonus Amigos. The fans chant “Eddie”, rightfully so.

Mone hits a Frog Splash but Statlander kicks out yet again. Remember what I said at the start of the night? AEW is for the sickos. No blood in this one, though. Just a sick match.

Knee strike from Mone misses as Statlander dodges. A Package Piledriver only gets her two, somehow. Mone hits three jawbreakers but it’s going to take more than that to stifle Statlander.

The apron falls off the side of the ring as both fall to the outside. Mone hits a Money Maker on the outside and cannot cover. The ref gets up to a six count before Mone returns and she gets out again at nine. She steps on the side of Statlander’s left knee as the challenger is caught in the side of the ring.

Diving knees first allows the champ to get more offense. Statlander has to take off her shoe. She grabs Mone and drops her on the apron and then in the ring. Two count, somehow. Mone’s right shoulder barely gets up.

Mone hits a Tombstone Piledriver on the apron but neither can move. The ref gets up to 9 on the count-out and Mone pre-emptively celebrates. “Why won’t you die?”

Mone tries for a submission but Statlander gets her hand around the rope. “Fight Forever” chants ring through the arena.

Mone can’t understand why Statlander won’t give up. The challenger hits a clothesline out of nowhere. The champion gets a unique pinfall.

Winner: Mercedes Mone retains via pinfall.

The crowd cheers Statlander as Mone leaves. Mone even recognized the fight her challenger put up. Game recognize game.

7. Will Ospreay vs. Kazuchika Okada (Continental Classic Final)

Ospreay comes out looking he was just in a violent bar fight, stumbling and all. I mean, you can’t tell me he wasn’t. The one and only Jim Ross joins the broadcast table for this one.

“Holy S$%” chants as the crowd applauds before the two even get started.

Okada starts with some heavy elbows but Ospreay’s heavy chops are as good a counter as any. Okada gets sent to the outside and Ospreay gets back up to his feet first as both are in front of the commentary desk. Ospreay is as quick and agile on his feet as any.

But Okada nails him with a DDT on the outside of the ring. He goes for another in the ring and gets a two-count on the cover.

A DDT knocks the head bandage loose and Okada wipes his sweat with it like the sicko he is. Ospreay gets up to his feet and lands some heavy chops.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Ospreay lands a boot to the face with momentum off the ropes. Okada kicks out of the cover. Ospready lines up for a Hidden Blade but Okada counters with a massive Flatliner.

Okada lands a standing missile dropkick on the corner of the ropes and Ospreay’s right knee gets caught up. After fighting off a Tombstone Piledriver on the outside, Ospreay hits an Os-Cutter off the barricade. Okada gets back in the ring with 9 on the count. Another Os-Cutter only gets another two-count.

A big knife-edge chop gets Okada to his knees but he counters with a huge Neckbreaker. He drops the elbow from the second rope and it’s now about to rain. But Ospreay counters. Two insane missile dropkicks don’t stop Ospreay from hitting a Styles Clash. Two on the count because AEW is for the sickos.

Tilt-a-Whirl Slam followed by a Rainmaker. Two on the count because AEW is for the sickos.

I’m not sure Ospreay knows where he is anymore. Okada easily takes control then tries to goad Ospreay into hitting him. High-angle German suplex on Ospreay. He counters the Rainmaker with a Spanish Fly. Ospreay hits a massive Rainmaker on Okada and then a Storm Breaker. Okada kicks out.

Okada hits a Rainmaker of his own but both men fall. Okada keeps hold of Ospreay’s wrist.

Ospreay tries for another Os-Cutter but Okada counters with yet another missile dropkick and hits the Rainmaker.

Winner: Kazuchika Okada retains the Continental Championship via pinfall.

The wrestlers shake hands after the match. Okada stays in the ring. Christopher Daniels comes out to congratulate the champion. He says he can’t come to the ring because he’s apparently no longer an EVP. BUT KENNY OMEGA IS.

The roof of the arena could come off right now and nobody would bat an eye.

Omega enters the ring with the belt and the two stare each other down. Omega claps for the retaining champion.

8. Jon Moxley (c) vs. Orange Cassidy vs. “Hangman” Adam Page vs. “Switchblade” Jay White

It all comes down to this. Marina Shafir is the only one with Moxley as he enters. But that’s very likely to change.

Page and White already at each other. Moxley slyly ducks out of the ring. Orange Cassidy hits a tope suicida to get this match going.

The second the three of them show cohesion and the cavalry shows up. They attempt to remove Moxley, forcing the three challengers to give chase. Moxley and Orange Cassidy come back into the ring and goads Moxley into waiting as they end up outside the ring again.

White and Page end up behind Moxley and grab his arms. An Orange Punch is followed up by a three-on-one powerslam into a commentary desk. Moxley’s familiar with that move.

The three challengers’ truce lasts as long as Moxley is in the picture. The three of them get back in the ring and, as you might expect, all deals are off.

Chants of “Whose House?” ring out as only Orange Cassidy and Page are in the ring. Stun Dog Millionaire staggers Page. Jay White lands a Cutthroat Suplex on Cassidy. White takes out Page with a big clothesline but Moxley returns. Cassidy tries to stop him but Moxley stops him and gets him out.

Page enters the ring to get some alone time with the champion. The others get back and the action breaks down. Cassidy hits Moxley with a perfect DDT. All four stand in the ring but Cassidy is weak and drops. Jay White takes on Page and Moxley.

Cassidy is the first to attempt a pinfall. The ref gets to two and Hangman pulls the ref out of the ring. Buckshot Lariat to Cassidy and then one for White. A second Deadeye to the champion but Page doesn’t cover because he wants another Buckshot. Wheeler Yuta stops him. Moxley grabs a chair and Page lands the Buckshot.

Jay White with a Blade Runner on Moxley and the pinfall. Yuta hits the ref to disrupt the count.

Marina Shafir gets hit with a Blade Runner. Yuta retaliates with a Busaiku knee, shades of his mentor. Claudio Castagnoli makes the save.

Winner: Jon Moxley retains via pinfall on Jay White.

FTR disrupt the party and bring back the only and the only, the Rated R Superstar. His sights are set on Moxley. The two stare each other down and the crowd chants “Holy S&#%”. He spears Moxley. Christian Cage is in a box and looks like he’s seen a ghost, again.

Edge calls Moxley a kid, pointing out the fact that Moxley was growing body hair when Copeland started wrestling. Rated FTR is now a trios team.

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