Featured Columnist IVDecember 28, 2024AEW World’s Finish 2024 Outcomes: Winners, Reside Grades, Response and Highlights
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- Toni Storm vs. Leila Gray
- Jeff Jarrett vs. QT Marshall
- High Flight and The Outrunners vs. Motion Andretti, Lio Rush, Brian Cage and Lance Archer
- Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher
- Kazuchika Okada vs. Ricochet
- Winner of Ospreay vs. Fletcher vs. Winner of Okada vs. Ricochet (Continental Championship)
- Konosuke Takeshita vs. Powerhouse Hobbs (Worldwide Championship)
- Mariah Might vs. Thunder Rosa (World Championship)
- MJF vs. Adam Cole (Dynamite Diamond Ring)
- Mercedes Mone vs. Kris Statlander (TBS Championship)
- Jon Moxley vs. Adam Web page vs. Jay White vs. Orange Cassidy (World Championship)
Dynamite.AEW
Welcome to Bleacher Report’s dwell protection of AEW World Finish on December 28. That is the ultimate PPV of the yr for All Elite Wrestling, and the corporate arrange a card to make sure it capped off 2024 with a bang.
Here is a have a look at the lineup that was marketed for Saturday’s present:
Let’s check out all the pieces that occurred at Worlds Finish 2024.
Zero Hour
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- Nigel McGuinness no-sold the amnesia gimmick.
- Lexi Nair’s facial expressions through the QT interview have been hilarious.
- Including the VCR standing to the Outrunners’ entrance was an incredible concept.
- The dropkick Darius used to begin the match did not even come near connecting with Archer’s face.
The primary Zero Hour match noticed Storm tackle Gray. The previous champion was nonetheless doing her amnesia gimmick.
Gray has improved lots however nonetheless has some tough edges to sand off, so there have been some moments of hesitation on her half. Storm acquired the win and continued to behave like this was all new to her.
End result: Storm defeated Gray
Grade: C+
Marshall gave an interview backstage earlier than his match with Double J and spoke about Jarrett interfering in his match with the Costco man.
Double J acquired a pleasant pop when he got here out for the match. This bout included a ton of taunting and posturing between every transfer.
After surviving interference from Aaron Solo, Double J scored the win. This felt extra like one thing that will have labored on Rampage than a PPV pre-show.
End result: Jarrett defeated Marshall
Grade: C+
The Zero Hour closed out with an eight-man tag match that includes 4 groups that will all love a shot on the AEW tag titles.
It did not take lengthy for the heel groups to begin having points of their nook when deciding who would tag in, and that gave the babyfaces a small benefit.
This bout had probably the most motion of the three Zero Hour matches. Everybody acquired somewhat little bit of time within the ring to indicate off, however it felt just like the babyface staff had the higher hand most of the time.
Rush tagged himself in and stole the win for his staff with a frog splash.
End result: Rush, Andretti, Cage and Archer defeated High Flight and The Outrunners
Grade: B
Notable Moments and Observations
Kyle Fletcher vs. Will Ospreay
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- “Welcome to the Jungle” was used for the opening video bundle.
- One among Fletcher’s chops hit Ospreay within the throat. It was arduous to inform if it was an accident or speculated to occur. Both means, Ospreay recovered rapidly.
- The apron powerbomb spot regarded nasty.
- Fletcher catching Ospreay in the course of a handspring was a formidable show of energy.
- Ospreay’s wound was dripping like a faucet.
Worlds Finish.AEW
The principle card of the PPV opened with Fletcher taking up Ospreay within the semifinals of the Continental Traditional. Whoever received would go on to face the winner of Ricochet vs. Okada.
They began going 100 MPH as quickly because the bell rang and did not decelerate till Fletcher rolled out of the ring to regroup.
As soon as he was capable of achieve the higher hand, Fletcher slowed issues down a bit so he might taunt the gang and punish his former good friend.
Billy Goat was busted open and Fletcher tasted among the blood to indicate how deranged he’s. What began as a small lower rapidly was a crimson masks.
Not solely did they placed on a match that was simply nearly as good as their earlier encounter, however they made it really feel utterly completely different. This match had somewhat little bit of all the pieces and a ton of pleasure.
After just a few unimaginable reversals, Ospreay hit a Types Conflict for the pin to advance to the finals of the C2. This can be a bit bloody for some, however it was an superior show of ability.
End result: Ospreay defeated Fletcher
Grade: A
Notable Moments and Observations
Ricochet vs. Kazuchika Okada
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- Okada wants some new ring gear. He is been carrying the identical couple of issues since he acquired to AEW.
- The way in which Okada slapped the again of Ricochet’s head acquired one of many greatest pops of the evening.
- Ricochet is understood for his high-flying strikes however he has extra power than lots of people might understand. He had no downside getting Okada off the mat.
Worlds Finish.AEW
The second semifinal C2 match was up subsequent with Okada taking up Ricochet. With the current heel flip of Ricochet, Okada grew to become the de issue babyface on this match, at the least within the eyes of the gang.
These two males tried to wrestle very completely different paces. Ricochet tried to make use of his signature fast-paced arsenal whereas Okada was extra measured in his strategy.
The present continental champion had his palms full with Ricochet’s high-flying fashion, however he saved discovering methods to maintain himself within the struggle.
After surviving a few of Ricochet’s finest strikes, Okada hit the Rainmaker clothesline for the win to advance to the finals of the C2 towards Ospreay. This was a strong match however left a whole lot of room to develop.
As Ricochet was trying despondent within the ring, Swerve Strickland got here out on the stage to taunt him. Prince Nana handed out rolls of bathroom paper to the gang to throw at Ricochet at Swerve’s request.
End result: Okada defeated Ricochet
Grade: B+
Notable Moments and Observations
Mariah Might vs. Thunder Rosa
4 of 10
- Thunder Rosa performed a video from her dad, who had an epic mustache.
- The way in which Might threw the trash can at Rosa regarded painful. It did not appear like Rosa knew it was going to occur.
- Rosa’s pinata was stuffed with thumbtacks, however it ended up being her who was slammed into them.
- Might had some enjoyable interactions with Rosa’s dad.
Worlds Finish.AEW
Subsequent up was the Tijuana Road Combat for the world title between Might and Rosa. La Mera Mera confirmed up with a pinata and a series round her neck. Might was carrying cargo pants to indicate she was taking this road struggle critically.
Rosa jumped onto Might from the apron to get the match began earlier than she even acquired to the ring. The challenger had management till the fought to the stage.
They used quite a lot of completely different weapons to inflict injury together with chairs, tables, tacks, chains, a bottle of alcohol and even Rosa’s dad’s cane.
Ultimately, Might retained by hitting a Storm Zero piledriver by way of a desk to get the pin. This was an entertaining and brutal encounter that made each girls look good.
End result: Might defeated Rosa
Grade: B
Notable Moments and Observations
MJF vs. Adam Cole
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- The large banner MJF makes use of throughout his entrance most likely annoys a whole part of the gang by blocking visibility.
- MJF hit a powerbomb backbreaker completely within the heart of Cole’s again.
- The mics selecting up crowd noise appeared to be going out and in.
Worlds Finish.AEW
Cole was the primary to strike after the bell rang for his match with MJF for the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Matt Taven and Mike Bennett have been watching from ringside.
Cole was bleeding after being run into the metal steps, so MJF tried to open the wound extra by sending him into the ring publish.
The previous world champion noticed Cole land arduous on his injured leg and instantly went after it with a chop block.
A couple of minutes later, MJF was busted open, too. Each males have been bleeding from the top as they started to work towards the end.
MJF pulled out an previous trick and faked an harm as if Taven and Bennett attacked him to get them ejected. That allowed him to seize the Dynamite Diamond Ring to make use of as a weapon, however Cole noticed it coming and hit a superkick.
MJF hit a low blow adopted by the Warmth Seeker for the pin and the win. The primary half of this match was comparatively uneventful however the second half picked up fairly a bit. The end result was predictable however how we acquired there was somewhat shocking.
Roderick Robust and Kyle O’Reilly confirmed up and took out MJF earlier than serving to Cole to his ft.
End result: MJF defeated Cole
Grade: B
Notable Moments and Observations
Konosuke Takeshita vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
6 of 10
- Hobbs hit a pleasant pounce to ship Takeshita out of the ring.
- The audio points with the gang have been much more obvious on this match.
- Hobbs has grown a lot as a performer. He’s so a lot better at promoting than he was.
- Each males misplaced their stability within the nook when making an attempt to arrange a superplex.
Worlds Finish.AEW
Hobbs was out first for his worldwide title bout towards his former stablemate, Takeshita. Powerhouse is used to having an enormous measurement benefit over his opponents, however Takeshita is an enormous dude, in order that they regarded fairly even once they began buying and selling pictures.
The challenger took management early and started dominating The Alpha, however Takeshita began specializing in the knee that took Hobbs out for a number of months.
They labored this match with a methodical tempo that allowed them to promote each transfer a bit greater than the opposite bouts on the cardboard. Hobbs was promoting a knee harm for many of the match, in order that impacted the pacing, too.
This regarded like a troublesome struggle for each males, however Hobbs was the star right here. He regarded like a fighter who did not know the which means of the phrase give up whereas Takeshita regarded like a wily opportunist who preyed on his accidents.
Hobbs put in an incredible effort however finally got here up brief. Takeshita picked up a clear win together with his finisher to retain his title.
End result: Takeshita defeated Hobbs
Grade: B+
Notable Moments and Observations
Mercedes Mone vs. Kris Statlander
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- Mercedes had her least colourful hair thus far.
- Mone’s baseball slide dropkick regarded brutal for Statlander.
- Carrying one other human being up some stairs is all the time a formidable feat.
- The collection of suplexes from Mercedes acquired the gang on its ft.
Worlds Finish.AEW
Mone put the TBS title on the road towards Statlander within the subsequent match. The CEO regarded very assured resulting from holding a victory over Stat of their final encounter.
The previous champion instantly established her energy benefit by pushing Mone to the mat throughout their first lockup.
The CEO used her quickness and agility to fight Statlander’s power. She broke just a few guidelines right here and there however by no means relied on something that was too unlawful to get forward.
Whereas most of what they did regarded good, this match felt prefer it lacked the stream of their earlier encounter. It did not really feel as fluid by some means, however it acquired a lot better because it went.
Statlander eliminated her boot to keep away from a countout as a result of it was caught on a part of the ring, however The CEO stayed on her and hit a tombstone piledriver on the apron that just about took her out of the match utterly.
Regardless of the primary couple of minutes feeling a bit clunky, this was one of many higher matches on your entire present. Statlander was unable to get a submission victory, however she was ready to make use of a pinning mixture to maintain Stat down for the three-count.
End result: Mone defeated Statlander
Grade: A-
Notable Moments and Observations
Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay
8 of 10
- The group was chanting “Holy s–t” earlier than the match acquired began.
- Ospreay did not even attempt to clear off a single drop of blood between matches.
- The way in which Ospreay’s leg acquired caught between the ropes regarded unintentional, however he continued like nothing was improper.
Worlds Finish.AEW
A closely bandaged Ospreay got here out first with blood nonetheless on his gear from his earlier match to problem Okada for the continental title.
The Rainmaker took the primary shot, however it appeared to fireplace Ospreay up. Once they took the struggle out of the ring, Okada started to focus extra on Ospreay’s head. He even eliminated the bandage Ospreay was carrying and wore it like an armband for a second.
Since each males had already labored a match earlier within the present, they paced this somewhat slower than you’ll usually count on, however not in a nasty means. They have been taking time to promote, not simply shifting slowly.
Ospreay had brief bursts of offense, however for a very long time, Okada had him reeling from his accidents. He did not begin to make his huge comeback till the ultimate couple of minutes.
After a number of counters and shut two-counts, Okada lastly hit the Rainmaker for the pin and the win. Okada shook Ospreay’s hand to indicate some respect. A second later, Kenny Omega made his return to AEW to current Okada together with his championship.
End result: Okada defeated Ospreay
Grade: A-
Notable Moments and Observations
Jon Moxley vs. Adam Web page vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Jay White
9 of 10
- The ref solely held up the case Moxley retains the belt in, not the belt itself.
- Moxley had a lower on his head after a few minutes. It was arduous to inform what occurred to trigger it however it might have been the triple powerbomb onto the desk.
- The briefcase was by some means unintentionally cuffed to the ring rope, so Shafir simply broke the cuffs to get it off.
- The group popped huge when Shafir was hit with a Blade Runner.
- The mic Copeland tried to make use of did not work, so he needed to seize one other one.
Worlds Finish.AEW
The principle occasion for Worlds Finish noticed Moxley defend the world title towards White, Web page and Cassidy in a Deadly 4-Method.
Mox rolled out of the ring and watched his opponents argue till OC hit him with a suicide dive. White and Web page quickly adopted and all three males began beating on the chief of the Demise Riders.
Marina Shafir Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli freely interfered since there are not any DQs in this sort of match. In any case three opponents put Mox by way of a desk, Web page tried to win the match by going after Cassidy. From that time ahead, it was each man for himself.
Hangman would have had the match received if the ref hadn’t been taken out a couple of minutes earlier. When it regarded like White was going to win, Yuta attacked the ref to cease the rely.
Mox was capable of retain the title by hitting White with a Demise Rider DDT. This was a frenetic predominant occasion that was somewhat overbooked however finally gratifying.
When it regarded like The Demise Riders have been going to maintain attacking, FTR and a returning Adam Copeland confirmed up. They proceeded to take out The Demise Riders to ship the gang residence blissful on the finish of the PPV.
End result: Moxley defeated Web page, White and Cassidy
Grade: B
Notable Moments and Observations
The Last Phrase
10 of 10
Worlds Finish.AEW
Worlds Finish might not go down as one of the best AEW PPV of the yr, however it positively delivered a few one of the best PPV matches.
Ospreay and Okada have been two of the MVPs of this present with two stellar matches every, however no person ought to be overlooking Mone vs. Statlander. In reality, all three girls’s matches on the present have been gratifying for various causes.
We did not see a single title change palms, however we did see the groundwork laid for just a few matches at All In: Texas that would probably result in title modifications.
The principle occasion ending with the return of Copeland positively ended the present and 2024 on a excessive word. Add within the return of Omega and AEW followers are going to be very blissful within the new yr.
Grade: B+
