After watching the last 3 matches of this card on a pirated stream after NXT was done, then going back to watch the rest on Monday. Here we are.
After NXT put on a surprisingly good show, could this counter it? Let’s get into it. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t expecting AEW to really deliver here, especially with how garbage some of the builds were, but this show surprised me in more than a few places.
1. Mercedes Moné Vs. Jamie Hayter in the Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Final Match
Winner: Mercedes Mone
I’m not gonna lie, I was dreading a Mercedes win here. And yet, I can’t sit here and pretend the match wasn’t genuinely great. Hayter was working her ass off from the second the bell rang, clearly out to prove something after being out so long, and Mercedes actually kept up with her, which was a surprise considering how clunky her last few AEW matches have been. This had a really good build of intensity and great pacing, never really dragging and actually picking up in the second half when most AEW women’s matches tend to fall apart.
Now booking-wise, I hate this. Moné winning the Owen means we’re likely building toward her getting the title, and if AEW does that, they’re tripping over themselves for star power that isn’t worth the baggage. This is a WWE-style victory lap story they’re telling, and Jamie should’ve been the one to win to solidify her return. But I can’t pretend this wasn’t a damn good match.
Rating: 4.25/5
2. FTR Vs. Nigel McGuinness & Daniel Garcia
Winner: FTR
This match existed. Like...it happened. And I’m honestly kinda disappointed because I expected something a little more from Nigel in-ring. He didn’t look bad, but he didn’t look anywhere near his old self, and that’s probably unfair of me to expect, but this felt like a very safe outing. Garcia tried to add some flash, but FTR has entered that weird phase where they’re “technically sound” but rarely exciting anymore unless they’re against elite teams.
Also, the booking here was super uninspired.
Garcia is someone AEW clearly wants to push, yet they keep beating him in important matches. Nigel was the special attraction and should’ve taken the fall if you’re gonna do that. Instead, the crowd slowly faded out by the 15-minute mark. Flat and lifeless for what should’ve felt like a bigger deal.
Rating: 2.5/5
3. Ricochet Vs. Mark Briscoe in a Stretcher Match
Winner: Ricochet
This was shockingly entertaining. The gimmick stipulation actually worked here — not because of any crazy innovation, but because both guys worked it with intensity. Briscoe was bumping like a lunatic, and Ricochet, free from WWE’s formula, looked like a guy finally unleashed. That shooting star onto a stretcher spot? Unreal.
I also appreciate that Ricochet got the win.
Booking-wise, this was a no-brainer and they followed through with it. The match didn’t overstay its welcome, didn’t get bogged down in cheesy drama, and let both guys do what they’re good at.
Not an all-timer or anything, but one of those “hell yeah, that ruled” type matches.
Rating: 3.75/5
4. The Hurt Syndicate (c) Vs. The Sons Of Texas for the World Tag Team Championship
Winner: The Hurt Syndicate
This was just alright. Hurt Syndicate still feels like they’re trying to figure out their identity as a team, and the crowd clearly wasn’t buying Sons of Texas as credible threats. Structurally, it wasn’t offensive — competent tag action with good pacing — but there was zero heat.
I wanted the Sons of Texas to win just because we need some new blood in the tag scene, but I guess AEW’s playing the long game with the champions. I just don’t care about this act yet. And this match didn’t do anything to change that.
Rating: 2.75/5
5. Kazuchika Okada (c) Vs. Mike Bailey for the Continental Championship
Winner: Kazuchika Okada
Bailey brought his best here. Every kick, every flurry — it looked like he was really trying to make a statement. But Okada is just Okada. It’s getting hard to pretend he doesn’t coast through these AEW matches, and I’m kinda over it. He still has that gravitas, but this didn’t feel like a guy fighting for a title, it felt like a polite exhibition.
As a match, it was solid — Bailey elevated it. But this wasn’t the statement match the Continental Title needed, and Okada’s title reign still feels like an afterthought. Just a match that was good because the performers are good, but nothing memorable.
Rating: 3.5/5
6. Toni Storm (c) Vs. Mina Shirakawa for the Women’s World Championship
Winner: Toni Storm
This was actually way better than expected. They told a nice, simple story, didn’t overcomplicate things, and the crowd gave Mina a lot more respect than I was anticipating. Toni’s character work is still super fun, and Mina came off way more credible here than Megan Bayne did in her title shot.
That said, Mina was never gonna win, and that killed some of the drama. I wanted her to pull off the upset, but Toni’s title run is clearly being extended for a bigger story. Still, good effort from both women, and probably the best AEW women’s title match since Revolution.
Rating: 3.5/5
7. Kenny Omega, Swerve Strickland, Willow Nightingale & The Opps Vs. The Death Riders & The Young Bucks in an Anarchy In The Arena Match
Winner: Kenny, Swerve, Willow & The Opps
Well this was chaos. Bloody, violent, way too long... and yet, completely engaging the whole way through. These matches are never technical showcases, but they deliver in sheer spectacle. Seeing Swerve and Kenny on the same team was surreal, and they actually made that dynamic work.
Willow got some real shine too, which was awesome to see.
I didn’t care who won, but booking Omega’s team to go over makes sense. The Bucks and Mox’s squad don’t need wins at this point. The Opps being involved was weird but didn’t detract from the match too much. A bit of a cluster, but that’s what these matches are.
Rating: 4/5
8. The Don Callis Family Vs. Paragon
Winner: The Don Callis Family
This felt like the “bathroom break” match. Not because the talent involved were bad, but because it had absolutely no hype or energy behind it. I genuinely forgot this was even on the card. Callis guys get the win in a nothing match that probably should’ve just been a Collision main event.
There was some okay in-ring work here, but it felt house show-y, and the crowd was mostly checked out. I appreciate trying to keep the Don Callis Family relevant, but this wasn’t the way to do it.
Rating: 2.75/5
9. Hangman Page Vs. Will Ospreay in the Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Final Match
Winner: Hangman Page
Oh my god. This match ruled. Easily the best match AEW has put on all year. These two went out and told an emotional, physical, blisteringly paced story that never dragged once despite being nearly 40 minutes. Ospreay brought all his usual flash, but Hangman was the one who truly shined here — his storytelling, the callbacks, the sheer grit in his performance? Unreal.
Now, I wanted Ospreay to win. But this was the rare case where my prediction being wrong didn’t even upset me, because Hangman’s arc feels so earned.
This is what AEW storytelling looks like at its best. If you’re going to give me a result I don’t want, do it like this.
Rating: 5/5
Pros:
Hangman vs Ospreay is an instant classic.
AEW’s women’s division had two strong showings — progress!
Anarchy in the Arena delivered on spectacle.
Ricochet and Briscoe stole the midcard.
Good balance of match styles and tones throughout the card.
Cons:
FTR match was a drag.
Okada continues to underwhelm.
The tag title match felt like filler.
Some matches felt like afterthoughts in of build.
Mercedes winning the Owen is a long-term worry.
Final Score: 8.25/10
Despite a largely weak build, this ended up being a great show. Hangman/Ospreay unpredictably went out and tore the fucking house down. The women’s matches actually felt important, Ricochet showed up like he had something to prove, and the big multi-man match gave the crowd their violent fix.
Not perfect, but a huge bounce back for AEW PPV quality.
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