The Buy-In
Kris Statlander vs. Leyla Hirsch
The Revolution Buy-in started fast with Kris Statlander versus Leyla Hirsch. Three matches was a first for this pre-show, and we should never go back to two. The first half hour of the pre-show is usually video package stuff we’ve seen twenty times before. They got the action started fast and continued through the show.
Statlander and Hirsch proceeded to have a pretty good opening match to set the tone. No nonsense Hirsch is a fantastic character to fit her persona. Her wrestling and stiff strikes aren’t affected by her small stature. She started the match by kicking the steel steps into Statlander’s arm, which would play into her Armbreaker finishing attempt later. Statlander hitting Hirsch with an Avalanche Electric chair was my favorite spot of the match. That looked brutal as they both fell on their heads.
The intensity built to a conclusion with Hirsch clubbing Statlander with an extra metal turnbuckle from underneath the ring. This led to a springboard moonsault for the pinfall. Hirsch picks up a huge victory in a really good match.
3.5/5
HOOK vs. QT Marshall
Up next we got to see the cold hearted, handsome devil HOOK take on talented annoyance QT Marshall. This wasn’t a long match, but I did appreciate the time it was given. QT played his dirty veteran tactics multiple times to get the best of young HOOK. Eventually the handsome devil overcame QT’s shenanigans with the RedRum submission to win. HOOK is on such a meteoric rise to the top of AEW. I wonder who his first loss will be to, conversely. From here on out he needs good opponents in a longer match.
3.25/5
House of Black vs. Death Triangle/Erick Redbeard
A match that was added to the Buy-In card at the last minute closed out the Youtube pre-show. The House of Black and Death Triangle feud has been muddled by complicated and unfocused storytelling. The Malakai and Cody feud evolved through Andrade into a convoluted story with PAC, Penta el zero miedo, and the additions of Brody King and Buddy Matthews. Apparently we’ve dropped the Julia Blackhart thing now too? There hasn’t been any forward momentum with that either. I love the idea of the House of Black, but I just want consistency and motivations. What is the House doing? Why is the Black Mist changing people? I’ve been “letting this play out” for awhile now. I love Buddy and Brody, but I need some clarity. At least enough for the announcers to help out the audience. They seem to be as confused as I am.
Okay rant over.
The match itself was fantastic, regardless. Malakai and PAC started the match at a high pace, and it only escalated from there. Buddy Matthews looked absolutely amazing in the time he was given. I cannot wait for his first singles match. The entire match was constant moves and a high pace. It was engaging from the get go.
My favorite parts of the match were between Brody King and Erick Redbeard. Seeing the former Rowan is always good, but him and King battled each other like Godzilla and King Kong.
The match escalated to a close after Redbeard emulated the late, great Brodie Lee. That was cool. Unfortunately for the big redwood, he got isolated, sprayed with the Black Mist, and pinned. The House of Black reigned supreme!
I reiterate for the hundredth time…TRIOS TITLES. It looks like AEW might be angling towards this, but I need a similar match to this once a week. This match, and the Buy-In as a whole, was a great way to set up Revolution.
4/5
Revolution Main Card!
Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Kingston
The first match of a PPV should always be one to get the crowd amped up for the show. I did not expect the Jericho and Kingston match for that, but that expectation was very wrong! This match started HOT and never stopped.
Eddie Kingston did not waste anytime getting straight to the brawl as soon as his music hit. He made a beeline for Jericho as the two alpha males beat the absolute crap out of each other for fifteen minutes. Kingston obviously didn’t take too kindly to Jericho’s constant disrespect!
Both men were hitting suplex after suplex after suplex. They apparently disregard head and neck injuries. Eventually both men started spamming the finisher button. Jericho locked in the Walls of Jericho, Kingston hit the Uraken fist, and Jericho hit two Codebreakers. It was Eddie’s night, however, with him hitting two Uraken fists and a Stretch Plum to tap out Jericho. It’s wild seeing a ‘Stretch Plum’ finishing a PPV match!
This was everything it needed to be! The intensity started high and eventually escalated to an awesome, unexpected finish. Great opening match!
4/5
GoG pick: Jericho (0-1)
Wifey pick: Kingston (1-0)
Tag Championship: Jurassic Express(c) vs. Young Bucks vs. reDRagon
All Elite Wrestling amped up the intensity again with their next match. It was Tag Team title match time with Jurassic Express defending their belts against a, now friendly, Young Bucks and reDRagon. I love the stylization of reDRagon, but I hate that it reads “RE-Dragon” and their name is “Red Dragon.” Small diatribe aside, this match was perfect.
That’s it. The review is complete. This match is perfect.
We all knew what we were getting in a multi-man match with these caliber of performers. It would be high octane from start to finish. Ultimately, the storytelling is what made it so good. Tag matches involving the Bucks always have in ring greatness, but their matches tell phenomenal stories. The story of this match revolved around Jurassic Express attempting to survive the teamwork of the Young Bucks and reDRagon. All four “elite” members had an agreement to exclusively target the champs. Throughout the match, slight cracks split in that agreement. Both teams wanted to win, but they also were trying to keep the agreement. What started with breaking up pinfalls escalated to a full on brawl between the Bucks and reDRagon.
This match had everything. It was perfectly paced, crazy action, and I believe that the correct team won. Jurassic Express were able to overcome all the odds to hit the Thoracic Express for the victory. It is altogether perfect.
Match of the Night
5/5
GoG pick: Jurassic Express (1-1)
Wifey pick: Jurassic Express (2-0)
Face of the Revolution Ladder Match
It happened!
We have a conductor as a Face of the Revolution! Everyone’s beloved Wardlow climbed the ladder and grabbed that brass ring to award himself a TNT Title shot against either Sammy Guevara or Scorpio Sky.
This match was a particularly interesting one. All Elite Wrestling does multi-man and Ladder matches very well, but there were zero contestants in this match that I’d label a “high flyer.” That’s usually what a ladder match needs. How would the diverse cast of characters fare in this one?
Very well, actually. It wasn’t the greatest ladder match I’ve ever seen, but it was very clever. Everyone had their moment and added some flair. Hobbs, Starks, and Cassidy were my personal favorites. My two personal favorites were Orange Cassidy using the Ladder as a Helicopter and Ricky Starks jumping through the ladder to spear Christian Cage.
It escalated beautifully towards the finale with all six competitors on two ladders. I truly thought one of the ladder rungs below would break under all the weight. Gladly they didn’t, but Keith Lee and Hobbs almost did after Wardlow sent them flying through two tables off of the stage. We had a Danhausen appearance, Ricky Starks was powerbombed into oblivion, and Wardlow grabbed the ring.
It wasn’t the ‘spot fest’ kind of Ladder match that usually occurs in All Elite Wrestling, but I appreciate the diversity.
4.25/5
GoG pick: Wardlow (2-1)
Wifey pick: Ricky Starks (2-1)
Segment:
We got our first break in the action with Tony Schiavone bringing us our first surprise. Shane “Swerve” Strickland was there to sign an AEW contract. Swerve wasn’t going to leave without saying something, however. He soaked in the crowd chanting his name prior to leading the chant himself. This man is a superstar in the making.
TBS Championship: Jade Cargill(c) vs. Tay Conti
After that was the TBS title match involving Jade Cargill defending against Tay Conti. Jade looked like a gazillion bucks dressed in a Mortal Kombat Jade ring attire and played to the ring. She also looked pretty damn good in a solid triumph over Conti.
The match started unlike any I’ve seen, because the bell rings and Jade fully kisses Tay on the lips. It seemed to shock Tay as much as the fans. The match was a pretty back and forth affair as both ladies had solid offense. There was a fun sequence with Tay hitting Mark Sterling, Jade kicking a ringside Anna Jay, and Anna retaliating on Jade with a steel chair.
My favorite part of the match was Jade hitting a really solid Frog Splash. She’s adding to her arsenal with every match. Obvious Jade will lose at some point, but I just don’t see how she should any time soon. The match finishes with Jade reversing a moonsault attempt into the Jaded slam for the pinfall.
3.75/5
GoG pick: Jade (3-1)
Wifey pick: Jade (3-1)
Dog Collar match: CM Punk vs. MJF
Up next was one of my most anticipated matches of the night. This one was going to be a bloody, brutal beast between two hated rivals. It definitely lived up to expectations even without the awesome ending.
The action started with the entrances. MJF faked everyone out with the “Cult of Personality,” however CM Punk did one better. He made a callback to his early Ring of Honor days with his ring gear and music. I had no idea what the callback was for, but it was cool nonetheless.
There’s not much to say about the physical nature of a dog collar match. Both guys were bloodied, whipped, and choked. MJF would plead for mercy and run away occasionally, which obviously worked great being chained to someone. Max even tried to choke Punk out again with the sleeper as a callback to their previous bout in Chicago.
The story obviously revolved around the chain and their hatred for one another, but Punk destroyed MJF’s dominant right hand to negate him trying to use the Diamond ring. Max could barely use the right hand throughout the rest of the match. My favorite spot of the whole match was Punk hitting a Tombstone piledriver onto the ring apron. Not sure how MJF isn’t crippled.
The best part of the whole match was the ending. After going through thumbtacks, MJF called for Wardlow’s help. The big man came down to the ring, but “forgot” the Diamond Ring. CM Punk hit MJF with the Go to Sleep, which triggered Wardlow to “find” the ring and set it for Punk to use. This was an incredible small way to officially turn Wardlow babyface. Punk knocked Max out for the victory!
This was great! Gimmick matches tend to have pacing issues because people are setting things up. This one had, one maybe two, small occurrences of it. They didn’t take away from it at all. This was a lot of fun.
4.5/5
GoG pick: CM Punk (4-1)
Wifey pick: MJF (3-2)
AEW Women’s Championship: Dr Britt Baker DMD vs. Thunder Rosa
Up until this point, I have loved every single match. Unfortunately that trend does not continue with the AEW Women’s title match between Dr Britt Baker DMD and Thunder Rosa. I’ll get to the finish in a minute, but the entire match seemed off. Something did not click between these two women’s division stalwarts. Maybe it was because it seemed like a fatal four way…
The women’s title belt received a well deserved glow up for this match, on the other hand. It is so much better than the old one. Even the revamped version was too small. Thankfully this one looks like a slightly different AEW title, not a miniscule one.
Even with their synergy being a little off, in ring action was still good. Britt kept going to the Curb Stomp and Air Raid Crash, with her eventually hitting an avalanche Air Raid. That was definitely my favorite spot of the match. Unfortunately, the story was my least favorite.
The entire match story revolved around Thunder Rosa needing to overcome Hayter and Rebel’s outside shenanigans to win. Rebel and Hayter beat Rosa up and distracted the referee multiple times throughout the match. It culminated with Rosa needing to spear Rebel through the ropes and laying out Hayter. This ultimately was the nail in Rosa’s coffin, as Britt took advantage and Curb Stomped Rosa for the victory.
This ending has been drug through the mud a lot since it happened.
I acknowledge that All Elite Wrestling has a distraction problem. It’s a crutch to protect finishes. It usually doesn’t bother me, but this match crossed the line. The supposed senior ref, Paul Turner, looks horrible for allowing it.
3.5/5
GoG pick: Thunder Rosa (4-2)
Wifey pick: Thunder Rosa (3-3)
Jon Moxley vs. Bryan Danielson
Following the women’s championship match is a match that I’d classify as the perfect personification of “we want violence.” This fight between two wrestling titans felt huge and delivered in all the best ways. Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson beat the absolute hell out of each other for twenty minutes. I feel bad for the AEW ring crew for needing to clean up after this and Punk/MJF. This was my second favorite match of the whole evening.
The early parts of the match were filled with chain wrestling and mind games. Both men were trying to get in each other’s head to no avail, so they both decided bar room brawling was the best option. They were using every tool in the shed to put the other away. Mox hit the King Kong lariat and Bulldog choke, but Danielson answered with the Labelle Lock and Running Knee. Neither man would give in to the other.
My favorite part of the match was the escalation towards the ending. Moxley kicked Bryan’s head in, but found himself in the Triangle choke. Bryan was being all cocky until Moxley wouldn’t give up. The Dragon started blasting Mox straight to the face with closed fists. Moxley’s only counter was to surprise flip Danielson over and squeak out a pinfall!
I loved the idea of this, but the execution was slightly off. Bryan’s shoulders definitely looked to be up, which played into the after match scuffle. They continued to brawl after the bell, which trigger WILLIAM REGAL to come out and separate the two. Regal’s disgusted look was my single favorite thing of the entire night. He got both of them to shake hands. I’m not sure where this goes, but I’m so intrigued. I love this after match segment so much, it’s prompted me to add “Best moment of the year” to the Game Over Awards later this year!
4.5/5
GoG pick: Jon Moxley (5-2)
Wifey pick: Jon Moxley (4-3)
Segment:
Just a quick interlude followed that match. Tony Schiavone was on the stage previewing the upcoming Dynamite. We’re getting Sammy Guevara versus Scorpio Sky for the TNT Title, and Leyla Hirsch facing Thunder Rosa for a shot at Britt Baker.
Trios: AHFO vs. Sammy Guevara/Darby Allin/Sting
The penultimate match of the evening took us down a road to crazy town. Sammy Guevara, Darby Allin, and Sting took on the AHFO in a chaotic Tornado Trios match that was nonstop action from start to finish. I was intrigued by this match because of the cracks in respect from Darby Allin and Sammy Guevara on the previous Rampage. Nothing came of it, but the match didn’t need any story. It was six dudes going nuts for thirteen minutes.
I knew what we were getting right after Darby hit his suicide dive onto Jose the Assistant through a trash can. They only escalated from there. All Elite Wrestling does chaos incredibly well, and have improved their camera work on those types of matches massively.
All of the AHFO showed up for the battle, however they proved themselves to be the most useless backup. Three guys were able to overcome a team of seven. I suppose that could happen with the other team is insane.
The last five minutes of the match made me watch through my fingers. It started with Sammy hitting a Spanish fly onto Isiah Kassidy from on top of the entrance tunnel through two tables. If that wasn’t crazy enough, SIXTY THREE year old Sting jumped from the crowd and splashed onto Andrade through three tables. Anything goes wrong with that spot, Sting is severely injured.
Darby eventually hit the Scorpion Deathdrop and Coffin Drop onto Matt Hardy for the victory. This was the perfect crazy palate cleanser after the last few emotional battles.
4/5
GoG pick: Sammy/Darby/Sting (6-2)
Wifey pick: Sammy/Darby/Sting (5-3)
AEW World Championship: Hangman Adam Page vs. Adam Cole
And we finally reached the main event with Hangman Adam Page defending his AEW World Championship against Adam Cole. This was a great match to cap off a great night of action. Unfortunately I felt like this match went a little long.
The match started as most matches do, with Adam Cole acting like his cocky self. I love the confidence Hangman has gained because he immediately knocked Cole on his ass a few times. Hangman is the champ and has been booked accordingly. This ended up being the main story of the match. Cole would throw everything at Hangman, but the champ would withstand and counter punch. Cole even tried to negate the Buckshot lariat by attacking Hangman’s arm after he hit the ring post.
It was an even fight with both guys trading huge move after huge move. About three quarters through the match, suddenly reDRagon appeared to help their buddy. It was only a matter of time before this happened. Cole proceeded to hit Hangman with a Panama sunrise, low blow, Panama sunrise again, AND hit the BOOM knee, but Hangman still kicked out. I thought the title was changing hands.
There was a lot of craziness after this and I wasn’t a fan. Dark Order eventually came out to neutralize reDRagon, but it wasn’t until Adam Cole grabbed the bottom rope after a Buckshot lariat that I really disliked. The Buckshot needs to be the one hit kill. Omega can grab the bottom rope because he’s Omega and has super history with Hangman. I don’t want to see a bunch of people grabbing that rope after a Buckshot.
Hangman hits his own BOOM knee strike and another Buckshot lariat for the victory. Great match, but went too long and overbooked.
4.25/5
GoG pick: Hangman (7-2)
Wifey pick: Hangman (6-3)
Verdict!
How great was that show!? AEW Revolution continues to be one of my favorite cards every year. All Elite Wrestling is on fire and only getting better. The additions to the roster and backstage will only help this powerhouse of Pro Wrestling.
My favorite part of the entire night was the debut of William Regal. Seriously. More than the Tag classic, Punk/MJF, or even Mox/Danielson. That man could be one of the most important signings for the growth of All Elite Wresting into the future.
My least favorite part of the night was the Women’s Championship match, obviously. I assume we’re giving Thunder Rosa another shot in her home state of Texas on the same show where she beat Britt in that Unsanctioned match. At least I understand the story they’re trying to tell.
Ultimately, All Elite Wrestling is about variety. Revolution was the perfect synopsis of that. There were every style for every type of fan. It’s definitely a top 5 all time AEW PPV.
Overall: 4.5/5