AEW World Championship - Swerve Strickland (C) (w/Prince Nana) vs Bryan Danielson (Title vs Career)
(An all timer of a main event, with the storytelling an emotion behind this at another level. The crowd lost their minds for the final few minutes and was there every step of the way, even when booing Strickland and his heel antics. I’m happy the Page appearance didn’t lead to the finish, but it certainly means we’re getting another match in that story, presumably at All Out. The visual of Danielson standing tall with his family, all while the BCC are holding titles was a great way to cap off a great show.)
Danielson’s entrance had a video package of him meditating and seeing flashbacks over his career from pretty much everywhere he’s wrestled aside from WWE. Also, footage of him spending time with his family, saying they make him the best possible version of himself and he will always choose them, always. The Final Countdown plays as Danielson gets a crazy reaction from the crowd before kissing his wife & kids ringside. DJ Whoo Kid asked the crowd Whose House, as Prince Nana waved Strickland to the stage, placing the late Jimmy Rave’s Embassy jacket on him while Flash Garments & Bun B rapped him to the ring. Jim Ross has joined commentary for this main event as well.
Early strike exchange led to a stare down before Strickland glanced over at Brie & the kids, lighting a fire under Danielson, who lit up Strickland with kicks going after the shoulder. Strickland escaped a LeBell Lock, got a slingshot over the top, as he wanted a dive, but Danielson side-stepped. Strickland landed on his feet, but Danielson springboarded off the top into a somersault dive. Back inside, Danielson charged, but Strickland hit a tilt a whirl slam and vertical suplex. Strickland kept Danielson grounded, zoning in on the leg, but as Danielson had a crucifix applied on the standing Strickland on the apron, Danielson’s leg clipped referee Paul Turner. Nana placed the ring bell on the apron and Strickland hit a Death Valley Driver, busting Danielson opened badly. Danielson beat the count, as Strickland questioned why he’s doing this to his family.
Strickland dragged Danielson in front of his family and stomped down on his face repeatedly as he told them he had to do this to their father, all while Nana did his dance. Strickland brought Danielson to the ropes and hit an avalanche Angle Slam as Birdie was shown hiding her eyes. Strickland tried a Swerve Stomp, but Danielson avoided it into the Regal Stretch. Strickland broke free, hit an up kick, but Danielson turned him inside out with a wild lariat. Danielson charged repeatedly with corner strikes before Strickland cut him off with a leaping Flatliner. Danielson fought back with a Cattle Mutilation attempt, but turned it into a Tiger Suplex. Yes Kicks by Danielson, as Strickland collapsed in the corner. Both men went up to the top where Danielson connected on a wild avalanche Tiger Suplex for two.
Danielson said it’s time to kick Strickland’s head in and he did just that, repeatedly before sinking in Cattle Mutilation. Strickland bridged up and countered into a Vertebreaker as referee Paul Turner called in the doctors. Strickland quickly chased them away and hit a Swerve Stomp, but Danielson kicked out. Multiple House Calls connected, as Danielson reached out to his family, telling them he’s sorry, while Strickland hit another House Call for a close two, which the crowd went nuts for. Excalibur questioned if he was apologizing for what he’s put them through or what he’s about to do.
Strickland tried Yes Kicks, but after each one, Danielson hulked up and told his family he loves them so much. Danielson slapped Strickland in the face and lit him up with Yes Kicks before sinking in a triangle choke and got anvil elbows. Strickland powered out, but Danielson hit a suplex that dropped Strickland on his head. Busiaku Knee hit, but Strickland no sold and shrugged it off, hitting another House Call. Strickland smiled at Danielson’s family and hit Big Pressure, but Danielson kicked out and the crowd are on their feet. The first time anyone has kicked out of that move.
Strickland mocked the Yes chant, as Hangman Adam Page appeared and launched security and Prince Nana to the floor before being swarmed by more security. Strickland’s attention turned long enough for Danielson to hit a Busiaku Knee, but Strickland kicked out. Both men trade forearms to “This Is Awesome” chants and it turned to headbutts, as Strickland tried a rolling Flatliner, but Danielson hit another Busiaku Knee. Yes chants ring out and the visual at Wembley is insane, as Danielson sank in the LeBell Lock. Strickland tried to break free, but Danielson snapped his fingers, locked on the submission again and got the submission victory.
Winner: And New AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson
Post match, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & PAC help Danielson’s family over the barricade and he celebrates with his wife, son & daughter in the ring as confetti rains down to The Final Countdown. Birdie is holding the AEW World Title, while Buddy loved the confetti as pyro goes off at Wembley to close the show.
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