This week’s AEW Dynamite segment of the show ended with a tag team match between Will Osprey and Mike Bayley against Claudio Castagnoli and Gabe Kidd, a prelude to this weekend’s World Title clash with John Moxley at All Out.
Moxley sat on commentary for the fight as Kidd continued his personal feud with Ospreay in the ring, providing insight and informing the foundation of the match from his perspective. He was restless when his teammates struggled, made some characteristic funny noises and celebrated like a football fan when his teammates made a breakthrough. He simply enhanced the feel of the game, but more importantly, it ensured he was a presence in the postgame corner.
Ospreay and Bayley got the win before they got on the mic first, first addressing the crowd and thanking AEW for making it possible. He then turned to Moxley and thanked him for being with the company since his first event, teaching him to be world title worthy and breaking him in the first place so he could go on that journey.
Moxley seemed taken aback by the positivity, quickly resuming his stoic demeanor when Ospreay reminded him that things were different; now Moxley was the challenger and Ospreay was the champion.
Moxley then stepped up to the microphone himself. And then, as Osprey hinted, Moxley started with the mind games. Or at least an attempt.
He played his position, asking Ospreay if he really felt like the champion was standing in front of him. Kidd returned, continuing their subplot once again, and nearly careered Moxley when Ospreay jumped and dropped him with the Hidden Blade.
This allowed him to face Moxley and answer.
Ospreay has always been an exemplary wrestler and an intense promo, for better or worse. But especially since All In , he’s really stepped up as a main character, going head-to-head with his mentor and arguably the company’s top star. This angle felt like another move, a show of strength against someone they had never been able to defeat.
He came off as a duck** plain and simple, and that’s what one needs before standing up to Moxley. Being a World Champion is also a great feature, especially with a landscape like AEW full of elite antagonist talent going up against him. And then there’s the fact that it just made for exciting television, building to an exciting main event this weekend. Which, while seeds planted for the future will always be appreciated, is the main goal.
Written by Max Everett