The “AEW Dynamite” portion of this week’s show concluded with a tag team match pitting Will Ospreay and Mike Bailey against Claudio Castagnoli and Gabe Kidd, a prelude to this weekend’s World title clash with Jon Moxley at All Out.
Moxley sat on commentary for the bout as Kidd continued his personal animosity with Ospreay in the ring, providing insight and informing the basis of the match from his point of view. He was uneasy when his teammates struggled, provided some typically hilarious soundbites, and celebrated like a football fan when his teammates made a breakthrough. He just enhanced the feeling of the match, but more importantly, it ensured he was present for the post-match angle.
Ospreay and Bailey picked up the win before the former took to the mic, first addressing the crowd and thanking them for making AEW possible. He then turned to Moxley and thanked him for being with the company from its first event, training him to be worthy of the World title, and breaking him in the first place so he could undergo that journey.
Moxley seemed taken aback by the positive sentiment, quickly resuming his stoic demeanor as Ospreay reminded him that things were different; now Moxley was the challenger, and Ospreay was champion.
Moxley then took to the microphone himself. And then, just as Ospreay had alluded to, Moxley started with the mind games. Or at least an attempt.
He played to his position, asking Ospreay if he really felt like the champion stood opposite him. Kidd returned, once again continuing their subplot, and almost careered into Moxley as Ospreay ducked and dropped him with a Hidden Blade.
That allowed him to come face-to-face with Moxley and answer: “You’re damn f***ing right I feel like the champion.”
Ospreay has always been an exemplary wrestler and an intense promo, for better or for worse. But especially since All In, he has truly stepped up as the protagonist, immediately setting himself up for a clash with both his mentor and arguably the company’s top star. This angle felt like another step-up, a show of strength against someone he has never been able to beat.
He came off as a bada** plain and simple, and that’s something one needs before standing opposite Moxley. It’s also a great trait to have as the World Champion, especially with a landscape like AEW’s, chock-full of elite antagonistic talent to stand opposite him. And then there’s the fact that it just made for exciting TV, building to an exciting main event this weekend. Which, while seeds sown for the future will always be appreciated, is the fundamental goal.
Written by Max Everett
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