AEW REDEMPTION — EPISODE 5
“No One Is Safe”
The Fallout From Final Stand
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OPENING — BRODY KING & BANDIDO HYPE THEIR NUMBER ONE CONTENDER MATCH
The show opens with Brody King and Bandido already in the ring. The atmosphere is tense following the chaos of Final Stand. Next week, the two friends will have to put everything aside and fight each other in a Number One Contender Match for the AEW World Championship. Brody says he respects Bandido, but respect doesn’t mean he’s going to let him walk into Swerve Strickland’s championship opportunity. Bandido says he has waited his entire career for a moment like this and refuses to let friendship get in the way.
Before they can finish, The Hurt Syndicate and Shane Taylor Promotions storm the ring. Bobby Lashley launches Brody into the corner while Shelton Benjamin and Shane Taylor overwhelm Bandido. Lee Moriarty stomps Bandido down as the numbers game becomes too much.
Suddenly, Eddie Kingston and Ortiz sprint to the ring! They clear the ring and stand alongside Brody and Bandido.
Tony Schiavone announces that there will be a match tonight:
Match Made: Brody King, Bandido, Eddie Kingston & Ortiz vs. Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty.
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ATHENA vs. HIKARU SHIDA
Women’s National Championship Tournament
The tournament continues with two of AEW’s most accomplished women colliding. Athena enters with an arrogant confidence, repeatedly reminding Shida that the former AEW Women’s World Champion is standing in her way of becoming the next dominant force in the Women’s National Championship picture. Shida doesn’t respond verbally. She simply stares Athena down before the bell.
The opening minutes are technical, with Shida using her striking advantage while Athena repeatedly tries to slow the pace. Athena targets Shida’s knee, hoping to eliminate the effectiveness of the running knee strike. Shida rallies with a series of chops, a missile dropkick and a running knee that nearly gets three.
Athena survives and catches Shida attempting another running knee, sending her crashing into the ropes. Athena hits a vicious combination before climbing the ropes. Shida counters, knocking Athena off balance and hitting a huge superplex.
The final exchange is frantic. Shida goes for the Katana, but Athena catches her and rolls through, grabbing the tights while simultaneously hooking the leg.
Winner: Athena
Athena advances in controversial fashion and immediately escapes up the ramp while Shida argues with the referee.
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YOUNG BUCKS / NEW DAY SEGMENT
The Young Bucks come to the ring furious. Matthew and Nicholas Jackson say Final Stand proved something: they aren’t finished with The New Day. Matthew says they were robbed of their opportunity and refuses to accept that their previous match was the end of the rivalry.
The New Day interrupt, laughing off the Bucks’ complaints. Xavier Woods tells them that every time the Bucks lose, they find someone else to blame. Kofi Kingston says if the Bucks want another match, they should stop talking and fight.
That is exactly what happens.
Matthew shoves Kofi. Kofi fires back. Nicholas attacks Woods from behind and suddenly all four men are throwing punches. Security rushes down, but the wrestlers fight through them and spill around ringside. Woods launches Nicholas into the barricade while Matthew and Kofi brawl through the crowd.
Tony Schiavone eventually announces that enough is enough.
At Collision Course, the AEW Tag Team Championships will be defended in a Street Fight.
The Bucks and New Day stare each other down as officials separate them.
Match Made: The Young Bucks vs. The New Day — AEW Tag Team Championship Street Fight at Collision Course.
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3. JACK PERRY vs. DRILLA MOLONEY
Jack Perry enters looking increasingly obsessed with getting back what he believes belongs to him. Drilla Moloney isn’t intimidated. He immediately attacks Perry with aggressive strikes and forces him into a physical fight rather than allowing Perry to dictate the pace.
Perry repeatedly tries to escape the hard-hitting exchanges, but Moloney keeps dragging him back into the fight. Drilla hits a brutal running knee in the corner and follows with a suplex for a near fall.
Perry eventually starts targeting the leg, slowing Drilla down and preventing him from building momentum. Drilla fights through it and nearly scores the victory after a massive lariat.
The match breaks down into a frantic final sequence. Drilla goes for another big strike, but Perry ducks underneath and catches him with a sudden counter. Perry hits a second maneuver immediately afterward and hooks both legs.
Winner: Jack Perry
After the bell, Perry refuses to leave. He grabs a microphone and calls out David Finlay.
Perry says Finlay took something from him, but that ends next week.
Jack Perry: “Finlay, enjoy that title while you can. Because next week, I’m taking MY title back.”
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MISTICO vs. BUDDY MATTHEWS
This starts as one of the most exciting matches of the night. Mistico uses his incredible speed to frustrate Buddy Matthews, constantly changing direction and forcing Buddy to chase him. Matthews eventually catches Mistico in midair and throws him across the ring, reminding everyone that one mistake against him can end the match.
Mistico answers with a breathtaking dive through the ropes. Buddy catches him on the way back and turns it into a powerslam.
The match continues for approximately eight minutes with both men getting believable near falls. Mistico hits a series of rapid-fire kicks before attempting a springboard maneuver.
Then the arena erupts.
Four masked men appear.
They surround the ring.
Mistico and Buddy stop fighting each other and prepare for the attack.
The four men swarm the ring and destroy both competitors. Buddy manages to fight two of them off temporarily, but the numbers are overwhelming. Mistico is thrown into the corner while Buddy is beaten down on the floor.
The masked men drag both wrestlers toward tables.
Mistico is driven through one.
Buddy is then powerbombed through another.
The masked men stand over both men before disappearing through the crowd.
Winner: No Contest — Match stopped due to outside interference.
The identity and motive of the four masked attackers remain unknown.
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JAMIE HAYTER WORLD TITLE CELEBRATION
Jamie Hayter comes to the ring for her first major celebration as AEW Women’s World Champion. She is joined by Alex Windsor, who proudly raises Hayter’s arm as the crowd celebrates.
Hayter says she fought through everything to get back to the top. She says this championship isn’t something she plans to hold for a few months — it’s something she intends to make synonymous with Jamie Hayter.
Before she can continue, Kris Statlander and Toni Storm interrupt.
Statlander says Hayter may have the championship, but she hasn’t proven she’s better than everyone chasing it.
Toni Storm says the championship belongs in the hands of someone with “star quality,” and she is absolutely convinced that person is Toni Storm.
Hayter laughs.
The argument becomes increasingly heated until Tony Schiavone announces the obvious solution:
At Collision Course, Jamie Hayter will defend the AEW Women’s World Championship against Toni Storm and Kris Statlander in a Triple Threat Match.
Hayter raises the championship and tells both women they are welcome to try taking it.
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JAMIE HAYTER & ALEX WINDSOR vs. TONI STORM & KRIS STATLANDER
The newly announced tag match happens immediately, and the tension is obvious from the opening bell. Hayter and Windsor attempt to work together while Storm and Statlander repeatedly argue over who should get the opportunity to attack Hayter.
Windsor has an impressive stretch against Storm, using her technical ability to keep the former champion grounded. Statlander eventually enters and changes the entire complexion of the match, overpowering Windsor and cutting the ring in half.
Hayter gets the hot tag and explodes into the match. She runs through Storm and Statlander with clotheslines and a huge backbreaker.
The match eventually breaks down when Storm accidentally hits Statlander. Statlander responds by shoving Storm, allowing Hayter to capitalize.
Windsor goes for a huge finishing combination on Storm but she reverses it into a roll up and uses the trunks for the 1-2-3 while Statlander and Hayter brawl.
**Winners: Toni Storm & Kris Statlander **
After the match, Hayter grabs her championship and holds it above her head while Storm and Statlander stare her down from opposite sides of the ring.
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KENNY OMEGA CALLS OUT CHRISTIAN
Kenny Omega comes to the ring and says he is tired of hearing Christian Cage talk about unfinished business. Omega says Christian has spent weeks manipulating situations, hiding behind other people and pretending he’s smarter than everyone else.
Christian appears on the screen.
Christian tells Kenny that he doesn’t need to stand in the ring with him because Kenny already knows exactly what Christian is capable of. The two exchange increasingly personal insults.
Omega challenges Christian to come out.
Christian refuses.
Then Cope walks onto the stage.
Cope says this has gone too far. He reminds both men that they have history, but this doesn’t need to become another war. He tells Kenny that Christian is trying to manipulate him into making a mistake.
Christian laughs.
Omega turns toward the screen, furious.
Cope reaches out to calm him down.
Omega suddenly turns and throws a V-Trigger.
It accidentally connects with Cope.
The arena goes silent.
Omega immediately realizes what he has done.
Cope drops to the floor as Omega looks stunned.
Christian smiles from the screen.
Christian: “See you soon, Kenny.”
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MARINA SHAFIR vs. HARLEY CAMERON
Women’s National Championship Tournament
Harley Cameron tries to use her personality and unpredictability to frustrate Marina Shafir, but Shafir immediately shuts down the theatrics. Marina attacks the arm and shoulder, looking to force Harley into a submission.
Harley manages to create separation and lands several strikes, surprising Shafir with her aggression. She gets a close two-count after a spinning neckbreaker.
Shafir refuses to panic.
She begins systematically dismantling Harley, targeting the legs before transitioning into a series of brutal grappling exchanges. Harley reaches the ropes several times, but Marina drags her back toward the center.
The final sequence sees Harley attempt to escape a submission, only for Marina to trap her again.
Harley fights desperately, but eventually has nowhere to go.
She taps.
Winner: Marina Shafir
Shafir advances in the Women’s National Championship Tournament.
She refuses to celebrate, instead staring directly into the camera and telling the rest of the tournament field that nobody is ready for what comes next.
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DEATH RIDERS PROMO
The Death Riders appear immediately following Marina’s victory.
Jon Moxley says Final Stand was a setback, but setbacks don’t matter to the Death Riders. What matters is what happens next.
Moxley says everyone keeps celebrating when the Death Riders lose a battle, but nobody understands that they aren’t fighting for one victory.
They’re fighting for control.
Claudio Castagnoli stands beside him, completely emotionless.
PAC stares into the camera with an intense look.
Daniel Garcia says the group isn’t going anywhere.
Wheeler Yuta steps forward and says the rest of AEW can keep pretending the Death Riders are weakened.
Moxley finishes by saying:
“Final Stand didn’t end anything. It just reminded everybody that we’re coming for it all.”
The four men stand shoulder-to-shoulder.
No music.
No celebration.
Just four intimidating figures staring into the camera.
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MAIN EVENT
BRODY KING, BANDIDO, EDDIE KINGSTON & ORTIZ
vs.
BOBBY LASHLEY, SHELTON BENJAMIN, SHANE TAYLOR & LEE MORIARTY
The main event is chaos from the opening bell. Brody King and Bobby Lashley immediately collide in a battle of power, with neither man willing to give an inch. Shelton Benjamin tags in and uses his speed to attack Brody’s leg before quickly tagging Shane Taylor.
Taylor and Lashley isolate Brody until Bandido finally gets the hot tag.
Bandido explodes into the match, flying over the top rope and taking out multiple opponents. Moriarty catches him during another dive and turns the momentum back toward the Hurt Syndicate/Shane Taylor Promotions team.
Eddie Kingston eventually gets in and the match becomes a fight rather than a wrestling match.
Kingston and Taylor trade brutal forearms in the center of the ring while Ortiz battles Moriarty around ringside.
The finish sees Lashley attempt to spear Brody, but Brody moves at the last second. Lashley crashes into the corner.
Bandido hits a massive dive onto Shelton.
Brody catches Moriarty and delivers a devastating finishing maneuver.
Kingston and Ortiz prevent anyone from making the save.
Winners: Brody King, Bandido, Eddie Kingston & Ortiz
The crowd erupts as the four men celebrate their huge victory.
But the celebration doesn’t last.
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POST-MATCH — SWERVE STRICKLAND ATTACKS
Swerve Strickland’s music hits.
The AEW World Champion walks onto the stage with the championship over his shoulder.
Swerve slowly walks toward the ring while Brody and Bandido stare him down.
Swerve gets inside.
Brody steps toward him.
Swerve suddenly swings the championship directly into Brody’s face.
Bandido tries to attack.
Swerve catches him with the title as well.
The champion stands over both Number One Contenders and raises the championship high above his head.
Swerve grabs a microphone.
Swerve: “Neither one of you is getting this.”
He looks down at Brody and Bandido.
Swerve: “You don’t deserve it. You don’t get it. And you sure as hell aren’t taking it from me.”
Swerve raises the championship again.
Then—
THE LIGHTS GO OUT.
The arena goes completely black.
The crowd erupts.
Five silhouettes appear.
The four masked men.
Swerve turns around.
Too late.
They swarm him.
Swerve tries fighting back, but the numbers are overwhelming. The masked men beat the AEW World Champion down in the center of the ring.
They drag Swerve toward the corner.
One masked man points toward the table.
The others grab Swerve.
Swerve is driven through the table.
The championship falls beside him.
The four masked men stand together over the fallen AEW World Champion.
The lights flicker.
Then go completely black again.
When they return, the masked men are gone.
Swerve is motionless in the wreckage.
Brody King and Bandido slowly get back to their feet and stare at the destroyed champion.
The camera closes in on the AEW World Championship lying beside Swerve.
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF REDEMPTION — EPISODE 5
Final Stand fallout has officially changed everything.
