MJF proved that nobody is on the level of the devil by beating Hangman Page in Texas Death at AEW Revolution (Mar. 15, 2026). The PPV also featured the returns of Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, and Will Ospreay, a surprise appearance from Ronda Rousey, Jon Moxley putting Konosuke Takeshita to sleep, FTR besting the Young Bucks, and more from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Texas Death
MJF battled Hangman Page in Texas Death for the AEW World Championship. The added stipulation was that
Hangman would never challenge for the world title ever again if he loses here. Winner was determined by submission or unable to answer the ten-count. The main event was underway after close to five hours of wrestling. AEW got in the mood with a trumpet version of Hangman’s entrance tune. MJF was given a cheeky cowboy skit to pee on his rival’s grave. Maxwell arrived wearing a poncho, cowboy hat, and Terry Funk tights.
The action was violent and bloody. This is Texas Death after all. There was a lot of tit for tat. Hangman body slammed MJF onto broken glass and dragged him across the shards. MJF did the same to Hangman. The cowboy hit a Deadeye piledriver off the apron through a table. The devil hit a jumping piledriver off the apron through the table. There were plenty of wild moments. MJF revisited Hangman’s fondness for needles by stabbing his cheek with an injection.
Paper cuts, staples, a barbed wire chair, light tubes, skewers were other instruments for violence.
Heck, Hangman flossed MJF’s mouth with barbed wire like a horse bit.
Down the stretch, Texas Death turned into a dog collar match. Hangman voluntarily saddled them together with a chain so MJF could not escape. That tactic backfired when MJF pulled the chain to send Hangman crashing off the corner through a barbed wire board. The action carried upstage for Hangman to corral a belly-to-belly suplex crashing through an exploding table.
Hangman dog-walked MJF back to the ring. He set up for a Buckshot Lariat. MJF blocked with a low blow. MJF clobbered the cowboy with the title belt. That only engaged Hangman. He cracked MJF with the gold. Hangman was poised for a Buckshot. MJF was quicker to the punch. A Dynamite Diamond Ring punch to be exact. MJF swiftly grabbed the chain to choke Hangman hanging from the ropes. Upon release, Page did not answer the 10 count. MJF is victorious, and Hangman can never challenge for the world title again.
Wow. Texas Death was a spectacle. Hangman put a whooping on MJF, much to the crowd’s delight. MJF gave as good as he got. Texas Death isn’t my style when it veers into campy violence, like staples and syringes. For the most part, this was a rowdy spot fight. That was the toughest performance MJF ever displayed in AEW. In terms of the MJF character, there’s no denying he doesn’t deserve his success. The finish was smooth with how MJF relied on the tried and true Dynamite Diamond Ring. MJF didn’t skip a beat to transition for the chain choke. I loved his expression of urgency trying to get the referee to count faster. If Hangman had to lose Texas Death, that was the callback to go with in how he won so many times in that manner. A new chapter of Hangman’s career begins without prospects for the world title. That prize has been the driving force of his entire AEW career to this point. It will be interesting to see how his character evolves. I also wonder if this was a symbolic passing of the torch to make MJF the main character of AEW.
Let’s break down the rest of the show from top to bottom.
Darby Allin, Orange Cassidy, & Roderick Strong defeated the Dogs. Tornado trios rules. Allin was the mastermind. After landing a skateboard trick off the stage onto the back of Gabe Kidd’s skull, he zip-tied his enemy to keep him out of the finish.
Allin blasted David Finlay with a suicide dive. Strong and Cassidy teed off on Clark Connors for a jumping knee strike, a superman punch, and a backbreaker. It was funny how Strong shoved a weary Cassidy down onto Connors’ body for the pin.
This match was in the ‘this PPV is too damn long’ slot before the main event, and they worked well to keep my attention while in a zombie state. The pace was hectic, and the action was creative. The babyface finish popped. The Dogs are cool. They have a type of swagger that fits them. Their work in the ring was just as stylish. It’s interesting to see the Dogs lose this soon. That’s the way it goes for newcomers. I thought AEW did a good job of isolating Kidd at the end to leave meat on the bone for his feud with Allin.
Also, this spear from Connors was brutal.
Andrade El Idolo defeated Bandido. This match had no pants. I don’t mean the action was so hot that I threw my pants out the window. I mean both luchadores removed their pants during the bout. Of course, Andrade took a sexy selfie with the ladies. He took a second selfie after a moonsault outside. It wasn’t all fun and selfies. Bandido put Andrade to the test. The story of the match was the 21 Plex. Andrade blocked the first attempt with his patented back elbow strike. The second attempt came when Andrade was down on the mat. Bandido went forth anyway to deadlift Andrade into the 21 Plex. On to the third attempt. Andrade flipped out of the 21 Plex to counter for a back elbow. El Idolo finished with an avalanche DM.
This match was gangbusters. Bandido pulled out two moves I’ve never seen before with the deadlift 21 Plex and a fireman’s carry pop-up rolling heel kick. That was a star performance from Bandido. Andrade was slick with his rallies and smooth in execution. Just when it seemed like Bandido could get the win, Andrade had an answer. This was booked to be a show-stealer in the ring, and that’s what they did.
AEW World Trios Championship: JetSpeed & Mistico defeated Kazuchika Okada, Kyle Fletcher, & Mark Davis (c) to win the trios titles. Rocking highlight reel pace of action. Mistico helped turn the tide for victory. He landed a suicide dive to Okada, then he trapped Fletcher with La Mistica armbar. Davis was the legal man. Mike Bailey walloped him with a spin kick. Kevin Knight leaped over Mistico’s submission to land a UFO splash on Davis for the win. AEW announced the Mistico is All Elite. Mistico and Okada had a few exchanges, and it left me hoping for a singles showdown one day soon. Forbidden Door would be nice for a dream match.
AEW Women’s World Championship: Thekla (c) defeated Kris Statlander to retain the title. 2 out of 3 falls. The first fall went to Thekla on a bridging roll-up grabbing the ropes.
The second fall went to StatDaddy by countering an octopus stretch into the Sunder Night Fever piledriver. The third fall was chaos. After a ref bump, Statlander hit her finisher to win. No referee though to count. The Sisters of Sin ran in to interfere. Statlander handed them their lunches with knuckle sandwiches. Thekla had stripped the referee of his belt. When Statlander was primed to whip her, the ref returned to snatch back the foreign object. Thekla took advantage for a spear and two curb stomps to win.
The first two falls were enjoyable for this feud. The third fall was overdone. It felt like throwing in the kitchen sink of shenanigans for the sake of it. Sometimes the bad girls need to win the feud on their own merits. Thekla won with help from a ref bump, an uncounted pinfall, interference, and a distraction. That’s too much. Thekla has a real chance to break out huge with her unique charisma. Don’t water down her reign with finishes like that.
Swerve Strickland defeated Brody King. This contest lived up to the most dangerous man story. It had a big-fight feel from the crowd. Swerve had a dangerous game plan to use the outside surroundings to inflict pain. King matched that mood. The finish was gnarly. King went for a Gonzo Bomb on the exposed floor. Swerve escaped and countered for a vertebreaker onto the hard surface. King barely beat the count back into the ring. Swerve was perched and ready to deliver a flying stomp. King kicked out at 1. King was still standing after two House Call kicks. He swung for a lariat in desperation. Swerve ducked and answered with a third House Call kick to win. Afterward, Prince Nana brought in a cinder block for a dangerous curb stomp. Kenny Omega returned for the save to prevent that violence.
I was curious how Swerve and King would battle within the rules given the story of the most dangerous man in AEW. The match was plotted well to be very dangerous without crossing the line. I think that restraint to keep it a fair fight, so to speak, elevated the storytelling. Swerve earned his nickname here. That vertebreaker was insane. King looked strong in defeat taking so much punishment. His new star power should be fine if AEW follows up with some good wins to keep him at the upper level of contention.
Willow Nightingale wrestled two matches, so I’ll package them together.
TBS Championship: Willow Nightingale (c) defeated Lena Kross to retain the title. Willow countered Kross’ jackhammer into a backslide to win on the pre-show. Megan Bayne stomped Willow after the match, and Harley Cameron made the save with a pipe. Since Willow has double duty, the takeaway was injuring her shoulder when Kross rammed her into the barricade. Willow grimaced in pain throughout the fight. This was a solid bout for what it was. It’s not a PPV style contest on the pre-show. The purpose was an appetizer to set the table for the women’s tag title bout. In that regard, I was satisfied. Willow and Kross wrestled with personality and threw haymakers when tension was at a boiling point. Willow escaped with the win, and her injury built doubt about the tag title bout.
AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship: Divine Dominion defeated Babes of Wrath (c) to win the titles. Update on the shoulder injury. Willow was cleared to compete, but it was obvious that her confidence was shaken. Willow did her best. She ran wild on a hot tag to pounce Megan Bayne. The match replayed the TBS finish. This time, Kross kicked out. Bayne clobbered Willow with a lariat. Divine Dominion double goozled Willow for a chokeslam. Kross made the pin to win. New champs!
I’m excited for the towers of power reign for Bayne and Kross. They are a unique duo that should dominate. It’s been a small sample size, but I’m all in on Kross. She has great potential. The way she moves in the ring with attitude and facial expressions catches the eye. We already know that Bayne is a destroyer, and she flashed that aura again here. I don’t know why AEW went with the double title defense injury angle. Divine Dominion isn’t the type of team that needs questionable wins to protect babyfaces. There is no shame losing to them fair and square. AEW better follow up this Willow story with wrestlers rushing to be TBS challengers while she is damaged goods.
AEW Continental Championship: Jon Moxley (c) defeated Konosuke Takeshita to retain the title. Continental rules with no time limit. Settle in for a war of attrition. Moxley took his time damaging the left knee and the left eye. He was brutal hammering strikes and headbutts to the eye. This all led to Takeshita’s tremendous display of fighting spirit. When the time hit 20 minutes, Takeshita kicked out of a pinfall at the count of 1. Moxley had fighting spirit as well. He is now the first person to kick out of Takeshita’s Raging Fire driver. Takeshita kept on the pressure for a running knee, but his leg gave out. Moxley took advantage for an avalanche Death Rider. Takeshita kicked out! Moxley slapped on a chokehold. Takeshita looked like E.T. with his finger trying to phone home. Moxley used his legs to trap Takeshita’s arms, and the Alpha went to sleep. Afterward, Moxley offered a handshake of respect. Takeshita initially refused, then he accepted the gesture.
This was one of those matches where you knew they were setting up for the long run. It wasn’t that exciting early, but the excitement level had a continual upward trajectory. All that work early paid off in the story late. The final minutes were explosive. I thought kicking out of an avalanche Death Rider was a bridge too far. Other than that, I was all in on the story of the match. I can definitely understand fans being upset about Takeshita losing. It feels like his next breakthrough will never come. Moxley beat him fair and square.
Will Ospreay returns! After Moxley’s match, a vignette aired in the lab rejuvenating Ospreay, like he is Wolverine.
Moxley waved it off. Lo and behold, Ospreay was on stage. He charged to the ring to get physical and also flipped a dive. What a moment! Damn, that seems like a fast recovery. Ospreay is picking up the storyline how Moxley put him of the shelf. We’ll see how that meshes with Mox’s newfound appreciation from the fans. The Continental rules have kept Moxley’s nose clean in matches. This feud seems more personal that being forced to comply with those rules.
Toni Storm defeated Marina Shafir. Everyone was banned from ringside. Shafir attacked before the bell and dominated the pace of the match. Storm rallied for three running hip attacks and a piledriver. I was shocked that Shafir kicked out. The next exchange was Mother’s Milk. Storm gouged the eyes and bit Shafir’s chest trying to get a taste of milk. Storm bopped a headbutt and scored a small package to win. Nice match. Storm and Shafir worked well together for this story. The finish was a hoot. What came next was an enormous surprise.
Ronda Rousey! As Storm celebrated on stage, Rousey entered the ring to call Timeless back for a fight. Security swarmed the ring, so there were no fisticuffs. Rousey has an upcoming MMA fight against Gina Carano, so they powers that be probably didn’t want to risk any injury. Shafir had the last laugh with a sucker punch to leave Storm seeing stars. Say what you want about weekly wrestler Rousey. Special attraction Rousey is fantastic. Her WrestleMania debut was awesome, and her one-off comeback tag team match in ROH was a blast as well. If Rousey wrestles in AEW as a special attraction, I think it will rock.
AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championship: FTR (c) defeated the Young Bucks to retain the titles. The entrances had my attention with the young Bucks accompanying the Young Bucks. All those kids illustrated the family angle here. FTR heeled by dressing in Boston Celtics colors inside the Los Angeles Lakers home arena. That’s when I noticed the Bucks were wearing purple and gold. FTR smashed the Jacksons early. Nick was a bloody mess, and Matt was victim to a spike piledriver on the floor. This is where the action lost me. Nick was wounded, and Matt was dead on the floor. The opportunity was there to push the pedal for a quick win. FTR’s mind was in the right place by going for their signature teamwork moves, but their movement lacked urgency. As the match progressed, I was back on board fully invested in the outcome. The action unfolded to the quality you would expect from these teams. Then, a miracle took place. Stokely Hathaway stood up from his wheelchair. The Bucks were in control for a Meltzer Driver, however, Big Stoke grabbed Nick’s foot. FTR capitalized for a Shatter Machine to Nick. Dramatic kick out on the cover. FTR followed for a spike piledriver. Nick reached the ropes at 2 for the break. Payback was coming for Stokely on the next Bucks’ rally when Nick blasted him on a suicide dive. In the end, FTR surged for an avalanche Shatter Machine to in Nick.
Banging match overall. The action was dynamite with great chemistry as usual. The family atmosphere for the Young Bucks added a personal touch to enhance drama on near falls. You could feel how badly they wanted to win. The Stokely bit was played great. He finally stood up for maximum effect in a crucial moment, and he paid the price on the receipt.
The result can be considered a surprise given the storyline direction, and I think that makes it better here, especially given the possibilities for what came next.
Adam Copeland and Christian Cage are back! After the tag bout, the lights went out. Cope’s music blared on the speakers. Hide the widowed mothers and sons with deceased fathers. Christian was on the prowl as well. The target was FTR. Copeland fluffed the front side as a distraction for Christian to slam from the back side. Killswitches and spears made the crowd explode. C&C want the tag titles. There was also a tease for a staredown with the Young Bucks. I hope AEW doesn’t rush right into a three-way. Gives us rounds of the two-on-two affairs then pop the blow-off with a three-way. Also of note, I cracked up laughing at a muscular staffer carrying Big Stoke away like a baby in his arms.
AEW National Championship: Jack Perry defeated Ricochet (c) to win the title in the 21-Man Blackjack Battle Royal. The action was loads of fun, however, this is probably the worst battle royal I’ve ever seen. Nothing says battle royal like starting the match with nobody in the ring. Is this TNA? Bodies were coming and going as they pleased. There was never a point when the referees forced everyone into the ring. That flow made the battle royal hard to follow. I couldn’t get a sense of who was still left, how many were left, and such. I don’t want to undersell the action. It was glorious chaos with a rapid pace of moves. The finish spilled over from the pre-show onto the PPV. Ricochet and Perry battled on the apron. Ric lifted Perry, but Jungle Man countered into a poison rana. Ricochet fell down to the ground to be eliminated.
In hindsight, this was all about a feel-good moment for Perry in Los Angeles. He arrived in a special bus driven by Luchasaurus. The referees made sure GOA were not allowed ringside, so that ensured a fair finish. Perry celebrated victory with his family in the front row. The idea sounds nice, but it felt hallow to me. The battle royal was a shortcut to finally dethroning Ricochet. The battle royal itself failed to establish the drama. Perry wasn’t in the ring much until the end. We didn’t get to watch him persevere and overcome through the struggle of the match.
Boom & Doom defeated the Infantry. Fun silliness to start the pre-show. It’s best to go with the flow on this one as a spectacle. Shane Taylor slapped the hat off Wayne Brady. That’s right. Wayne Brady was in the house as a fan. Brady responded with a big slap. Taylor manhandled him over the barricade. The Rizzler strolled up trying to intimidate Taylor, so he shoved Rizzler down to the floor. Big Justice rounded the corner to spear Taylor. Big Boom AJ landed a flying dump onto the pile of bodies below. QT Marshall and AJ combined forces for a Boomsday Device maneuver for the win. AJ had a little trouble lifting his opponent in position, but all’s well that ends well. Like I said, the match was lots of laughs if roll with it.
Stud of the Show: MJF
MJF can change his name to Texas Death Friedman. Beating Hangman at his own game was impressive.
Match of the Night: Andrade vs. Bandido
Splendid lucha libre.
Grade: A-
Fun, fun, fun. The in-ring action always delivers for PPV. The surprises were huge for extra sizzle.
Share your thoughts about AEW Revolution. Do you think MJF winning Texas Death was the smart move? Who is the most dangerous man in AEW now? Where does the world title scene go from here? And how about Hangman Page for that matter? Which surprise popped you the most?
