AEW WORLDS END 2023 – DECEMBER 30, 2023 – RECAP
By Michael Weaver, Jr. [E-Mail | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website | X | YouTube]
AEW Worlds End 2023
December 30, 2023
Uniondale, Long Island, New York
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Editor’s Note – The following took place during the AEW Worlds End 2023 Zero Hour:
- Willow pinned Kris Statlander. After the match, the two friends hugged. Stokely Hathaway was at the announcers’ table as a guest commentator.
- A vignette aired promoting the return of “The Professor of Professional Wrestling” Serena Deeb.
- Killswitch eliminated Trent Beretta to win the Battle Royale and earned an AEW TNT Championship Match at anytime he wishes.
- FTW Champion: “The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil” Hook defeated the ROH Pure Champion: Wheeler Yuta in a FTW Rules Match to retain the FTW Championship.
A video package about AEW Worlds End 2023 airs.
The opening video for AEW Worlds End 2023 airs.
As pyrotechnics go off inside the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Excalibur welcomes us to AEW Worlds End and informs us the Nassau Coliseum is sold out!
MATCH #1: EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH – THE BLACKPOOL COMBAT CLUB (CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI & BRYAN DANIELSON), MARK BRISCOE & DANIEL GARCIA VERSUS BRODY KING, “SWITCHBLADE” JAY WHITE, JAY LETHAL & RUSH [WITH: JOSE THE ASSISTANT]
Our first match is an EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH! This match contains eight men who competed in the AEW Continental Classic Tournament. Making his way to the ring first – BRODY KING! It’s time for the entrance and introduction of his partner. Making his way to the squared circle is JAY LETHAL! It’s time for the entrance and introduction of their partner. Making his way to the ring is RUSH! Rush is accompanied to the ring by JOSE THE ASSISTANT. It’s time for the entrance and introduction of their partner. Making his way to the squared circle next is “SWITCHBLADE” JAY WHITE! At the announcer’s table, “DADDY MAGIC” MATT MENARD has joined the announcers as a guest commentator. It’s time for the entrances and introductions of their opponents. Making his way to the squared circle first is CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI! It’s time for the entrance and introduction of his partner. Making his way to the squared circle next is MARK BRISCOE! It’s time for the entrance and introduction of their partner. Making his way to the squared circle next is DANIEL GARCIA! It’s time for the entrance and introduction of their partner. Making his way to the squared circle next is “THE AMERICAN DRAGON” BRYAN DANIELSON! The bell rings to officially begin this Eight-Man Tag Team Match between The Blackpool Combat, Mark Briscoe & Daniel Garcia against Brody King, “Switchblade” Jay White, Jay Lethal & Rush, with Jose The Assistant in their corner.. It will be Claudio Castagnoli and Rush beginning the match for their respective teams. This match ends when Daniel Garcia pins Jay Lethal to win the match for his team.
THE WINNERS: THE BLACKPOOL COMBAT CLUB, MARK BRISCOE & DANIEL GARCIA…VIA PINFALL
UP NEXT: “The Redeemer” Miro VERSUS Andrade El Idolo!
A video package showing the history between “The Redeemer” Miro and Andrade El Idolo airs.
MATCH #2: “THE REDEEMER” MIRO VERSUS ANDRADE EL IDOLO [WITH: CJ PERRY]
It’s time for our next match which is a SINGLES MATCH! Making his way to the squared circle first is “THE REDEEMER” MIRO! It’s now time for the entrance and introduction of his opponent. Making his way to the squared circle is ANDRADE EL IDOLO! Andrade is accompanied to the squared circle by CJ PERRY. CJ Perry is the real life wife of Miro. The bell rings to officially begin this match between “The Redeemer” Miro against Andrade El Idolo, with CJ Perry in his corner, after Miro attacks Andrade from behind. During this match, CJ swipes Andrade’s arm out from under him. The match ends when Miro forces Andrade to submit to the Camel Clutch to win the match.
THE WINNER: “THE REDEEMER” MIRO…VIA SUBMISSION
UP NEXT: AEW Women’s World Championship Match – “Timeless” Toni Storm (AEW Women’s World Champion) [with: Luther] VERSUS Riho!
A video package showing the history between AEW Women’s World Champion: “Timeless” Toni Storm and Riho airs.
MATCH #3: AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH – “TIMELESS” TONI STORM (AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION) [WITH: LUTHER] VERSUS RIHO
It’s time for our next match which is for the AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP! Tony Schiavone has replaced Nigel McGuinness at the announcer’s table. Making her way to the squared circle first is the challenger – RIHO! It’s time for the entrance and introduction of her opponent. Making her way to the squared circle is the AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION: “TIMELESS” TONI STORM! Storm is accompanied to the ring by LUTHER! The bell rings to officially begin this AEW Women’s World Championship between the AEW Women’s World Champion: “Timeless” Toni Storm, with Luther in her corner, against the challenger – Riho. This match ends when Storm pins Riho to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship.
THE WINNER: STILL AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION – “TIMELESS” TONI STORM…VIA PINFALL
After the match, Mariah May comes to the ring with a bucket. Once she gets into the ring, she skips around Storm and throws rose petals into the air around Storm.
Backstage, Darius Martin is being interviewed when he’s interrupted by AEW International Champion: Orange Cassidy. Martin says he is going to need the AEW International Championship to which Cassidy tells him to try to take it. The two will wrestle for the championship this week on AEW Dynamite.
MATCH #4: “THE NATURAL” DUSTIN RHODES (SUBSTITUTING FOR “LIMITLESS” KEITH LEE) VERSUS SWERVE STRICKLAND [WITH: PRINCE NANA]
Our next match is a SINGLES MATCH. Making his way to the squared circle first is SWERVE STRICKLAND! Strickland is accompanied to the ring by PRINCE NANA! It’s now time for the entrance and introduction of his opponent. Making his way to the squared circle is “THE NATURAL” DUSTIN RHODES! Strickland was originally scheduled to wrestle “Limitless” Keith Lee but AEW President: Tony Khan announced earlier today that Lee was not cleared by the doctors so Rhodes is replacing Lee. Before the match can officially begin, Strickland attacks Rhodes. Nana pulls a cinder brick from under the ring and places Rhodes’ left leg on it. Swerve jumps off of the ring and lands on the legs. Referees and members of the medical staff rush to “The Natural” and Swerve retreats to the ring. The AEW personnel help Rhodes to his feet and attempt to take him to the locker room but he stops them and turns to the ring. Rhodes enters the ring and tells the referee to start the match. The bell rings to officially begin this one-on-one match between “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes against Swerve Strickland, with Prince Nana in his corner. This match ends when Strickland pins Rhodes to win this match.
THE WINNER: SWERVE STRICKLAND…VIA PINFALL
UP NEXT: EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH – Le Sex Gods (Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara), “The Man Known As” Sting & Darby Allin VERSUS AEW World Tag Team Champions: “Absolute” Ricky Starks & Big Bill & The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita & Powerhouse Hobbs) [with: Don Callis]!
A video package showing the history between Le Sex Gods (Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara), “The Man Known As” Sting & Darby Allin and AEW World Tag Team Champions: “Absolute” Ricky Starks & Big Bill & The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita & Powerhouse Hobbs) [with: Don Callis] airs.
MATCH #5: EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH – LE SEX GODS (CHRIS JERICHO & SAMMY GUEVARA), “THE MAN KNOWN AS” STING & DARBY ALLIN VERSUS AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: “ABSOLUTE” RICKY STARKS & BIG BILL & THE DON CALLIS FAMILY (KONOSUKE TAKESHITA & POWERHOUSE HOBBS) [WITH: DON CALLIS]
It’s time for our next match which is an EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH! Making his way to the squared circle first is CHRIS JERICHO! It’s time for the entrance and introduction of his tag team partner. Making his way to the squared circle next is SAMMY GUEVARA! It’s time for the entrance and introduction of their tag team partner. Making his way to the squared circle next is DARBY ALLIN! It’s time for the entrance and introduction of their tag team partner – “THE MAN KNOWN AS” STING! It’s now time for the entrances and introductions of their opponents. Making their way to the squared circle first are the AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: “ABSOLUTE” RICKY STARKS & BIG BILL! It’s time for the entrance and introduction of their tag team partners. Making their way to the squared circle is THE DON CALLIS FAMILY! The Don Callis Family is consisted of KONOSUKE TAKESHITA & POWERHOUSE HOBBS and they are accompanied to the ring by DON CALLIS. The bell rings to officially begin this Eight-Man Tag Team Match between Le Sex Gods, “The Man Known As” Sting & Darby Allin against the AEW World Tag Team Champions: “Absolute” Ricky Starks, Big Bill & The Don Callis Family. It will be Sammy Guevara and Konosuke Takeshita beginning the match first for their respective teams. The match ends when Guevara pins Starks to win the match for his team.
THE WINNERS: LE SEX GODS, “THE MAN KNOWN AS” STING & DARBY ALLIN…VIA PINFALL
UP NEXT: AEW TBS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH – Julia Hart (AEW TBS Champion) VERSUS Abadon!
A video package showing the history between the AEW TBS Champion: Julia Hart and Abadon airs.
MATCH #6: AEW TBS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH – JULIA HART (AEW TBS CHAMPION) VERSUS ABADON
It’s time for our next match and it’s for the AEW TBS CHAMPIONSHIP! Making her way to the squared circle, via crawling, is the challenger – ABADON! The announcers inform us that a stipulation that the challenger is allowed to make a rule for this match. Abadon has decided that BITING IS ALLOWED IN THIS MATCH! It’s now time for the entrance and introduction of her opponent. Making her way to the squared circle is the AEW TBS CHAMPION – JULIA HART! The bell rings to officially begin this match for the AEW TBS Championship between the AEW TBS Champion: Julia Hart against Abadon and biting is allowed in this match. During the match, when Abadon is on the top turnbuckle, Sky Blue runs out and pushes her off the turnbuckle. Sky then runs under the ring but Abadon exits the ring and pulls her out and a small brawl begins. The match ends when Hart pins Abadon to retain the AEW TBS Championship.
THE WINNER: AND STILL AEW TBS CHAMPION – JULIA HART…VIA PINFALL
UP NEXT: No Disqualification Match for the AEW TNT Championship – Christian Cage (AEW TNT Champion) VERSUS “The Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland!
A video package showing the history between “The Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland and the AEW TNT Champion: Christian Cage airs.
MATCH #7: NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH FOR THE AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP – CHRISTIAN CAGE (AEW TNT CHAMPION) [WITH: MAMA WAYNE & “THE PRODIGY” NICK WAYNE] VERSUS “THE RATED R SUPERSTAR” ADAM COPELAND
It’s now time for our next match, which is a NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH FOR THE AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP! Making his way to the squared circle first is the challenger – “THE RATED R SUPERSTAR” ADAM COPELAND! It’s time for the entrance and introduction of his opponent. Making his way to the squared circle is the AEW TNT CHAMPION: CHRISTIAN CAGE! Cage is accompanied to the ring by MAMA WAYNE & “THE PRODIGY” NICK WAYNE. The bell rings to officially begin this No Disqualification Match for the AEW TNT Championship between the AEW TNT Champion: Christian Cage, with Mama Wayne and “The Prodigy” Nick Wayne in his corner, against “The Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland when Copeland exits the ring and attacks Cage while the champion is making his way to the ring to officially begin this match. In a match that featured chairs, ladders, tables, and fire, this match ends when Copeland pinned Cage after delivering the Killswitch to win the AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP!
THE WINNER: AND NEW AEW TNT CHAMPION – “THE RATED R SUPERSTAR” ADAM COPELAND…VIA PINFALL
After the match, while Copeland is celebrating his victory, Killswitch appears from behind and proceeds to attack the new champion. He begins to hand the referee the contract for an AEW TNT Championship whenever he wants when Cage rushes over and tells him to give the contract to him. Killswitch appears to be struggling with Cage’s request. Christian whispers something in his ear which apparently forces him to hand the contract over to the former champion. Christian signs the contract and gives it to the referee.
MATCH #8: AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH – “THE RATED R SUPERSTAR” ADAM COPELAND (AEW TNT CHAMPION) VERSUS CHRISTIAN CAGE [WITH: MAMA WAYNE, “THE PRODIGY” NICK WAYNE & KILLSWITCH]
This match officially begins when the referee calls for the bell to ring. The match ends after Christian spears Copeland before pinning him to win the AEW TNT Championship.
THE WINNER: AND NEW AEW TNT CHAMPION – CHRISTIAN CAGE…VIA PINFALL
After the match, Christian orders Killswitch to pick up Nick Wayne. Christian and Mama Wayne celebrate his victory on their way back to the locker room.
UP NEXT: AEW Continental Classic Finals Match To Crown The First-Ever AEW Continental Classic Championship – Blue League Winner: Eddie Kingston (ROH World Champion & NJPW Strong Openweight Champion) VERSUS Gold League Winner: John Moxley!
A video package on the AEW Continental Classic Championship Tournament airs.
MATCH #9: AEW CONTINENTAL CLASSIC FINALS MATCH TO CROWN THE FIRST-EVER AEW CONTINENTAL CROWN CHAMPION – BLUE LEAGUE WINNER: EDDIE KINGSTON (ROH WORLD CHAMPION & NJPW STRONG OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION) VERSUS GOLD LEAGUE WINNER: JOHN MOXLEY
It’s time for our next match and it’s the AEW CONTINENTAL CLASSIC TOURNAMENT FINALS MATCH TO CROWN THE FIRST-EVER AEW CONTINENTAL CROWN CHAMPION! The ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP and the NJPW STRONG OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP are also on the line. Making his way to the squared circle first is the Blue League Winner…he is the current ROH WORLD CHAMPION AND NJPW STRONG OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION – EDDIE KINGSTON! It’s time for the entrance and introduction of his opponent. Making his way to the squared circle next is the Gold League Winner – JON MOXLEY! Bryan Danielson has joined the announcers’ table to be a guest commentator. The bell rings to officially begin this AEW Continental Classic Finals Match To Crown The First-Ever AEW Continental Crown Championship between the Blue League Winner: Eddie Kingston (ROH World Champion & NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion) and the Gold League Winner: John Moxley. This match ends when Kingston pins Moxley to retain the ROH World Championship, to retain the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship and to win the AEW Continental Crown Championship – Eddie Kingston.
THE WINNER: STILL ROH WORLD CHAMPION & NJPW STRONG OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION AND THE NEW AEW CONTINENTAL CROWN CHAMPION – EDDIE KINGSTON…VIA PINFALL
After the match, Moxley and Kingston hug in the middle of the ring.
At the announcers’ table, Excalibur, Taz and “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson discuss this Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite episode.
THIS WEDNESDAY: AEW International Championship Match – Orange Cassidy (AEW International Champion) VERSUS Dante Martin!
THIS SATURDAY: FTR VERSUS The House of Black!
UP NEXT: AEW World Championship Match – “MJF” Maxwell Jacob Friedman (AEW World Champion) VERSUS Samoa Joe!
A video package showing the history between the AEW World Champion: “MJF” Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Samoa Joe airs.
MAIN EVENT: AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH – “MJF” MAXWELL JACOB FRIEDMAN (AEW WORLD CHAMPION) [WITH: ADAM COLE] VERSUS SAMOA JOE
It’s now time for the MAIN EVENT of AEW Worlds End! This bout is scheduled for one fall and is for the ALL ELITE WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP! Making his way to the ring first is the challenger – SAMOA JOE! Tony Schiavone has joined Excalibur and Taz at the announcers’ table. A video package about the AEW World Champion: MJF airs. It’s now time for the entrance of his opponent. Making his way to the squared circle is the ALL ELITE WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPION – “MJF” MAXWELL JACOB FRIEDMAN! Once MJF has entered the squared circle, he walks over to the corner, sits on the top turnbuckle and as the fans begin to chant “HE’S OUR SCUMBAG!” you can see MJF laughing and fighting back tears. He may be a scumbag but he appreciated the fans chanting for him and welcoming him home tonight at AEW Worlds End. He then suddenly jumps off the top turnbuckle and points to the locker room. Unexpectedly, the theme song for his tag team partner and best friend – Adam Cole begins to play. Making his way to the squared circle is ADAM COLE! Cole is on crutches and has a boot on his left foot. Once Cole is at ringside, he climbs onto the apron and talks to MJF. The AEW Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts proceeds to introduce both the champion and the challenger. The bell rings to officially begin this AEW World Championship Match between AEW World Champion: “MJF” Maxwell Jacob Friedman, with Adam Cole in his corner, against Samoa Joe. At one point, Samoa Joe had the sleeper hold on MJF but the champion rammed the challenger into the corner, and Joe collided with the referee. The commentators wondered whether or not MJF realized what he did and almost as soon as he did that, the camera showed a shot of the champion smiling so they inferred that he did know what he was doing. A few moments later, Friedman took advantage of the down referee when he nailed Joe, who was standing on the middle rope, with a low blow. MJF then carried his challenger on his shoulders to the middle of the ring and dropped him. With his best friend, Adam Cole, rooting him on, MJF crawled over to Joe’s body and draped an arm on top of it. The referee proceeded to make a count but Joe kicked out at two. The champion signaled for the Dynamite Diamond Ring but Cole had trouble finding it. Once Cole located the ring and handed it to MJF, Joe was already standing and applies another sleeper hold. The champion makes it to a corner and bounces off of the middle turnbuckle and covers the challenger. Joe kicks out at the two count and still has the sleeper hold on MJF. The champion attempts to punch out of the submission hold but appears to fall asleep. The referee checks on the champion and raises his hand before letting go. MJF’s arm drops two times and on the third time, his arm falls on top of Joe’s leg. Does that count? The referee says it does and signals for the bell. Your new ALL ELITE WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPION – SAMOA JOE!
THE WINNER: AND NNNEEEWWW AEW WORLD CHAMPION – SAMOA JOE…VIA SUBMISSION
Adam Cole is shown disappointed and shocked at ringside. The new champion is handed the AEW World Championship and poses a few times inside the ring before exiting the squared circle and returning to the locker room.
MJF has recovered consciousness and his best friend and tag team partner, Adam Cole has crawled into the ring and is on his knees talking to him. MJF is visibly upset and Cole continues to talk to him. The fans in attendance begin to chant “BULLSHIT!”
The facial expression on MJF indicates that he is in great pain due to his injured left arm. The two superstars get to their feet and suddenly, MJF stands in front of Cole in a defensive stance. Four of The Devil’s masked men have entered the ringside area and are standing on the side of the ringside area where the announcers’ table is located.
Three of the masked men enter the ring and MJF attempts to go after them but they get the upper hand. One of them eliminates any threat from Cole by forcing him to his knees and making him watch the others and MJF. The fourth masked man enters the ring with a steel chair.
Two of the masked men have forced MJF to his feet, facing Cole, and the fourth masked man, who is holding a steel chair, walks to in between Cole and MJF. He raises the chair and it looks like he’s going to hit MJF but Cole yells at the guy and tells him to hit him instead. MJF sees this and orders the guy to him in and not Cole. The masked man has turned so he’s facing Cole and is facing him instead. He has the chair raised but suddenly the lights in the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum go out.
When the lights come back on, Adam Cole is no longer being held by the masked man and he’s no longer sitting on his knees. Cole is now sitting on the steel chair that was once being held by one of The Devil’s masked men. The four masked men are now standing around Cole, who has folded his hands and is staring down at the mat.
Cole raises his head as the four masked men remove their masks. Their identities are revealed to be the ROH World Tag Team Champions: The Kingdoms’ Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, Roderick Strong and “Mr. Mayhem” Wardlow. MJF is completely shocked and with tears running down his face, he asks Cole, “WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?!”
MJF stands up but is quickly nailed with a jumping knee strike. The former AEW World Champion falls to the mat before The Kingdom pounces on him and begins to nail him with kicks and punches. They pick him up and toss him to Wardlow who proceeds to deliver a powerbomb.
Cole pulls out The Devil’s mask and once he stands up, Cole tosses the mask on top of MJF. Cole stands in front of The Kingdom, Strong and Wardlow before lowering down to one knee and staring at MJF.
Tonight, the real devil was revealed to be Adam Cole and his evil minions were revealed to be The Kingdom, Roderick Strong and “Mr. Mayhem” himself, Wardlow.
Tonight, not only did MJF leave Nassau Coliseum without the AEW World Championship but he left without his best friend and he left with the knowledge that the man who changed him for the good and the man who he has been fighting for in recent months has been THE REAL DEVIL.
As Excalibur said at the end of AEW Worlds End, tonight, Maxwell Jacob Friedman’s world did indeed end!
Don’t forget to catch the fallout from tonight this Wednesday night on AEW Dynamite, which airs on TBS at 8:00 P.M. Eastern/7:00 P.M. Central. Already announced is the AEW International Championship Match between the AEW International Champion: “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy defending the AEW International Championship against Dante Martin.
Thank you for reading this exclusive recap of All Elite Wrestling’s Worlds End on WU Online.
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