By Geno McGahee
Jon Moxley, defending his heavyweight title for the first time, did not take the easy route. Jake Hager, undefeated MMA beast and the muscle of the Inner Circle, was the opponent with both men never losing inside the AEW ring.
The match started out much like an MMA match with both fighters using submission holds and hard strikes to get the advantage. AEW has done such a great job in the presentation of Hager and Moxley. Both are very believable in their roles and they were really beating the hell out of each other in this match that could have easily been the headliner of a PPV.
After some back and forth in the ring, Hager was tossed out and the fight became brutal outside of the ring. Thrown over the railings, the two beat each other, hitting moves on the bare concrete. They continued to fight into the stands. The quick intensity of Moxley came out in spurts and proved effective. Moxley put a figure four on Hager and said “tap you big son of a bitch!” It was awesome.
The two made it back into the ring and Hager is just coming off as an unbeatable monster. This reminded me of Stone Cold Steve Austin’s first match with Kane. Austin kept hitting Kane with everything but could not break through until it all added up. This is what Moxley is. He is a lot like Stone Cold.
Moxley landed the DDT, but it was countered and turned into his finisher. Moxley would reach the ropes and it was broken up. Moxley would challenge Hager to punch him in the face and he did, knocking him cold with three shots and then screaming “idiot.” Jim Ross’s commentary was great in this even though he was flying solo on this event. Ross has never been better.
Hager would place a steel chair in between the turnbuckles and drive Moxley into it, ending in a near fall, but the fight goes on and the two continued to beat the hell out of each other.
Moxley would hit the DDT on the steel chair after more back and forth, leading to a 1-2-3 and a successful defense of the AEW heavyweight title. It was a great match and showed the best of both guys. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Hager in the title picture either. What a great main event tonight!
