Conflict of Interest | AEWeekly #209

Welcome to the #AEWeekly review discussion where PWM contributors reflect on the highlights of the last week in AEW. The eligibility week always includes the most recent episode of Dynamite and Collision, plus any social-media exclusives up until publication.

This week’s contributors are Abel [@loza3.bsky.social] covering Match of the Week, Lauren [@sithwitch.bsky.social] exploring a key Story Beat, Emiliana [@emilianartb.bsky.social] giving us the MVP of the Week, and Sergei [@sergeialderman.bsky.social] editing and organizing it all.

 A page of links to prior installments may be found here: #AEWeekly

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Konosuke Takeshita vs Claudio Castagnoli

"There is an aura about both fighters"

by Abel.

When Claudio Castagnoli and Konosuke Takeshita meet in the ring, their chemistry and athleticism set a higher standard for everyone. Both are powerful and fast, making their matches smooth and intensely competitive as they draw out the best in each other. Whenever they compete, regardless of stipulation, their matches consistently stand out. That’s why Konosuke Takeshita vs Claudio Castagnoli on Collision earns Match of the Week honors on this edition of AEWeekly.

This was their third singles match, seventh if you count all tags and gimmick matches. After Takeshita’s Saturday win, their all-time series is 1-1-1, setting up a needed tiebreaker. Their last match occurred in November at the Continental Classic.

There is an aura about both fighters. When they walk in, they have the full attention of everyone in the arena and at home. Claudio’s theme, new lucha mask, and association with the Death Riders make him seem like the most dangerous man in the world. Takeshita’s walk-in is built on pure reputation and threat. I believe that once Takeshita turns his face, his entire presentation will be rebuilt.

From the opening bell, both wrestlers delivered a dynamic, back-and-forth contest showcasing technical skill and physicality across various styles. Takeshita’s win was expected to set up his next bout with Jon Moxley, but the action remained thrilling, with Claudio focusing on weakening Takeshita for Moxley. Castagnoli's mission was clear and achieved, even without a win.

Moxley stood out on commentary. Like Bryan Danielson, he brings layered insight that fans might not otherwise see. Sometimes it’s new, sometimes it reaffirms why these wrestlers work well together.

“They are both extremely powerful, but they are extremely fast,” is how Moxley described Takeshita and Castagnoli. A nice little subplot that happened throughout the match, which I really enjoyed, was Marina Shafir continuously talking shit about Toni Storm. This was an added plus to a great match and a great commentary performance by Moxley. It shows that the Death Riders are at the center of AEW and are extremely important to its success.

After the match, Takeshita moved closer to turning face by telling Hechicero not to attack Castagnoli. It fit the story, as Takeshita played face and Claudio heel. This match set the stage for a possible Moxley-Claudio classic.

Collision is quickly becoming the A- show to Dymanite’s A+ show. If you're reading this, you probably watch Collision weekly. However, if you aren't, Takeshita and Castagnoli would like you to reassess your life.

Tomasso Ciampa

"I'm here to be a top guy..."

by Lauren.

We probably should have expected that someone calling himself the “Psycho Killer” would do a violent heel turn.

Tomasso Ciampa has only been in AEW for a little over a month, but that was enough time to set the groundwork. The sobriquet was the first clue, the entrance and song were the second: “My Shadow Knows My Story,” complete with a visual of a beating heart turning to stone. Commentary even told us: he's ruthless, a bad apple, a dangerous and unpredictable man.

He also established himself as someone who prized belts beyond what most normal people might. He named the TNT Championship belt Silvey (following after the object of his previous obsessions, Goldie the belt) and declared her to be his biological daughter's “new baby sister.” Naturally, he did not take her loss (nor her makeover and renaming to “Pinky”) well. That loss was never going to sit well with a man who thinks that the belts are literally members of his family that speak to him.

Three times in his career, the loss of a championship has driven Ciampa to the edge. First in Ring of Honor when he lost the RoH TV Championship to Jay Lethal, then in NXT when he lost the Tag Titles. Both of those were times marked by injury, absence, and rebuilding. This time is a little different. This is Ciampa at the end of his career, having stated that AEW is where he wants to retire. His previous turn against Johnny Gargano was fueled by resentment; his turn against Mark Briscoe is a matter of practicality.

On Dynamite, Ciampa acknowledged that the only way he can rescue Silvie is by finding tag and trios partners to draw out Kyle Fletcher, who is now one-third of the AEW Trios Champions as well as the current TNT Champion. Kyle has the security of strength in numbers, while Ciampa only had Mark Briscoe. Mark has also stated that since the death of his brother Jay, he has no intention of tagging with anyone ever again, preferring singles, Trios, and group matches. And, the last strike: Mark has fought Kyle Fletcher seven times, with Fletcher coming out the winner.

FTR, Ciampa's old rivals from NXT, welcomed him with open arms. Additionally, they are the tag champions. They have gold. They've held it multiple times. They're the ones with the track record. When Mark Briscoe cost Ciampa the match against Daniel Garcia, however accidentally, it proved the last straw.

The visuals were familiar: both Gargano and Briscoe were hugged and then slammed into the walls of the entrance tunnels as the veneer of friendship dropped away. This time, it wasn't malice. It was the equivalent of throwing rocks at a dog to chase it away, but less for the dog's own good and more to get rid of a burden. 

In a video posted to social media, Ciampa admitted that it feels good to be bad, that the pretense of smiling and getting along had been an uncomfortable one for him. He's not here to make friends. He's here to get the respect he deserves, and he's ready to kill anyone who gets in his way.

Kevin Knight

"2 Flyy"

by Emiliana.

I have been high on Kevin Knight since his debut last year around this time. He has aura, in-ring talent, and to top it all off – a beautiful smile. During the week leading up to All In: Texas, I saw him leaving Cracker Barrel as I was walking in to meet up with some friends. The next night, I watched him do some karaoke in a full cowboy fit and lemme tell ya: he looked good. This week, we watched him pull double-duty on Dynamite, coming in hot for the opening bell against men’s world champion, MJF, and then competing in a trios match alongside the rest of Jet Set Rodeo, Speedball & Hangman, in a bout that brought the house down past the 2 hour mark.

We’ve seen wrestlers pull double duty in AEW before, but never two world title matches on the same night on regular television. That’s just insane. And I continue to look up to people like the Jet and Speedball for their continued positivity in a way that doesn’t feel like it’s part of the gimmick; it’s just who they are. If you watch the latest SpeedVlog, there’s a short moment backstage where Jet Set Rodeo are waiting near the go position, and Hangman mentioned that the match he wrestled earlier was only six seconds, that Kevin clearly had a rougher go of it. And rather than affirm that, Kevin just responded with: “Hey, we don’t work by the minute!” It’s just another example of Knight’s infectious positive energy, to which Speedball added, “There’s nothing wrong with going six seconds.” … Hmm.

Having just watched two days’ worth of Houston rodeo competition as I type this up, I can say for certain that there are instances where going for six seconds is not enough. Perhaps it’s good that Jet Set Rodeo looks to be at an end. Because that’s what happened at the end of the main event of Dynamite - the Jet got cornered in the ring by the Australasian side of the DCF, and they pinned the Jet to become AEW’s brand new world trios champions. Rough week for the Jet Set Rodeo.

Speedball and the Jet would pull up to Collision to announce their new objectives – Bailey would contend for Fletcher’s TNT title, and both would be headed back into tag competition at Revolution – when Swerve Strickland would walk into frame and speak with Kevin Knight directly. It’s gotta be said: Swerve’s bicep is the size of two of Kevin’s head. He could eat Kevin Knight for breakfast, and I don’t think Kev would enjoy my saying that, but it is what it is. I say what I see. So this is curious; Swerve still has a keen interest in whatever Kevin Knight has going on. Unsure if out of jealousy or one of those things where you see somebody who looks like you in a room full of people who don’t and they automatically become a threat to your own spot. Then again, Swerve is just a hater. But perhaps those positive vibes from a marriage as healthy as JetSpeed’s just gets under his skin. You know, as a man in what seemed to be a toxic marriage. Who knows? Not me.

Anyway, the best is still to come for Kevin Knight and Speedball. They will be teaming up with Mistico at Revolution. On the SpeedVlog, Knight mentioned that the last time he wrestled Mistico in CMLL, Mistico got the entire arena to chant puto at him. (I will let y’all look that one up yourselves.) Speedball also reminded us that he and Mistico met at the finals of the CMLL Grand Prix last year. If I remember correctly, Speedball was lauded as a perfect heel in CMLL during this tournament. (I often forget that nobody likes French Canadians.) With all that said, it seems strange for them to be teaming up with Mistico at Revolution, but hey, I’m not complaining. I’m sure it will be a banger of a trios match.

The push Kevin Knight has gotten in these first few months has been great for me. Apart from more matches, he’s also gotten some time in with the live mic, and I think it’s helping him a lot. He’s normally a pretty leveled, smooth talker, so I don’t think I can imagine him cutting a fiery babyface promo in the near future. But maybe he doesn’t need to do that… (sometimes the yelling scares me, quite frankly). Maybe he can pave the way to a stellar babyface promo without the decibel level having to go up. That would be … revolutionary.

Anyway… big proud of him right now. There are no limits in sight for the Jet.