The show emanated from the vaunted “Cathedral of Lucha Libre,” Arena Mexico. For nearly 70 years, the historic venue has been the headquarters of Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL).
This was a momentous occasion for AEW, for a multitude of reasons. The first, is that this was AEW and CMLL’s first collaborative venture, outside of their prior joint shows with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. The second is that “Grand Slam: Mexico” was the first show to ever be held in Arena Mexico and promoted by an American wrestling organization.
The real question is whether or not “Grand Slam: Mexico” delivered?
HIT: “Hangman” Adam Page live in Mexico City
The festivities began with a promo from “Hangman” Adam Page, who evidently speaks fluent Spanish.
While Excalibur was intermittently translating Page’s promo, the topic of conversation was Page’s family—who owned a tobacco farm. When Page was young, his parents employed a number of farm hands from Mexico, whom he worked with. Page learned at a young age that, through collaboration, incredible things can happen.
AEW and CMLL’s relationship is proof positive of that simple idea.
The crowd in Arena Mexico adored Page and it’s easy to understand why.
This was the perfect way to begin “Grand Slam: Mexico,” and another notch in the “Hangman’s” belt.
HIT: Don Callis Family, Lance Archer, Dax Harwood, Hechicero, & Volador Jr. vs. Bandido, Brody King, Adam Cole, Daniel Garcia, Templario, Atlantis, and Atlantis Jr.
This was a 14-man tag team match, converging a myriad of angles. On one hand, there’s ProtoShita, Josh Alexander & Lance Archer, representing the Don Callis Family. On the other hand, the Don Callis Family’s enemies: Adam Cole, Daniel Garcia, Brody King, & Bandido. Then, there’s the tecnicos and rudos of CMLL.
There are a few other interesting elements at play here. Last week, FTR tried to cripple CMLL legend, Atlantis, earning the ire of the luchador and his son, Atlantis Jr.
Unfortunately, Cash Wheeler was unable to journey to Arena Mexico, so Volador Jr. was forced to step in on Wheeler’s behalf. While I cannot confirm nor deny my theory for Wheeler’s absence, I would wager that it was litigious in nature.
There’s also the inclusion of ROH World Champion, Bandido, who left CMLL in 2016 under a different guise. Since then, Bandido has worked with CMLL’s rival, AAA.
On Tuesday night, Bandido made his debut in Arena Mexico—fulfilling a lifelong dream that previously seemed impossible.
Like I said from the outset, this was a 14-man tag team match. So, this was a predictably chaotic affair. Chaos can easily be controlled in the world of lucha libre.
A few things worth noting here:
- Brody King’s shirt was glorious.
- Bandido is on the short list of my favorite performers in the world. His blend of strength, speed, and dexterity is absurd. And, at only 30-years-old, his potential for growth is unfathomable.
- I loved the ending of this match. The fact that it was Atlantis who scored the decisive pinfall over Dax Harwood, with an inside cradle, was a terrific nod to the tape traders and Dean Rassmusens of the world who introduced American fans to the world of lucha libre in the 1990s and 2000s. One of those fans happened to be AEW’s president and CEO, Tony Khan, who was a member of the Death Valley Driver Video Review
While this match was admittedly a little chaotic, it was full of charm and thoroughly entertaining.
Rating: ***
HIT: Kazuchika Okada vs. Mark Briscoe
Last week, Kazuchika Okada shocked the world when he aligned with Don Callis and conspired to kill Kenny Omega—landing a pair of devastating Flying Elbow Drops to Omega’s abdomen. Omega, who battled diverticulitis in late 2023 and spent all of 2024 recovering, vomited blood after “The Rainmaker’s” second elbow drop.
I’m a little perplexed why Okada’s bout with Omega at “All In” Texas is still being advertised, considering Omega’s career should be in question after what transpired last week.
In any event, Mark Briscoe has taken umbrage with Okada’s actions, and vowed to avenge Omega—whom he considers a comrade in arms.
I love this space that Briscoe has begun to occupy, as the conscience of AEW. While Briscoe was tragically thrust into the role of a sympathetic warrior, it’s incredible to see him harness that good-will and channel it through this lens.
Unfortunately, all of Briscoe’s resilience and bravery proved insignificant, in the face of “The Rainmaker.”
Rating: ***
HIT: MJF vs. Mistico
Before we begin dissecting this match, it’s only fair that we discuss the spectacle that was Mistico’s entrance. Traditionally, Mistico’s entrance is known as “Ameno,” by Era. However, in rare instances, he’s used the anthem “Me Muero,” by La 5ª Estación.
The song is a rallying cry for Arena Mexico’s faithful, beckoning their hero.
The spectacle was breathtaking. In the hallowed “Cathedral of Lucha Libre,” Mistico is a deity.
In keeping with the current social climate, the villain was clad in red, white, and blue. For one night only, MJF returned to his patriotic attire of old, with a modern twist, of course.
In many ways, this seemed like the featured attraction of “Grand Slam: Mexico.” MJF was flanked by his fellow Hurt Syndicate members, while Mistico had over 10,000 pushing him towards victory.
This wasn’t a high-flying, frenetic affair. It was rooted in the classic principles of lucha libre—the tecnico and the rudo—the hero who abides by the rules and the irreverent villain.
This was a vintage performance from MJF, who relished in the pain and torment he caused Mistico.
Mistico refused to surrender, though, survived a piledriver on the entranceway and a low blow from MJF. Finally, MJF kicked Mistico in the groin in front of referee Bryce Remsburg, forcing a disqualification. Afterwards, MJF shockingly unmasked Mistico—forcing Bandido, Templario, and Titan to come to his aid. While The Hurt Syndicate awaited the trio to enter the ring, “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight climbed the ring posts behind them—delivering stereo drop kicks to the AEW World Tag Team Champions.
I hope this feud continues on American soil. A rematch between MJF and Mistico at “All In” would certainly be another huge marquee match.
Rating: ****¼
HIT: 4 Million Pesos Four-Way Match
This match saw Ricochet, Hologram, Lio Rush, and Mascara Dorada competing for a cash prize of 4 million pesos. For what it’s worth, that’s $209,940–which is quite the purse.
Rush and Ricochet delivered phenomenal rudo performances, briefly aligning to wreak havoc on Mascara Dorada and Hologram.
Speaking of Hologram, it’s always a delight to watch the young luchador compete on “Dynamite”—considering he’s become a staple of Saturday Night “Collision.”
Similar to Bandido, Hologram rose to prominence in AAA, under the guise of Aramis. So, competing in Arena Mexico would previously have been inconceivable.
The moment certainly wasn’t lost on Hologram, either. Despite all of the mayhem, Hologram was victorious—pinning Rush with an empathic Portal Bomb.
Hologram entered this contest with the longest active winning streak in AEW and is now 25-0 in single’s competition. With his streak intact, a victory last night against Neon, and 4 million pesos in his pocket: it’s safe to say that Hologram’s return home was a marked success.
Rating: ***¼
HIT: Zeuxis [c] vs. Mercedes Moné
The penultimate match saw Mercedes Moné face Zeuxis for the latter’s CMLL World Women’s Championship.
If it wasn’t already abundantly clear, Moné is already draped in championship belts. She currently holds the TBS Women’s Championship, RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship, and the EWA Women’s Championship. She also has the Owen Hart Cup’s ceremonial belt and the ceremonial “Queen of the Southside” title belt, that accompanies the RevPro championship.
In total, that means she already has five title belts.
Moné is no stranger to Zeuxis. In preparation for her match against Stephanie Vaquer at last year’s “Forbidden Door,” Moné challenged Zeuxis—who was Vaquer’s former tag team partner. Now, it’s Zeuxis who holds that esteemed world championship, and Moné has an opportunity to take it.
And, Moné did exactly that.
This was a vintage Moné performance, expertly countering the stronger Zeuxis. Moné’s ring savvy and resiliency won her the day, and the CMLL World Women’s Championship.
After the match, a vignette aired—depicting “Timeless” Toni Storm, walking through the streets of Mexico City. Afterwards, Mina Shirakawa appeared at the top of Arena Mexico’s entranceway. Shirakawa was merely a distraction though, allowing Storm to blindside Moné.
Storm wasted little time attacking Moné, forcing the officials to separate both women.
Rating: ***
HIT: Will Ospreay, Swerve Strickland, & The Opps vs. The Death Riders, The Young Bucks, & The Beast Mortos
Claudio Castagnoli was unable to travel to Mexico for this contest, so The Young Bucks used their executive powers to find a suitable replacement—The Beast Mortos.
Their opponents were the dream team of Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland, accompanied by the AEW World Trios Champions, The Opps.
This was a raucous main event, with the AEW World Champion at the heart of the affair. And, in the end, it was Jon Moxley who pinned Strickland.
Afterwards, “Hangman” Adam Page returned to confront the champion. Both men briefly traded blows, before Page was ready to level him with the Buckshot Lariat. However, Moxley evoked the maneuver, leaving Matt Jackson at Page’s mercy.
Page leveled Matt Jackson with the Buckshot Lariat, which seemed to disgust Nick Jackson. Page, however, had no remorse for the The Young Bucks
Rating: ***½
Final Verdict
“AEW: Grand Slam” was a homerun. Seeing AEW takeover the vaunted halls of Arena Mexico and bring their vision of professional wrestling to the headquarters of CMLL, was a sight to behold.
Rating: ****
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