Jon Moxley's on a collision course in AEW : #1 (PWI)

The scene was set for a battle of wills. Jon Moxley called Kenny Omega out once before, and it didn't end well for Omega. In a hardcore fight, Moxley proved he's the best in the business. This time around, it was Omega who called out Moxley, stressing to the champion that his time was about to come to an abrupt end. Omega was always extremely confident that he could out-manoeuvre and outwit Moxley in the squared circle.

A little more background is perhaps needed here ... as Moxley was convinced going into this title fight that Omega had put a hit out on him. Moxley was jumped, beaten, and almost put out of action. He retaliated at last week's contract signing with admirable restraint, caving Omega's big head in on the metallic surface of the title belt, a symbolic action that left many fans in a state of shock. And just for good measure, Moxley cleared out the dancing girls and wrecked the new entrance that Omega says he's been working on for his relaunch for months already. That surely stings.

Jon Moxley always adapts his strategy to counter the predicted (and unpredicted) strategy of his opponent and he makes serious accomodation regarding any match specifications, with no stone left unturned. Jim Ross says he's the ultimate student of the game - on commentary, JR mentioned Moxley's delight when he sent him a dusty old tape he had of one of Bruno Sammartino's matches - that's who Jon Moxley is - an angry nerd with a huge chip on his shoulder.

Kenny Omega is extremely versatile and well travelled. In AEW, they say he's the best-conditioned athlete, with the best diet, the greatest stamina, and that he looks after himself. That's a direct contrast to Moxley who's endured so much punishment in his career, his legs became half-buckled when he had barely entered his 30s (Moxley also enjoys a good steak with his whisky). Needless to say, Omega set out to exploit this weakness, and Moxley was often on the defensive due to his Achilles Heel.

So, following several minutes of clinches on the mat, Omega got his break in this match when he shattered Moxley's left kneecap against the guard rail. He then relentlessly targeted that knee. He stomped on it, used ju-jitsu kicks and delivered a high-lever knee bar that really wrenched.

But Moxley came into this match with his own gameplan - to crush the head he'd damaged last week. It's worth remembering, this is a wrestler who never allows himself to be dominated. He started his own assault with a release suplex before delivering a suplex outside the ring. He pummeled Omega's head with elbows and landed a couple of sharp headbutts. Then, he nailed a magnificent pump-handle exploder before climaxing with a paradigm shift. So why no cover? Because Moxley also came looking for answers ...

The two men took seats in the ring but no answer was forthcoming. They struck each other a few times before Omega ate a huge straight right. Omega returned the compliment with a brutal v-trigger to Moxley that took him off the steel chair he'd been seated on. Smelling blood, Omega put together the perfect series with 2 snapdragon suplexes and a standing v-trigger, but even this was interrupted by Moxley's moves as the champ delivered a release suplex, a king kong lariat and paradigm shift to even the score.

By now, Omega's brain had been bashed in and he was struggling to wake, but pure instinct saw him kick out before the 3-count. He's a pure wrestler of such extraordinary ability, but he's also tough, with that Kurt Angle-like physique and John Cena-size neck. Moxley coudn't put this in-ring warrior down.

Omega hit Moxley with a mid-air v-trigger to counter a dangerous tope suicida dive from the champion, dropping him hard on the outside, face first. Who gets up from that? Omega executed a stunning tiger driver but still, Moxley was too strong, there with the emphatic kick-out.

This was the first time I recall seeing Omega huffing and puffing in the ring in 2020 and now it was him battling with spaghetti legs. Still, the challenger got Moxley to swallow a running v-trigger before hitting him with a ripcord v-trigger. Back outside the ring, Moxley delivered a slanted, modified paradigm shift to Omega that sent him into an industrial heater.

And then came the interference. Somehow, Omega got hold of a microphone, and his microphone shot to Moxley was straight between the eyes, a thing of beauty. Sensing the killshot was now within reach, and with Moxley left dazed and confused, he launched an all-out sonic assaut of real ferocity; 2 running v-triggers, a running knee to the back of the head, a running knee to the front of the head ... and then the One Winged Angel in all its glory.

Kenny Omega is one hell of a wrestler, tough as nails, and he was ready to be crowned AEW Champion.

Am I sad? Hell, no. This was an A+ wrestling contest for me, so good I watched it 3 times in a row, with my television volume cranked up higher for each viewing, so that I could enjoy every ounce of tension. Jon Moxley has been a tremendous AEW Champion, to my eyes, and I believe he will be back ... but this is Kenny Omega's time now, congratulations Kenny!