We pick up on the day of WrestleDream, where AEW World Champion Will Ospreay is set to go to war with Kazuchika Okada, having been unable to put away the Rainmaker within sixty minutes at All Out. With Okada picking up steam with a trios win over the United Empire, and Ospreay building momentum with a title retention against former Don Callis Family ally Konosuke Takeshita at Grand Slam, both men are at the top of their respective games, making for a hugely anticipated showdown. It’s also announced ahead of the bout that there’s an added stipulation similar to that of Danielson vs. Hangman, where if the 60 minutes expire, it’ll go to the judges, ensuring that there will be a definitive winner - and putting Okada at an advantage. Not only will Ospreay not get the champion’s advantage of retaining via draw, but judges are likely to work against him, with so many of his matches since becoming champion seeing him win after a tremendous rally while not controlling the bulk of the match.
WrestleDream
Will Ospreay (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada
For Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada, it all comes down to this. The AEW Title, the most important thing in the world to both of them, is on the line, but for Ospreay, the champion’s advantage is a burden. He retained against Okada last time by a technicality, still feeling overshadowed by his challenger despite having parted ways with him years ago, despite having beaten him to the company’s top prize. Now, the only way to prove himself is to stop the dawn of a second Rainmaker Era, but this time, he has to do so by truly beating the man who has loomed over him for his entire career. For Okada, he knows that despite Ospreay failing nine times to defeat him, losing here will eclipse those wins he accumulated. He needs to win the AEW World Title, the title he left Japan to pursue, and there’s no better place to do it than a tribute show to Antonio Inoki.
We’re first introduced to our panel of judges for this encounter, and it’s a star-studded group: Katsuyori Shibata, an Inoki pupil; Masahiro Chono, one of the original Musketeers for Inoki’s NJPW and a Washington State native; and STIIIIINGGGG, who knows sixty minute time limit draws almost as well as Ric Flair (who I’m booking to have been hit by a car). With three esteemed individuals set to preside over this in case it goes the distance, we’re all set for both champion and challenger to make their way out for the main event.
The Rainmaker is out first in his signature robe and a bright red Inoki scarf, and he seems to be treating this match all the more seriously - while he has the comfort in knowing that he clobbered Ospreay for the bulk of their last encounter, and that he won the trios match on Dynamite, he wasn’t able to finish the job at All Out either. Ospreay hits the scene with an extra bit of energy in his step, seemingly chomping at the bit to get going quickly and ensure this doesn’t reach the time limit like last time. The one time he’s beaten Okada cleanly, he did so inside twenty minutes; his best hope is to overwhelm him early. The introductions are made, and we’re off to the races with the bell
AEW World Title: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada
AND HE’S SURE AS HELL LOOKING FOR THAT QUICK FINISH, OSPREAY FLYING AT OKADA WITH A SHOTGUN DROPKICK INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! Ospreay immediately starts unloading forearms and elbow smashes as Okada tries to cover up, the raucous crowd eating it up as the champion backs up for a LOW CORNER DROPKICK! Okada is forced to evacuate the ring early, Ospreay giving immediate pursuit with a suicide dive that sends both men crashing into the guardrail, Will somehow managing to land on his feet. The champion blasts Okada with a few chops, followed by an INOKI-ESQUE SLAP ACROSS THE FACE… and that looks like it was a mistake. Okada gets right in Ospreay’s face, plastering him with a forearm across the jaw before BOTH MEN BREAK INTO A BRAWL ON THE OUTSIDE! IT’S MAYHEM IN TACOMA! Okada gets the slight advantage with his size, but Ospreay’s able to match his power, delivering a hellacious rolling elbow before sending Okada back between the ropes. The champion hops up onto the apron, armed for a Pip Pip Cheerio, but OKADA DROPKICKS HIM RIGHT OUT OF THE AIR! IT TOOK OKADA 52 MINUTES TO LAND ONE LAST TIME, AND NOW HE’S CONNECTED WITHIN FIVE!
Ospreay is clearly jarred from the impact, Okada porting a shit-eating grin as he poses behind the reeling champion. It’s still very much the early goings, so Ospreay’s not doomed just yet, but he seems pretty panicked as Okada goes straight for the Rainmaker. Will is able to block the arm before backflipping off Okada’s chest and connecting with a superkick for some distance, attempting a Hidden Blade that’s ducked and cut off with a rebound back elbow. With Ospreay grounded once more, Okada gets to work wearing him down, taking his sweet time in slowly depleting the champion’s energy. He’s sure to play to the judges, chatting in Japanese with Chono as he bears down on Ospreay before LOCKING IN THE MONEY CLIP! Ospreay scrambles to get free, reversing his way out and spinning Okada into a backbreaker to relieve the pressure. Knowing he has a lot of time to make up for, Ospreay immediately connects with a running shooting star press, throwing Okada into the corner for a YAKUZA KICK! The champion rolls to the floor, taking a deliberate pace to get to his feet as OSPREAY COMES IN WITH A SASUKE SPECIAL, OKADA SIDESTEPPING BEFORE OSPREAY LANDS ON HIS FEET! Okada doesn’t even have time to pivot before he’s rocked by a hook kick, falling partway up the ramp as Ospreay builds up even more momentum, sprinting back into the ring and CONNECTING WITH A SECOND ATTEMPT AT THE SASUKE SPECIAL!
The champion takes a few seconds to celebrate with the rabid crowd before rolling Okada back in, and now he connects with a FIREBIRD SPLASH! ONE! TWO! TH-NOOO! Ospreay’s firmly in control now, piecing Okada up with a series of kicks to the body, following it with Kawada Kicks to rock the Rainmaker, and now a BRIDGING DEADLIFT GERMAN SUPLEX! ONE! TWO! THR-ANOTHER KICKOUT! Okada doesn’t look like he’s having a very good time as Ospreay hooks his head for another deadlift, the Rainmaker fending him off with a flurry of punches to the stomach. He shoves Ospreay into the ropes, Will charging back with a hurricanrana, only for Okada to hold him steady, heaving him up for a LANDSLIDE, ONLY FOR OSPREAY TO FLOAT BEHIND HIM! Will throws another Hook Kick, Okada ducking and connecting with a knee lift to the body. Okada runs the ropes for a big boot, Ospreay managing to sidestep and build up his own momentum, only to get intercepted with a flapjack. Ospreay is back up quickly on spaghetti legs, Okada delivering a clean neckbreaker, and then the big boot that he initially went for, gleefully standing over the Assassin.
Riding the wave of momentum as he continues to beat Ospreay down, Okada eventually tosses the champion to the floor, the fifteen minute mark having passed as he hurls him into the barricade in front of the judges. He heads around ringside as Ospreay struggles to recover, building speed before delivering a JOHN WOO DROPKICK, SENDING OSPREAY CRASHING INTO THE GUARDRAIL! Okada dusts himself off as the judges look on, the challenger scooping his foe up and smashing his face off the judge’s table. He clambers up onto the table, dropping a knee across the back of a struggling Ospreay’s head and checking their scorecards. Nodding along with their rulings thus far, he drops back down, spinning Ospreay over for a TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER ON THE FLOOR, BUT OSPREAY LANDS BEHIND HIM, LEAPING UP FOR A POISON RANA ON THE OUTSIDE! He gasses himself up a bit before sliding back in to break the count, a confused Okada slowly staggering towards the apron. Ospreay hops over the ropes, his superhuman endurance making for good recovery time before he BOUNCES OFF THE SECOND TURNBUCKLE FOR AN APRON OSCUTTER, OBLITERATING HIS CHALLENGER!
He shoves Okada under the ropes, quickly hooking both legs for a two count, and then lines himself up for a Hidden Blade, Okada getting to his knees before swiftly dropping down to avoid the elbow, only for Ospreay to stop in his tracks to deliver a STANDING MOONSAULT! Okada painstakingly rolls across the ring to the opposite set of ropes, the champion stalking him all the way there before running the ropes for a V-TRIGGER, BUT OKADA LOW BRIDGES HIM, SENDING OSPREAY TO THE FLOOR! Smirking to himself, the Rainmaker crawls towards the centre of the ring, not realizing Ospreay’s already up on the apron, springboarding off the top for a MISSILE BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE TEMPLE! ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOO! Ospreay picks Okada up, looking to whip him into the ropes, but Okada reverses the momentum, the champion rebounding into a DROPKICK, BUT HE INTERCEPTS OKADA TO DELIVER A HELLACIOUS FOLDING POWERBOMB! He deadlifts Okada back up, putting all of his strength behind an IMMENSE LIGER BOMB! ONE! TWO! THRE-OKADA ROLLS BACK OUT OF THE PIN, BUT OSPREAY GRABS HIS WRISTS FOR A KAMIGOYE! ONE! TWO! THRE-ANOTHER KICKOUT!
Okada is in a bad way, his era of dominance in this match having given way to a rapidly slipping performance as Ospreay continues to rally. Ospreay clasps his hands to call for the Oscutter, waiting for his opponent to get up as he steels himself for what could be the home stretch. He bounces off the ropes for an OSCUTTER INTO A DROPKICK IN MID-AIR FROM OKADA, AND NOW THE RAINMAKER POSE! OKADA GOT HIM! Ospreay is up immediately, adrenaline keeping him in the fight until OKADA LANDS AN ENZIGURI IN HOMAGE TO ANTONIO INOKI! The camera zooms out to take in the scenes, the challenger leaning over and picking Ospreay up for a RAINMAKER, BUT OSPREAY DELIVERS A HEADBUTT! Both men sway and wobble, collecting their senses as wrist control is maintained, and OKADA CONNECTS WITH THE LARIAT, BUT OSPREAY STAYS UPRIGHT! Furious, Okada winds up for one more… BUT THE CHAMPION REVERSES INTO A SPANISH FLY! Okada sits bolt upright as Ospreay staggers back into the corner, sprinting towards his foe before beheading him with a HIDDEN BLADE TO THE FACE, OVERSHOOTING HIMSELF AND ENDING UP BEHIND THE CHALLENGER! Ospreay wastes no time as Okada sits back up on instinct, now eating ANOTHER HIDDEN BLADE, THIS TIME TO THE BASE OF THE SKULL! OSPREAY HOOKS THE ARMS, HAULING OKADA TO HIS FEET BEFORE SLINGING HIM OVER HIS SHOULDER… STORMBREAKER! ONE! TWO! THREE! WILL OSPREAY HAS DONE IT!
Will Ospreay def. Kazuchika Okada (28:28) to retain the AEW World Title
It’s celebrations aplenty as Ospreay raises the gold, Okada skulking off with the Bucks as the AEW World Champion is showered in confetti to close the show. If Inoki loved anything more than time limit draws, it was going over, and Ospreay did just that in the spirit of New Japan’s founder.
Road to Full Gear
Just a few nights removed from knocking off the Rainmaker, Will Ospreay’s on Dynamite in Seattle, and despite taking a beating, he’s filled to the brim with energy and craving a challenger. He says WrestleDream might be the proudest night of his life, even more so than All In, because it’s something he genuinely wasn’t sure he could do. He says tonight, to celebrate, it’s an open challenge, and anyone’s welcome to take their best shot at… swer swer GARMENTS! Ospreay’s All In opponent is here in his home state, greeted with an ovation as he stands opposite the champion. Swerve says that Ospreay’s standing in his house with his title, Seattle confirming that it is, in fact, Swerve’s House before we get underway with a HUGE AEW World Title rematch.
AEW World Title: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Swerve Strickland
While WrestleDream saw a frantic aversion to the time limit out of fear and spite, this time, it’s because it’s two insanely fast-paced individuals, both trying to out-smooth each other with fluid counter on top of fluid counter. Swerve’s got the crowd behind him, but it’s a back-and-forth affair, neither man getting much of a foothold for the first fifteen minutes of the bout. However, Ospreay’s worse for wear between the two, Swerve targeting the head after seeing how many shots Ospreay took against Okada. It’s not enough, though, Ospreay managing to absorb punishment for long enough to get an opening for an Oscutter, followed by a HIDDEN BLADE RIGHT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD, STRAIGHT INTO THE COVER! ONE! TWO! THREE!
Will Ospreay def. Swerve Strickland (21:41) to retain the AEW World Title
With two straight definitive wins over AEW’s top talent, Ospreay’s quelling any doubts he might have about his title reign. However, as he pats Swerve on the back and thanks him for the match, he’s confronted by… Seattle's own American Dragon. Ospreay seems to go through twenty emotions at once as the Flight of the Valkyries intro hits, the now part-time Danielson bursting through the curtain to confront the AEW Champion in his hometown. Danielson grabs a microphone, congratulating Ospreay on the win, only for Ospreay to grab his own. Ospreay asks what Bryan’s doing, saying he’s happy for a round two, but last time, it ended with Danielson convulsing on the mat. He says Bryan’s not even full time anymore - he’s got boundless respect for the American Dragon, but there are plenty of other challengers Ospreay could be focusing on right now. Danielson nods, looking Ospreay up and down before eyeing up the AEW Title, the crowd erupting into cheers as he does so. Bryan says that at All In, his full-time career ended, but he’s still got plenty of wrestling left in him, and he’s got plenty of things he wants to achieve. Ospreay cuts him off, saying that he’ll just beat him again, but Bryan shakes his head.
Bryan says that the Will Ospreay standing in front of him right now couldn’t beat him. In fact, Will Ospreay DIDN’T beat him - the Storm Driver 93 did. The Tiger Driver 91 did. Mitsuharu Misawa did. But… that’s not a tool in Ospreay’s arsenal anymore, and as Bryan watches his matches, he knows deep down that he could beat him. Ospreay’s incredible, a once in a generation kind of talent, but if he wants to stand between what Danielson wants in the dying embers of his career - redemption and gold - he’ll learn the hard way that he’s not equipped to do so. The champ adjusts his belt on his shoulder, and simply says that if Bryan wants to go around again, he won’t be needing anybody else’s creations to put “the GOAT” down… again. Verbally digging into the wound, Ospreay seems pretty fed up with being doubted, and says that he hopes Bryan challenges him officially, so he can save his daughter the trouble of worrying about her dad’s health every time he steps between the ropes; he’ll just have to embarrass Bryan so badly he hangs them up. Bryan slaps the microphone out of Ospreay’s hand, Ospreay getting in plenty close before DANIELSON CLOBBERS HIM ACROSS THE FACE! Ospreay gives him the free shot, shaking off the hit before Bryan lays down the gauntlet for Full Gear.
Full Gear
Both men have something to prove here. For Danielson, it’s a tale of revenge. He lost at Dynasty. He lost every time the title’s been on the line, and now, he has the chance to add to his already incomparable legacy. For Ospreay, it’s a tale of validation. Despite all he’s done, beating the best of the best, he’s still disregarded by those he aspires towards. He’s got a definitive shot to prove he’s as good as those that came before him, something that’s haunted him ever since he was told he’s no Kenny Omega in New Japan. The World Title’s on the line, and only one man can walk away the best.
The Prudential Center is hype as a bitch, baby. The Dynasty crowd was hot because they thought they could see one of the greatest matches ever, but the Full Gear crowd is hot because they KNOW they could see one of the greatest matches ever, and that’s assisted by The Final Countdown hitting to welcome the challenger. Danielson can’t help but grin at the crowd’s roar of the chorus, but he’s otherwise stone-faced, completely focused on picking his foe apart and taking his title. Ospreay heads out with a new entrance attire, adorned in green and gold as he opens up the robe to show off his championship, staring holes through Bryan as he drops into the ring. The introductions are made, and HERE WE GO!
AEW World Title: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Bryan Danielson
It’s a slow start to this one as the crowd shower both competitors in praise, the veteran challenger working hard to keep Ospreay grounded in the early goings. Ospreay tries his best to keep up with Bryan on the mat, pulling out a few slick reversals before Bryan eventually puts a stop to it and begins to work over Ospreay’s right arm, used for his Hidden Blade. He attempts a few armbar variations, Ospreay always managing to wriggle free or make his way to the ropes, but Danielson is relentless, treating the champion like a fly caught in a spider’s web. Finally, Bryan attempts a triangle armbar, Ospreay quickly stacking him to his shoulders to force a break before landing a PK across the chest as he rolls to his knees. He throws a superkick, Bryan picking the leg and attempting a heel hook, Will using his free leg to stomp Danielson in the face before hurling him into the corner. Ospreay charges with a high dropkick, Bryan ducking, but Ospreay clears the ropes and lands cleanly on the apron, connecting with a forearm smash to knock Bryan down before landing a FIREBIRD SPLASH FOR TWO!
With Ospreay having found his opening, he sends Bryan to the outside, knowing he needs to keep the pace up and keep athleticism as the deciding factor in this one. He nails a dropkick through the ropes to send Bryan into the barrier, clambering to the top rope to deliver a SKY TWISTER PRESS TO THE OUTSIDE! He high fives a few fans before rolling Bryan back in, lining up for a PIP PIP CHEERIO, BUT BRYAN CATCHES THE ARM, WRESTLING HIM RIGHT DOWN INTO A LEBELL LOCK! HE HAS IT LOCKED IN! Ospreay immediately extends his leg towards the ropes, frantically shifting his weight until he forces a break, but Bryan insists that he has until five before finally releasing at the last moment. The champion is clearly in a good deal of pain as he fights to get to all fours, Bryan honing in his assault with a ruthless kick to the arm, followed by a stomp on the elbow and an immediate return to his work on the mat. It’s brutally effective, looking for a Rings of Saturn that Ospreay again breaks, only for Bryan to transition by butterflying the arms for a CATTLE MUTILATION! Will cries out in agony, Danielson finding his footing for the perfect bridge, but Ospreay’s quick to get to his knees to relieve some of the pressure. He eventually digs his toes into the canvas, enduring the pain in his shoulder as he slowly rolls over it and manages to FLIP INTO A BRIDGE ABOVE DANIELSON, SHOWING OFF TO HIS OPPONENT… BUT DANIELSON DROPS HIM DOWN INTO A REAR NAKED CHOKE!
The champion’s in deep waters, keeping one leg free from Bryan’s hooks to make his way to the ropes for the break. Danielson releases the hold at four once again, but immediately delivers a BRIDGING TIGER SUPLEX, MISAWA-ESQUE AS THE REF COUNTS… ONE! TWO! THR-NOOO! Ospreay doesn’t seem to have answers for Bryan’s instincts and ground game, and it only gets worse as Bryan cinches in a hammerlock for a SUPLEX ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER FOR ANOTHER TWO COUNT! The time call of twenty minutes is made as Ospreay rolls out to the apron, Bryan having dominated the bulk of the contest. He lights Ospreay up with some kicks and chops as he joins him on the hardest part of the ring, getting another hammerlock before SUPLEXING OSPREAY ONTO THE APRON, DOWN ON HIS SHOULDER AND NECK! He rolls Ospreay under the ropes, climbing up top for a MISSILE DROPKICK, BUT THE CHAMPION REVERSES FOR A LIGER BOMB! ONE! TWO! TH-KICKOUT! Ospreay is fired up, keeping his right arm tight to his side as he starts laying in some blistering kicks, including a series of Kawada Kicks to the face before nailing a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX FOR TWO! He needs to hit some big bombs to settle the score, fighting from beneath as he whips Bryan into the corner for a YAKUZA KICK!
Hauling Bryan up onto the top turnbuckle, he lets loose a few blistering chops, reminding the challenger that as great as his striking and grappling may be, it’s Ospreay that has the power and athleticism advantage. He looks for a superplex, Bryan fighting back with a few punches to the body before looking to slip behind, perhaps for a Poison Rana… BUT OSPREAY WITH A BACK ELBOW! Ospreay turns around as well, both men in a very precarious position as they trade shots atop the turnbuckles before BRYAN BLASTS WILL WITH A HEADBUTT! Now it’s Bryan’s turn to look for a superplex, but OSPREAY SLIPS BETWEEN HIS LEGS, PULLING DANIELSON’S HEAD DOWN FOR A CHEEKY NANDO’S KICK! Bryan stays on the second rope as Ospreay connects with a second kick for good measure, climbing back up for an AVALANCHE POWERBOMB ATTEMPT, BUT BRYAN SAVES HIMSELF, DROPPING DOWN AND HOOKING HIS OWN LEGS IN THE ROPES FOR A SPIDER SUPERPLEX… BUT WILL LEAPS TO THE APRON, LEAVING BRYAN HANGING! Ospreay clocks Danielson with a forearm, the challenger dangling in a dangerous spot and trying to fight his way out, only for Ospreay to spring off the top for a MODIFIED BURNING STAR PRESS TO A HANGING DANIELSON, SENDING HIM CRASHING INTO THE CANVAS! ONE! TWO! THRE-DANIELSON STRUGGLES TO GET THE SHOULDER UP, AND NOW OSPREAY IMMEDIATELY PICKS HIM UP FOR A STORMBREAKER! ONE! TWO! THRE-BRYAN WITH A FOOT ON THE ROPE!
Ospreay’s certainly turned the tides, except Bryan’s work on his arm means that the Stormbreaker might’ve done the champion more harm than good. The referee comes to check on Ospreay, who seems to have to pop his shoulder back into place, perhaps dislocating it by flinging Bryan around. However, he’s still driven to finish this one, even if he can’t employ the Stormbreaker or Hidden Blade reliably. Bryan has some time to recover as Ospreay gets up, the champion rushing at him for a dropsault into an enziguri, following it with a GERMAN SUPLEX, BUT BRYAN LANDS ON HIS FEET TO CONNECT WITH ONE OF HIS OWN… ONLY FOR OSPREAY TO GET RIGHT UP! He clocks Bryan in the base of the skull with a rolling elbow, using his left, and follows it with a SPRINGBOARD OSCUTTER, ONLY FOR BRYAN TO MEET HIM THERE WITH AN IBUSHI-STYLE GERMAN OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE! Ospreay rolls up to his knees, bewildered from the impact, and Danielson starts unloading with all he can muster: the hammer and anvil elbows to the head and connective tissue of Ospreay’s shoulder, followed by a series of wrist-clutch stomps to the face. He heads to the corner, sensing the end as he goes for a BUSAIKU KNEE, BUT OSPREAY CATCHES HIM WITH A SUPERKICK, BOTH MEN COLLAPSING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!
Agonizingly, both men come to in opposite corners, the uproar reaching a crescendo as the world realizes this’ll be playing out like it did at Dynasty. Ospreay’s up first, peeling off his elbow pad and bracing himself for a sprinter’s start out of the corner as Bryan rolls down his kneepad, a rabid look in his eyes… AND BOTH MEN LAUNCH TOWARDS EACH OTHER! BRYAN IS DOWN! OSPREAY FLIES RIGHT PAST HIM WITH A HIDDEN BLADE, SACRIFICING THE RIGHT ARM FOR THE MANEUVER - BUT DANIELSON KIPS UP! HE DROPPED UNDER THE HIDDEN BLADE, AND NOW IT’S OSPREAY SLOWLY PIVOTING AROUND ON THE BAD ARM… EXPOSED BUSAIKU KNEE CONNECTS! BRYAN BAITED HIM! ONE! TWO! THRE-OSPREAY REFUSES TO QUIT, BUT NOW DANIELSON STRAIGHT INTO A TRIANGLE CHOKE, TRAPPING OSPREAY’S BAD ARM! Ospreay tries the same counter as before, stacking Bryan up, but the challenger is eerily calm, always keeping one shoulder up before he he starts HAMMERING OSPREAY WITH ELBOWS TO THE HEAD! THE CHAMPION IS FADING DEEPER INTO UNCONSCIOUSNESS WITH EACH STRIKE… BUT OSPREAY’S FIGHTING BACK! HE’S FIRING SHOTS WITH HIS ONE FREE ARM, BLASTING BRYAN IN THE FACE WITH FOREARMS, BUT BRYAN SQUEEZES TIGHTER, CONTINUING TO CINCH IN THE CHOKE! OSPREAY CAN’T MUSCLE BRYAN UP AFTER THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE ARM, AND NOW HE’S TURNING PURPLE! HE REACHES OUT TO THE ROPES, FLAILING AS DANIELSON BRINGS HIM BACK DOWN TO THE MAT… AND THE REFEREE CALLS IT! OSPREAY’S OUT! HE NEVER QUIT, BUT BRYAN DANIELSON IS THE AEW WORLD CHAMPION!
Bryan Danielson def. Will Ospreay (31:03) by technical submission to win the AEW World Title
Shock permeates through the arena as the Final Countdown plays, Bryan Danielson having done the inconceivable and become the first man to beat Ospreay cleanly in singles competition in AEW, while also becoming the top titleholder in the company. He clutches the prestigious gold before raising it high above his head, Ospreay looking crestfallen as he sits against the barricade, forced to watch the American Dragon standing tall on the turnbuckles with his first World Title in over half a decade.
Road to World’s End
With Bryan Danielson now the AEW World Champion, he appears on Dynamite a few nights later. He says that maybe a year ago, he’d be defending the title that very night, but now… he’ll be doing so at World’s End. He says Ospreay fought hard, but in the end, he was right; he’s great, but he’s not an Assassin anymore. Will takes exception to that. Ospreay heads right down to the ring, saying he’ll be fighting week in and week out to make sure he’s undeniable as Danielson’s first challenger, swearing that he’ll be taking that title back, because he won’t hesitate to do Bryan’s head in at the first opportunity. Bryan laughs, telling Ospreay he can do what he wants, but… and then the coin silences them both. Out comes the Rainmaker, the Young Bucks by his side to tell Ospreay to go to the back of the line. They say Okada beat Bryan at the Tokyo Dome in January, he was on Team Elite to pin Danielson in Anarchy in the Arena, and now it’s his turn to finish the story by breaking the tie between Bryan and himself by winning the AEW World Title.
Ospreay says he’s got his own ties to break, standing 1-1 with Bryan, and 1-1-1 with Okada throughout the year. He’ll beat them both if that’s what it takes. Hell, he’ll beat anyone he’s got a tie with, he’ll beat anyone Bryan’s got a tie with, he’ll beat anyone Okada’s got a tie with… but there's one man who's got a tied record with all three. The arena explodes as Kenny Omega makes his way out onto the stage, staring down the Bucks, Okada, Ospreay and Danielson before entering the ring. Nicholas and Matthew back off, leaving four of the greatest ever alone in the squared circle, all of them on completely even footing. The camera pans to the AEW Title, and it’s crystal clear where this is going. Bryan’s got a tied record with all three presumptive challengers. In 2024, Okada and Ospreay are deadlocked, while Okada and Omega are now 2-2-1 since Wembley, and Omega and Ospreay remain at one win apiece. Six iconic feuds, all completely deadlocked, between four all-time greats that completely detest each other - and only one man can come out on top as champion. All four men want the ultimate tiebreaker, and there’s no more fitting locale than World’s End - because it’ll truly be the end of an era.
World’s End
Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay
What’s there to say in this intro blurb? I usually set the stakes again, but we all know them. The tiebreaker to end all tiebreakers, all for the right to call oneself the AEW World Heavyweight Champion, between four of the best wrestlers going today, all of whom loathe each other. We get a video package showcasing their intertwining history, now all conjoined by the pursuit of gold, before we head ringside to Justin Roberts.
AND NOW.
HE has held frankly an unbelievable amount of singles titles;
HE is the only Triple Crown Winner in AEW history;
HE is the only AEW original in this match, therefore having more guts than any of his opponents despite having some of his guts removed;
HE weighs in tonight at 224 pounds for his first AEW Title match in far too long;
HE is more over than any of his opponents in NOOOORRRRTHHHH CAROLINA!
HE IS… KENNY! OOOOMEEEEEGAAAAA!
Let’s fucking go, baby. Cleaner’s back. The Best Bout Machine is gonna cook so hard. Omega hits the ring looking massive, hits his pose and then settles into the corner, waiting for his three rivals to confront him directly.
Zenith of God hits next, Will Ospreay getting the full intro as he strives to purge his demons. Omega can’t help but smile - the last time he heard this theme, he beat Ospreay at the Tokyo Dome. However, when the Assassin comes through the curtain, it’s clearly a more lethal Ospreay, and one who’s hell-bent on making up for that loss. He brushes straight past Omega, who smirks before the music stops, both men standing opposite one another in the ring… only to be cut off by the greatest rival either of them ever had, rung in with a coin drop.
Kazuchika Okada looks like god’s gift to wrestling as he ascends upwards through the stage, bills plastered with his face falling from the sky and flooding the arena with his image. He’s as cocky and arrogant as ever, despite having never come away from a four-way the winner. The Bucks hype him up before heading to the back themselves, Okada surprisingly insisting on going it alone. Commentary notes that even a year ago, he’d have never dreamt of having the chance to turn the tides against Kenny Omega in their feud, but now he has the chance to take the lead, something he surely wants to do without any doubt. The three challengers all settle into position, only the champion left to go.
The horns of the Final Countdown strike fear into the hearts of Okada and Ospreay, both of whom have been on the losing end of that theme. Out steps the American Dragon, the rowdy crowd singing along as he makes his way to the ring, posing atop the turnbuckles to survey his murderer’s row of challengers. He unzips his jacket to reveal the AEW World Title they’re all jockeying for, the camera panning across the faces of his opponents, all of whom are stone-faced. This is it, it’s as real as it fucking gets. Danielson. Okada. Omega. Ospreay. The endlessly sought after AEW World Heavyweight Championship. Here we go.
(Cont'd in Comments)

For the last couple of years, I've had a Surly Big Fat Dummy. I had tested a normal Big Dummy as well as an Xtracycle Leap. I rode a few others "small tire" cargo bikes and really preferred the big meats of the BFD.
During COVID I would take my kiddo to daycare on the bike, we'd go for rides out in the forest after I picked her up, and it was my general use "family hauler". The problem, however, was that because of its more traditional frame sizing and design, my wife had no chance of riding the bike, it was somewhat sketchy to mount when loaded, and any movement my kiddo made on the back felt like she was trying to steer the ship. It was also a tremendous workout and absolute unit of a bike to store in the garage. For a more in depth review of life with a BFD, see here.
I loved having a cargo bike, but I didn't think I really needed 26x5 full size fat cargo bike. I wanted something I could still haul the kids on, but took up less room, and something my wife could ride.
I sold the BFD for a price I was really happy with, and started the search for a replacement.
My criteria was:

• Lower cargo deck so 20" rear wheel
• 27" or longer cargo rack (same size or larger than the Surly's)
• Step through frame design
• eBike with throttle
• 3" or larger tires for more comfortable ride for the kiddos

My shopping comparison list was:

• Specialized Globe Haul LT ($3500 new, $2600 used+tax+shipping from Upway) - I loved everything about the haul aside from the lack of suspension, weird 1.5 threaded headset/quill stem. For a utility bike it's very stylish, but that style comes at a price, including the somewhat less common MIK rack standards and Specialized pricing on accessories. I do most, if not all of my bike wrenching at home so I didn't really need dealer support. We'll see if that bites me. I'll watch used prices on these in the future, because if I could find one locally, used, for under $2500, I'd be all over it.
• RadPowerBikes Rad Wagon 5 ($2200 new, unavailable used) - I liked a lot of aspects of the RW5, but didn't like all the negative owner comments, and I thought the high-rise ape hanger bars were kinda goofy. The opinions of Rad bikes seems like they are fine for DIY tinkerers because of more open standards of parts, but long term support was dicey. Having ridden other Rads with similar high rise ape hanger bars, I was pretty turned off by that aspect.
• Le Petite Porteur Long Tail ($2800? new, not available yet.) - As soon as I heard LPP was doing a long tail frame I started following them. I love the look of their Shorty, and always enjoyed Mini-Velos for their compact size. Unfortunately, it looks like the Long Tail will be limited to 20x2.35 tires which are too harsh for kiddos strapped into kid seats. That being said, I could see having one of these in the future when my kids are able to ride with bars and seat pads and can stand for bumps.
• Flyer Via Pro ($2500) - Flyer was in the mix because they offered all the kid hauling accessories included in the purchase price, but here again, I didn't dig the high rise handlebars or the 24" front tire. Although it was interesting that they offered different sizes, I initially thought this might result in a bike that my wife couldn't ride. I have different opinions on that now.

Bikes that I ruled out quickly:

• Any bike with a folding stempost. IE, Aventon, Tern, etc. I just don't need folding functionality, and I hate the way these look.
• Any bike with a larger than 20" rear wheel.
• Any bike with tire size limitations less than 3" (otherwise I'd go for the LPPLT)
• Any bike more expensive than the Globe Haul LT. ($3500) - So that nixxed Yuba and XtraCycle.

Then I came across Fahrbike.
The website is hokey, somewhat sparse on info, but an email to support was quickly responded to in clear English and the bike shipped from Chino, CA.
At first glance, and at closer, lengthy, second, third and tenth glance, this is clearly a dropshipped Chinese/Taiwanese special. The build kit on the Urban Carry Pro, however, is nearly identical to the Rad Wagon 5 and Flyer Via Pro. Shimano drivetrain components including hydraulic dual piston brakes. Coil fork. 700w motor.
I liked the semi-closed frame setup, with bolt-on panels covering the battery, controller, rear wheel and drivetrain. 20x3 tires on "Urban Carry Pro" but could definitely fit 20x3.5 tires or maybe 20x4 in the rear. Traditional steerer and stem setup, sorta. I did some crude photoshop to see if I could improve the looks to give it more of a "Haulified" look:
Tan wall tires and moto bars make every bike cooler. Designers at Specialized know what's up.
The support seemed decent too - I sent an email asking some questions and got a reply same day.
...but most of all. Cheap. So cheap.
Value.
I figured, even if the motor died outside of warranty, or the company disappeared tomorrow, I could replace the rear wheel and still spend less than the Rad. Hell, I could replace almost ALL of the electric bits for less than a used Haul LT.
Bikes are almost always a losing value proposition. The only time I've ever not lost money on a bike purchase is when I bought a used niche bike cheap. Buying a new $3500 bike from a dealer may save you from immediately needing an expensive repair, but it won't earn back that added costs 4-5 years down the road. That being said, there aren't many 20" cargo ebike floating around in the used LOCAL marketplace(small remote mountain town) because if there were, I would've bought one.
To my door, for a 20wh battery, with passenger rails, seat, footboards, and front rack, I paid $1420.
The Rad Wagon 5 with accessories would've been $2500 or close to it. The used Haul LT from Upway was $3100 with taxes and shipping, not including any accessories. I've paid more than $1400 for a wheel build and fork on my MTB.
That leaves a lot of room in the budget for new bars (Ahearne Uprising), new stem, tires, dropper post, etc. I figured if I couldn't afford a Globe Haul LT, I could build something similar and save tremendous dollars.
The bike shipped quick from Chino, CA and arrived in less than a week. Packaging was excellent.
Accessories will come separately.
Assembly was easy, aside from the weight of the bike and the cable tourism headset. Yes, the cables go through the headset, hidden inside the paneling of the front triangle. A headset weather seal swelled, would not stay in place. They also don't ship the bike with any real stem spacers, so the steerer is shorter than I'd like. Honestly, if it were not for the dorky stem and headset cable routing, I would've had this thing out of the box and riding within 30 minutes.
My Thule Yep Maxi dropped on the rear rack fine, but I wish it had another couple of crossbars for rear mounting. Rack is 27" long, and I didn't think 1-2" would make a difference but it's gonna be tight when my 6yo and 2yo are both on the bike. Part of it is that the Urban Carry Pro is a bit shorter than the Rad and Haul LT, which makes the seat interfere with the rack space when extended really high for a taller rider.
Oh, and the kickstand is interesting. Not the best, no where near the level of the Haul's, but once the bike is up (which is a challenge) it's very sturdy and stable. Getting the bike off the kickstand require grippy ground and a good push.
First ride shakedown went fine. Speed and distance were in kMh, easy enough to change on the very bright and clear display. The rear motor is NOISEY. Certainly no hiding I'm on an ebike. Gearing a bit short, I'm barely pedaling at 28mph. Still trying to find a good setting that feels natural while pedaling. I think it's a cadence sensor because the motor turns on full blast when I pedal, rather than modulating based on how hard I'm pedaling. Based on the PAS system, I'm saying cadence.
Fitment is ok. At 6' I could use a little more room in the cockpit with longer reach and top tube. Bars are wide, but with little room for any other attachments due to rise. The Ahearn Uprising bars I've got coming will resolve that. I wish the steerer was longer, but I can resolve that as well. The bigger issue is how the saddle cramps the rear cargo rack. We'll see what living with that is like.
Long term expectations:
If you go into something expecting to be disappointed, then you can only be surprised when you're not. That's how I feel about beginning this ownership experience with one of the cheapest cargo ebikes on the market. I don't expect life with this thing to be perfect, but the fact that it was such a tremendous value helps dampen the frustrations because I can always say "well at least it wasn't thousands of dollars more expensive."
If tomorrow the motor dies, I'll test Fahrbike's warranty. If that's a failure now or in the future, then I'll order one from GRIN or any number of similar motors on ebay or aliexpress. The aluminum frame seems stout, so I'm not worried about that, and the rear rack is bolt on and steel, so repairs or modifications to it shouldn't be hard. My biggest worry is that the short rack and seat interference will negatively impact my use case, and that headset wasn't confidence inspiring either.
I'll follow up in a few weeks with more thoughts.