AEW Fyter Fest 2019 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights
All Elite Wrestling presented its second live event extravaganza, Fyter Fest, Saturday from Daytona Beach, Florida.
The event, held in conjunction with the CEO Gaming festival, featured household names like Cody, Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks and Jon Moxley, as well as young stars like Darby Allin, Joey Janela and MJF.
After an explosive first pay-per-view in Double or Nothing and with the much-anticipated All Out coming up on August 31, the eyes of the wrestling world turned to the upstart company, eager to see what it had in store for an industry eager for fresh ideas.
Did it deliver a satisfying follow-up?
Find out with this recap of Saturday's broadcast, streamed live and free on B/R Live.
Private Party vs. SoCal Uncensored vs. Best Friends
1 of 9
The Fyter Fest action kicked off with Triple Threat tag team match pitting SCU's Scorpio Sky and Frankie Kazarian against Best Friends' Chuck Taylor and Trent Barreta and Private Party's Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy.
Early, the established SCU and Best Friends turned their backs on Private Party, almost treating the newcomers as if they did not belong in the same ring. Kassidy and Quen silenced those doubts, using athleticism and high-flying to lay waste to the opposition.
Best Friends and SCU, though, realized it was in their best interest to slow their momentum and teamed up to do just that. The relationship was short-lived, as the teams reignited their fight until the opportunity to ground Kassidy and work him over presented itself.
A big back body drop by Kassidy allowed him to create some separation and make the tag.
SCU and Best Friends unloaded on each other, with the competitors getting in their signature stuff until Quen tagged in and delivered a wicked shooting star press on Barreta for a close two-count.
Kazarian and Sky downed Kassidy with an Unprettier/double-stomp combination but were only able to keep him down for a near-fall. Moments later, Quen and Kassidy delivered a head-scissors into a cutter on Kazarian for another two-count.
Despite Private Party thrilling the crowd and SCU's expected greatness, it was the Best Friends' Taylor and Barreta who scored the victory following Storm Zero on Kassidy.
After the match, The Dark Order appeared on the video screen and had some ominous words for Taylor and Barreta.
Result
Best Friends defeated Private Party and SCU.
Grade
A
Analysis
This was a coming-out party for Private Party, who followed up their exposure on Cody's Road to Fyter Fest YouTube show with an in-ring performance that had the fans in Daytona Beach in awe of their creativity and athleticism.
Even in defeat, Quen and Kassidy leave Fyter Fest a red-hot act.
It was almost surprising to see SCU lose here, but they are so over and such a major part of AEW's plans that they did not necessarily need to win to elevate their stars.
Barreta and Taylor are an established name in the independents and have built up goodwill with hardcore fans, but their win here, and the continuation of their feud with The Dark Order, helped to further establish them as one of the teams AEW's tag division will be built around.
Allie vs. Leva Bates
2 of 9
After a pre-match promo alongside Peter Avalon, encouraging fans to read books, "The Librarian" Leva Bates battled Allie in each woman's first official AEW match.
Bates impressed early, controlling the heart of the match. Backstage, Brandi Rhodes watched intently, preparing for her match with Allie at Fight for the Fallen on July 13.
Allie, though, fought her way back into it and rolled late. Avalon sought to interfere by throwing a book to Bates. Allie intercepted it, threw it to Bates and blasted her with the BSE (superkick) for the win.
Result
Allie defeated Leva Bates.
Grade
B
Analysis
This did exactly what it was intended to: earn Allie a win before her big match with Brandi and continue the story.
It was nice to see Bates get the opportunity to remind fans of her in-ring ability since she has been utilized largely as a character to this point. For Allie, this was an introduction to a company that will breathe new life into a career that was literally killed by Impact Wrestling.
No, seriously. YouTube it.
Hardcore Match: Michael Nakazawa vs. Alex Jebailey
3 of 9
Michael Nakazawa set out to avenge his defeat at the hands of CEO Gaming creator Alex Jebailey a year ago in a hardcore match. He targeted the previously injured knee of his opponent and used his trademark baby oil to create separation.
Jebailey answered with a gaming system to the midsection and an attempted drowning in a blow-up pool. A big bodyslam into the pool was a high spot of the match, and the crowd ate up the fun, light-hearted hardcore action.
Then Jebailey retrieved a table from under the squared circle.
Before he could use it, Nakazawa used a gaming controller to try strangling his opponent and then bit his way out of a suplex attempt. A spear through the ropes and the table by Nakazawa followed as the competitors pulled inspiration from Edge vs. Mick Foley at WrestleMania 22.
A nasty, dangerous German suplex by Jebailey slowed his opponent's momentum. He retrieved a bag of arcade buttons and back body-dropped Nakazawa on to them. A series of kendo stick shot followed. A low blow and la magistral cradle followed, but Nakazawa used a thong-assisted face claw to reverse the pin and score the victory.
Result
Nakazawa defeated Jebailey.
Grade
C+
Analysis
For what it was, this was super fun and entertaining.
Jebailey took some risks out there for a guy who is not traditionally trained, and while he should not be throwing German suplexes, he did not embarrass himself or Nakazawa. He brought creativity to the match, used gaming items in tune with the event going on around the show and paid off a yearlong feud.
Nakazawa is a blast and rightfully scored the win. He is a fun and creative performer and an alternative to some of the more serious workers on the roster.
Christopher Daniels vs. Cima
4 of 9
Familiar foes kicked off the main card of AEW's Fyter Fest, with SCU's Christopher Daniels battling Cima in singles competition.
Cima utilized a faster-pace offense to keep Daniels off guard and then a submission to try to wear his opponent down early. Daniels escaped, delivered a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and a Northern Lights suplex as he openly targeted his opponent's lower back.
Daniels grounded Cima and applied a crossface, further torturing the core of his opponent. Cima seized a momentary opening, though, and cut off Daniels' momentum. The pain in the lower back prevented him from lifting Daniels, who delivered a blue thunder bomb. Angels Wings followed, but Cima was able to kick out at two.
Cima fought back, flattened Daniels and delivered Meteora to score a hard-fought victory.
Result
Cima defeated Daniels.
Grade
B
Analysis
Cima overcame the disappointment of a loss to SCU at Double or Nothing and got back his win over Daniels. The outcome was something of a foregone conclusion considering Cima's advertised match with Kenny Omega at Fight for the Fallen, and the match never did anything to combat that notion.
The OWE president sold the back injury well, and the story told throughout the match made sense. The Meteora finish is one that probably would have done damage to his back, but Cima did enough selling after the match to suggest he was able to feed off the adrenaline and score the win.
Daniels is such a smart worker that, even at the age of 49, he will always deliver because he is constantly thinking and always developing spots and moments within a match. This was no different. He has found the Fountain of Youth, and he is not sharing it. Nor should he.
Yuka Sakazaki vs. Riho vs. Nyla Rose
5 of 9
Nyla Rose feigned respect for Riho and Yuka Sakazaki at the outset of their Triple Threat match, deceiving them with a handshake before taking the fight right to them. The Native Beast's strength quickly became the story of the match, as Rose powered the opposition down and flattened them with a big splash.
Riho and Sakazaki bridged out and tried for a double suplex, but Rose countered into one of her own. From there, she stacked up her opponents and applied a double camel clutch. A rope break saved the babyfaces.
Sakazaki soared through the air and wiped out both opponents, apparently remembering that it was a three-way match and not a two-on-one handicap bout. From there, the action evolved into a one-on-one showdown between Riho and Sakazaki until the imposing Rose returned to the squared circle.
A 619 from Riho stunned Rose and allowed the babyfaces to continue their battle. Rose re-emerged as a threat late, catching Sakazaki in a lariat attempt and slamming her. A relaxed cover cost her a three-count.
With Riho hung up on the top rope, Rose leaped to the top rope and delivered a flying knee to the head, drawing a big ovation from fans. Rose returned to the top rope, but Sakazaki momentarily distracted her. Rose dispatched of her and tried a senton, but Riho moved out of the way.
Rose caught both opponents in midair, but Sakazaki transitioned into a sunset rollup for a creative near-fall. The rolling babyface tried for the Magical Girl Splash, but Riho got her knees up. Rose dropped Sakazaki with a German suplex, and Riho followed with a running knee for two.
The Native Beast recovered and delivered a Death Valley Driver for another two-count. When Rose looked to put Riho down with a second Beast Bomb, the much smaller competitor rolled through and scored the win.
A frustrated, furious Rose attacked Riho after the match, but Sakazaki made the save before the Joshi stars cleared the heel from the ring.
Result
Riho defeated Sakazaki and Rose.
Grade
A+
Analysis
Much like the Buy In tag match was for Private Party, this was a star-making turn for Rose, who wowed fans with her power and raw athleticism, which was on full display here.
Riho and Sakazaki were phenomenal, bumping around for Rose but also bringing their hard-hitting Japanese style to the match.
The high spots and near-falls brought a drama to the match that kept fans invested throughout and had them intrigued as to which wrestler would earn the victory.
On commentary, Excalibur strongly put over Rose's complacency and how she had numerous opportunities to pick up the win but failed to capitalize on them. It will be interesting to see whether that becomes Rose's story arc in the weeks and months to come.
What is an absolute certainty, though, is Rose has the makings of a breakout star for AEW if she can continue delivering at the level she did Saturday.
Fatal 4-Way Match: Hangman Page vs. Jungle Boy vs. Jimmy Havoc vs. MJF
6 of 9
Hangman Page may be set to compete for the AEW Championship against Chris Jericho at All Out on August 31, but he was looking to keep momentum on his side as he battled familiar foes from Double or Nothing's Casino Battle Royale in Jimmy Havoc, MJF and Jungle Boy.
MJF made it clear ahead of the Fatal 4-Way that he wanted to put Page out of commission and to take his spot in the historic battle with Jericho. He picked and chose his spots early, looking to avoid contact with the opposition, but a tope by Page wiped him out on the floor.
Jungle Boy took to the air next, wiping out all three opponents as Kip Sabian discussed his upcoming match with the winner of this one.
A Tower of Doom superplex spot by Page, Havoc and Jungle Boy wiped out MJF as the action retained his fast pace.
Page and MJF finally came face-to-face, renewing a rivalry that began in Las Vegas. A chop block by MJF earned him the upper hand. Page, though, capitalized on the loudmouthed villain's arrogance and applied a Sharpshooter.
Havoc and Jungle Boy returned to the match long enough for the former to send the latter into Luchasaurus at ringside with a Death Valley Driver. A double stomp by Havoc to MJF earned him a two-count.
Page returned to the match, delivered the Buckshot lariat to Havoc and dumped MJF to the floor. He finished Havoc with the Dead Eye for the pinfall victory. MJF continued to talk trash as he made his way up the ramp.
Result
Page defeated MJF, Jungle Boy and Havoc.
Grade
B+
Analysis
Jungle Boy looked like a star here, flying around the ring and taking the fight to anyone in his path. In his first real opportunity to shine on a stage of this magnitude, he impressed.
Havoc was his solid self, while MJF was the overconfident, loudmouth spoiled brat who felt entitled to victory. Said victory did not come. His inability to follow up on targeting Page's knee because he had to run his mouth cost him the victory and helped Page score the hard-fought win.
If the look on MJF's face is any indication, though, expect the rivalry between Hangman and MJF to continue regardless of Page's date with Jericho.
Cody vs. Darby Allin
7 of 9
Darby Allin was unfazed and unimpressed as Cody made his way to the ring amid the pomp and circumstance expected for the executive vice president of AEW.
An overconfident Cody did pushups as Allin recovered at ringside, the victim of a vicious Irish whip that saw him ricochet off the turnbuckle pads and crash to the floor below. Cody continued to overwhelm Allin, working over his smaller frame and tossing him around the squared circle with reckless abandon.
Allin finally capitalized on an opening, targeting the arm and wrist of his more established opponent, twisting and contorting it in an armbar that left the second-generation star in agony. Allin then left Cody reeling with a suicide dive.
A Yoshi Tonic by Allin continued his roll as Justin Roberts reminded the competitors there were just five minutes remaining in the match. Cody brought Allin off the top rope for a near-fall as he continued to sell his injured left hand.
Allin answered with a Coffin Drop from the top rope and on to the ring apron, with his spine slamming into the hardest part of the ring after Cody rolled out of the way. The American Nightmare slapped him and dropped him with a big boot. He zipped up Allin in his own body bag and delivered the Disaster Kick. He covered but scored only a two-count.
A frustrated Rhodes used his weightlifting belt to punish Allin. An exchange of reversals ensued before Cody dropped Allin with Cross Rhodes. Time ran out, though, robbing the audience of a decisive winner. After the decision, Shawn Spears appeared and dropped Cody with a wicked, unprotected steel chair to the head that busted him open.
MJF, SCU and the referee team checked on Cody and assisted him to the back.
Result
Draw.
Grade
B+
Analysis
There is no reason for there to be an intentional unprotected steel chair shot to the head in 2019. None. There isn't an explanation that can be given after this show to justify that spot. Not when so many wrestlers have come forward with CTE symptoms.
With that out of the way, the match was wonderfully dramatic. Allin's stubborn resilience forced a darker, more unforgiving and sadistic side out of Cody. The closing moments of the match presented an EVP hellbent on proving he could beat Allin, whom he repeatedly disrespected and underestimated earlier in the contest.
Allin's ability to take an ass-kicking and keep fighting appealed to the audience, which was sucked into the story of the underdog as the match progressed. The finish was not ideal, but it protected Allin while preserving Cody's win-loss record.
Spears' post-match attack sets up Cody's next singles program and presents the former Tye Dillinger as the black heart of the AEW locker room.
The match did a ton right. Unfortunately, it will be defined by a chair shot that simply did not need to happen.
The Elite vs. The Lucha Bros and Laredo Kid
8 of 9
The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega paid homage to Street Fighter with their gear for this Six-Man tag team match against The Lucha Bros and Laredo Kid. There was no gaming to be had, though, once the bell rang and Laredo Kid started using his elusive speed and agility to keep the competition off guard.
A six-man staredown gave way to an exchange that saw the luchadors superkick their opponents and then deliver stereo tope con hilos to The Elite on the arena floor. Matt Jackson responded later with a trio of Northern Lights suplexes that popped the crowd.
From the floor, The Young Bucks willed Omega to dive but he was cut off by Pentagon, who stopped him dead in his tracks. An exchange of strikes ensued, and The Elite emerged on top and in control of the match thanks to a German suplex from Omega to Laredo Kid.
A step-up enzuigiri from Laredo Kid allowed him to make the hot tag to Pentagon as the luchadors mounted a comeback in the face of Elite domination. As the action broke down, Laredo Kid delivered a tope suicida to Nick Jackson, and Pentagon executed a perfect double stomp to Matt's midsection for two.
Omega unloaded with a series of snapdragons, and Matt launched Feniz over the steel post and into his brother on the floor as the action proved relentless.
Another staredown between the teams preceded a triple superkick from the luchadors that stunned The Elite. Omega and the Bucks answered with a triple hadouken straight out of Street Fighter.
Later in the bout, Matt hoisted Pentagon for a Meltzer Driver on the floor. Instead, Fenix caught Nick on the top rope and delivered a Spanish fly. Back in the ring, Omega delivered a Tiger Driver 98 to Laredo Kid for two. The V Trigger and One Winged Angel earned The Elite the victory—Omega's first in AEW.
Result
The Elite defeated Lucha Bros and Laredo Kid.
Grade
B
Analysis
For what should have been the latest chapter in the ongoing rivalry between The Young Bucks and Lucha Bros, this one lacked the intensity one would expect it to have.
That same intensity was there in bunches at Double or Nothing, but here it felt like a handful of guys having a damn fun time wrestling each other. From the hadoukens to the experimental spots that did not go according to plan, this felt like an exhibition rather than a high-profile grudge match at the top of a PPV card.
The commentary team suggested the issues between the Bucks and Lucha Bros were not over. Hopefully that is the case because this did not feel like the final chapter of a rivalry.
Unsanctioned Match: Jon Moxley vs. 'Bad Boy' Joey Janela
9 of 9
Hardcore was the name of the game in the Fyter Fest main event, a bout presented as a non-sanctioned match by AEW officials. "Bad Boy" Joey Janela sought a victory over wrestling's hottest star, while Jon Moxley looked to make an example of the loudmouthed competitor ahead of his August 31 match with Kenny Omega.
A barbwire steel chair was the first device of destruction introduced to the match, and both Janela and Moxley felt its wrath. Janela capitalized on Moxley's missed senton bomb and introduced a table to proceedings. It was a different pair of tables at ringside that exploded on impact as Janela brought Moxley off the ring apron with a Russian legsweep.
The anarchic Moxley answered with a spear that drove Janela through a table propped in the corner. As Moxley retrieved another pair of tables, Janela shot him the middle finger and a defiant smile. The former WWE champion's response? The retrieval of a barbed-wire board from under the ring.
It backfired, though, as Janela delivered a Death Valley Driver into it. Recovered, he turned Janela inside out with a lariat clothesline out of the corner. A superkick from Janela allowed him to pull a ladder from underneath the ring, drawing an ovation from the audience.
With Moxley spread over two tables, Janela scaled the ladder and dropped a picture-perfect elbow to the sternum of his opponent. Janela followed up by introducing his own barbed-wire board to the equation. Moxley caught Janela on his shoulders and dumbed him through the board with a Death Valley bomb as chants of "AE-Dub" poured from the stands.
Moxley brought thumbtacks into the fold, spreading them all over the squared circle as groans filled the arena. Moxley removed the boot and then the socks of his opponent, looking to inflict sickening punishment on The Bad Boy. Janela momentarily fended off the attack, but a release suplex sent him into them.
The former WWE champion finally drove him feet-first into the tacks in a barbaric spot. Janela egged on Moxley, daring him to finish him off. He did, dropping him with the Death Rider on to more tacks for the win.
After the match, Kenny Omega arrived and beat the ever-loving hell out of Moxley, avenging the assault he endured at Double or Nothing. As the show went off the air, though, the prey was left smiling despite his pain.
Result
Moxley defeated Janela.
Grade
A
Analysis
When you promote an unsanctioned match between two of the most extreme wrestlers of their generation, you expect a certain level of discomfort. You expect violence and bloodshed. You expect ladders, tables, chairs, tacks and barbwire. Janela and Moxley delivered in spades, paying off heightened expectations of deathmatch-esque action.
Was it fun to watch? At times. Did it flirt with the fine line of good taste? Absolutely. But did it live up to expectations? Hell freaking yes.
The paradigm shift that Moxley promised after his debut at Double or Nothing was on display here as he completely erased any and all remnants of the PG-rated caricature he developed into late in his WWE run.
Janela, on the other hand, is a star in the making. His ability to take punishment and demand more is reminiscent of Mick Foley, with the same heart and desire to boot. There will be a time when he does not feel the need to be involved in quite so many high-risk, low-reward spots, when his charisma alone fuels his character.
Until that time comes, expect the type of dangerous and unflinching performances the likes of which the AEW faithful were treated to tonight.
Omega's post-match attack made sense given the beatdown he endured in Vegas, while the smile painting Moxley's face was apropos following the sadistic torture he took and dished out moments earlier.
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