Dustin Rhodes makes his entrance carrying all his championship belts, followed by Moriarty, who proudly sports the Ring of Honor Pure Championship alongside Shane Taylor. The crowd cheers loudly for Dustin as the match begins. Early exchanges see Rhodes and Moriarty grappling, with hammerlocks and wrist locks in play. The bout heats up with Rhodes executing a series of shoulder tackles and clotheslines, earning a strong reaction from the fans.
The action spills outside the ring where Lee knees Rhodes and faces off with aggressive moves, but Rhodes counters effectively and fights back. Despite sustaining a knee injury from Moriarty’s repeated dragon screw leg attacks, Rhodes continues to battle with tremendous resilience. After a commercial break, the contest resumes with Moriarty targeting Rhodes’s left knee, attempting to wear down the champion. Both men trade powerful strikes and near falls, including a dramatic Canadian Destroyer from Rhodes and attempts at submission holds by Moriarty.
At a critical moment, Moriarty locks in an ankle lock, nearly making Rhodes tap out, but the champion reaches the ropes just in time. Following some back-and-forth exchanges, Rhodes narrowly escapes a Figure-Four leglock and rallies to land his finishing moves. In a surprising twist, Rhodes manages to roll up Moriarty for the pinfall, retaining the TNT Championship.
Post-match, Don Charis and Kyle Fletcher appear to confront Dustin. Fletcher demands a one-on-one shot at the TNT Title, refusing to back down despite previous conflicts. Dustin agrees to the match, setting up a highly anticipated bout for next week’s "Clash at the Battle of Chicago Street," ending with a confident declaration that he is ready for the challenge.
Tony Khan confirms the official announcement, with promos hinting at upcoming tournament matches involving prominent wrestlers like Juice Robinson and Austin Gunn. There’s also a heartfelt tribute to the late Hulk Hogan, acknowledging his impact on wrestling and expressing sympathy for his family’s loss.
Winner (and still TNT Champion): Dustin Rhodes
Fan Take: This match was a showcase of heart and perseverance, highlighting Dustin Rhodes’ tenacity as a fighting champion. The upcoming clash with Kyle Fletcher promises an exciting storyline that will keep AEW fans deeply invested, potentially elevating the TNT Championship scene and adding fresh intensity to AEW programming.
