Roderick Strong retained his AEW International Championship in a gritty showdown against Kyle O’Reilly at AEW Dynasty, but it was Adam Cole’s surprise tease of a return that stole the spotlight. Strong, continuing his reign with the ruthless precision of a chess grandmaster, fended off his former friend and Undisputed Era teammate in a match that was more drama-filled than a soap opera finale.
The clash was a rollercoaster of emotions and maneuvers, echoing their shared history since their Ring of Honor days. Despite their past alliances, Strong showed no hesitation in turning on O’Reilly, who had been sidelined with a neck injury and was hesitant to join the newly formed Undisputed Kingdom. Throughout the match, the tension was palpable, with Strong delivering his devastating Strong Breaker (End of Heartache) and multiple spine-rattling backbreakers.
The match swayed with every knee strike and submission attempt, with the audience on the edge of their seats. O’Reilly’s resilience shone through as he locked in a guillotine, only to be countered brutally by Strong. The interference from Undisputed Kingdom’s Wardlow added another layer of chaos, though it failed to secure a victory for O’Reilly despite his best efforts.
The real twist came post-match when Matt Taven and Mike Bennett wheeled out an injured Adam Cole. In a moment that could have been ripped from a blockbuster movie, Cole stood up, walking determinedly towards the ring, his “The Devil” shirt a silent testament to his looming comeback. His glare at Wardlow was icy enough to chill the celebratory air, hinting at potential fractures within the Undisputed Kingdom.
As Strong triumphantly exited with the championship, the wrestling world buzzed not just with his victory, but with the electrifying possibility of Adam Cole’s return to the ring. Could this be the dawn of a new chapter for Cole and a reshuffling of alliances in AEW?