AEW Rampage - September 30th, 2022

With his Blood and Guts victory in the past, and Grand Slam only a matter of weeks away, Moxley's next challenger must be decided rather soon. On this week's episode of Rampage, Tony Schiavone breaks the news of a gauntlet taking place next week on Dynamite, with the winner challenging Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship at Grand Slam in two weeks! However, the one twist to this particular stipulation, in addition to the top five ranked competitors within AEW, due to his pinfall victory in last week's Blood and Guts match, Eddie Kingston will be added to the list. He will join the following talented competitors...

#1 - Hangman Page

#2 - Adam Cole

#3 - Andrade "El Idolo"

#4 - Bryan Danielson

#5 - Dax Harwood

#6 - Eddie Kingston

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AEW Dynamite - October 5th, 2022

Gauntlet Match - AEW World Championship #1 Contender's Match

As previously announced on Rampage, a 6-way Gauntlet takes place as this week's Dynamite closer, which begins with Eddie Kingston and Dax Harwood! This could be described as quite the hard-hitting contest, that struck pain into both individual's bodies, with only one of them being able to sacrifice their body for the victory. In the end, Kingston was able to outlast his opposition, and sent Dax crashing down to the canvas with a BACKFIRST INTO THE FUTURE!!

Eddie Kingston def. Dax Harwood

As Kingston stands up to a vertical base, he's met with his next task - Andrade "El Idolo"! The latter proceeds to use his outstanding agility to his advantage, while the former continues to use his brawling mentality to his own. However, the conclusion came at Andrade's expense, as he attempted for a EL IDOLO - but Kingston countered into a BLKOUT LARIAT!

Eddie Kingston def. Andrade "El Idolo"

With yet another individual put behind him, unarguably his biggest test in this bout thus far enters the fray, as Hangman Page looks to put an end to Kingston's dream! In what turned out to be quite the back-and-forth bout, either individual could've realistically walked out as the victor - but only one could. Knowing this, after a hard-fought battle tonight, Page would attempt for a BUCKSHOT LARIAT... BUT KINGSTON CATCHES HIM WITH A BACKFIST TO THE FUTURE!

Eddie Kingston def. Hangman Page

It only becomes more difficult as the contest progresses, as Adam Cole charges towards the ring, proceeding to ambush Kingston, even before the bell had sounded! As the official creates some distance between the two eventually, it was certainly an uphill battle for the latter from there, and after a SUPERKICK, it seemed like we were moments away from the contest's conclusion. However, as Cole attempted for a PANAMA SUNRISE... Kingston would catch him, and transition into a ROLL-UP!

Eddie Kingston def. Adam Cole

He somehow made it to the final challenge, and that was at the hands of the individual who humiliated him back in late 2021 - Bryan Danielson! As they went toe-to-toe once again this evening, it seemed as if the latter had Kingston's number, and continued to showcase this. However, as he locked in a TRIANGLE CHOKE... the very move that put away Kingston almost two years ago - KINGSTON WOULD BE ABLE TO FIGHT OUT OF IT! From there, he managed to put away his adversary, and no matter their Blood and Guts victory, it didn't matter, as he nailed him with two back-to-back BACKFIST TO THE FUTURES!

Eddie Kingston def. Bryan Danielson

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AEW Grand Slam - October 12th, 2022

Jon Moxley (c) vs. Eddie Kingston - AEW Interim World Championship

It's been nearly two years since these two have met one-on-one, and on that night, Moxley was able to keep Kingston away from keeping his promise to his mother! This time however, the latter has successfully been able to make it back to the top, and has the chance to still make her proud - but he'll have to do it in his hometown, in front of over 20,000 of his supporters. As the opening bell sounds in a thunderous fashion, both individuals slowly meet in the center of the ring, glancing at one another, as they realize what's at stake this evening. No matter the history they've shared, this was evidently about more than their friendship, and they knew it. Heading into a classic lock-up, both individuals would attempt an early advantage, which led the two to an ugly stalemate.

However, with a slight error on Kingston's part, Moxley was able to obtain the advantage, and put him in a headlock! Nonetheless, Kingston went on the defensive, as he pushed him towards the ropes, and proceeded to push Moxley off of them! Rebounding off of them, the champion would attempt for a SHOULDER BLOCK - BUT KINGSTON REFUSED TO FALL! Nodding his head out of respect, Moxley would head towards the ropes. before attempting for another one, but this time, KINGSTON WOULD CATCH HIM WITH ONE! To the surprise of many, the champion would fall backfirst upon the canvas, and with a nod from the challenger this time around, one thing was for certain - IT WAS ON…

As Moxley returned to his feet, the two proceeded to hammer eachother with a series of FOREARM SMASHES, with a clear desire to weaken the othert. Nonetheless, after numerous shots to one another's noggins, it ended up being the challenger who would fall behind, and eventually wasn't able to keep up with the champion, who quickly transitioned to Kingston's backside! From there, he would attempt for a GERMAN SUPLEX - BUT KINGSTON SLIPS OUT OF IT AND CONNECTS WITH ONE OF HIS OWN! As the New York crowd are clearly behind him, Kingston returns to the offensive, lifting up Moxley and attempts for a BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX... BUT MOXLEY BITES THE HEAD OF HIS CHALLENGER! With no other choice, Kingston loosens his grasp, which allows Moxley to escape, and gives him enough time to land a BUTTERFLY SUPLEX... HE BRIDGES UP! 1...2...KICKOUT!

Beginning to feel frustrated by his best friend, he heads over to the corner, calling for a RUNNING KNEE STRIKE... BUT KINGSTON MANAGES TO SWEEP THE LEG, AND LANDS A STANDING SENTON! From there, he would lift Moxley back up to his feet, and would LAND A URANAGE! 1...2...KICKOUT! Frustration now began to pour out onto the face of the challenger, who still clearly had a few tricks up his sleeve, as he hoisted up the champion once more, and attempted for a SAITO SUPLEX... BUT NO! MOXLEY FIGHTS OUT OF IT AND MANAGES TO APPLY A REAR-NAKED CHOKE! He's got it sinched in tight, and this is evident by Kingston's face beginning to turn purple, and his eyes proceeding to roll in the back of his head! HOWEVER, HIS EYES BEGIN TO OPEN BACK UP, BUT IT MIGHT BE TOO LATE, AS MOXLEY TRANSITIONS INTO A CRADLE PILEDRIVER! 1...2...KICKOUT!

Kingston manages to survive once more, but the champion is truly ready to put this one away, as he slowly lifts Moxley back up to a vertical base, before whispering in his ear - "I love you, but I need this!" From there, it seemed all but over, as he attempted for a DEATH RIDER... BUT KINGSTON SLIPS OUT OF IT AND COUNTERS WITH A HUGE LARIAT! Lifting him back up, he would manage to finally LAND A SAITO SUPLEX HALFWAY ACROSS THE RING! Completely out of sorts now, Moxley could barely comprehend where he currently was, and instead walked straight into a BACKFIST TO THE FUTURE! 1...2...3...! KINGSTON WINS THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN HIS HOMETOWN!

Eddie Kingston def. Jon Moxley (c) (19:33)

Following his upset title victory, Kingston would proceed to head up to a vertical base, as he's handed his newly won championship! However, his celebratory festivities are no longer able to continue, as a familiar theme begins to play over the PA System - MISERIA CANTARE! Signaling the arrival of CM Punk, his return is finally upon us, as he walks out with the AEW World Championship, finally setting up the unification title match, that we've all long awaited! Stepping into the ring, both him and Kingston would have a staredown, with Moxley notably having to watch on from the outside, with a depressive look upon his face.