Moxley moves to V1 against Powerhouse Hobbs

The main event on AEW Dynamite April 24 saw the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship defended on AEW television for the very first time, Jon Moxley defending against Powerhouse Hobbs of the Don Callis Family. 

Hobbs used his power to pressure the champion with strikes who replied with a German suplex, but the big challenger came back up to his feet to deliver an exploder suplex and bring the fight to the floor. In his element, Moxley took charge of the fight on the outside, but Powerhouse Hobbs turned the tide with a shot into the guardrail and repeated slams on the ring frame.

A suplex on the floor further pained the champion, who continued to labour under the hard strikes and throws of the Powerhouse. Mox struggled until he was able to avoid a charging Hobbs in the corner, and followed with a tope suicida. Now in control, Moxley mauled his challenger with relentless corner strikes and a Paradigm Shift for two before transitioning to the Bulldog Choke. With no defence, Hobbs quickly faded and the referee called for the bell to grant Moxley his first defence. 

Post match, Konousuke Takeshita came to the entranceway to indicate that Moxley’s issues with the Don Callis Family are far from over, but the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion will first face the challenge of Ren Narita May 4 at Dontaku.