[9.0] "This rocked. Takeshita is one of the best on the planet, I absolutely adored some of the sequences they put on here. How they managed to everything they did in 12 minutes is beyond me. It's the perfect match to show why Orange Cassidy can go when he's not doing the same bullshit repetitive match he typically does these days."
[7.0] "I had a blast watching this match, Takeshita is one of the best in the world and they dynamic between him & OC was so good, the chemistry they have is elite, i hope they run this back on a PPV soon. (3.75*)"
[7.0] "[3.5*] Awesome match, one of the best AEW TV matches this year. Orange Cassidy against bigger opponents is always a certified banger, just like Takeshita against smaller opponents also is. So, the match-up was literally perfect for what they wanted to do and it obviously delivered a lot. They had a little bit of a rough time at the beginning when things were not working 100% out, but when they figured that out man this turned into pure madness. Insane reversals (specially the Blue Thunder Bomb one) and sequences, this was great."
[6.0] "Some really great counters, but this didn't come together like I hoped. Takeshita's great, OC is really good at times, but being given 12 minutes as the show goes off air clearly shows that they rushed a few things."
[8.0] "These are the types of matches that need to happen more often. The win actually means something. Instead of matches where a win means nothing. I've never understood the point of "squash" matches. I find it doesn't make anyone look good. Who cares if you beat up a jobber?"
[6.0] "Everything they did in the ring after the multiple reversal spot was great. The part on the announce table was not needed. My favorite part was when Orange Cassidy stole his glasses back from Don Callis at ringside and then almost lost because he took the time to do it. They didn't even mention it. They were just yelling the whole time. Tony says some really unintelligible stuff. Someone will be getting their head caved in and he will just talk about both guys being great."
[9.0] "I knew this was gonna be good, but I didn't think it would be THIS good. Loved this match, man. These two definitely made the most of their time and delivered one of AEW's best TV matches this year so far, in my opinion. Takeshita with a title is just good for business."
[8.0] "Face melting final two minutes, great work by Don during the whole deal and Orange is over like rover. It's only been two months since he's been injured but I miss him a lot."
[9.0] "The best thing about this match is that it went 12 minutes, not sue if this was a decision or if it was forced upon them due to time constraints but going 12 minutes allowed them to cut the unnecessary fat and just get straight to it, there were no filler spots here. Just mind-blowing action with a clear story of a wily underdog trying to survive a young brute force of nature. Takeshita kept killing OC who kept fighting back fueled by the crowd until Takeshita eventually ended him, no cheap finish, no referees made to look dumb and everyone in the match coming out of it in a better spot. OC might be a top five TV wrestler of all time."
[7.0] "Wanted to rate this more but I think it just needed a couple minutes more to get to that 4 star level. Still these guys showed amazing chemistry and some incredible counters. Always enjoy Don on commentary too."
[6.0] "good match but really expected more. I think there were far too many moments that Orange Cassidy and Konosuke Takeshita just didn't have much chemistry, lots of strikes and transitional spots felt clumsy here and there. There were moments of pure magic, namely that reversal of a Stundog Millionaire into Blue Thunder Bomb was absolutley gorgeous but that was about it. I thought the announcer table spot was forced and unnecessary, Takeshita elbow striking Orange off the top rope felt off because OC was hitting the flying nothing, the spots themselves are fine but the connective tissue was incredibly lacking. It's a shame because the character work was good. OC had a fun sunglasses gag with Don Callis and Takeshita seemed to be far more agitated by Orange's antic than he usually would which felt really on brand. Still a solid TV match but besides that one spot I'm not sure if this is that worth revisiting"
[9.0] "[9] - Takeshita is easily the best wrestler that I've watched thus far in 2025. He brings a level of intensity and magnitude to every match that no one else can really match right now. Cassidy was also great really making you feel that he could win at any moment when in reality the winner was clear before the match started."
[8.0] "Even though he's a fantastic comical relief, OC delivers something amazing when things turn around on a serious note. This match was no different despite the predictable result ahead of the clear path towards Revolution. Takeshita utilised this matchup to toy OC all around the ring and doubt him even more so that all of his usual comeback tactics and desperation moves clicked so well, especially the final stretch emanating from the huge announcers' desk bump. That whole sequence was a delight to watch which has been a successful norm for AEW. 4 out of 5 stars!"
[8.0] "The finishing sequence, leading to Take catching OC out of the Stundog and absolutely MANHANDLING him into the snappiest Raging Fire we've seen so far... Was absolutely magical. Take not dealing with OCs schtick, is the way to book these matches. When OC's matched up against a true mauler like Take. A very very solid TV match, with a high workrate, pushed the pace, and the finishing sequence, again, was insanely hot and well done."
[8.0] "Cassidy seemed even smaller than usual but can go and has, or used to have, admirable resilience. Strong final contest with the immense Takeshita ragdolling him at times and deservedly prevailing. Over rotated on his finisher though."
[8.0] "the winner of this one as I explained in last week's match was not in doubt. in fact we knew that we were going to have takeshita vs omega. the match itself is a good match cassidy even makes a few comedy spots which is different from what we see in other matches. takeshita who breaks his glasses so he takes out another pair and takeshita gives them to don callis."
[8.0] "What an excellently delivered TV match. I won't hear any Cassidy slander anymore. This match had some of the best counter sequences I've seen in a while. Takeshita dodging the orange punch was beautiful. The sequence where Take and OC traded moves into the blue thunder bomb was inspired. I could happily watch it again, and that's high praise for a TV match in particular."
[7.0] "Started off a bit slower than I would've liked but once this got going it was really good. Orange does his usual stuff but Takeshita pretty easily takes control, dominating OC throughout the ad break. Orange makes his comeback soon after, baiting Takeshita onto the announce table before hitting him with the Beach Break, and from then on its just a bunch of wild shit happening. Orange counters the Raging Fire into a Stundog Millionare which then gets countered into a blue thunder bomb from Takeshita, there's a really close nearfall when Orange catches Takeshita in a flash roll up which I actually fell for for some reason and then there's the Raging Fire which ended the match which looked absolutely brutal as Orange took it on his side rather than on his back. This match had a great second but did suffer from a few pacing issues early on. Still this was very good and probably my second favourite TV match of the year behind Punk vs Sami. ***3/4"
[8.0] "(7.8) How they manged to fit so much into a 12 min match I will never get. Really good match especially in the second half with the Beach Break on the announce desk and some crazy counters."
[8.0] "This was a fantastic TV main event between arguably the two best AEW International champions in the company's history. There were a couple of counter sequences that were absolutely phenomenal, and the crowd ate up all of it. Loved the bits involving OC's sunglasses, including him pulling out a second pair after Takeshita destroyed the first. ****"
[8.0] "awesome freaking main event match. Takeshita needs to get the win over omega. I don't get how he's has the belt since october and has had such a disappointing title run. But this was sick 4.25 stars"
[10.0] "This was billed as a match between the two greatest International Champions, and looking at the title's history I think that's very much true. It's also a match I was really looking forward to on paper, and it definitely did not disappoint! Orange continues to be one of AEW's greatest assets no matter where he appears on the card, in my opinion the guy really is a legend on par with most current guys you can think of. Takeshita for his part has been on a pretty hot streak and this was my favorite of his recent matches, these two clicked extremely well. You've got a few mildly humorous elements with Cassidy, they are played off extremely well and only add to the crowd investment in the match, and the more they get into the action the more impressive it all is. Takeshita was a wonderful base for Orange, and he took full advantage both in terms of hitting some crazy offense and taking some harsh bumps when Takeshita powered through. That stunner that was roughly countered into a blue thunder bomb, that was a thing of beauty, all the better because it looked like a real struggle instead of being crisp and effortless. Nasty announce table spot to boot, and then just look how great the finish looks, Takeshita hits a truly sick version of the Falcon Arrow which looks like it could drive Orange through the mat, giving him a credible win that does nothing to harm Orange and his fantastic performance. Killer match, my #6 favorite of the year to date."
[9.0] "The closing sequence was incredible, and the whole match felt special and was wrestled that way. No run of the mill Orange match, but yet another banger from one of the best in the world, Takeshita."
[5.0] "Unpopular opinion time: Konosuke Takeshita isn't very good. He has zero charisma, doesn't really sell anything beyond the moment and those cartoonish facial expressions make Roman Reigns look like Michael Shannon. This had plenty of cute counters, made-for-tv moments and the last couple of minutes popped the crowd, but a lot of the work looked featherlight. Are folks seriously putting it forward as an all-timer? **1/2"
[9.0] "What a Main Event. Orange Cassidy had a marvelous performance same for Konosuke Takeshita. This was a very entertaining Main Event I wouldn't mind if Konosuke Takeshita main evented every Dynamite he must watch television whenever he's wrestling. Now Kenny Omega knows who he's facing at AEW Revolution and that match is going to be fun as Konosuke Takeshita is 2-0 against Kenny Omega in Singles Action now Kenny Omega wants to avenge those losses and become the new AEW International Champion."
[9.0] "This was just fantastic. One of the best main events in Dynamite history. Takeshita has been having a phenomenal year so far and it only got better. He played the perfect cocky heel when to took Cassidy's glasses and gave a pair to Don. Dodging the Orange Punch was such a cool spot. And countering the Stundog Millionaire into a Blue Thunderbomb was one of the coolest reversal spots I've ever seen. The final sequence of the match was also brilliant with Orange and Takeshita reversing each other's maneuvers until Takeshita finally picked up the win. Both guys did excellent and showed great chemistry. Orange Cassidy plays the underdog babyface role perfectly and Takeshita is one of the best heels in the business. Fantastic match."
[9.0] "The road to this match was a little convoluted, but it doesn't detract from the match itself, which was very, very good. Takeshita has been a very good International Champion and it's going to be a shame to see the belt off him, even if it is going around Kenny's waist, and Orange Cassidy reminds us why he's such a good TV wrestler. As far as AEW matches go, one of the best singles affairs of the year, just below Page/ Daniels and Briscoe/Fletcher."
[8.0] "A very good match, but in my opinion, the worst international title match of the year so far. Even if I thing Cassidy is entertaining, I'm just not a huge fan of him in the ring, he's alright, but lacks the little something that I think Ospreay, Fletcher, Omega, Takeshita, Ishi, etc. all have"
[9.0] "Best AEW match of 2025 so far, best Dynamite match since Ospreay/Darby. Takeshita with a dominant heel performance. He's the wrestler of the year in 2025. The counter from stundog into blue thunder bomb was unbelievable. Needs to be seen. Orange Cassidy is a perfect underdog babyface, crowd was with him the whole way. Fantastic chemistry from these two. Crowd bit hard for Cassidy's nearfall. Good characterization from Takeshita and Callis messing around with Cassidy's sunglasses. Reallll good shit."
[10.0] "This has been AEW Dynamite's MOTY so far in 2025. They had instant chemistry, and it felt like a matchup I could never get bored of. The mind games built around the sunglasses were very good, all the reversals felt more innovative than they normally are against these two, and the crowd was rocking at every moment! A lot has been said about how amazing Konosuke Takeshita is, but I think too many people still, to this day, doubt just how stellar Orange Cassidy is, especially in the TV Wrestling setting. That Beach Break on the announce table was brutal, and that rollup reversal of Takeshita's deadlift German made me think, for a single second, that we were about to have a new champion. The finish felt vicious, and Takeshita feels on FIRE headed into Revolution, to face one of the best in the world, in Kenny Omega."
[8.0] "Even with the obvious outcome from this weirdly convoluted mini-tournie this was still really good. Takeshita is a beast and OC is a good foil to him here."
[9.0] "One of the best TV matches in a while, Takeshita awesome ad usual, Orange once again proving to the naysayers that he can *really* go when the situation calls for it. Would definitely be down to see a rematch."
[8.0] "This was awesome, with the final few minutes being absolutely fantastic! These two are great together with Takeshita being able to utilize his power game to the fullest and Orange hitting some insane counters. Excellent main event."
[9.0] "What a fantastic match! Easily the best OC match since FB '24. Takeshita keeps proving to be one of the best in-ring wrestlers in the world and OC keeps on proving he can hang with top talent. The atmosphere and the crowd were eletric. The action was really good, especially the closing stretch which was sensational. There were a couple of moments in which I really though Cassidy had it won. Loved the stun dog millionaire countered into a blue thunder bomb and the beach break on the announcer's desk looked devasting. In the end Takeshita won following a mid-air forearm and a raging fire. Awesome match. 9/10 - 4.5*/5*"
[7.0] "Best Orange Cassidy match in a long time. Takeshita came off like a monster and OC got to play the under dog in a more refreshing way compared to the DR feud. Some sloppy and over cooperative spots but that is modern wrestling. ***1/2"
[9.0] "This was INCREDIBLE! My god, this is probably TV match of the year without a doubt for me. Konosuke Takeshita it's right now in a great run with the british wrestler Gabe Kidd to be the best wrestler in 2025. The moment that Takeshita countered Cassidy's DDT with a Suplex and them Cassidy countered it with a Stunner and them Takeshita COUNTERED IT AGAIN WITH A FUCKING BLUE THUNDER BOMB was impecable. Completely insane this match, I had a lot of fun watching it."
[9.0] "Great main event with Konosuke Takeshita retaining against the greatest prior International Champion, Orange Cassidy, to set up his next title defence against Kenny Omega at Revolution. In my mind, Takeshita is the best wrestler in the world right now, and he definitely showed it here against one of the best babyfaces in the world. Hope they do this on PPV one day."
[9.0] "That was wildly wildly good. Incredible counters by both guys, incredibly smooth stuff. The boxing slip by Takeshita, the plethora of different germans, the counter from the tilt a whirl to the vertical suplex to the cutter to the blue thunder bomb... i mean legitimately incredible stuff. Loved the spot on the table outside. Just a phenomenal TV main event, the finish worked. Only criticism is wishing we got even more of it, but there's just not a negative to this match, it was incredible. 9.5/10 - takeshita continues to show he's at a level that is as high as anyone in the world, and orange cassidy continues to show over and over again why anyone who ever doubted him was totally wrong."
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