Roderick Strong has won the gold.
At AEW Revolution, Orange Cassidy defended the AEW International Championship against Roderick Strong. Heading into the match, AEW doctors had noted that Cassidy was barely cleared to compete. Earlier in the show on March 3, ringside physician Doc Sampson stated that Cassidy had to tape up his ribs and back in order to compete.
Though he clearly was not 100%, Cassidy persevered and fought valiantly as he defended his title. However, Strong targeted his ribs and back throughout the contest, and it was clear that the injury was affecting Cassidy. In the end, Strong countered an Orange Punch attempt and floored Cassidy with the End of Heartache for the win.
Roderick Strong has won the AEW International Championship!! YES!!! #AEWRevolution pic.twitter.com/NbZ3EdUE7S
— ------------ (@WrestlingCovers) March 4, 2024
After the bell, Strong celebrated his victory with Mike Bennett and Matt Taven, his stablemates in the Undisputed Kingdom. Kyle O'Reilly came out of the crowd and crept into the ring behind them. After he initially teased attacking Strong, he hugged the new champion. But when O'Reilly was offered an Undisputed Kingdom shirt, O'Reilly rejected it. Instead, he whispered something to Strong and walked away.
Kyle O'Reilly is back!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 4, 2024
Order #AEWRevolution on PPV right now!
----: https://t.co/MpmTCyHt8n
--: https://t.co/Bc4ZSSvvNC@RoderickStrong @MattTaven @RealMikeBennett @KORcombat @trentylocks pic.twitter.com/BfgDONi6Pu
O'Reilly had been sidelined for over a year and a half, and he last wrestled in June 2022, as he had been recovering from neck surgery.
With the victory, Strong won his first championship in AEW. Cassidy had been in his second reign with the title. He won the gold by beating Rey Fenix on the October 10, 2023, episode of AEW Dynamite.
Click here to catch up on our coverage of AEW Revolution. For a full review, check out the post-show podcast on our YouTube channel.
