Kenny Omega emerged victorious over Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) to claim the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) World Championship on Wednesday night in Clearwater, Florida. The championship match was contested under a stipulation that made it Omega's final opportunity to challenge for the title, a condition previously faced by "Hangman" Adam Page.
The bout, held at The BayCare Sound, saw a heated contest between the two prominent AEW stars. Tensions were visibly high, exacerbated by MJF's earlier actions toward potential challenger Will Ospreay, whom he spat in the face during a backstage segment.
The match saw both competitors engage in an intense, physical battle that extended beyond the ring and into the stands. MJF employed his characteristic "dirty tactics," at one point using the referee as a shield and biting Omega. At another point, MJF was heard declaring to the camera, "I’m moonwalking to Wembley Stadium whether you like it or not."
Omega attempted to create distance, luring MJF up the ramp where he executed a moonsault from a lifeguard tower. Back in the ring, Omega followed with a dropkick from the top rope. Despite Omega's momentum, MJF utilized a drop toehold to regain control. The match continued with a back-and-forth struggle for dominance.
Midway through the match, MJF attempted a tombstone piledriver from the apron, but Omega countered, hitting a V-trigger that sent MJF crashing through the announce table. Both wrestlers appeared spent as the match progressed. MJF then hit Omega with a tombstone piledriver on a chair, seemingly injuring his own knee in the process. Omega responded with multiple V-triggers and a One-Winged Angel attempt, which MJF countered with a poisonrana and a heatseeker, but could not secure a pinfall.
As MJF prepared to use the Dynamite Diamond Ring, Will Ospreay intervened, taking the ring away. Omega hesitated to use the AEW title belt on MJF, but MJF then delivered a low blow and struck Omega with the title belt. Omega managed to kick out at a one-count.
Omega rallied, delivering three more V-triggers and ultimately hitting the One-Winged Angel. He then pinned MJF to win the AEW World Championship.
The victory has fueled speculation that Omega will face Ospreay at the upcoming All In event later this summer.