IS IT TIME FOR THE BLACK AND GOLD??

Storm’s best wrestlers take to the ring in Miami for After Party and GAW may never be the same… We begin the night with Kacy Catanzaro putting her World Title on the line against Io Shirai in a match the icon Lita called one of her most anticipated ever. It certainly lived up to that billing as the counters came fast, the kicks came faster and the thrills brought everyone to their feet. Catanzaro had her Indian Deathlock submission locked in twice but Shirai was able to break out both times, while the challenger hit three Shiraisaults that couldn’t get the job done either due to ropebreak or the toughness of the champion. Finally, Catanzaro rolled up Shirai and, while the challenger kicked out at 2.9, Catanzaro ended the match right after with the Warrior’s Way. It was truly an iconic women’s match.

Afterword, the chilling piano music hit and the Ring General WALTER strode down to the ring. He only had enough time to threaten Adam Cole, Keith Lee and the Black and Gold, however, before another ominous sound rang through the arena. It was the music of Sir William Regal, and the smartest man in wrestling had a proposition for WALTER similar to what he told Claudio Castagnoli a few weeks ago: WALTER would be stronger with Regal, Cole and Drew McIntyre on his side. The Austrian had no response to Regal’s offer.

Speaking of Castagnoli, the Swiss Superman was the man to take the open contract for Chris Sabin’s Intercontinental Title. Sabin has been a match-of-the-night magnet since becoming champion and tonight was no exception. Even Sabin’s Cradle Shock and Castagnoli’s Neutralizer couldn’t end the contest. Unfortunately, this spectacular match ended in controversy. Right as Castagnoli hit a second Neutralizer, two men dressed all in black with black masks stormed the ring. One of them pulled the referee out, the other mashed Castagnoli with a Singapore cane. Sabin, completely unaware of what happened, hit the Cradle Shock to win. But the carnage still wasn’t over as Matt Riddle hit the ring and attacked Sabin from behind. Riddle held the IC title high as that scene just continues to get more and more muddied.

The third match was, probably, the least eventful of the night as Consequences Creed takes on Aaron Matthews in his debut. Creed has become used to fighting these types of matches and it doesn’t even faze him anymore. He hit the Honor Roll and the CreeDT to win and called out Chris Danger afterword.

Backstage, CM Punk challenged Conor McGregor to another match over a year after their brutal first contest.

It’s the first of two title matches for the Black and Gold as Moustache Mountain challenges War Machine for the Tag Team Titles. It was a back and forth affair with both teams enjoying periods where they had all the momentum, but the tag champs were just too good on this occasion. They isolated Trent Seven and Hanson hit the Samoan Death Driver to win. However, this too was not without controversy. It appeared Seven grabbed the rope just as the referee’s hand hit the mat for the three count so it seems things are not done between these two duos.

We got the announcement that Bandido will challenge Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title in the main event next week in another history-making match for GAW.

It’s finally time for the main event. Adam Cole challenges Keith Lee for the World Championship. The top title has never changed hands at After Party in seven matches, can Cole make history? It’s a match well worth your time watching; Cole had control for much of it but Lee’s unbelievable athleticism and grit kept him in it all the way. Thankfully, there was no interference from the Black and Gold in this contest, just two of the best in the world throwing down. Cole’s last mistake nearly proved fatal as he tried to lariat Lee moving at full speed; he ate a Pounce and a Spirit Bomb for his trouble but he somehow survived. Lee then went to finish the match the same way he defeated Brock Lesnar. He hit a moonsault then went for the famous shooting star… but Cole was ready. He superkicked the champ in mid-air, hit the Panama Sunrise and lowered the Boom to defeat Lee and become the new GAW World Champion.